Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

By: Fleur Paipa

North Carolina rightfully boasts of the very first airplane flight that was made on the sandy hills of the tiny town of Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks of the Barrier Islands. The Wright Brothers had come here all the way from Ohio with their flying contraption to make it fly!

Before being bitten by the idea of inventing a flying machine, the Wright brothers were the owners of a bicycle shop in the town of Dayton, Ohio. After testing many designs and facing teething problems, they were succesful in taking their first flight in an airplane made of wood, metal and canvas that was stretched across the wings of the plane. The pilot was required to lay flat on his stomach to manouvere the controls for the flight.

The Wright Brothers had taken four years to build this newfangled flying contraption. They worked on it from 1899 to 1903 to figure out the proper aerodynamics necessary to create an airplane. Even their sister helped them by sewing and stretching the canvass across the wing’s frame. It took them many years to finalize the design of the first practical airplane.

Before they were ready with their flying contraption, the Wright brothers had made several trips to Kitty Hawk to test gliders in order to better understand aerodynamics. Thus, they were quite familiar with the area and the people when they made their historic trip in 1903. So much so that they often recruited locals to help them haul and repair the Flyer.

This flying machine was considerably heavier than the earlier models of the Wright flyers. It was 125 pounds heavier than what the brothers actually wanted it to be. Because of its weight, the plane could not be launched like the earlier versions and required the building of a 15-foot launching rail to catapult it on its trajectory. They jokingly called it “Grand Junction Railroad”.

The brothers then had to postpone their regular tests because of the inclement weather in the late fall and early winter of 1903. This lead them to doubt whether they will at all be able to achieve their intended test flight that year. Things however changed for the better soon, enabling Wright brothers to start testing again and take their historic flight.

On December 17th, 1903 the Wright brothers accomplished their goal and their Flyer took off into the air. After a quick coin toss to see which brother would serve as pilot, Orville climbed into the controls and took off at 10:35 in the morning. Although the temperatures were cold, the plane soared into the North Carolina sky for a whole 12 seconds. The flight was only 120 feet long, but enough to propel the brothers and their plane into the history books.

After the initial flight, the brothers went on to make three additional flights, with Wilbur piloting the longest course, staying in the air for 59 minutes and covering 852 feet. The great state of North Carolina bore silent witness to this feat of engineering and man on a cold December day. Today, a monument to the Wright Brothers sits on top of the hill that saw their first flight in Kill Devil Hill, North Carolina.

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Fleur Paipa is the owner of F north carolina, the #1 source on the internet for information about north carolina. For questions or comments about this article why not visit: www.fyinorthcarolina.com/articles

by JENNIFER WEISS

Located near the northern end of the Outer Banks, Duck is a quiet beach town that offers stunning stretches of sand and numerous opportunities for adventure off its shores. If you are searching for a relaxing vacation destination without any of the glitz and glamour that can overwhelm your peaceful and serene getaway, then Duck, North Carolina is the perfect place for you.

Although Duck Beach is only a few miles long, it makes wonderful use of every grain of sand along its breathtaking expanse of unspoiled coastline. In addition to the spectacular scenic beauty, visitors will find that the beach is rarely crowded, meaning they never have to fight for a prime sunning spot from which to begin their adventures. While swimming, body surfing, and boogie boarding are all popular in the waters off Duck Beach, the shelling here is excellent since the Outer Banks extend further into the waters of the Atlantic than anywhere else in the state.

For those looking to experience an exciting offshore adventure, there are numerous nearby outlets offering jet ski, boat, and kayak rentals in addition to parasailing and scuba diving expeditions. Set out on an outbound excursion and explore the sound at your pace aboard a kayak or get your feet wet with a brand new experience during a surfing or hang-gliding lesson. No matter what kind of adventure makes your heart beat a little faster, you can enjoy it all in Duck.

When you need a respite from the sun and want to stretch your legs a little, head to the Scarborough Faire Shops for a shopping experience unlike any other. Rather than a large, impersonal shopping complex, the shaded boardwalk, complete with massive oak trees, and the quant boutiques blend seamlessly into the small town atmosphere of Duck. Browse shops that offer a range of items from clothing and unique pottery to specialty foods and kitchen items. And when you need to re-energize after a long day of perusing the various stores, head to one of the excellent eateries such Elizabeth’s Café for top-notch cooking and wine selection.

To learn more about the coastal environment, head out on one of the 60-minute walking tours offered by the US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility (also called the “Duck Research Pier”). This internationally-recognized facility conducts research to evaluate the ocean’s impact on the coast and provides informative and specialized tours at 10 am from mid-June through mid-August. Since the free tour makes its way over sand trails that can be difficult to navigate, be sure to dress appropriately.

Although it is located in Nags Head, Jockey’s Ridge State Park is one of the finest attractions in the Outer Banks and certainly should not be missed. While you can take on the seemingly endless dunes from any location or angle, the 1.5-mile Sand Trail is a best bet for excellent views and easy accessibility since it originates out of the parking lot of the visitor’s center. If you are feeling up for a challenge, try to tackle the Soundside Nature Trail, located on the south side of the park, for an intense climb that culminates in spectacular views of the coast. However, any roll or run down the side of a dune will also get your heart-pumping and leave you absolutely speechless.

Duck has everything you need for a relaxing getaway without any of the frills to distract you from its pristine and stunning natural beauty. For the ultimate accommodations located near a picturesque sandy beach and the gentle melody of the Atlantic, consider a Duck North Carolina vacation rental that comes complete with all the comforts of home. Enjoy amenities such as a washer and dryer, wireless internet, and plenty of space in an environment that is more stunning than you ever imagined. To experience the tranquil waterfront adventure you always wanted, browse a wide selection of Duck NC vacation rentals today to find the one that matches all of your needs.