NC, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Continuing southward from Nags Head along the coastal highway is the beginning of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The nation's first and longest National Seashore that was established in 1937. The Hatteras Seashore stretches 73 miles from Nags Head to Ocracoke. Containing the three islands of Bodie, Hatteras, and Ocracoke.

Bodie is the northernmost island in the Cape Hatteras chain. As with many of these islands, its lighthouse is the most prominent structure on the island. Built in 1872 of brick, the lighthouse soars 170 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and serves as a welcome beacon for offshore ships. A captain's last link with the mainland. The Bodie Lighthouse is easily distinguished by its horizontal black and white stripes. In contrast to the spirals of Hatteras or the checkerboard design of Cape Lookout.

NC, the Outer Banks Lighthouses

Adjacent to the lighthouse is a reminder of why this area has been nicknamed the "Graveyard of the Atlantic". Location of the charred remnants of the "Laura Barnes". A four masted schooner which came ashore in 1921 when she shipwrecked in high seas. The Oregon Inlet offshore fishing fleet is located a few miles south of the Bodie Lighthouse. Its 30 charter boats may land you a bigeye tuna or blue marlin weighing in excess of 1,000 pounds. The Oregon Inlet (Bodie) Campground is located directly across the street from this fishing center. It is administered by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and is an excellent site for excursions throughout Nags Head, Bodie, and Hatteras.

NC, Outer Banks, Bodie Island, Laura Barnes wreck

Continuing south over the Oregon Inlet Bridge marks the beginning of the Hatteras Island. The center of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and location of numerous hotels, restaurants, and stores. The Hatteras Lighthouse soaring over the island is the tallest in North America at 207 feet. In 1999, the lighthouse was relocated 2,900 feet to protect the landmark from erosion. It now stands 1,600 feet from the shore which is equal to its original distance at the time it was built. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is one of six operating lighthouses along the North Carolina coast. Each separated by about 40 miles. Completed in 1870, the public is free to climb to the top of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse for a breathtaking view of the coast in the summer. Visibility is over 50 miles in each direction on a clear day!

A lighthouse that may not be standing to much longer. With the shore eroding at 10 feet per year, and the lighthouse sitting 120 feet from the ocean, the fate of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is uncertain. Serious discussions are underway by the park service to either move the lighthouse inland or somehow stop the beach erosion. Both nearly impossible tasks.

Ocracoke is the last and most primitive barrier island in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Home to the Outer Banks oldest lighthouse which was built in 1823. Ocracoke has been the center of North Carolina's commercial fishing industry for over 300 years. The famed pirate Blackbeard often visited Ocracoke to evade his captors. Ocracoke became Blackbeard's final resting place when he was killed on the island in 1718. His pirated treasures are still believed buried somewhere on the island.

The Cape Lookout National Seashores begins just south of Ocracoke. The 55 mile Cape Lookout National Seashore is even more remote and secluded than Hatteras. A section of the Outer Banks containing few roads and no development. Its islands of Portsmouth, Shackleford, and Core remain essentially unchanged as they have existed for hundreds of years.

NC, Outer Banks, The sea reclaims its shore

Collectively the Outer Banks occupies some of the most treacherous offshore water in the world. The stormy sea has laid claim to over 500 ships since the Spanish conquistadors first sailed this coast in the 16th century. Known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic", the GulfStream currents streaming north slam into the waters near shore heading south, form a raging crosscurrent. Howling noreasters intensifies this constantly turbulent sea and frequently turns the Atlantic off the Outer Banks into a frothing nightmare for captains who must sail into its waters. An area of the Atlantic where the sea unveils its full fury over passing ships. There are more vessels buried here than any other place in the world. During World War II, German submarines contributed to this toll by sinking over 40 cargo ships in 1942. Giving this area its other nickname, "Torpedo Alley". It is not uncommon to uncover memorabilia from this era cast ashore by strong Noreasters.

Fishermen find an urivaled number of saltwater fish passing through these waters. Especially during the annual winter/ summer migration. The best month for catching huge bluefish in the surf is in late November. Similar to bird

NC, Outer Banks, The Bluefish Blitz.

migrations, bluefish begin migrating from New England in the fall to reach North Carolina at this time. When fisherman line the coast as word spreads about the "blitz". A time when bluefish weighing 15 pounds or more storm the beach to hem in menhaden. Biting almost anything in their path.

Another prized catch among surf fisherman is the giant red drum which can weigh over 70 pounds. Red drums feed mainly on crustaceans and mollusks found in the sloughs along the beach. Their powerful jaws are able to crush crabs, clams, and oysters. Large striped bass also roam the coast from their breeding grounds in Chesapeake Bay.

Offshore activity intensifies in the summer months. The Oregon Inlet and Pirates Cove charter fleets concentrate on marlin, sailfish, tuna, dolphin, and wahoo. Fishing licenses are not required for ocean fishing.

NC, Outer Banks, Oregon Inlet and the
Herbert C. Bonner Bridge connecting Bodie Island to Hatteras Islands

• Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Rt 1, Box 675, Manteo NC 27954 (252) 473-2111. Cape Hatteras Campground Reservations, (800) 365-CAMP. www.nps.gov/caha.
• Cape Lookout National Seashore, 131 Charles Street Harkers Island, NC 28531 (252) 728-2250. www.nps.gov/calo
• Jockey's Ridge State Park, P.O. Box 592 Nags Head, NC 27959 (252) 441-7132   http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/jori/home.html