If there is such a thing as magic in life it is sitting on the beach on a perfect summerâåÛåªs night and watching our nation celebrate its birthday. It would be difficult to find a better setting to watch 4th of July fireworks than on the sand in Nags Head. The beauty of the Outer Banks is never more apparent than at this time–for 15 or 20 minutes the sky is painted with pinpoints of intense color followed by the boom of exploding skyrockets. The sand where weâåÛåªre sitting is warm and everywhere around us there are families . . . children with glow sticks, dadâåÛåªs setting off occasional bottle rockets and roman candles, laughter and quiet talks that kids and parents have when theyâåÛåªre content.

When the real show begins, the night becomes ablaze in glory–red, white and blue rings of light drift slowly seaward with the breeze. Rockets trail white light as they shoot into the sky to explode in shades of green and blue and copper. Everyone knows the finale is coming yet when it begins there is a collective gasp, a childlike glee at the sheer magnitude of patterns at the end of Nags Head Pier.

There is a certain contentment at the end of it, as though there is a shared experience and an anticipation of next year and the next magic show.

I admit it, I love childrenâåÛåªs books, and even as an adult, I still think Beatrix PotterâåÛåªs Peter Rabbit is magic. So when I heard the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo was going to do an original production based on the play a jumped at the chance to go.

The play is only about 30 minutes long and it would be hard to imagine a better production for children. Great songs, wonderful set design and the two actors playing Mr. MacGregor and Peter the Rabbit were naturals at relating to kids.

ThereâåÛåªs lots of audience participation, which makes the play even more fun, especially for the moms and dads in the audience. There is something magical about hearing 25 or 30 young voices trying to tell Mr. MacGregor that Peter is hiding behind the plants in the shed. Or the sea of hands that shoot into the air when Mr. MacGregor asks who would like to hold the markers for the beans, carrots and other vegetables.

TheyâåÛåªre putting the play on every Wednesday and Thursday through August 15, although there will not be a performance on July 4. A ticket to the play is included in the admission price to the Gardens.

And after the play, donâåÛåªt forget to wander through the Gardens. The Outer Banks is truly beautiful at this time of the year and wandering through Elizabethan Gardens is a great way to experience it.

Meg Rubino is a small woman but a powerhouse of an artist. She has a unique style but within her style she keeps working with different materials and different perspectives so her paintings always seems fresh and each work a little different.

SheâåÛåªs been getting some good press lately–well deserved–and more and more folks are taking note of what she is doing. The latest accolades come courtesy of Necla Rader, who just opened Outer Banks Juice and Java in the Dunes Shops in Kitty Hawk.

NeclaâåÛåªs plan is to feature a different Outer Banks artist every month, and Meg got to kick things off in June.

A great turn out, really nice music from Matt Hoggard and Gary Rader (yes, that is NeclaâåÛåªs husband), amazing food from Seaside Gourmet and fantastic art.

The Dunes Shops are almost on the at MP5 on the Bypass on the ocean side of the road. If you get a chance, stop in and check out MeganâåÛåªs artwork, and get a great cup of cappuccino.

Ok, I admit it. Sometimes IâåÛåªm not half as smart as I should be.

IâåÛåªve lived on the Outer Banks for almost 20 years and I should certainly know by this time that between the hours of 12 and 5:00 in the afternoon, I should not be going out because all IâåÛåªll be doing is adding to the traffic woes. So at 3:00 oâåÛåªclock in the afternoon, there I was on the Bypass, crawling along, wondering, âåÛåÏWhat was I thinking?âåÛå

Which is a round about way of saying, you donâåÛåªt have to show up on the Outer Banks immediately at 4:00 p.m.–which is a pretty standard check-in time.

There is nothing to stop a family from crossing the Wright Memorial Bridge at noon and spending a few hours at the beach. Or shopping–the real crush in the grocery stores begins about 5:30, just about the time folks get to their homes, see what they need and head back out.

Just a thought, but what would it be like to go shopping first, pick up the keys, get to the house, unpack the car and have the evening to do nothing but relax?

So, for your next visit to the Outer Banks, think about how you can rearrange your time a bit and be a little more relaxed when you dig your toes into the sand.

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