The Semi Perfect Week

October 6, 2026

Good Evening OBX Crew!

I am trying something a little bit different this week and sending it out a bit later. Let me know if you like this time, or you prefer the morning!

Also, the 16th Annual Duck Jazz Festival takes over Duck Town Park Saturday and Sunday, with a Latin dance night kicking things off Thursday. Crabdaddy Seafood & Wine Festival is at Sanctuary Vineyards Saturday, the Ocracoke Working Watermen's Festival runs the same day, and Halloween Island is going all month in Manteo. New moon Saturday, so the jazz festival sky should be dark and loaded.

Now let's get into it!

Broken Record

We just got back from our time out on the OBX and it was almost 100% perfect, only one minor detail the wasn't the destinations fault.

The weather was everything I told you about in my last email. Water cold to the touch when you first get in, but your body adjusts quickly. Sun not too hot to burn you but comfortably warm. The shade was the perfect temperature with a breeze to cut through any heat. The only thing that would have made it better was if we hadn't gotten sick.

We spent one night in the ER since our son gets Croup every time he gets sick, and I spent 3 nights sleeping straight up on the couch because my throat would collapse when laying down. Definitely not ideal, and a lot of time spent inside, but when we were feeling better, the OBX was perfect.

So yes, I know I sound like a broken record on this. I'm going to keep saying it anyway. If you take one piece of advice from me, come to the OBX in the off season. You'll get the same ocean with none of the lines.

Restaurant Spotlight

Corolla Bowls

786 Ocean Trail, Corolla

I lived in Singapore and Malaysia for a few years, so I hunt for good Asian food everywhere I go and I'm picky about it. This place is the real thing. We stumbled on it after driving up the beach in Corolla, a small shop with genuinely nice decor and a waiter who took care of us. We got edamame with a dipping sauce I'd go back for on its own, a Thai Basil Bowl with a perfectly runny egg on top, and my wife's drunken noodles, which were off the charts. Here's the part that sold me though: we got my daughter lo mein, took the leftovers home, and she asked for them the next day. She has never once remembered leftovers in her life. Then she asked again the day after, however they were left out so we threw them away. She was sad they were gone, that's how good this place really is.They are open Monday - Saturday, 11:30 AM - 3 PM and 4 PM - 9 PM. Go.

See the Menu