It’s almost spring, y’all. Except it isn’t (at least in the Midwest). It’s still very much winter up here, certainly no signs of spring yet (except if you walk into Old Navy). When I get the feeling that winter may never end, I need a little taste of summer. Pretty much, I need to remember that summer exists. I need to imagine the way it feels to walk outside my door and have a literal blanket of humid warmth come over me. I also like to imagine the smells and sensations from the beach. You know the ones — salty air, sunscreen, a fishy brine, charcoal from those “surf & turf” nights in. Every year of my entire life I’ve gone to North Carolina or South Carolina for a family beach vacation, so it’s like going home.

Last year, I decided to take my camera on a little bike ride through the tiny, seaside town of Hatteras. The island is actually part of the Outer Banks NC, located at the very end of the stretch (like, the very end). You can’t go any further unless you hop on a ferry for a long ride to the next island of Ocracoke (which we actually did as you’ll see in the photos). There are people who live on these islands year round, and they live a simple life you guys. But look, if the world ends they’ll have a fishing pole and plenty of water to boil. Where will the rest of us be? Not in good shape.

Anyway, on my journey I discovered so many different colors and textures, talked to some locals, almost got hit by some cars, found some good coffee and realized that a familiar place can become suddenly new if you have a camera and a rusty old bike. I also threw in some of our adventures by boat and ferry.