Our last day in Virginia took us on a real adventure.Mom and Kenny have been talking about a trip down into North Carolina and the "outer banks" since they moved to Virginia last April.
Brian and I jumped at the chance to see this beautiful stretch of country and see the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
We drove south over the Virginia/North Carolina border and out to the outer banks - through the communities of Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Avon.
Watch video of our drive below
We had an amazing burger with an even more amazing view at Mulligan's in Nags Head.
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile long string of narrow Barrier Islands off the coast of North Carolina, beginning in southeastern corner of Virginia Beach. They cover approximately half the northern North Carolina coastline, separating the Currituck Sound, Ablemarle Sounds and Pamlico Sound from the Atlantic Ocean. 
The treacherous seas off the Outer Banks and the large number of shipwrecks that have occurred there have given these seas the nickname "Graveyard of the Atlantic.
Watch video of outer banks towns/homes below
I must say, we are quite spoiled here on the west coast and the beautiful Pacific Ocean road. I was expecting more views of the ocean and we really only saw it when we drove through some of the small towns.
It was a dream trip form Brian and unfortunately, this lighthouse closes for tours on Columbus Day - so we only missed a tour by a few weeks. We were both still in awe!
On July 10, 1797, Congress appropriated $44,000 "for erecting a lighthouse on the head land of Cape Hatteras". The Lighthouse cost $14,302 to build and was completed in 1803.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Keeper, Gerry and Brian (look at that smile on Brian's face)In 1860 the Lighthouse Board reported that Cape Hatteras Lighthouse required protection, due to the outbreak of the Civil War.
In 1862 the Board reported "Cape Hatteras, lens and lantern destroyed, light re-exhibited. A new lighthouse was erected in 1870.
Due to erosion of the shore, the Cape Hatteras lighthouse was moved from its original location at the edge of the ocean to safer ground 2,870 feet inland between 1999-2000. 
The move was controversial at the time with speculation that the structure would not survive the move, resulting in lawsuits that were later dismissed.
After we wandered around the lighthouse - we drove over to where we had beach access and let the dogs (and people too) run in the sand and play in the water.Mom got absolutely soaked in the Atlantic!
This was a "bucket list" trip for Brian and I. I've dreamed about the outer banks for years (thanks to movies like Nights in Rodanthe and Message in a Bottle) and Brian's love of lighthouses made this like a dream come true.
Enjoy!
Stacy
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