Day Thirteen - First in Flight

1903, and what a year it was! Just think about it - Henry Ford began assembly line production of Ford Motor Company, Bill Harley and Arthur Davidson began production of their iconic classic motorcycle and Wilbur and Orville Wright made history by launching the first flight of a heavier than air aircraft in that same year.

Although, I was eager to go to the Wright Brother's National Memorial, I also needed to get caught up on a back log of computer work that was beginning to pile up; and so, I dedicated the

morning to doing just that. Having accomplished that task, I then proceeded in eager anticipation of what I knew would be a very special day.

Three large buildings of the Wright Brother's National Memorial, commemorate not only the Wright Brothers' accomplishments, but memorialize the entire history of flight itself. From a film documenting the Wright Brother's achievements, trials and tribulations, to paintings and photographs of historical figures from the history of flight, to the first satellites, the moon landing and the International Space Station - it's all there!

In pursuing an area to begin their "exploration of flight", the Wright brothers had selected three prospective sites which fulfilled their requirements for - strong "steady" winds, rolling hills, sand dunes and privacy. Of the three, only the city of Kitty Hawk responded to their letters, and invited them with a warm welcome to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Today, grasses now cover the slightly rolling hills of what were once the sand dunes of Kill Dare Hills. Adjacent to the three large buildings of the National Memorial, there are two small wooden reconstructions of the hanger that housed the aircraft and their small workshop. Barely 100 feet from the workshop, stones mark the landing spots of the four flights they made on that cold day on the 17th of December, 1903.

Orville made that first historic flight, simply because - it was his turn. The brothers, to avoid any arguments, simply took turns - and on that day, it was Orville's turn.

That first flight lasted a mere 12 seconds, covered a distance of 120 feet and reached an elevation of 10 feet. Nonetheless, they had proven that - man could indeed fly!

In total they completed four flights that day. On the second flight Wilbur reached a distance of nearly 200 feet and, following that, Orville reached the 200 foot plateau. However, not to be outdone, Wilbur's final flight of the day, was the ultimate triumph - flying for a full 59 seconds he covered a whopping distance of 850 feet!

Wilbur and Orville knew full well, "that today they would make history," and had mounted a tripod camera ready to capture that historic flight.

The Park Ranger related that the photographer that day, "was so caught up in the moment," that when the brothers later asked if he had indeed "captured the moment for all posterity?" He could only relate - "I don't remember!" Fortunately, he did indeed, snap that now historic photograph, perfectly timed, just after lift-off.

Day Twelve - To Kitty Hawk

For those of you who may be counting - I did not miss day eleven. It was rain delay, laundry and internet catch-up day!

However, I will mention that New Bern, North Carolina, where the day was spent, like a lot of the towns that I visited throughout the south -IS VERY LIVEABLE. It's the kind of place that one could easily think about laying down tracks. The city is just right - not too big and not too small, and a city filled with history.

Located at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, there is water everywhere, making it appear like a boating and fishermen's paradise.

In addition, as a side point, New Bern will next year celebrate its 300th year!

The next day, I continued northward to Washington, North Carolina, where the Pamlico River meets the Atlantic Ocean to form (together with the Neuse River) the estuary of Pamlico Sound. Pamlico Sound, in turn, combines with the even larger Albemarle Sound, to complete the second largest estuary (after Chesapeake Bay) in the United States.

There is so much history to be seen in this region. One could easily spend days and travel the entire 300 miles of highways around Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, in order to capture the beauty, the history and gain a full appreciation for all that the area has to offer. Unfortunately, at some point, it is necessary to make a decision about - just how much of the area to take in. In the end, I chose to limit my travel and skirted eastward, traveling, one small part, of the historic Albemarle Highway.

In case you are wondering (as I was) - "just what is the definition of an estuary". According to the Free Dictionary on the web, an estuary is - "The wide lower course of a river where it flows into the sea. Estuaries experience tidal flows and their water is a changing mixture of fresh and salt water".

Leaving the Albemarle Highway, I crossed over to Cape Hatteras by way of Roanoke Island the site of the famed "lost colony". For a period of three years from 1587-1590, the islanders occupied a site on island, then seemingly disappeared in an, as yet - Unsolved Mystery.

At last, after riding all day, I crossed over the causeways connecting the mainland to Roanoke Island and the island to Cape Hatteras. It had been a long day, but an enjoyable trip; before, at last arriving at my destination, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, site of the Wright Brothers Historic - First Flight!