The Hatteras Light, with its ascending black and white spirals, is one of the most recognizable and beloved sights on the Outer Banks.  It’s a must-visit for us each time we vacation on Hatteras.  As kids, my brother and friend and I used to make a beeline for the lighthouse as soon as possible – in addition to being imposing and extremely cool, it was the headquarters for the Junior National Seashore Ranger program (a favorite vacation activity) and the backdrop for a Wednesday night campfire at which the adult Seashore Rangers would strum guitars, sing songs, and tell ghost stories to a crowd of appreciative kids and parents.  All this is to say, the Hatteras Light is a fixture of our beach vacations and I couldn’t wait to see my kids enjoying it too.

In an effort to get a little more ocean time, Steve and I decided to mix up the routine one morning and hit Lighthouse Beach instead of doing our usual sound-lunch-nap-ocean.  The first order of business was a visit to the lighthouse itself.

(I had to walk halfway across a field to get the entire lighthouse in my frame.)

Near the lighthouse is the ranger station, a small Outer Banks museum, and gift shop.  We didn’t stop in this time, but hopefully next time we’re in the area we’ll find ourselves there a lot – I can’t wait until Peanut is old enough for the Junior Seashore Ranger program!

You can climb the lighthouse, but Steve is not a fan of heights.  So we kept our feet planted on the ground and just enjoyed a stroll around the structure.

On our way to the beach, we spotted this imprint of a little friend in the concrete!

After visiting the lighthouse itself, we set up camp for the morning on Lighthouse Beach.  We don’t usually go to Lighthouse Beach during the days because it’s a bit further from our rental house than our usual beach is.  But it made for a fun change from the usual.

Nugget and I hung out in the beach tent and checked out the action.  The waves were a-rollin’!

And the view in the other direction was pretty nice, too:

You can see why it’s called Lighthouse Beach!

Nugget wasn’t as impressed with the lighthouse as I was.  Well, he’ll get there.

Goodbye until next time, Hatteras Light!

What landmark (man-made or natural) says “vacation” to you?