NC Road Trip Day 13: Night Moves

For the hundreds of people who make it to the top of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse each day, the climb up to the top of America's tallest nautical beacon is both an exhausting and exhilarating endeavor.

But for the 60 people each month who get to make the climb at night, the experience is even more incredible. The National Park Service offers nighttime lighthouse tours once a month during the warmer months, on the night of the full moon. On this night, clouds made the moon a pale shadow of itself, but the climb, and the view from the top, were still spectacular.

"Imagine if you can that you are one of the light keepers of this lighthouse," says Park Ranger Kevin Chandler, our tour guide. "They had to make this trip to the top of the lighthouse several times a day, sometimes carrying buckets of fuel oil that weighed 70 pounds."

Along the way up the 257 steps of the lighthouse, Chandler answers questions and relates several stories about the Hatteras light, tales of hurricanes and shipwrecks and of reasons why this lighthouse has so many decorative flairs for what is usually a very basic and utilitarian building.

Once we reach the top, the payoff is evident: panoramic views of the Atlantic, with the beacon of the lighthouse sweeping across the waves every few seconds. When you turn around, you get an up-close-and-personal look at the light itself, which is visible for 20 miles out at sea. It just might be the best view on the Outer Banks.

The Full Moon tours cost the same price as daylight tours, and times vary with the sunset. Tickets usually go on sale two days before the actual climb, and usually sell out within a few hours. For visitors coming to the area at the right time, it is one of those rare experiences that will make a memorable NC vacation even more unforgettable.