Douglas Stover

Wilbur and Orville Wright made the world's first successful controlled, heavier-than-air powered flight on December 17, 1903, after four years of glider experiments and scientific study. At what is now the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the brothers discovered and developed the fundamental principles of mechanical flight, setting in motion a series of events that allowed the first generation of flight to travel from Kitty Hawk to the moon in the lifetime of a human being. Located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, and administered by the National Park Service, the Wright Brothers National Memorial features a full-scale reproduction of the 1903 flying machine, an engine block from the original 1903 flyer, and a precise reproduction of the wind tunnel that the Wrights used to conduct their early experiments. Today, the park's mission is to commemorate the Wrights' success and to interpret the continuing worldwide significance of their dream, vision, and achievement.

The Outer Banks National Scenic Byway stretches the length of North Carolina's 200-mile barrier islands. The unique maritime culture shared by the 21 coastal villages led to the road's designation as a National Scenic Byway in 2009. The route is entered from the north at Whalebone Junction in Nags Head, North Carolina, and from the south at the North River Bridge on US 70 East, just past Beaufort, North Carolina. Encompassing 142.5 driving miles, six and a half hours of travel time, and two ferries, the byway traverses Hatteras Island, Ocracoke, and Down East in Dare County and Hyde and Carteret Counties. This book explores the region's rich maritime history, culture, and traditions, such as boatbuilding, decoy carving, fishing, lighthouse-keeping, and living with the powerful forces of water and wind. Travelers can experience local seafood, ascend three lighthouses, and discover outdoor trails and endless miles of marsh and beaches offering bird-watching and solitude.