Living on the Outer Banks, weekends during the summer is weird experience. On the one hand, there is a real sense of gratification that so many people are coming to visit. But thereâåÛåªs no denying that with 350,000 or 400,000 people all showing up at the same time, thereâåÛåªs a certain amount of inconvenience involved.
Of course, that inconvenience extends to the visitors coming here, and it would be nice to say thereâåÛåªs some easy solution, but the truth is thereâåÛåªs two roads into the Outer Banks and no matter how you run the numbers, thatâåÛåªs a lot of cars in a very short period of time.
Of course the payoff is a week or two in paradise.
Are there solutions to the traffic? Nothing quick or easy, certainly, but there are some plans on the books that if they ever get put into place will make a difference. For over 30 years now, thereâåÛåªs been some form of a plan to put a bridge across the Currituck Sound--the Mid Currituck Bridge--allowing all those cars making that God-awful turn to go north in Kitty Hawk to bypass the whole thing. ItâåÛåªs a really complex issue; itâåÛåªs expensive, although the all the initial planning has been done. However the state of North Carolins, because of budget concerns, has cut funding to the project.
Although check-in time is 4:00, nothing says you have to get here at 4:00. Come early, enjoy the beach--actually Saturday is a great beach day because almost everyone is coming or going. Or come early and do your shopping before you get to your rental.
And mostly, be patient. YouâåÛåªll get here, and paradise is just over that bridge.
