King of the Hill

Many of you know that the back of our home overlooks a Federal Park and the amazing Wright Brothers Memorial. Originally unveiled in 1932, the 60-foot monument was, at the time, the largest ever dedicated to a living person (as we learned early this AM from a lovely Park Ranger, that used to play basketball with Chip, but I digress).

Many visitors to the Outer Banks pay their $4 and climb to the top of the Big Kill Devil Hill for a closer look at the monument and for the spectacular ocean-to-sound view. Access to the interior of the monument has been limited over the past 15 years due to disrepair and dangerous conditions.

Now that renovations are complete, the Park Service is allowing crazy people visitors to climb, inside, to the top of the monument. But only on Tuesdays. Through the end of August. And they only allow 30 people each day. We were lucky enough to be invited to go with our neighbors, Mike & Valerie.

First, we needed to get to the top of Big Kill Devil Hill, which is 90 feet high. The walk was not easy, and if you are stupid enough to wear flip-flops, you will pay the price. Don't ask me how I know. I just do. (C'mon! LOOK AT THAT HILL!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once at the top we rested listened to a lecture about Orville & Wilbur, which Chip and I have heard about a 50 times, and laughed as we answered all the questions. All Chip needs is a First Flight category on Jeopardy, and we'd be RICH!

Anyway, the climb up the top of the monument (70 steps, I counted them) is strenuous. Almost hard. The steps are so narrow that you have to walk sideways, and they are higher than normal, so you have to be careful. You know that stair-master thingy at the gym? That's got NOTHING on this trek! At the top, you climb out to the observation platform, and gasp for air enjoy the view.

 

 

The platform is small, and the 5 of us (4 + the Park Ranger) just barely fit. I jumped-up to sit on the edge so we could all get in the picture, apparently to the dismay of the Ranger, but he took our photo anyway.

The smoke from the Hyde County Fire wasn't too bad today (now almost 75% contained), so we had good visibility. If you look REALLY hard, you can see our house. Yeah, I know, it's hard to tell, but it's there. I promise.

Here's a look at the big lighthouse-like light that shines from the monument. (It looks like a bigger deal at night, trust me :-)

 

 

Anyway, we had a good time, and feel honored to have an opportunity to do things that are exclusive special.

Thanks for stopping by!