Bryans 60th Birthday Trip - Carrituck Beach Lighthouse

November 30th, 2020 - Part 2

We left the Wright Brothers Memorial and headed to a lighthouse we wanted to climb.  Ordinarily we would have left this to another day but we are leaving tomorrow so we needed to try and do this today.  We were both exhausted already so this would be interesting.

It was a 45 minute drive and we stopped at a Subway Sandwich Shop, on the way, to get lunch which we ate in the car.

Through the town of Duck, but we didn't see any.  Quack!!Quack!!

It was a scenic drive on the Outer Banks. Eventually we saw the lighthouse in the distance.

As we entered the grounds we saw the lighthouse, it was an impressive sight. I wasn't sure I'd be able to reach the top.  It's been a while since we've climbed a lighthouse.

The lighthouse keepers house, which wasn't open as it's a private residence.  

Looking up at the top.  I decided I would attempt to climb with Bryan.

Here goes!!!

The entrance

Gulp!!!!!

Well presented history of the Carrituck Beach Lighthouse. 

Going Up!!!

We got near to the top and a window was open. Bryan went to take a picture and the wind was so strong he had trouble standing still.  You can see his jacket blowing!!  It was a windy day and we had wondered if they would allow us to climb but they had.  Going outside would be interesting.

The picture he managed to take

Bryan went out first and tried to walk around the walkway but the wind was blowing him back. I was hesitant but I took this VIDEO and managed to get halfway round before I put my camera away and held on tight!!!  I managed to walk all the way around and met Bryan back at the beginning!!! Unfortunately I didn't get any other pictures, there was no way I was letting go!!!

Getting blown backwards by the wind!!

Bryan did get some pictures, even though he didn't walk all the way around.  It was beautiful up there. I felt fortunate that we were allowed to climb when it was so windy, and that we survived, ha!!ha!!

There's the gift shop down below.

We started the trek down. It's easier for me going down but harder for Bryan. I get out of breath climbing, and Bryan struggles with his back & knees when descending.  So we can support and sympathize with each other.

We had to wear our masks while visiting the lighthouse and grounds, which we did. However as we were going down, there was no-one around so I pushed my mask down for the picture. 

We got outside and looked back up.  We were so happy that we had both persevered and climbed this lighthouse.  I looked and the last lighthouse we climbed was 18 months ago, in May 2019, at Key West.  We have seen other lighthouses sine then,including some in Wales, but didn't climb them.

There was a small historical village built by the lighthouse which we drove through, and we went searching for the wild horses that are on the beach, but we couldn't get close enough in our car.

It clouded over but the sun shone through and I saw a rainbow in the clouds.  It was a beautiful sight.

We headed back to the hotel, exhausted but exhilarated after such an awesome day.      Little did we know that we would see an awesome sunset from our hotel room, which will be in the next blog.