The Lights Are Off

Tuesday

There are three lighthouses on this stretch of coast, and climbing one was high on our “to do” list. Today, we tackled the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which proudly holds the title of the tallest brick lighthouse in North America. After ascending its 265 steps, we were rewarded with a sweeping 360-degree view of this beautiful barrier island.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has long served as a beacon to mariners, warning of the treacherous waters extending fourteen miles offshore—an area known as the Diamond Shoals. Over the centuries, these shifting sands and hidden currents have claimed hundreds of ships, earning this stretch the ominous title “The Graveyard of the Atlantic.” At the museum nearby, we explored fascinating exhibits with shipwreck remnants and read gripping accounts of maritime survival and loss.

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Wednesday

The Outer Banks is a ribbon of islands stretching nearly 200 miles, often just one to three miles wide. It’s a place of contrasts—rich in natural beauty and historic significance, dotted with kitschy t-shirt shops, delicious local eateries, and pristine white-sand beaches.

Today, we explored two unforgettable sites. First, we visited Jockey’s Ridge State Park, home to the tallest living sand dune system on the East Coast. Spanning over 400 acres, these ever-shifting dunes rise and fall between the ocean and the sound. We climbed their sandy peaks, watched kids tumbling down their slopes, and marveled at the seemingly endless hills of wind-sculpted sand. Though we missed the famous sunset view from the summit, the experience was exhilarating and humbling.

Next, we visited the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills—the hallowed ground where Wilbur and Orville Wright made their first successful powered flight in 1903. The memorial sits atop a hill that was once surrounded by nothing but sand dunes. From there, the brothers launched gliders in preparation for their ultimate achievement.

Below the hill, we explored replicas of their hangar and workshop, and followed the flight path marked by four large stones—each commemorating a successful attempt on that transformative December day. As we walked the grounds, I was struck by the number of international visitors paying tribute to these American pioneers.

It reminded me of our own travels—to Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean—where we’ve honored the legacies of heroes from other nations. Standing on that windswept hill in North Carolina, I was reminded that some human achievements transcend borders. The Wright Brothers didn’t just change the world of aviation—they changed how we exist in the world. They proved that we aren’t limited to walking the Earth—we can soar above it, and dream beyond it.