First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach, VA
We continued our drive up the Outer Banks making our way to Bodie Island. By the time we reached this island there wasn't much of a island feel to it. Cape Hatteras National Seashore ended and suddenly everything was big box stores, strip malls, highways and lots of houses on stilts crammed together. So glad we started the Outer Banks journey from Ocracoke and got to experience the off the beaten path feel.
The best part of this island was definitely the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
After a 30 minute talk by a Park Ranger learning all kinds of interesting tidbits about the Wright Brothers, we took a walk up Kill Devil Hill.
Hard to believe this entire area was sand dunes 100 years ago. In the early 1920's some people planted grass to keep the sand dune in place. Its current location is about 450 feet from the original site. What makes this hill special is that it's the spot the Wright Bros. practiced launching their glider to prove their design was stable and able to fly. I think they did over 1000 trial glides.
From the top of the hill you look down on the actual place where the Wright Bros.' first successful powered flights occurred. There are boulders that mark the first, second, third and impressive 4th flights.
You can also see a replica of their hangar and cabin they lived in while working on their designs.
Mr. Ned ready to take off to our next destination.
Virginia Beach! We rode our bikes along the boardwalk taking in the beach vibe, gorgeous hotel gardens and art sculptures.
I also really loved riding through the residential neighborhoods and looking at all the swanky houses on the ocean.
Ned and I are staying at First Landing State Park just a mile or so from the boardwalk. Linda and Gary have another couple of hours to go til their destination for tonight and then catch a plane back to California tomorrow.
We enjoyed one more meal together then went our separate ways. Good times!
Ned and I enjoyed taking a walk around our campground and a stroll on the beach to watch the sunset. Nice end to a fun day.
Posted with Blogsy
