Alligator River/Marina - Kitty Hawk

Root Beer?
Tannic Acid from the
Cypress and Junipers

As we moved up the AICW we knew a storm was approaching.  We thought that we could anchor another night.  However, when we checked the weather it was apparent that a marina was a better choice.  We made reservations for Alligator  Marina for two nights.

On our way to Alligator Marina

Glad we did as the wind was unrelenting, with 25 MPH steady and gusts over 33MPH.  Boats could not enter the marina easily, and there were near mishaps.  One captain tried to navigate the Albemarle Sound. His GPS faded out to blank screen. He lost partial steering, his engine, and his main sail. The Coast Guard had to tow him in.  Needless to say he was shook-up, even a few hours after he made it back.  This guy, had no charts, no GPS and was navigating by the seat of his pants.  I tried to show him the 'magenta line' and explain the Virginia Cut line vs. the Dismal Swamp route....BY PHONE.  Dumb Ass!

Daisy's Ramp

Drafting Equipment From Wrights
I had a set just like this. (?)

History at its best

Fun to be here.
It was very windy here too.

We took advantage of the time to rent a car and go to Kitty Hawk.  What a cool side trip for me as I am a former ultralight pilot. I have seen the replicas of the first flight airplanes before, but to see them at Kitty Hawk, it was simply inspiring.  Of particular note are the documents of the design, science experiments and engineering that went into their attempts.  Wilber and Orville were pretty ingenious men.  The glider mound and the flight paths were fun to see.  Another note, is that the area  where the flights initially took place, are now covered with grasses...... (due to wind and development of the areas between the inter-coastal waters and the Atlantic.) There is minimal sand around the site. This really messed me up as I remember the sand, and there was very little to see.  

Thanks for peeking in on our little blog.