Everyone I know personally who visit OBX all say the same thing when they return "I don't know what it is about that place that makes it so hard to leave". I personally can think of several things!! I can't even look at my wife Melanie while crossing the bridge off the island on the way home. Her eyes are all welled with tears. I feel that way when I reel in for what I know will be the final time while fishing on the beach. One of these days we would love to unpack and stay unpacked!! I know many of you have the same dream!!

I don't know why I feel the way I do about the OBX, maybe it is the ocean, the smell, sounds, the people, or just a little of everything combined but I do know that when I leave my only thoughts are how long it will be till I can turn my truck back around and head across that bridge to the only place I feel I truely belong!! :-)

Its an addiction. As I have said before I have what my family calls "obxod"(Outer Banks Obsession Disorder)I personally suffer on a daily basis. Now why do I have this disorder.... because I want it. So there!!!!!

I think for me its the NO WORRIES effect that the OBX can implant on a person.

I love waking up with my husband before all the kids are awake and going to the beach to watch a sunrise. I love taking the kids to the beach at night to watch the sandcrabs. I love, love,love the Outer Banks.

after going to the OBX for over 30 years, I can personally say it's the feeling of peace that comes with crossing the bridge. (except for the summer traffic, that's why we come in the fall)It's the laid back attitude of the islands, no worries except what & when is dinner. It's so different than the hurry to work, hurry home, hurry to cook, etc. Don;t know what it'd be like to live there & actually have to work, but I imagine just having the ocean nearby would contribute to that sense of well-being, one that I try to remember every day & hope to have full-time some day...once an obx'er always an obx'er!

We feel the same way. It's really hard crossing the bridge out. My DH would live on the Nags Head fishing pier if he could. I'd be happy with my dd & myself enjoying the beauty & sound of the ocean at our feet.

Well, I guess we all feel the same way. I love the natural beauty, the wonderful people, the fresh breezes, and the relaxing atmosphere. But, I also think it is the 30 years of memories that I have of the islands. I have many of my fondest childhood memories on Ocracoke.

It hasnt been been a week since I got home and I'm very depressed...wishing I was still there. This is about the worst I've probably felt after leaving. My question is if you all feel like me why aren't we all moving there to live? :o(

This is why........

Beautiful and tranquil...

That's so true about the crying. When we pull out of the drive of our house for the last time I cry. Then we always have to go say goodbye to the lighthouse -- and I cry. When we cross the Oregon Inlet bridge I cry. This year we stayed our last Saturday night at the Comfort Inn in Kill Devil Hills and it softened the departure a little == wasn't like just leaving cold turkey. This all made me think back .. we first came to the OBX in 1992. It was my husband and I and my sister. We just came down for a day to see the Hatteras light. We stayed at Nags Head Inn the first night then ended up staying at the Lighthouse View in Buxton for two nights -- even though we hadn't planned it. The Banks grabbed us right away. The next year we rented a house in Avon (got there right after Hurricane Emily) and brought my nieces and their husbands and my brother-in-law. From there it grew and grew, my nieces brought their friends and family and our friends brought their families. Geez, I was trying to count how many people we introduced to the OBX -- probably at least 25-30 -- and they ALL fell in love with it and come back every year. That's a pretty good batting average. So there definitely is something there. And I've heard other people tell this same story. The Banks cast a spell -- a wonderful, relaxing spell and I'm so very glad we decided to take that side trip in 1992. Aside from Key West one year, we really haven't vacationed anywhere since. People actually get irritated with us because we go to the same place each year. I just smile and tell them -- "obviously you've never been there or you would understand."

I hear you all but I must say going several times a year like I am able to do is like the cherry on top of my life. I am fortunate to live in a beautiful place in the mountains. I grew up in Eastern North Carolina and if you think going threw a hurricane is fun your right but I didn't have to pay for it then. It was always exciting but scary. I for one look to my next trip with great anticipation . But I think I¡¦ll stay where I am for now and enjoy the best of both worlds .

There is an old saying and I know it well because I raise cattle. the grass is always greener on the other side . Just be careful what you wish for. Although I would like to live closer I don¡¦t think I will for now

That is a beautiful setting you have there Rick.

I hope ya'll noticed that my pictures that I posted were not huge! My son worked on my computer I had a virus and I had him reformat the hard drive and now the pictures are posting at a normal size.....

Dee,

I'm no computer expert, but wouldn't it have been easier to just run some anti virus software instead of reformatting the hard drive?

Thanks for the pictures. I just saved the one you posted above and used it as my new screen background.

I feel like I found a treatment center for people like us. I use to think I was the only one reduced to tears when it was time to leave. My family members were sad but I felt like I needed to up my Paxil 'cause I could hardly say good-bye without breaking down. My eyes are welling up as we speak just thinking about it. I warn everyone at work that I need a couple of days to ease back in 'cause I'm so darn depressed. When I speak about relocating people just look at me like I'm talking outta my rear. I guess 'cause they just don't understand. I realize that if we move we won't be able to live in the "BIG" house on the beach. There are real neighborhoods with real people who live there with real jobs. I want to be one of them. I too known people who wonder why we don't try some place else for vacation. Hey, I've been to Florida every year to visit my Mom for Easter. It's only 'cause of my mom I'd go there. Been to Va Beach, Myrtle, Rehobeth, Ocean City. Sorry, none compare. I'm so glad I found this website, it's like therapy for people like us who need an OBX fix. Thanks all

You know Norton Anti Virus Corporate Edition was installed on my computer and it quarrantined the virus and I deleted it more than a few times. I also took the suggestion from one of the guys on our helpdesk here at work and I went to a website called Spybot something or other. It would identfy the files and would immunize them then I would purge the files. Whatever I did would not work so I backed-up everything I wanted and told my son to re-format! My son built the computer anyway and it works great with no Porno crap popping up. He installed a different version of Norton AV and it checks my email before I send it and before I open it. He also installed the google tool bar whichs blocks pop-ups.

I think it's because there is so much to do or so little to do depending on how you want to spend your time. We went to Ocean Isle Beach a couple of years ago and there was no comparing it to the Outer Banks. There really was nothing to do, unless you wanted to fork out big bucks for entertainment. There is just something about the Outer Banks that makes you feel at home. I love the lighthouses (where else can you go and see so many in such a short distance), the history, Jockey's Ridge, the unspoiled beaches. We may visit other places but the best place to be is there. Sadly this year we won't be going, we have promised the kids Disney for years and figured since they are all teens and the oldest will be 20 in February we better take them. We plan to do about 4-5 days of Disney then go to the Gulf, vacation isn't vacation without the beach! You better believe we will be back to the OBX in 2005, unless we can somehow get there in 2004. My heart aches just thinking we will miss a year. I too have that leaky eye problem when leaving, I always just say it's the change in altitude from the bridge!

Been going to the OBX since the oceanfront lots were selling for $600.00 {you had to sign a contract to start building within 18 months).
There was no road on Hatteras Island, you took the ferry over and then drove on the beach to get where you were going. The Coast Guard patrolled the beach with the old Commander Cars and if you got stuck, you waited for them to give you a hand. The only telephones were the old Coast Guard Tie Line which an all the way up to the Va. Beach Coast Guard Station. If you had an emergency, you went out to the pole and turned the crank. A Coast Guard operator answered and dialed your call for you.
My grand daughter who is 12 always says as we cross the bridge "leave your troubles behind" and I do.
It's impossible to tell someone who hasn't experienced the OBX what that feeling is like. To me it's almost like going back in time to a gentler, quieter day.

Great stuff op. I am a relative newbie to the OBX (circa mid 80s) and have seen amazing changes in my short time, but you....wow!

My husband say that I'm addicted, and after Izzy people were avoiding me because they didn't want to hear about the OBX again I was driving them crazy!!

thats why I love this sight I can Talk,talk,talk about OBX and nobody runs off. We are all suffering from OBXOD. LOL

I'm getting off this island this weekend and can't wait!!! lol

Wish I could join you Cos. I'm ready for a road trip!!!