North Carolina Outer Banks - Ahhhh....the Atlantic Ocean Beach!

North Carolina Outer Banks © Katrena

My family took a vacation to the Outer Banks in July 2016. We enjoyed many sites and visited a nice variety of attractions; however, one of the favorites for my group was going to the beach. This was the first time my family had been to a beach in North Carolina.

Atlantic Ocean at Kill Devil Hills © Katrena

When traveling with kids, I like to make vacations educational because the best classrooms are rarely surrounded by four walls. We talked about being on the Atlantic coast on the eastern edge of North Carolina and named other states that border our state. And how wonderful it is to live in a state that offers topography from the beach to the mountains.

Ocean Landscape on NC Outer Banks © Katrena

We talked about the barrier islands, how the various Sounds are different than the ocean, and what animals might be found in each and in both. From the vantage point of Currituck Lighthouse, we saw a big contrast in population on the ocean side versus the sound side and the north versus the south.

Educational Opportunities on NC Outer Banks © Katrena

We enjoyed sunsets and talked about what parts of the country might enjoy sunrises over the ocean water and which areas might enjoy sunsets over the ocean water. We also remembered a bit about how the moon can affect tides and how lightening and electricity can travel through water.

Enjoy Simple Pleasures on Family Vacation © Katrena

We looked for animals and shells on the sand and talked about protecting ocean animals, the land, and the fragile ecosystem on the North Carolina beach. And perhaps what might have happened to The Lost Colony many years ago.

Nature's Classroom at NC Coast © Katrena

We waded in the water and talked about riptides and remembered learning about how to safely get back to shore by swimming parallel to shore to move to a safer wave if one were pulled out by a riptide. How it is easier to walk on wet sand than on dry sand. And how shells at the beach are so unique and beautiful.

Enjoying the Beach on NC Coast © Katrena

We noticed how various people and a few dogs were enjoying the beach and noticed people often take beautiful natural areas for granted when they live near them. We went to the beach late in the evenings, which was great for our skin and also meant fewer people on the beach.

Public Access to Beach on NC Outer Banks © Katrena

We also talked about the access ramp to get to the edge of the beach and how they now make special wheelchairs that will roll on the sand and how a family we know ensured that the dad was able to make it out to the beach several times before moving to a heavenly home. And how we hope some day beaches will have access ramps all the way out to the water for those who are not able to get the special wheelchairs.

Learning About and Protecting NC Beaches © Katrena

Yet we were also quiet as we listened to the methodical ebb and flow, ebb and flow of a majestic body of water that seems timeless, a beautiful natural wonder that can calm and soothe through its shimmering metronome. What a gift to be able to dig one's toes into the sand, feel the cool water, and listen to the ocean's serenade.

Enjoy Simple Pleasures at the Beach © Katrena

Additional articles by Katrena:

• Jockeys Ridge State Park - One Heckuva Sand Dune!
• Nags Head Woods Preserve - Are You Sure We're This Close to Civilization?
• Katrena's Scavenger Hunt #19: Under the Seas
• North Carolina State Symbols Trivia Game - Part 1
• Famous Landmarks Around the World Trivia Game

Thanks for visiting Travel NC With Kids. I hope you find my articles to be helpful and informative. Have you visited a beach in North Carolina? Feel free to share your beach story in the comment section below. If you like to listen to the beach, you might want to pull up a video on YouTube and enjoy the sounds from home.