On Hallowed Ground

I stood upon the spot from which powered flight began.

I could feel the tingle of excitement, the rush of fear, the realization that this was it – the time to fly - that Orville Wright had to have experienced that day. December 17th, 1903.

Of course I had read about the length of these flights, but the distances, and how short they were, is brought graphically to life with these granite markers, commemorating each one. (Phot taken from launch point)

The weather was warm, but very wet. Rain squalls moved through with regularity some so hard that those with umbrellas or plastic ponchos sought shelter. But nothing stopped visitors for long. People walked the “flight line”, climbed the hill to walk around the monument, and wandered in and out of the two visitor centers. One featured a life size replica of the Wright Flyer. In this photo you can see Path parked on the edge of the taxiway outside.

The other center was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of flight and featured the planning, building and flights of a reproduction Flyer. Outside is a wonderful series of statues depicting the first flight. Here is Murphette ready to go with Orville.

On top of one of the tallest of the dunes at Kill Devil Hills they built a monument to flight. But first they had to stabilize shifting sands with plants and grasses. Now the sand dune where the Wrights tested theories with gliders is a solid hill with paved paths leading upward to the summit. I joined the devoted who climbed to stand and marvel at this place.

With weather not conducive to flight, I settled in for the night. At dawn the joggers arrived, their silhouettes black against the monument as they jogged past then down the path from the summit. To them merely a challenging run..did they not sense the majesty of where they trod?

To my pilot friends, I say – make the pilgrimage. To those who travel on land – come and learn what makes flyers so devoted to aviation.