The Smiths have arrived.

The weather in the Outer Banks is perfect -- mostly overcast with the occasional nighttime thunderstorm, hot and humid, yet windy, and ocean temperatures over 85 degrees.

When I was a kid, I thought the coolest people at the beach were the guys with the metal detectors. Now, I seem to realize that they are all poorly-aged bachelors combing the beach for riches they never find.