Hurricane Earl is focused on the Outer Banks

Well, it's Thrusday about 4:30 and those of us who live on the Outer Banks are prepared to ride this one out. For a number of reasons we certainly want our visitors to leave. Those reasons vary according to the area of the Outer Banks where they stayed this week.

• proximity to the ocean
• mode of travel to destination, i.e. ferry
• known issues in any storm such as flooding of low lying roads near the ocean
• in flood prone areas such as south Nags Head

Now, we hate to see our visitors go, but we know this can be a tad stressful when the wind howls and the rain blows sideways at 50 miles per hour.

So ... why do we think we should stay? Well, we may be crazy, but we live here. We work daily, monthly, yearly here to enjoy the good weather and beautiful natural beauty of coastal living. Staying during a storm is just a part of the process.

Hurricane Earl is focused on the Outer Banks. That's ok. I think most of us who live on the Outer Banks will confess that this excitement, this force of nature is so beautiful. Secretly we love it and respect it at the same time.

Earl, we are ready for you. We have our generators, water, batteries, radios, manual can opener, and all the other stuff to camp our way through your visit.

Though Hurrican Earl is focused on the Outer Banks, we hope he will stay out to sea, not only for us, but for the rest of the east coast. Everyone ... stay safe and enjoy the moment!