The Outer Banks of North Carolina

Probably the most photographed lighthouse in the world, the Cape Hatteras lighthouse is spectacular! Unfortunately for us tours are not open until April 21st, and we were unable to climb the stairs to the top of the lighthouse.

A few years ago the lighthouse was threatened by erosion and destined to fall into the sea. The Federal Government endeavored to have the lighthouse moved almost 2,100 feet inland to its present location shown.
Not far to the north is the site of Kitty Hawk, and the first flight by Wilbur and Orville Wright. This location is a National Monument run by the Federal Government. In addition to a visitors center and several monuments, is a replica of the Wright brothers first glider. With this glider the brothers fine-tuned their theories on the mechanics of flight as well as wing design and lift. Several unsuccessful flights and crashes preceded the construction and successful flights of the famous flying machine.

A full-scale replica of the motorized aircraft successfully flown by the Wright Brothers 0n December 17, 1903 is on display. The original flight lasted 12 seconds and the craft flew a total of 120 feet. Unfortunately, a strong wind flipped the craft shortly thereafter and destroyed it. This replica was built with a grant of over $1,000,000, and is fully functional with adjustable wings and movable rudders.
The Wright Brothers were bicycle mechanics from Ohio. They came down to the Outer Banks each summer/fall to test their theories and models for several years because of prevailing winds and good sand dunes to launch off of. They built and employed a wind tunnel to test and develop their wing shapes and designs. Not bad for a couple of bike salesmen.