Location, location, location. It’s a real estate cliché, right? But like all cliches, it contains a grain of truth. Or perhaps more than a grain. Consider this: Here we are in the lovely beachfront home known as Cloudburner East on Emerald Isle, NC, when Hurricane Erin looms. You might think, there goes my vacation. But no. This part of the North Carolina coast is sheltered in the nook of that great Atlantic protruberance, Cape Hatteras. Erin sweeps by, but Emerald Isle is spared. There are a few red flag days, some dark clouds, scattered rain. But on the whole, our week was glorious, for this is a prime spot, a slender portion of the island with wide beach and few homes making for an uncluttered holiday. The view of ever-changing light playing over the water, pelicans skimming the crests of the breakers, is magnificent. The home itself is spacious, well furnished, immaculately clean, simply and tastefully decorated in a maritime theme. Serene view of the beach from the porch. Living room with plush couches and gigantic screen. Bedrooms with comfy beds. Impossibly quiet at night, lulled to sleep by the sound of rushing waves. We were a family of four, plus dog. Next door were three families sharing the west side of the duplex, refugees from Hatteras Island. What a location. What a home. We cannot recommend it enough. And we are very grateful to our hostess, Amy, who promptly answered every message and responded to our every need. Thank you. We hope to be back next year.