Interactive Aerial

A Day in Duck…

This is my kind of alarm clock… I awoke this morning to steady rhythm of the surf breaking and the warm sea breeze coming through the window. I made myself a cup of coffee and kicked my feet up on the oceanfront deck.

With flip flops and sunglasses on, I decided to venture towards Duck Village. Strolling down the winding Duck Trail, the warm sunshine filtered through the canopy of oak trees. As I entered the village, I waved to a young family that had rented bikes. The kids smiled and laughed as they proudly peddled their bright bicycles. Other vacationers jogged or leisurely walked hand-in-hand through the charming village.

I felt as if I had stepped into a postcard of some vintage seaside village, yet I passed numerous fine restaurants, shops and trendy boutiques. Somehow, natural beauty and history have been preserved in this delightful coastal town. The perfect mix of old and new.

My stomach growled as I passed Tommy’s Market. The temptation of their freshly baked croissants and scones was more than I could endure – but hey, I’m on vacation! Finishing my breakfast, I ambled down the boardwalk at the Waterfront Shops on the Currituck Sound. Mallard ducks sunned themselves on the shore and an egret waited patiently for an unsuspecting fish.

Anxious to hit the beach, I headed back to our cottage to meet up with the family. As I walked down the pathway to the shore, I was struck by the beauty of the coast; rolling dunes, glistening water, rippling sea grass and warm white sand. Everyone from my two year-old daughter to my 83 year-old grandfather enjoyed our day at the beach. I practically had to drag the kids and their boogie boards out of the water for lunch. Delicious sandwiches from Coastal Provisions Deli reenergized us for the afternoon. We made a poor attempt at building a sand sculpture, found a respectable collection of shells and beach glass and tossed the Frisbee. We completed the afternoon with ice cream cones (much of which ended up on the faces and clothes of the kids!).

Clichéd though it may be, we had the perfect ending to a perfect day. Dinner at The Blue Point was a culinary experience; pan fried jumbo lump crabcakes, chocolate hazelnut torte and a nice glass of wine. While watching the sun set over the sound, I relaxed and thought about our plans for the next day… An appointment with Barefoot Massage while the guys make their tee time at Kilmarlic Golf Club. Maybe a trip up Route 12 to explore the 4x4 beaches or perhaps the kids would like to try a surfing lesson with Ocean Atlantic Rentals.

It is no wonder why my family vacations here again and again. I remember visiting as a child, when the paved road ended just past Duck and getting a sunburn was considered an outdoor activity. Now I bring my own children – they trade in their iPods and video games for sun and waves. Although some things have changed, the elements of a vacation in Duck stay the same: good food, a long day at the beach, friends and family.