

“To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold.”
- Aristotle
One of life’s greatest joys is to sit in a bubbling hot tub amidst a gentle snowfall and give thanks to the Universe for the splendor of it all. Oh if only the Jacuzzi existed during Aristotle’s age, what would the great philosopher have said?!
Here in the Outer Banks winter is a strange time, especially on the northern part of our sandbar. Time doesn’t move slowly – it hardly moves at all. Most of the shops are closed, most of the crowds are elsewhere, and in the minds of most people, most everything out of doors is bereft of suitability. Dare I lay down a challenge amidst this near non-existence? Yes! I say yes come to the Outer Banks! Come and experience the bone-chilling winds, the spit of the sea-spray in your face, the quiet whisper of live oak branches wavering in a wooded breeze, the pure blackness of a moonless winter night.
Now before you run away from this writing, let’s pause to reflect on the fact that for centuries the people of the Algonquin nation lived on the Outer Banks, thriving in spring, summer, autumn, and winter alike. Some 4000 miles to the northeast, we find the Scandinavians, and one of the hallmarks of Norwegian living is the ability to not only endure the cold and the dark, but indeed to embrace it. With a smile on their faces and a twinkle in their eyes, the dwellers of the north head outside to ski, sled, hike, and even bike the rugged mountains and quiet valleys of their native lands. “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær” the Norse proudly proclaim – “there is no bad weather, only bad clothes”. It’s true, too. With proper layering and a wind/waterproof shell, enjoying Nature’s Finest during our winters is a special treat to enjoy. With a subtle shift in mindset we can experience the Outer Banks in winter with just as much happiness as summer, and a whole lot less hectic madness all around. If peace is what ye seek, weary traveler, then come, come and find yourself walking an empty beach, hiking a quiet forest trail, biking a car-less roadway. At the end of your commune with Nature, you can always curl up under a warm blanket with a good book and a hot cup of tea. Talk about koselig!
Now, dear reader, if I’ve failed in my attempt to energize your soul and spirit you away to a windy walk on a lonesome beach, and if the winter season just isn’t your jam, let us at least recall what the old poet said so many years ago: “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?”