I grew up on the Outer Banks (yes, like the TV show), and when the beach is a 10-minute walk from your front door, you end up spending a lot of time there: for family outings, work events ...

Have you ever visited the Outer Banks? It's a great place for a family vacation ... As I dreaded, it took just under an hour, bumper to bumper, to travel 18 miles. The rest of the beach trip was fun, ...