Fun Without the Sun In the Outer Banks
Maybe it's a cloudy, rainy day or maybe you have just about had enough sun while on vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The kids are still bored and the money may be running a bit short, so here's an activity that's budget friendly, fun, and dare I say it–educational?
Located throughout the barrier islands you will find nearly life-sized painted horses stuck in the parking lots of restaurants, shopping centers, amusement parks, and sometimes just on the sides of the road. These gorgeous or gaudy (depending on your point of view) statues have wings, wear hats or golf clubs and are decorated with a wild array of colors and materials. 
Armed with an inexpensive disposable camera for each child, a notebook and pen to take notes, and a patient driver, your family can spend the day looking for these quirky horses. If possible, divide the group up into teams with the team finding the most horses winning the right to choose the dinner menu or favorite restaurant. Make the adventure a competition and a fun learning experience. You are sure to find some new and interesting spot to come back to later.
It is reported that their are 100 of the horses strewn along Highway 158 from Kitty Hawk to Manteo and along Highway 12 from Southern Shores to Corolla. Remember the Outer Banks indicates distance by using Mile markers. So if you find a horse on Mile Marker 5 and someone tells you another interesting one is located at Mile Marker 10, you know it's five miles away. And it's OK to stop, look around, and ask questions of the locals. Remember the point is to relax, enjoy the unique horses, and enjoy the journey with your friends and family. Send me pictures of the horses that you find and how many. My record for one day was 15. I bet you can beat that!
