The Outer Banks of North Carolina has always been my favorite vacation destination. One day I hope to have a home there, but in the meantime I live there through my stories.

     My novel, Hot as Blazes, and novella, White Doe, are both set on the barrier islands of North Carolina which is affectionately known as OBX by its six million annual visitors.

     To celebrate Hot as Blazes being selected as a finalist in Chesapeake Romance Writers’ Finish the Damn Book contest, I’m starting a blog series entitled Banx Bound. The posts will feature a taste the Outer Banks through history, folklore, sightseeing, and more.

    It only seems right to start the series at the very beginning when the English settled on the Outer Banks…

Banx Bound 

The First Settlement

     Roanoke Colony was the first English settlement on North America located on what is now known as Roanoke Island in Dare County, North Carolina.

     Virginia Dare was the first born English colonist and for which Dare County is named. The colony was left to fend for itself after war broke out between England and Spain. When Governor, John White was allowed return with supplies, three years later, the settlers including his grandchild, Virginia Dare, had vanished.

     The word Croatoan was left carved in one the fort posts and the buildings had been dismantled. It is speculated that the colonists moved to what is now Hatteras Island and integrated with friendly Native Americans. The The Lost Colony is reenacted as an outdoor drama at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Park in Manteo during May through August and will start its 76^th season this year.

     I’d love to hear your comments.  If you have ever visited the Outer Banks, what were your favorite things to do and see?