Anyone who knows me knows that I've got a passion for Lighthouses. I have always dreamed of being able to go to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and seeing their lighthouses, as in pictures they've always been so intriguing to me. When Greg first moved out there several years ago I got really excited and knew that I'd probably get a chance to finally go. Well, we took two days of this trip and went out there. It was AWESOME! There are 8 lighthouses in North Carolina and we were able to see the three on the northern end of the Outer Banks. Hopefully we'll be able to see the southern ones on another trip.
We made our first stop at the Welcome Center. We walked through the front door and Natalee said, "Oh look mommy, there's your lighthouse." I think she thought this is what we came to see.By the sea, by the sea,
by the beautiful sea 
This was the view off our hotel balcony. We could see and hear the waves crashing. As we went over the little bridge to get to the beach Natalee was in awe. She just ran and ran for as long as there was daylight left. She said, "Mom! There are really shells here!" I think she'd just heard about the beach and to actually be able to see it, collect shells, chase gulls and play in the sand was so fun for her. She insisted that she build a sandcastle, eventhough we didn't have any building tools. Her creation is the last picture in this montage. We also built a snowman out of sand, whom Natalee named "Sandy". He's smaller than he looks. I don't know what it is, but he looks much bigger than he was. Really he was about 6-8 inches tall. Maybe I shouldn't say that. You'd all be terribly impressed with my Sandman building skills.
This was the view off our hotel balcony. We could see and hear the waves crashing. As we went over the little bridge to get to the beach Natalee was in awe. She just ran and ran for as long as there was daylight left. She said, "Mom! There are really shells here!" I think she'd just heard about the beach and to actually be able to see it, collect shells, chase gulls and play in the sand was so fun for her. She insisted that she build a sandcastle, eventhough we didn't have any building tools. Her creation is the last picture in this montage. We also built a snowman out of sand, whom Natalee named "Sandy". He's smaller than he looks. I don't know what it is, but he looks much bigger than he was. Really he was about 6-8 inches tall. Maybe I shouldn't say that. You'd all be terribly impressed with my Sandman building skills.
BODIE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
This is the first lighthouse we visited. It was a cold morning and pretty foggy so the light was still on when we arrived. It's always amazing to actually see one working. We were able to meet the son of the last permanant light keeper who was volunteering on the day we visited. He'll be 93 in March and grew up in the house in the photo above. He remembers his dad taking kerosene up to light the lamp and painting the lighthouse. It was so fun to talk to him.
CAPE HATTERAS LIGHT
This has long been my most favorite lighthouse. Something about the stripes is so intriguing and the red base is just the right offset. It is the tallest lighthouse in the United States and is made out of over 1,250,000 bricks. In 2000 it was moved to avoid being taken over by the sea and it's the largest brick structure to ever be moved. To give you an idea of just how tall it is, you can see a very tiny Nathan and Natalee in one of the shots below near the fence. It's unbelieveable.
Secondly, nearly everything is closed. They really cater to the summer visitors for sure. I guess the upside to this is that the hotels are really cheap. The place we stayed had rooms as low as $37 a night. However, not even all the hotels are open. The night we arrived we were thrilled to find an Outback Steakhouse and found that it's just as wonderful as home. All of the locally owned places seemed to be closed, so we settled, but it was OK.
This is the first lighthouse we visited. It was a cold morning and pretty foggy so the light was still on when we arrived. It's always amazing to actually see one working. We were able to meet the son of the last permanant light keeper who was volunteering on the day we visited. He'll be 93 in March and grew up in the house in the photo above. He remembers his dad taking kerosene up to light the lamp and painting the lighthouse. It was so fun to talk to him.
CAPE HATTERAS LIGHT
This has long been my most favorite lighthouse. Something about the stripes is so intriguing and the red base is just the right offset. It is the tallest lighthouse in the United States and is made out of over 1,250,000 bricks. In 2000 it was moved to avoid being taken over by the sea and it's the largest brick structure to ever be moved. To give you an idea of just how tall it is, you can see a very tiny Nathan and Natalee in one of the shots below near the fence. It's unbelieveable.
CURRITUCK BEACH LIGHT
This is the last one we visited and it's the one furthest north. It was so pretty too. I'd never even seen a picture of it until we were planning this trip, so it was fun to get to know this new lighthouse. Natalee took the picture of Nathan and I. She said, "Mom and Dad, you need a picture by the lighthouse."
Then she took a picture of her feet, but I didn't include that one.
You're welcome!
Now, if this just doesn't look like a ton of fun, I don't know what does. So, if any of you think it might be a grand idea to visit the Outer Banks in the winter, here are a few little tips.
Now, if this just doesn't look like a ton of fun, I don't know what does. So, if any of you think it might be a grand idea to visit the Outer Banks in the winter, here are a few little tips.
First of all, it's dang cold! This thermometer outside Currituck reads 40 degrees, but I kid you not, it felt like 10. The wind was so cold, it just about cut through you. That was about the only thing that was really not wonderful about this trip.
Secondly, nearly everything is closed. They really cater to the summer visitors for sure. I guess the upside to this is that the hotels are really cheap. The place we stayed had rooms as low as $37 a night. However, not even all the hotels are open. The night we arrived we were thrilled to find an Outback Steakhouse and found that it's just as wonderful as home. All of the locally owned places seemed to be closed, so we settled, but it was OK.Also, it takes much longer to drive to all these places than it looks on the map.
Those are my only suggestions/complaints. Please do enjoy this sunset!
Those are my only suggestions/complaints. Please do enjoy this sunset!
3 comments:
I've been watching your blog for the trip update. It looks like a lot of fun.
We only wish you guys could have been there too. It would have been nice to see all of you. I suspect we'll be down to see you sometime in the pretty near future.
What wonderful lighthouses, especially the black and white one. It's just how a lighthouse ought to look.
Post a Comment