In 2022, THE OBX WAY was founded to organize a FREE public archive for Outer Banks trails, based on TRUE hiker research.  Importantly, THE OBX WAY partners with communities and organizations to improve outdoor recreation appreciation and access.

In 2023, THE OBX WAY established Jockey's Trail, a 50-mile pilgrimage from Jockey's Ridge to the VA border, inspired by backpacking treks across Carolina, Ireland, and Spain.  Although Jockey's Trail is an epic journey, it is not a thru-hike, limited by logistics.  Specifically, there is only one authorized tent campsite, located in Colington.  Wild camping is not permitted.

Alternatively, THE OBX WAY championed North Carolina's 2023 Year of the Trail initiative and engineered sections of Jockey's Trail as "Community Path" day-hikes.  This project was made possible by a grant from the Outer Banks Community Foundation and produced a FREE online map with distance and service markers for trails from Nags Head to Carova.

Additionally, THE OBX WAY partnered with Dare County Schools'  Careers Beyond the Counter HONORS course internship program to mentor an aspiring outdoor photographer.  Our creative collaboration focused on trail composition and online editing to produce photos for competition, while authoring "10 Outer Banks Hikes" for the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.

In 2024, THE OBX WAY continued its Careers Beyond the Counter partnership, developing an Outer Banks Paddle Map, featuring public access sites, route distances, and service markers.  The map was included in the "Outer Banks Paddle Trails" essay, again published by the OBVB.   Also, through his initiative, our intern partner won 1st Place in the NC Wildlife Photo Contest.

 Proudly, THE OBX WAY established The Outer Banks Trail Center in historic downtown Manteo.  The simple shelter inside Magnolia Market provides practical outdoor recreation support: shade, rest, and accurate information.  Crucially, the Trail Center is an symbol of progress, a location to host educational activities, and an example of community coordination.

In 2025, THE OBX WAY completed the Visitors Bureau trail blog trilogy after researching safer bike routes and publishing the "Outer Banks Bicycle Route" essay with intern Benjamin Lashley, who graduated to college soon after and was a "Best of the Beach" Finalist.  Ben's NC Wildlife photo is also exhibited in the Sarah Owens Welcome Center on Roanoke Island.

THE OBX WAY also became an Honorary Member of the Secotan Alliance, supporting the memory of Chief Wingina and promoting the Indigenous Earth Ethic. Similarly, our 3rd Annual Bottle Hunt focused on the legacy of Captain Richard Etheridge, the nation’s 1st African American LSS Keeper  who was born a slave on the Outer Banks and served 1880-1900.

Finally in 2025, THE OBX WAY adopted the beach along the NPS Hatteras National Seashore from ORV Ramp 4 to the base of Basnight Bridge at Oregon Inlet, with monthly cleanups.  The Outer Banks Trail Center in Manteo was also renewed and maintained for another year, with events for Celebrate Trails Day, NC Trail Days, and Great Trails State Day.

In early 2026, after attending the 6th Annual Environmental Educators Workshop Week at the Eastern 4-H Center, Luke achieved his NC EE Certification after cataloging over 200 hours of site visits, online courses, outdoor teaching, and community service activities.