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Growing up near the Atlantic Ocean in South Florida, I was raised thinking that all beaches consisted of high rises and commercial, touristy businesses. Our first visit to the Outer Banks was about 10 years ago, not long after moving to North Carolina and I quickly learned how wrong I was. The Outer Banks are the antithesis of what I was used to. They are undeveloped wide beaches with houses dotting the landscape and glimpses of windsurfers taking advantage of the soft breezes. The unhurried, relaxed pace at which life goes on in the Outer Banks provides the perfect escape from the rate race that many of us face in our daily lives. The water is refreshingly cool and the warm breezes are relaxing as my family sunbathes and I either fish or read a book under some shade. Some of our best family memories as our children have grown revolve around bonfires on the beaches, surf fishing, feeding the seagulls on the ferry ride to Ocracoke, climbing the Hatteras lighthouse and our tradition of dinner at Howard's Pub. Since discovering the Outer Banks we have missed very few summers and I count the days until we return. I look forward each year to that first glimpse of the Bodie Island lighthouse as we turn off of US 64 and head south on NC 12 that tells me we are in the Outer Banks. By the same token, the saddest part of our trip is seeing that same lighthouse in the rearview mirror a week later as we head home. I cherish memories of watching my children grow as we vacationed on the North Carolina shores over the years and I look forward to seeing them start their own families as I recreate these activities with grandchildren.