Kitty Hawk First Flight, North Carolina

It's our second last night before flying home and today was an absolutely spectacular high to finish on. My great friends A&PH flew me to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina which is the birthplace of flight. I have had the best'est day and I will remember this forever. It was really cool to fly in, park the plane in the special carpark while we watched all the mortals park their cars. 

On 17 Dec 1903, a cold and windy morning, the Wright brothers achieved the world's first controlled flights. Here at Kitty Hawk  they realised not only their own dream, but also one of humanity's oldest dreams - to fly. 

AH and I had a goal to fly here when we got our pilot licenses. As you know, my journey continues but AH now has his license and today the weather gods were perfect to allow us to fly to Kitty Hawk  This is a must for any pilot and for a couple of Aussies, this is a dream. It was a little over 2 hours each way and we spent about 2 and half hours on the ground looking at the memorial, the boulder stones marking the spots where the Wright Brothers lifted off and landed their first 4 test flights. The visitor centre provided a wonderful history of the Wright Brothers quest to fly. Every part of Kitty Hawk is of historical significance. Part of me thinks I won't sleep tonight from excitement, but we are all exhausted from a big day out. Thank you A&PH, I truly loved today and I'm smiling as I write this blog tonight. There are some more photos at the end.

Aerial View

Memorial Stone

Memorial Stone

Boulder marking the lift off spot

4 stones mark first 4 test flight distances

Wright Flyer replica

Be good you two, look after each other

I also had my birthday this week. It was my last day in the house as the dogs left that day. They were in good spirits unlike me who had tears in my eyes all morning until the driver came. He was lovely and the dogs went into their travel crates well as I gave them a final pat and goodbye. After that I balled my eyes out. The poor driver was telling me he will text and send photos at the airport and all I could do was wave my arms to say ok as I cried and couldn’t speak. He took a photo with me as I hugged the dogs and told them we would see them soon.

I took myself to my beloved Georgetown Cupcakes and hoovered a Salted Caramel beauty and took home 4 for later. It was Deb’s last day at work so she had a lunch and afternoon tea. I made it to the afternoon tea. She was spoilt and thanked with such lovely words and cards. They also chipped in bought her a Go Pro Camera – a nice surprise for her as she had lost her first one on the Alaska cruise last year. She’s made a positive impact at work and everyone was very sad to see her leave. She handed her phone in, put her ‘out of office’ on and fled the building as only Elvis can do better.

Farewell Deb and Merryl

 

Cleaning dog crates, ready for travel

I received texts and photos that the dogs were on the plane to Los Angeles which was a relief and we went to dinner with our good friends A&PH to celebrate everything. We are all going to miss each other so these last weeks and days are wonderful to spend time together. Through the night and this morning, I got updates they had arrived safely in Los Angeles and after their morning walk. It is so reassuring to see they are doing well and we love that they are together the whole way.

Safely in LA

Early morning walk in LA

26 January is Australia Day and Aussies everywhere jump at the chance to celebrate our wonderful country, our island home !! I went to one of the many Aussie Day parties here at a friends house - thanks K&SMc. It was a good chance to say more farewells to friends who have helped make our 50 Shades adventure memorable. There were plenty of pies, sossy rolls, pavlova and lamingtons. And might I say that the lamingtons were made by an American lady - taught by the master herself, Missus Jones. 

On a final note, we bought two of these gorgeous prints from our very talented photographer friend Scott Leggo. The prints are of Canberra, looking up Anzac Parade with old and new Parliament houses in the background. The colours are stunning. We framed them and gave them to a friend - they are now proudly hanging in their lounge room.

Scott now has a gallery in Kingston, Canberra. Please visit his gallery or buy your piece of Australian beauty from his website here:

            Scott Leggo Photography

Thanks Scott, look forward to seeing your gallery soon.

Well, that's it for the final week of chaos. My last blog post will be published on Monday night so be sure to check back and read the last blog on the 50 Shades of DC adventure.

And here are some more of the Kitty Hawk, First Flight photos. 

 

 

Honouring Wilbur and Orville Wright