Our friend Bill (he and Leslie are our food gurus and guides) had told us that Duck Doughnuts was the "must" stop while we were there --
Just made and still warm, we got a chocolate and three maple with bacon bits doughnuts --
We were surprised that there were not signs nor billboards along the way pointing the way to the Wright Brothers National Memorial, located in the town of Kill Devil Hills, about midway between Kitty Hawk and Nags Head.
We went first to the Visitor's Center where we saw this portrait of Orville and William Wright dressed in the coat and ties they wore for the first flights --
On December 17th, 1903, Orville Wright made the first flight which, while it only lasted for 12 seconds and traveled only 120 feet, was the first time a manned heavier-than-air machine left the ground under its own power!
Alternating as pilot, the brothers made three more flights that day, the last one lasting for 59 seconds and traveling 852 feet. The stones mark the landing spots of the various flights.
This is the Visitor Center which has exhibits and interpretive programs. We watched a film telling about the events leading up to the first flights and the telegram sent to their father telling him of their success.
This monument sits atop Kill Devil Hill, the site of the hundreds of glider flights that preceded the first powered flight.
The glider flights are what taught Orville and Wilbur the flying skills that enabled them to become the first true pilots.
This life-sized sculpture made of stainless steel was dedicated in 1903 -- one hundred years after that first flight. The artwork was created by Stephen H. Smith and replicates the picture of the first flight.
Glad you got to Kitty Hawk and liked the doughnuts (we did not try the coffee).
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