We spent the entire day today exploring the Outer Banks area in North Carolina. Consisting of 200 miles of shoreline, The Outer Banks begin in Virginia Beach and extend down most of the North Carolina coast.

After traversing a few very long bridges, we arrived at the Outer Banks Visitor Bureau in Manteo, NC around 1 PM. We took advantage of the free dump station, picked up a few brochures, then headed towards Cape Hatteras.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore was designated the first national seashore in the United States in 1937. The original Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was built in 1803. A second lighthouse was completed in 1868 after the original deteriorated beyond repair. One of the largest brick lighthouses in the world, it is truly an awesome sight! After taking several pictures, we visited the lighthouse gift shop where we each purchased a National Parks Passport and received our first cancellation!

We also visited the smaller Bodie Island Lighthouse, the second of three lighthouses in the area that were built to guide ships safely ashore after so many sailors lost their lives in the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Our last stop was in Nags Head, a small beach town and tourist mecca. As the sun set over Jeannette’s Pier, we ate our dinner and enjoyed the cool ocean air.
Check out the pics of the day and stay tuned tomorrow as we head to Myrtle Beach, SC and attempt to find a campground that will have an open spot for one night on Labor Day weekend!