Archive for December, 2008
Don’t Forget to Squeeze – You Could Make History
December 17, 2008, marked the 105th anniversary of the first flight in Kitty Hawk.
This ‘first flight” picture was taken by little John T. Daniels. The story goes that little John was given one small job to do on that cold December morning in 1903 – just squeeze the camera bulb when the plane lifts up. Of course, no one believed that huge contraption called a “flying machine” would ever fly, especially little John. So when the plane did lift off for 12 seconds and travel 120 feet on that first time under it’s own power, little John found himself so scared that he knocked over the camera stand and was last seen running home to Manteo.
When the brothers saw little John take off and the broken camera on the ground, Orville and Wilbur were very disappointed that their history making first flight would never be seen by anyone other than themselves. There would be no picture of that “First Flight”.
After several more flights that day – the last one traveling 852 feet in 59 seconds – the brothers packed up for home. They took the broken camera with them to Ohio in hopes of salvaging something. With nothing to lose, they had the photo plate developed and rest is history. Little John did in fact squeeze that bulb on that historic day.
The Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk is a place that should not be missed. On your next visit, you must stop by and see where history was made. You will truly be amazed.
Carolina Christmas on the Water
Parades are fun for everyone, but a Christmas Boat Parade is one for the ages. The First Mate and I had the opportunity to participate in the community boat club parade last weekend. We ordered 12 volt lights for the boat, strung them on and waited for parade day.
We woke up to a cold and windy day. By late afternoon the skies cleared, the winds died down and the bright full moon rose in the east.
We headed out with 36 boats from the two neighborhood communities. Words nor pictures can describe the feeeling of being out on the water with thousands of multi-colored lights blinking in each direction. The parade proceeded on a pre-marked course, close to the crowd filled docks. Spectators cheered as the boats passed by.
After the parade, we enjoyed picnic of soups, stews, and chili. And of course steamed oysters. Two large kettle fires were there to keep us warm, but all we needed was the camaraderie between mariners.
NCsaltaire 