268 Steps

My western NC family (Stefen, Snee, Zoe, Eakin, & Eliza) and I left early this morning on a day trip to Hatteras. Our first stop was the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The park was very quiet and we were able to purchase our tickets and immediately fall in line for the next group ready to climb the tallest lighthouse in the nation. At 208 feet, the Hatteras tower is more than two and a half times as tall as our very own Ocracoke light. We tackled the 268 steps of the antique spiral staircase with enthusiasm, and in short order we were standing on the outer balcony with a commanding view of Hatteras Island, the Atlantic Ocean, and Pamlico Sound. Built in 1870, and moved to its present location in 1999, the Hatteras lighthouse is a marvel to behold. If you haven't yet visited this historic structure, and climbed to the top, put it on your list of must-do activities.

After the climb we toured the nearby keeper's quarters, then drove up the beach to Rodanthe where we watched the beach apparatus drill at the restored Chicamacomico Life Saving Station.

What a fun day!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is "One Reason to NOT Move to Ocracoke." You can read it here.