Paradise In North Carolina
North Carolina’s Outer Banks, a long stretch of barrier islands, is not only beautiful, serene, and a fantastic vacation destination, it’s also the spot—Kill Devil Hills—where the Wright brothers first took to the air.
Of particular interest to writers and Nicholas Sparks fans, Rodanthe (Nights in Rodanthe) is a town on the Outer Banks. In fact, portions of the film adaptation of Sparks’ book were filmed in Rodanthe.
Our first stop on the islands is Jockey’s Ridge (above photo), the tallest sand dune in the eastern United States. The height of the dunes vary from 80 to 120 feet depending upon the weather and winds.
Jockey’s Ridge is located in Nags Head, N.C., home of world-record fishing, shipwreck remains, and the pirate, Blackbeard.
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in the country. Standing at 208 feet tall, it’s also the tallest brick lighthouse. The light’s beacon can be seen from 20 miles out to sea, warning sailors of the dangerous Diamond Shoals off the coast of Hatteras.
The waters off Cape Hatteras are so dangerous to passing ships, the area is known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic.
In 1999, the 6,250 ton Hatteras Lighthouse was moved further inland due to an ever-eroding shoreline. A circle of stones marks the lighthouse’s orignal site. In the photo above, the lighthouse can be seen in it’s new location. By the way, Cape Hatteras is the nearest point of land to Bermuda (563 miles as the pelican flies).
Names of former lighthouse keepers are engraved in each stone in the circle.
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla, N.C. was first lit on December 1, 1875. It remains unpainted to distinguish it between the two nearby black-and-white-striped lighthouses.
The marsh near the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.
Walkway through the marsh.
A family of geese enjoy their protected status.
Beach at Nags Head.
Nags Head coastline.
Footprints in the sand are the only sign of human presence. Part of the attraction to Nags Head is the seclusion.
Nice, Lee. I particularly like the photo of the walkway through the marsh.
Jodie
Oh what a pretty place. Maybe I will get out that way one day. I keep hoping to sneak down to Galveston here in Texas.
Many good memories of this beautiful part of the world.
Ellie, we live close enough to the ocean to dip our toes in the water any time we want, but the Outer Banks is still one of our favorite spots on the east coast. However, the California coastline is still the most stunning (and there aren’t any of those biting noseeums there).
What a well timed post. We’re vacationing on the Outer Banks right now. Started out in Corolla (loved the Wild Horse tour – even saw the new little foal) and we’re staying in Cape Hatteras for a few days before heading to Ocracoke.
Ellie
Beautiful photos…makes me want to visit!
Beautiful pictures that bring back memories of Richard Gere and the Nicholas Sparks’ movie. Hope to visit this area some day.
Now you’re in MY neck of the woods! Lovely, isn’t it, Lee?
It is a beautiful area. One of my bucket list items was to climb to the top of the Hatteras Lighthouse even tho I’m afraid of heights. One of those challenges ya just gotta do. 😉 Three years ago, I did it! Worth every shaky step, because the view from the top is fabulous! Thanks for the memory trip, Lee. 🙂
I never made it past RTP, though during my business trips I noticed the company had quality snacks in the vending machines including 3 kinds of artisnal pork rinds.
This is one of the places I have yet to visit. Lovely pictures and thanks for the history. I’m a Nicholas Sparks fan so I love Rodanthe. Liked the movie for the views, but the book was a better story.