For much of the last 10 years, I've been spending Thanksgivings with family in a decidedly non-NYC way: on the Outer Banks. In the wonders of modern family, I have the benefit of a dozen or so step-aunts and -cousins to carouse with for several days each year on a wind-whipped beach during a season when it might be 75 degrees or 35. While it is decidedly a destination and resort area, there is a great deal of history along this 100-mile strip of barrier island. And when not in the high season, it's a lovely place to spend a few days exploring in addition to relaxing.
Most people will undoubtedly know the Outer Banks as the site of humans' first heavier-than-air flight. On December 17, 1903, the Wright Brothers succeeded in powered flight from a natural sand dune in the village of Kill Devil Hills. News of their success was transmitted from the telegraph station in nearby Kitty Hawk, forever linking--erroneously--that community's name in millions of school children's minds with the actual event.
A wonderful Art Deco granite monument was erected atop the dune in 1927 to commemorate the event. Only problem? As sand dunes tend to do when nature is interrupted, they slowly migrate in the direction of prevailing winds. The smaller granite markers that were placed in the ground to show the distance of three successive flights are now much further away from the apex of the dune than they were 104 years ago. In the quarter century between the inaugural flight and the dedication of the memorial, the dune had migrated south more than 100 yards. It was stabilized, to some degree, with vegetation when the monument was erected. Nature will, undoubtedly, have her way at some point.
A little further south in Nags Head, the same dune system continues as part of Jockey's Ridge State Park. After years of passing it by on the highway and ignoring the sign "HANG GLIDING SCHOOL," I could wait no longer. I signed up for a lesson which included five "accompanied" flights. You fly solo (there are tandem flights from higher altitudes) but are tethered to a couple of instructors running along on the ground with long nylon cables that don't let you get much more than 40' off the ground--at least until you've had a few lessons.
It was both easier than I would have thought and trickier to actually manipulate the glider. My first flight landed me face-first in the sand and I have a great big bruise on my thigh as a war wound. But the next four flights went really well. I got high enough to be able to steer a bit. It was exhilarating! This is not normally the type of things I'd do, but I'm really, really glad I did. Notice any similarities?
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