Cape Hatteras Lighthouse...Sufferers of Acrophobia BEWARE!

We woke up early to make the 2 hour drive from Kill Devil Hills to Buxton.  We drove south on NC12, the narrow paved road connecting the barrier islands of the Outer Banks and runs through the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (entrance fee not required). 

In addition to the beaches, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is another main attraction.  The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse (210 feet) on the American coastline.  The best part is that the lighthouse is open to climbing.  Even though we had the National Parks Pass,  we still had to pay the $6/person fee which I think goes to the maintenance and operation of the property.  We definitely got our exercise by climbing the 269 steps to the top.  What made the climb almost unbearable was the extreme humidity within the stairwell due to the lack of air conditioning in the building.  The ultimate reward was emerging from the claustrophobia-causing stairwell onto the gallery where we were greeted by a 360 degree view of the seashore as well as cooling ocean breezes.  Suffers of acrophobia, fear of heights, may want to bypass this attraction.  The view was amazing even though it was hazy. 

After we descended the lighthouse, we made our way to Cape Hatteras Beach just a short walk away.  The cool water soothed our sweaty and tired feet.