Cape Lookout, North Carolina

Ain't she a bute? There are a million things about the North Carolina coast that are worth seeing and gushing about...this gorgeous lighthouse and national park is definitely one of them. As I mentioned in my previous post retelling the story of our amazing family beach vacation, we did practically nothing that whole vacation. The only exception to nothing that we "older kids" did do was visit the Cape Lookout Lighthouse & National Seashore. It was a semi-cloudy morning and there were rain showers in the forecast, so we figured taking one day off from baking in the sun on the beach wouldn't be a bad idea. From our Emerald Isle beach house near the Pointe, it was a leisurely 1.5 hour drive to Hawker's Island where we caught to ferry to the Outer Banks (Cape Lookout, to be exact). We armed ourselves with our cameras, bathing suits, and a family-sized bag of Cool Ranch Doritos (we clearly thought our day through) and made our way to do some beach sight-seeing.

On the ferry from Harker's Island, you could choose from two destinations. One straight to Cape Lookout or one that also made a stop at Shackleford Banks, a gorgeous island inhabited by dozens of wild horses (the oldest documented horse population in America, mind you). As much as I wanted to stop and run with the pretty horses, we opted to stay on the ferry and skip that particular stop (time was limited that day). We did, however, watch them eat and run freely across the island from our ferry seats. Such a crazy place to see so many beautiful horses! But...on to the Cape!

Before making our way to the lighthouse itself, we decided to explore the park and the beach. We'd heard there are some amazing shells that land on the shores each morning, so we pulled out our shell bags and started combing the beach for a few souvenirs. Sadly, all the large conch shells were either broken or had been scooped up by early risers, but we still got some gorgeous shells to commemorate our day there. I, of course, spent quite a lot of time snapping photos. It was super clear to see why Nicholas Sparks chooses to set his books all along the NC coastline...it's truly fairytale worthy. The sea oats swaying in the wind, the crashing waves, the daymark patterned light beacon commanding the coastal skyline...it's enough to send any beach-lover straight to Cloud 9. 

By the time mid-day rolled around, so came the ominous clouds and piercing winds. We'd dodged rain and storms all week long, but this one wasn't going to pass us over. After the shell gathering adventure and a quick rest on the beach (with a friendly seagull and our bag of Doritos), we decided we better make our way to the top of lighthouse before they closed it for the storms. The 163 ft. high Cape Lookout Lighthouse gave us 207 steps to its highest vantage point. Once we were standing at the top, you could feel the chill and moisture in the air, not to mention the whipping winds gusting by us as 20+ miles per hour. We were told to hang on to the handrails and not wander to the rear of the lighthouse because the wind gusts were enough to blow a grown man off. Yikes. Even with the wind howling and the dark clouds rolling overhead, we took in some insanely gorgeous views. Stormy weather looks good on the Outer Banks. Not every beach could say that.

Naturally, as we made our way down the lighthouse steps and towards the ferry dock, the bottom fell out. I'm talking non-stop heavy rain for at least an hour. We were cold and soaked riding the rocking ferry back to Harker's Island, but laughed the entire way. A day and adventure we'll remember for vacations to come. Now D and I have a goal to see as many of the NC lighthouses as we can. 1 down, 20 to go! Guess we need another NC vacation, stat!

Emerald Isle Family Beach Vacation 2014

One of the things D and I most looked forward to in moving back to the states was this very beach trip. You see, big family beach trips are our thing. My family's thing. Before moving to Germany, we were going on these family vacations almost every year (as long as no one was getting married or extremely ill). It's always been the same cast of characters...my parents, little sister, my aunt, uncle and cousins from Kansas (the Kansas cousins, as I've dubbed them on this blog in posts past), D (since we started dating), my cousin's hubby (since they started dating), and when they were still living, my MeeMaw & Papaw. In our younger years, we'd settle for a trip to good ol' Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. As we got older and my parents realized us "kids" didn't need to be enterained 24/7, we started renting beach houses along the coast of North Carolina. More secluded, more relaxing...how real beach vacations with family are supposed to be. Besides, have you been the NC coast? It's a total dream. Who wouldn't want to spend a week (or forever) there? My home state is the bee's knees.

Prior to this summer, our last big family vacation was this beast of a European adventure. It was crazy, it was insanely fun, and absolutely a once in a lifetime vacation for my entire family. We all feel incredibly lucky to have been able experience Europe that way. Prior to that, our last family beach trip was in 2009...two years before Germany was even a thought. When my mom called this past January to tell me the family wanted to do a reunion beach vacation to Emerald Isle, just like old times, I cried after hanging up the phone. D and I both missed vacations like this. We missed spending time with our family. We'd traveled pretty much non-stop throughout some of Europe's most beautiful countries, but we always longed for a true family vacation...back in the comfort of North Carolina sand and sea.

Our week with family at the "Dreamsicle" on Emerald Isle was nothing short of magical. The weather was incredible (far cry from the sweltering heat & humidity of Florida at that time), the relaxation was abundant, and the time spent reconnecting and goofing off with our sweet family was worth its weight in gold. Tuck even got to join in on the fun. His first beach trip ever. My heart could have burst from being SO FULL after that week! We did almost nothing, too. No, really. Laying on the beach, winning at Bocce ball, watching the boys boogie board in the ocean, sunrise walks to the Pointe, having random dance-offs to beach music, sitting on the front porch chatting about anything and everything as the waves crashed in the distance, drinking wine and laughing until our sides hurt, playing pool pong and riding around in the golf cart for hours looking for deer and turtles, cooking family dinner and watching Dancing with the Stars all huddled up in one king-sized bed...there's about a million and a half reasons this family beach trip goes down as one of my favorite vacations ever. I actually think I only wore make-up one day that entire week. If that's not vacation, I don't know what is! Needless to say, after such a memory-filled getaway, it was a far way to fall during that car ride back to Florida when it was all over. The following week proved to be one of the hardest I've had since moving back stateside, but I chalk it all up to being so blissed-out from all the family togetherness. North Carolina & amazing family will do that to you. I'm living proof.

I wish everyday that we all lived closer together, but one thing always keeps us connected…our love & need for family time and the beautiful NC coast. We're already looking forward to our next Emerald Isle family beach vacation! It's a tradition I hope continues for years and years to come. :)

Do you and your family go on big family vacations?
If so, where to?