Lighthouses and Charles Kurault Trail

A very busy day awaits as we rise early for today's adventure. We head south to the national seashore stopping for provisions at Harris Teeter (breakfast for the ride and lunch for a picnic later in the day).

Our first stop comes fairly early along the shore - Bodie Lighthouse. It is under extensive renovation and the construction site is something to behold. This lighthouse is known as the sister to the Currituk we visited yesterday, but with the scaffolding encompassing the base, they are as different as can be. A fascinating display is here with the cables anchoring this production. The boardwalk leading to an overlook provides another view of the lighthouse, as well as a stunning peek at the shore.

As our journey continues along the coast, our next excursion takes us to the Pea Island National Refuge, a Charles Kurault trail. All of those Sunday Morning endings of 2-3 minutes of blissful nature boasts this trail as one of its scenes. We feel like we have stepped right into that moment. The path shows off sea birds of all sorts and we have been fortunate enough to have arrived before any others and can take the serenity in all by ourselves.

Across the street is a path to the beach and a 13-mile stretch of deserted beach - a short hike is in order here, as well. The sand, water and dunes are beckoning us to stay, but we have to keep moving. There is so much more further down this road.

Heading into the middle part of the seashore, we are taken aback by the spattering of tourist areas. Even with most places closed for the season, it is a bit of a disruption from the peacefulness we've experienced so far. Before we come upon the Hatteras Lighthouse, I am awaiting the four buses of 8th graders from yesterday. They, too, are supposed to visit here, as well as our final destination of Ocracoke. Celeste is confident we will not run into them.

You guessed it, the buses are there as we pull in. They are, however, actually leaving as we laugh aloud with relief! A tour of the grounds is very nice, even though an actual climb is not allowed until sometime in May. We pay homage to the original site of the house, moved from right up the beach in 1997.

This site is directly on the water and proves the perfect spot for our picnic. We lounge here quite awhile, taking in the crashing waves of the ocean in front, the dunes sheltering us from the wind, and spectacular views of the lighthouse to our right. It is one of those truly perfect moments.

We're in no particular hurry, between the beauty of our current spot, and the timing of the ferry to Ocracoke Island. The timing further challenged as we are trying to ensure we are not taking the same ferry as the 8th graders. That would not be good....