My plan had been to escape the cold and the storm and spend my first few days exploring the coast, but the weather had other ideas. It actually sleeted and snowed overnight!
I ended up spending three very cold, incredibly windy days at Oregon Inlet Campground in Nags Head. And when I say windy, I mean rock-the-van windy. The kind of wind that makes you pause and wonder if the whole van might just scoot a few inches across the campsite overnight.
Between the cold temperatures and the relentless gusts, outdoor exploring wasn’t exactly appealing. Instead, I decided to pivot and do what any crochet-loving traveler might do—I went looking for local yarn shops.
I managed to visit two of them, and ended up spending a few cozy hours at a shop called Yarn and More. It turned out to be the perfect storm-day refuge. Warm, welcoming, and full of people who speak fluent “yarn.”
The best part was getting a little help with my Melt the Ice Hat project that had been giving me trouble. With some friendly advice and encouragement, the stitches finally started behaving—and before I knew it, I had actually finished the hat.
So while I didn’t spend those days taking long walks beaches or watching sunsets over the water, I still managed to make the most of being windbound. Sometimes travel isn’t about the big scenic adventures. Sometimes it’s about finding a warm chair, good company, and finally finishing that project you’ve been carrying around in your bag.
And honestly, finishing a hat while the van rocks in the wind outside feels like its own kind of victory.
Even with the blustery weather, I did manage to get out for a little exploring. I visited the beautiful Bodie Island Lighthouse, which stood tall and dramatic against the gray coastal sky. Lighthouses always feel a little magical to me—steady and strong no matter what kind of weather rolls in.I also made a very worthwhile stop at Fresh Catch Seafood where I picked up some fantastic fresh seafood. When you’re near the water, buying seafood right from a local market just feels like the right thing to do.And of course, no trip through the area would be complete without a stop in Manteo, where I stocked up on my favorite seasoned olive oil—something I look forward to every time I pass through.