The "Atlantic Effect"

Now that we’ve had the Atlantic Inn open for the summer months, it’s become clear that the magic that captured our hearts when we bought the inn and moved to Hatteras, is having the same effect on our guests!

It’s hard to explain, or put into words – there is just this incredible feeling of calmness, connection to our natural world (as opposed to the constant barrage of digital information, good, bad, and indifferent, that we are often constantly “connected” to), and a sense of “belonging”.

Is it the Atlantic Inn? – the century old structure, the aged wood paneled walls…. maybe it’s the comfy beds or the tasty, cooked breakfasts? Is it Hatteras Village? the wonderful residents, the fishing marinas, the incredible restaurants? Is it the Ocean, the salty air, the dancing dolphins, and soaring pelicans?.....or perhaps a magical combination of all three!

....I know this isn't a pelican, but I love this photo 🤗

These are pelicans....😁

Sometimes guests arrive and they are so obviously stressed out, even though they are supposed to be on vacation – Travel…. Work…Family…. Finances…Health…School…. whatever their crisis de jour may be - you can see it in their faces, in the tone of their voice, and in their body language.

…You just know that this person needs a vacation more than they may even realize – it’s time for the inn and Hatteras, to perform their special kind of magic 💗

It generally takes just a day or two - and then even the most frazzled, tired and stressed-out guests, begin to unwind. Shoulders relax, people stop checking their watches and looking at their phones all the time – suddenly not having the best, and fastest high-speed internet seems appealing…and not the end of the world as we know it, like it had seemed to be, the previous night on arrival. Time becomes inconsequential, many more things here are dictated by the tides, sunrises and sunsets, and the weather.... than by watches, clocks, and calendars!

Relaxing in a comfy chair on the front porch, sipping your mug of coffee whilst watching the morning ferry traffic go by, spending time catching fish on the beach, lazing on a beach-chair watching the surf, playing Clue, Monopoly, or Scrabble back at the inn, afternoon naps on top of a sumptuous bed, lounging in rocking chairs reading books, whilst enjoying the evening breeze, stargazing at night on one of the upper decks accompanied with a glass of wine and a piece of homemade key lime pie, are much more commonplace here, than sitting and staring at a 3 x 6in. screen, mindlessly scrolling through Facebook pages, wishing you were living someone else’s awesome-looking life (which on close examination probably isn’t as idyllic as you think).

Often, I’ll find a guest curled up on the large sofa in the library lounge, reading a book or writing a postcard, a wonderful way to chill out after a day in the warm North Carolina sun, hanging out on the comfy leather sofa in the main guest lounge with their chips and beer, watching football on our 75in TV, or guests simply becoming friends with other guests, over a glass of wine and shared adventures on these wild and beautiful islands in the Atlantic.

It makes JB and me super happy to see that our guests are so totally relaxed, and seem to have made themselves at home, here at the inn. The magic is at work…. the "Atlantic Effect"

It’s hard to imagine that Fall is on the horizon, with temperatures in the 80’s, bright blue skies, and an ocean that’s still warm and welcoming…this may arguably be a better time of the year than the intense heat and humidity that the peak of our summer can bring. As we pass Labor Day, children return to school, and things begin to slow (yes, even slower🥰) here in Hatteras. Those of us who love to get away from the hustle and bustle of life, find a tranquil oasis of calm, where you often may be the only person on your stretch of beach. Mornings lingering over a coffee on the porch, or watching the sunrise on the beach become the norm, and the timelessness of our island escape becomes even more apparent….and even more beautiful.

After a super busy Labor Day weekend, with a full house of guests, the week has gotten quieter, and our minds turn to plans for the Atlantic Inn's first Fall and Winter. As mentioned before, when we bought the inn, we decided that we would absolutely stay open all year round. Having spent a Fall and Winter on the island, for me, it’s an even more special place during these times.

As many places close during the quieter seasons, our challenge is to ensure that everyone knows that we will remain open, with some fun events planned throughout the changing seasons.

As we love holidays (including creating some of our own :o), we always had fun decorating our previous horse-farm home, and having gatherings with friends….so you can only image how excited we are now that we own the Atlantic….this unique, historic, and beautiful building (both interior and exterior) will provide us with an incredible canvas to have some creative fun and also offers us perfect gathering spaces to entertain.

A sneak peak at some of our plans...

An "Atlantic Halloween" – What better place to be on Halloween weekend, than a century old inn on a remote island!

Winter Cozy Escapes – Stroll on alluring deserted beaches, Take a boat trips to Ocracoke (with no long waits for the ferry), Wander around the amazing “Graveyard of the Atlantic” Museum which showcases the incredible history of our village and surrounding ocean, Enjoy a delicious meal in one of our fantastic restaurants (where you can order your food without having to come back in an hour, as often happened in busy peak summer months), then back to the inn to sit out on one of the decks with a cozy throw around your shoulders to immerse yourself in the sounds of nature, and then perhaps a “dram” by the fire and some scrabble, or just enjoy the relaxing, calming ambience of a time gone by…the "Atlantic Effect"

"My Atlantic Retreat" – Women's Retreat Package includes:

• 3 nights/4 days Accommodation at "The Atlantic Inn", in Hatteras (Rooms & Suites Available)

• "Welcome to the Atlantic" gift basket

• All meals, snacks, drinks

• All Workshops/Classes including:

o An Introduction to "Atlantic Mindfulness"

o "Disconnect to Reconnect"

o "Acknowledging your Story".....we all have a story to tell

o "Peeling back the layers"...Beginning the journey to find the real You...the Authentic You

o Foundational Enneagram Personality Typing - Understanding what may drive your

emotions, relationships and decision making

o What exactly is a Mind map? and how do I use them?

o “Vino Inspiro Partum" evening - wine inspired creations (sip and paint)

o "Intentional Dreams"....Start designing the life you want!

For further information, please click: https://www.myatlanticlife.com/about-2

An “Inndulgent Atlantic Christmas” – Built in 1928, the "Atlantic Inn" provides an idyllic setting for a fairy tale Christmas….A few days of complete escape to a traditional Christmas of yesteryear - with candlelit windows, Christmas Eve brunch, Holiday movies in the Library Lounge complete with a cozy blanket and popcorn, at night snuggle around the firepit with homemade gingerbread and hot chocolate (with whipped cream and chocolate or mini marshmallows 😋), stockings hung at the fireplace, and presents under a real Christmas tree…this is just a taste of what’s being planned, and will be for a limited number of guests only

A "Hogmanay Holiday Celebration " (Scottish New Year) …. New Year 2021 with a slightly Celtic twist…. Tartan (plaid) and Tradition (and maybe even some haggis!!)

With summer vacations in the rear-view mirror, it will be all too easy for people to get caught up in their busy every-day lives once more…. work and school, worries, stress, boredom, monotony, may return. They forget that incredible feeling of complete relaxation and calmness they experienced whilst here on vacation in Hatteras…. but wouldn’t it be wonderful to have that feeling again??

Remember, the “Atlantic Effect” can work its magic at any time of the year 😉

For those still following our renovation projects, we finally managed to get the gift shop open. Please let me introduce you to the “Atlantic Innspirations” gift shop.

An eclectic mix of gifts showcasing Atlantic Inn mementos, ocean scented candles, soaps and body lotions, locally designed and handcrafted jewelry and home decor, pretty journals, books and cards. We even have a Scottish corner, where a few gifts sourced from my homeland of Scotland are displayed.

Currently gifts are only available in the "Atlantic Innspirations" gift shop, situated in the Atlantic Inn, but there will be an online store available on the website shortly.

Now it's time for me to go back to planning our upcoming Fall and Winter events...we are so excited about seeing the inn transforming throughout the seasons, the fun we'll have and the absolutely wonderful guests that we will have visit with us...whether if be for a couple of days getaway vacation or attending our retreats and special events - one thing is for sure....I know the "Atlantic Effect" will be working it's magic 💖

Until next time...stay safe and happy!

Take care,

Pam 😊