Nature's grace on Outer Banks

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They are not much more than narrow strips of land dominated by large expanses of sand and dunes, but the Outer Banks of North Carolina draw more than 4 million visitors each year.

In their role as protectors of North Carolina's mainland coast, the barrier islands -- Bodie Island, or the North Beaches, and Hatteras and Ocracoke islands to the south -- provide 130 miles of gracefully stretching land with more than 28,000 acres of beach, natural forest and raw land. A fourth island, Roanoke, is in the Croatan Sound between Hatteras and the mainland.

East of the barrier islands, the Atlantic Ocean meets the shore with gentle waves or raw fury; west of the islands rests the Croatan and Currituck sounds, which separate the islands and the mainland.

At the Banks, ocean, sky, sand dunes, salt marshes, freshwater swales, maritime forests and the sounds of nature combine to create a diverse vacation destination offering something for almost everyone: deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, bird-watching, naturalist excursions or just the chance to unwind while basking under the sun and in the warm ocean breezes.

Airfare charters being provided by Sea Air (www.flyseaair.com) include scheduled services round-trip from Washington, New York and New Jersey using the company's eight-passenger plane, greatly reducing travel time to the Outer Banks.

For the vacation visitor, lodging on the Banks poses a problem only when it comes to deciding where and how. One option is to rent one of the hundreds of vacation homes, elite private residences built not out, but up, in order to take advantage of views of the sound and ocean.

At the ready to pamper and calm, Sanderling Resort & Spa in Duck awaits visitors staying for a few days, a week or longer. Nestled on 12 acres, the Sanderling's low-lying buildings with weathered gray wood and cedar-shingle roofs are designed to fit snugly into the land.

From a welcoming bottle of wine upon arrival to the complimentary breakfast basket dropped off at guests' doors each morning, the Sanderling beckons visitors to stop, relax and enjoy.

The spacious rooms with wicker furniture are comfortable and have private decks, which make perfect settings for morning coffee or enjoying a view of the ocean. High tea is served each afternoon in the main building. The resort also has a conference center.

The Sanderling has three inns -- North, South and Main -- and the lobby of each contains wood sculptures by Grainger McCoy, whose subject is birds carved from wood. fireplace for tea while appreciating Mr. McCoy's birds and views of the sea.