When I was a little girl, the North Carolina shore was my favorite place on earth.

While living in Maryland, my family and I would come down to the Outer Banks during the summer for a week — it's a tradition my father and step-mother continued well after all the kids grew up, got married or went off to college.

North Carolina beach towns seemed so magical to me. We'd spend whole days out in the sun body surfing, snorkeling and playing ultimate Frisbee. After a quick outdoor shower, we'd grill out or attack a seafood buffet and just enjoy the sights. Under clear skies or in treacherous thunderstorms, everything was so beautiful and carefree.

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