The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a thin strip of fragile sand made up of a series of dynamic islands that migrate back and forth. The islands come and go as the inlets which separate them open up only to be eventually filled back in.

Even as the islands come and go they have been steadily migrating to the west as the ocean would wash over the land and push the beach sand over to the back side of the barrier islands. There are areas on the beach where one can find tree stumps on the ocean front shoreline. The remnants of old forests can be located in the area north of Corolla and near the Villages at Nags Head at low tide on the edge of the ocean, sometimes under the water, sometimes under the sand and sometimes poking through the sand like ghosts reaching for release.

This westward migration does not occur any more since the Civilian Conservation Corps. built the dunes in the 1930’s to stop erosion. Now on top of the dunes are residential homes that range from humble cottages to Palatial McMansions. The elevation of the dunes offers exceptional ocean views and protection from storms. The fall bloom of sea oats on the dunes is as beautiful as any other fall scene in nature. The beauty of the Outer banks is one of the biggest attractions for those who like to vacation here.

Even with development seemingly over running the place, the area has managed to hold onto most of its charm. While the houses are no longer the quaint cottages of old there is a noticeable lack of high rise buildings and the crowds they bring. The locals long ago realized they had a little piece of paradise in their hands and took the steps necessary to protect it. There are ordinances in place to prevent the kind of over development that takes place with high-rise buildings. The beaches are uncrowded, the traffic is minimal and the schools are great.