First and foremost, the waters of the Outer Banks are very dangerous. Heed any advisories, don't go swimming in the ocean unless you and your kids are strong swimmers, and keep a close eye on them. In fact, just presume that you will die if you even touch the water. It's safer to just avoid it altogether while at the beach.
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Second, the ABC stores are not state-run, so liquor prices are fairly reasonable. Be sure to stock up on large quantities of booze if you're going to stuck with your family for a whole week. If you have in-laws or other extended family members coming, stick with higher proof (80+) bourbons, tequilas, vodkas and runs. Otherwise, if the wifey is involved, and you're going to try to score, get a couple multi-colored (bright pink, blue and yellow) foo-foo pre-mixed types in silly bottles, but note that you'll have to turn in your man card to the cashier. Later, you can secretly subsitute these for the wifey's morning OJ, and let the fun begin.
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Third, if you're a wine snob, don't expect to find any drinkable wines grown in Eastern North Carolina. Don't be suckered into buying any local "Scuppernong" wine or grapes, but if you accidentally do, it actually makes a good mosquito repellant and anti-freeze. God smiled on us, and gave us a great beach and wildlife, but smited us with crappy, unfertile soil suitable only for marshes. Oh, and that smell that may tickle your nostrils at low tide on the sound side of the islands is caused by hydrogen sulfied gas in anoxic mud. Do not be alarmed... your septic tank probably has not overflown.
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Fourth, jellyfish tend to congregate in nearshore waters during the warmer months - expecially when we get a nice Easterly wind. Note that there are several species of jellyfish, and not all are really bad. The jellyball, for example, looks exactly like its namesake, and you can even pick it up. They actually make good bait for spadefish, and only cause your hands to go numb after handling for a couple hours.
However, if you attempt to pick up a jellyball, and it turns out to have tenticles, you were in fact an idiot, and now have a highly toxic critter in your hand - probably of the Hydrozia taxinomic class. Ammonia, vinegar, vodka, denatured alcohol, water, urine and many other substances have all been touted as the cure for jellyfish stings. In reality, if you or anyone you know gets stung, see #2 above.
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Last but not least, do not approach, talk to, taunt or stare at our local redneck population. They seem harmless from a distance, but are in reality very dangerous - particularly when accompanied by rednecks of the female persuasion. If you cannot resist the temptation, and feel compelled to express your good-natured and genuinely friendly Tennessee love for the locals, a six pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon is the only appropriate token of admiration that you should consider as a peace offering.
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Enjoy your vacation in the Outer Banks!!!
