Ready for an Outer Banks Weekend, 7/26/2025
Jul 26, 2025
Shark Safety
A recent Washington Post article quoted professionals who work with/near sharks on what they advise to stay safe.
First, the good news.
"You’re more likely to die falling into a hole at the beach, in a riptide or in an alligator attack than from a shark bite, according to data from the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File. Last year, the museum recorded 47 unprovoked bites worldwide."
That being said....
- Be aware. What's in the body of water? Always be scanning. Sharks like to approach from below and behind.
- Avoid swimming at dawn, dusk, or night. Sharks can be confused about what they're seeing.
- Don't wear reflective jewelry or clothing. Sharks may think it's the shiny scales of a fish.
- Don't swim where people are fishing. The vibrations of a fish on a line are like a dinner bell.
- Don't swim where there's a lot of fish activity. Fish jumping or swimming in bait balls sometimes attract sharks for feeding.
- Don't panic and swim away when you see a shark. You won't out-swim a shark. Sharks want to attack with stealth. Show them you see them and don't turn your back on them.
Crosswalk Etiquette
Last Sunday I was driving down the beach road (Rt. 12) and maintaining the speed limit of 35mph (a small miracle in July). I was about to pass a cross street when a man and his girlfriend arrived to the crosswalk two seconds before I was about to pass him. He stops at the beach road, looks at me, and puts his palms up in the air. The universal sign for WTF. After I passed him the road was totally clear for them to cross.
In men's lacrosse the rule book states that no player can stand in the substitution box unless a substitution is imminent. Meaning, you're not allowed to loiter in the substitution box unless you see somebody getting ready to come off the field. Right or wrong I use the same policy when people are going to use a crosswalk on the Outer Banks. Is the crossing imminent? Are you approaching the road to cross or are you going to take a 90 degree turn and go down the street. You cannot just be on the sidewalk looking away and expect me to stop traffic for you to cross. You must be on the edge of the road making eye contact to give me enough time to come to a halt. It's helpful if your horde isn't spread out over 100 yards. I don't say this with animosity. I am happy to stop and let you cross (BTW, always stop for moms carrying babies or those herding a gaggle of children), but don't arrive to the crosswalk and expect everyone to magically stop for you. There's a bit of process involved.
Produce Stands
I love summer produce. Fresh peaches, cherries, sweet corn, and watermelons always taste better in the summer. The Grandy Farm Market is my go-to stop for peaches and other summer goodies. If I'm feeling permissive I might buy one of their pies. Be advised, this place isn't for the penny pinchers. Good food comes at a price.
Dinner time!
You may recall my recommendation for Hello Fresh subscription meals. It was going pretty well until I experienced a few bumps in the road regarding damaged food, leaky packaging, and boxes not sealed properly with the contents falling out. In the end I felt the company wasn't providing good customer service so I decided to try something else.
We found Home Fresh and I found their menu to be very limited and food freshness very poor. We pivoted quickly to Hungry Root who only allowed deliveries on Saturdays and Tuesdays. They are obviously not familiar with the Outer Banks. Deliveries on Saturdays in the summer aren't going to happen due to the traffic and after I switched to Tuesdays they missed the delivery day three weeks in a row. Three weeks of throwing out all the perishable items due to the extra day of transit in summer heat!
I've just ordered from Marley Spoon and I'll give you an update in about two weeks. If Marley Spoon doesn't live up to expectations we may be going back to Hello Fresh, the best of the worst.
THINGS TO DO
Outer Banks Hiking
Hiking on the Outer Banks may not be what a hardcore individual envisions, but there are several areas worth exploring. This article shares several trails I haven't experienced yet and I look forward to trying.
OBX Skim Jam, 7/25-7/27/25
Jennette's Pier is a great venue and this part of Nags Head is a great starting point for local tourism.
https://www.skim-usa.com/schedule/obx-skim-jam-gty4b-7jnyy-h8ajx
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Have a great weekend,
John Van Lunen
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