As sad as we were to leave Ocracoke, we had to keep moving onward. I was determined to catch a sunrise, so we packed up most of our gear the night before, checked the weather app for the official sunrise time, and set my alarm.

Times like these, I really need a better camera! 

The ferry on the north end of the island, to Cape Hatteras, runs often and is free. The boats are a bit smaller than the south end, and the trip is much quicker (70 minutes, compared to two hours). 

I don't know if I missed a turn when we first exited the ferry or what, but the Cape Hatteras lighthouse proved challenging to find. But what a beauty she is!

Since we'd left camp so early, we found a bakery in Cape Hatteras for a special treat - an Apple Ugly. It was delicious, but not friendly for the waistline or the budget - glad we shared one, but probably could have saved half of it for the next morning. Our willpower wasn't that strong though.

And then, we experienced an extra special treat and I found a new sport I'd love to learn! (If I were 20 years younger!)

Kite Surfing!

Yes, he's in the air and does a somersault before landing on the water again. Exciting!

And the Bodie Island lighthouse. 

When I was young, a very special young man wrote a beautiful love poem for me about the lighthouse keeper, so I have a special fondness for them.

We continued our drive through the Outer Banks. Nags Head didn't hold much charm for me - seemed like most regular beach towns and very commercialized compared to the southern areas.

Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills were extra special for me because of the Wright Brothers National Memorial. I get emotional with any memorabilia concerning flight or the space program, because my dad was an aeronautical engineer. The Wright Brothers have always inspired me, and seeing their work in person was a wonderful experience.

And then we moved inland. But the Outer Banks now has a piece of my heart, and I will one day return.