Our Recent Trip to the Outer Banks of NC

[Catch 22]

Reading the first part of your report, I couldn't help but think of a line from an old Eagles song - "Call someplace Paradise, kiss it goodbye". I've recalled that line many times, as I've gone back to a place I'd been before, only to see it changed drastically. In most cases, it's not for the better.
But as you found out, not every change is bad in every way. Sometimes, somewhere, there is a cloud with a silver lining