Saturday, June 25, 2016

The Currituck Lighthouse – Outer Banks


The Currituck Lighthouse – Outer Banks
Image Credit:  Abundant-Family-Living.com

 The Currituck Lighthouse - Outer Banks, North Carolina


When we first decided to visit North Carolina’s Outer Banks, one of the first things on my “to do” list was to visit the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.  I really don’t know why I wanted to see it so badly except that I’m always seeing pictures and figurines of it.  I guess I developed a “liking” for it over time.  I was a little bit disappointed when I realized it’s location was about an hour and a half from our resort.  At first we had planned to make the drive but after spending two days in the truck, the last thing I wanted to do was get back in it for what I considered a long drive.  We looked at some tourist pamphlets and discovered that the Currituck Lighthouse was only 20 miles from our resort.  In fact, it’s location was at the end of the street where we were staying, the famous Highway 12.  So, on Wednesday morning, we headed down the street.  A resident of the area told us the Lighthouse is a nice one to visit but that it really isn’t all that pretty, “just plain brick all the way up,” she said.  I didn’t expect much but we really wanted to visit Whalehead which was right next door anyway so it certainly wouldn’t be a wasted trip.

Let me say up front that the Currituck Lighthouse was definitely not a disappointment.  The all-brick structure was absolutely beautiful.  In fact, I thought it was prettier than Hatteras or any of the other striped lighthouses.  Of course, I’ve only seen pictures of those.  I remember visiting a lighthouse in San Diego about 23 years ago.  This one, from what I can remember, was much prettier and more impressive than the one in San Diego.

As I stood outside and looked straight up at the tall structure, I wasn’t sure I could do it.  Climbing the lighthouse in San Diego had been easy, but I had been 23 years younger.  The thought of the climb intimidated me.  I was determined to make it to the top anyway.  Enjoy the pictures!

The Currituck Lighthouse – Outer Banks
Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living
 The ground surrounding the lighthouse are peaceful.  It wasn’t overcrowded.

The Currituck Lighthouse – Outer Banks
Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living
Just outside the lighthouse, there is an older house.  If I remember correctly, the house used to belong to one of the lighthouse keepers.  They’ve turned it into a store.  There was another pretty white house there too but I didn’t get a photo of it.  I think that one is where the current lighthouse keeper lives.


The Currituck Lighthouse – Outer Banks
Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living
You can’t see it all that well in the photo above, but the stair case is beautiful.

The Currituck Lighthouse – Outer Banks
Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living
There are two windows overlooking the grounds.  Every so often, there is a little platform where you can stop and rest.  This made the climb to the top much more bearable.  There were also fans on the platforms.  There is no air-conditioning inside so, if you visit during the summer months, make sure you take bottled water with you.

The Currituck Lighthouse – Outer Banks
Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living
When we arrived to the top of the lighthouse, I sheepishly stepped outside.  My fear of heights kicked in big time!  I’m terrified of heights.  There wasn’t much room up there.  I stayed as close to the lighthouse wall as I could.  My back pressed against that wall, but I did make my way around.  The next few pictures show you the gorgeous view from around the top of the lighthouse.

The Currituck Lighthouse – Outer Banks
Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

The Currituck Lighthouse – Outer Banks
Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living
The Currituck Lighthouse – Outer Banks
Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living
The Currituck Lighthouse – Outer Banks
Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living
The Currituck Lighthouse – Outer Banks
Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living
If you ever visit the Northern area of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, take time to stop and visit the Currituck Lighthouse.  The climb is not so hard.  The view is amazing.  It only takes a short time to complete the entire tour.

 You can learn more about the Currituck Lighthouse here.

Read about other great places to visit in the Outer Banks of North Carolina here.

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