Good Eating: Duck Donuts

I would like to begin by saying that these are the best donuts I have ever had (they even beat out these ones from London!). I would like to follow that by reminding you that doughnuts are one of my favorite foods. 

My recent week in the Outer Banks was filled with a lot of amazing experiences and awesome food but Duck Donuts was the best part by far! And I don't think I am alone in feeling this way, everyone I told about my vacation instantly asked me if I had made a trip to Duck Doughnuts! I am proud to say that we went three times and ate them hot each time! 

If you have never been to the Outer Banks before, this all may seem a bit extreme, but I think it is the unique set up, great customer service, and quality donuts that makes it so special and rare. 

They only make one type of donut and it is just standard white. The customization comes with the toppings. You can get it covered in sugar and cinnamon or (like me) you can get icing on it. They have vanilla, chocolate, maple, peanut butter (my fav), and more! Not only that but you can get sprinkles or nuts on it too! 

After you put in your order, you then can watch them make your fresh donuts! Then, before you know it, you are already out the door and ready to enjoy! 

I would, like most Outer Bank visitors, say that Duck Donuts is a MUST-EAT! I love them so much that I want my wedding cake to be made out of them :) 

OBX: Wild Horse Tour

During my week in the Outer Banks, I got to eat delicious food, lay out in front of the gorgeous ocean, and I even got to observe wild horses in their natural habitat! 

After seeing signs for the Corolla Outback Adventures Wild Horse Tour, we decided it was something we just had to try! Don't get me wrong, I love laying out at the beach and pool doing nothing but after a while I get a bit restless and this tour was just the cure! 

The tour guide took us off the paved highway that stretches along the length of the Banks and onto the sand (that is still legally a highway...just unpaved, how cool!) for our two hour adventure exploring the less-developed edge of the Outer Banks! 

Within 10 minutes of driving along the beach, we saw a couple of horses strolling along the dunes! It was amazing! They didn't seem to be bothered at all by our tour and just kept grazing and walking along.

After a few miles of driving on the open beach, we turned onto some of the "roads" that have beach houses on them. A little further down we hit the reserve land where the horses run free! There were natural ponds, deer, lush greens...it was like we had traveled to a different world! 

In the open area of reserves, we saw a group of horses (three female and one male) gathered together and were able to get out of the tour truck. Again, they seemed relaxed and because we kept our distance, they didn't seem to notice us at all. The guide explained that these horses came from Spain hundreds of years ago on ships and that they are now extinct back in Spain. For a while after hearing that, our whole tour just stood there in awe of these beautiful animals.

Eventually, we all had to get back into the truck to explore a bit more before our 30-minute drive down the beach back to our cars on the main road.

These two glorious hours were the only two outside that I was actually cold all week! The sea air blowing made the heat more bearable in the June sun! Plus, I learned a lot more about the culture and history of the Outer Banks than I would have ever thought when we arrived at the beginning of the week...and had fun doing it!

Good Eating: Roadside Bar and Grill

This trip to the Outer Banks was my first beach trip in the United States since I realized I actually love seafood! I was excited to eat crab legs and shrimp, but at the Roadside Bar and Grill I tried something else! 

Their menu includes fresh salads, lamb chops served with hearty potatoes, and more! Everything sounded delicious so I wasn't sure what to order, that is until our waitress told us the special. Freshly grilled mahi-mahi with a corn and black bean salsa, on top of brown rice and locally grown asparagus, all served with an avocado and sour cream sauce. This made my choice quite simple...the special, of course! 

To make this meal even better, in place of standard dinner rolls, we were served warm pretzel bread with honey butter, all locally grown and made! I don't think I can explain how much I loved the honey butter. It was all I talked about the entire meal...it was just that good. I now believe that if all butter was made into honey butter, the world would be a better place! Not even kidding.

Matching the excellent food and service was the decor of the Roadside Grill. Everything looked hand-made and seemed to be recycled, which made it feel very homey and comfortable. There was even an outside area that plays movies for free on special nights of the week! 

Overall, I think this was my favorite restaurant that we ate at all week! It had it all, a great atmosphere, a pleasant staff, and a unique menu! 

OBX

Recently, I had the opportunity to go somewhere I have never been, the Outer Banks of North Carolina! Going to a new place for the first time is exciting but sometimes the unknown can also be a little overwhelming.  Luckily for me, I went with my friends who have been going there for years and know all of the best places to visit so now I get to share them with you! 

Before arriving, I didn't know much about the area. I knew that the Outer Banks is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean but learned that it also has the Currituck and Albemarle Sounds to the north and Pamlico Sound to the south. 

With so many restaurants, shops, and bodies of water surrounding us, I wasn't quite sure how we were going to fit it all into one week. Even so, somehow we managed to do so much and still had time to relax by the pool, too! 

We spent a few days at the beach and packed sandwiches that we got from Tommy's Market! Then our evenings were spent walking along the Sounds and enjoying the shops of Scarborough Faire and the Tanger Outlets. I couldn't leave without buying a few boxes of salt water taffy (the best price I found was at Wings) and postcards for my family and friends! 

For meals, we had choices galore but some of my favorites were Awful Arthur's for seafood, Rt. 12 for lunch, and Roadside Grill for a hearty meal (post on Roadside Grill coming tomorrow)! 

Along with the three Sounds that border the Outer Banks, there are five lighthouses in the area! Since we were staying in Duck, we decided to climb the Currituck Lighthouse (all 220 stairs of it)! Even with the long hike to the top, it was totally worth it once I saw the view! It was breathtaking! 

This might be obvious but I have to say it...I wouldn't suggest climbing this lighthouse if you are afraid of heights. The entire walk up has open, wrought-iron staircases that allow you to see all the way to the bottom. 

All in all, my trip to the Outer Banks a perfect beach vacation. I got to walk along the beach, eat crab legs, and shop. Plus, I got to climb to the top of a lighthouse, see wild horses (detailed post to come!), and eat some truly unique dishes! 

What's New?

Last week, I was in the sunny (and majorly hot) Outer Banks in North Carolina on vacation! I am going to be posting all about my trip next week but for now, here are some of the pics I posted on Instagram while I was there...Enjoy! 

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