Wright Brothers Memorial at Kill Devil Hills, NC

21 May 201716 September 2024

Approaching the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the colossal granite sculpture was the first monument that came into view. The shrine had been erected at the location of the first engine-powered flights on Carolina’s natural sand dunes in the year 1903.

Since Orville and Wilbur Wright flew the first airplane in 1903 at Kill Devil Hills, the field of aviation has come a long way. Two young brothers from Dayton, Ohio decided that the Outer Banks would be the perfect location for launching their aircraft based on its wide open spaces and optimal wind conditions.

The national park’s Visitor Center doubled as a small museum displaying a replica of the first airplane. In addition, relics from the Wrights’ original research and initial experiments are also exhibited. A new structure opened in 2003 marking the hundred-year anniversary of the Wright brother’s “First in Flight” accomplishment, referred to as the “Century of Flight” museum.

Within the glider room, there was a staging area for park ranger talks about the Wright Brothers and their successful attempts of flight. The walls were covered with other notable flight pioneers who have contributed to aeronautical advancement throughout the years.

Outdoors, visitors walked the Flight Line, which is the length of each of the four successful flights as indicated by stone markers. Nearby were replicas of the Wrights’ temporary living quarters and the first airplane hangar. Small monuments honoring the Wright Brothers and the first flight were sparsely staged throughout the field to include a tablet erected in 1923 by the National Aeronautical Association and a roundel of the 100^th anniversary of the first flight.

During the unveiling of the 60 foot monolith memorial in 1932, Orville Wright was present. At the top of the monument is a lighthouse-like beacon at the top where, with advanced reservations, a select few can explore. Built on the 90 foot tall Kill Devil Hills, the granite monument is flanked by busts of both Wilbur and Orville Wright.

Wright Brothers National Memorial is an amazing historical park for enthusiastic aviators and history buffs. Several interactive opportunities and ranger talks are provided to visitors of all ages.

Have you visited Wright Brothers National Memorial? I would be interested in hearing about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for checking out my blog post about the Wright Brothers National Memorial and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Local Attraction:

Wright Brothers National Memorial
1401 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954
Phone: 252 473 2111

Admission Fee: An entrance pass is required for all visitors. The cost for an individual adult is $10 per person, 16 years and older. Children 15 years and younger are free.
Hours: Open daily from 9AM to 5:00PM with the exception of Christmas Day
Amenities: ranger demonstrations, historical talks, reconstructed historical buildings, visitor’s center
Scenic View: Spectacular views of the sand dunes and Atlantic Ocean.
Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Wear comfortable shoes for walking as there is an uphill walk towards the entrance. Bring a kite to fly at nearby Jockey’s Ridge Sand Dunes! For the outside exhibits, wear sunscreen and bring a bottle of water.

Hotel Accommodation:

Days Inn by Wyndham
201 N. Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Telephone: 252 489 4181

Restaurant Recommendation:

Henry’s Restaurant
3396 N. Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Telephone; 252 261 2025

For a starter, I had to try the she crab bisque, which was creamy and loaded with crab. For my main meal, I ordered the BBQ lunch platter which included cole slaw, french fries and hushpuppies, a classic Carolina meal.

An Amazing Weekend in San Diego

11 June 201531 August 2024

It was a successful conference in San Diego and I stayed a couple of extra days in Southern California to explore this amazing coast. My plans were to snap some photos of the local scenic views, hike the Anza-Borrego, shop Coronado Island and sneak off for a couple of hours in Tijuana. My home-base hotel would be the Wyndham San Diego Bayside (with amazing views of the bay), the perfect location for enjoying the beach and hanging out on the south side of town.

My friends suggested that I visit the Cabrillo National Monument for its scenic views of the bay and Navy Base. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo is credited as the first European to step foot on California soil in 1592. From the Mexican city of Navidad, Cabrillo and his ship, the “San Salvador” reached the west coast, what is known today as San Diego. At the top of the hill overlooking Point Loma is a statue of the Spanish explorer commemorating his voyage.

In addition to the monument, the New Point Loma Lighthouse is one of the main draws to Cabrillo. Replacing the original lighthouse where the memorial now stands, the new light shines from the Point Loma peninsula in San Diego. The tide pools surrounding the cape are home to an amazing number of sea creatures that include starfish, anemones and barnacles.

Only a thirty minute drive to Coronado, I left Point Loma, hopped on Interstate 5 driving south and crossed over the bridge to reach the famous Hotel del Coronado. Built in 1888 in grand Victorian-style, The Del was once the largest resort in the world. Its iconic red rotunda provides views of the bay, ocean and city of San Diego. Hosting numerous United States Presidents and British Royals, the Hotel Del was the place to stay for celebrities such as Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Katherine Hepburn and Ginger Rogers. The resort is best known as the backdrop to the movie Some Like it Hot starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.

I enjoyed the rest of my afternoon hanging out at The Del and met up with some friends who were staying at the resort for the weekend. We enjoyed fruity drinks and light appetizers overlooking the bay. We booked a reservation at the restaurant and returned to the terrace to watch the extraordinary sunset.

I rose early in the morning to hike Anza-Borrego which was about a two hour drive from San Diego. The weather was spectacular and I could not wait to spend the morning there until meeting up with friends before they flew back to the east coast. While I really wanted to hike “The Slot”, I learned that I would need a four wheel drive vehicle, so I opted to explore the 3-mile Palm Canyon trail. Parking at the campground, it took me nearly 2 hours to complete the hike which included extraordinary palm groves, waterfalls and typical desert plants.

Arriving back at the Hotel del Coronado, we all agreed to make a quick run across the border into Mexico for some fun and margaritas. We parked on the San Diego side, crossed through border control and grabbed a taxi for Avenida Revolucion. Stopping by Dandy del Sur, we learned that this is the oldest bar in town. The drinks were cheap and strong and of course we had the most fun people-watching. We stayed for a couple of hours, found a taxi and stood in line to wait for border patrol. Street vendors were selling churros so we bought a few orders while we waited and finally made it across to the US.

I had another great weekend in San Diego and since I booked the red-eye, I packed up my belongings, ordered In-N-Out through the drive through and arrived at the airport in plenty of time. With so many things to do in SoCal, I never tire of visiting whether it’s for work or pleasure. One day I am going to hike The Slot at Anza and can’t wait to mark this off of my bucket list.

Have you visited San Diego and do you have a favorite place in town you like to visit? I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for catching up with me in one of my favorite US cities on the west coast and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Monument Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
Telephone: 619 557 5450

Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118
Telephone: 619 435 6611

Anza-Borrego State Park
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Telephone: 760 767 4205

Admission Fee: There is no charge for visiting Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk; The visitor center is open seven days a week from 9AM to 5PM.
Amenities: Camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, historical/cultural site, picnic areas, parking
Scenic View: The vista point provides scenic views of the park.
Length of Visit: Over 3 hours
Tips for Your Visit: February and March are the best times to visit to see the spring flowers. Cellular and internet service may be limited at times. Make sure you have plenty of water and snacks and that you fuel up your vehicle before entering the park. Because this is the desert, make sure you have plenty of sunscreen as temperatures can be very warm.

Where to Stay:

Wyndham San Diego Bayside
1355 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
Telephone: 619 232 3861

Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118
Telephone: 619 435 6611

Where to Eat:

In-N-Out
3102 Sports Arena Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: 800 786 1000

I either order the animal style burger with lettuce, tomato, mustard, pickle, extra spread and grilled onions or the protein style which is wrapped in lettuce rather than a bun.

What to Eat:

Mexican cuisine, especially tamales
California wood-fired pizza
Southeast Asian foods
Sushi
Seafood
Local Wines

What to Read:

The Dawn Patrol, by Don Winslow
San Diego Noir, by Maryelizabeth Hart
I So Don’t Do Mysteries, by Barrie Summy
Under the Perfect Sun: The San Diego Tourists Never See, by Mike Davis

Photo Guide for San Diego:

The Botanical Building and Lily Pond at Balboa Park
Greetings from San Diego mural on the sidewall of Belching Beaver Brewery
Sunset Cliffs
Old Town San Diego
Hotel del Coronado

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Key West, Florida – Looking Back on My First Visit in 1989

15 January 201431 August 2024

What is the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions Key West? The gorgeous sunsets at Mallory Square? The tenacious pub crawlers along Duval Street or the eclectic festivities that give the island its signature flair?

I didn’t know what to expect on my first visit to Key West. I was only 19 years old working on a cruise ship and it was the first stop on our itinerary before traveling to Cozumel. My fellow pursers guaranteed that I would love Key West, but I could not have imagined how many memories I would make here. This magical place seemed more like a Caribbean island than a Florida port of call.

There was so much to learn about Key West that summer. I booked a lobster dive, visited the Treasures of the Atocha museum and watched Jimmy Buffett perform at a local bar. Rich with history and a unique culture unto its own, it is no doubt, Key West is unlike any other place I have ever visited in the US.

Originally given the Spanish name Cayo Hueso (Bone Cay), Key West was once a settlement of the Calusa people, an Indian tribe known for their fierce, war-like disposition. The English, mispronouncing the name, would later call it “Key West”.

The island was also a popular hideout for pirates who attacked Spanish treasure ships sailing from the Caribbean to Spain.

By 1912, the coral islands of the Keys would become accessible by rail with the completion of Henry Flagler’s railroad. Damaged by hurricane winds in 1935, the rail line was abandoned and replaced by the 123-mile Overseas Highway.
Touring the island by trolley was my favorite way to explore the island. The open-air tram made its way through town, stopping at several historical landmarks.

I remember how excited I was to reach one of Key West’s most popular sites, the Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S. Standing at the corner of South and Whitehead Streets, I was surprised to learn I was closer to Cuba than Miami. This cute little bouy-like structure attracted visitors from all over the world and the line for a photo was worth the wait.

At the top of the monument, there is a reference to Key West as “The Conch Republic.” The trolley guide explained that on April 23rd, 1982, the island seceded from the mainland with the desire to establish itself as its own country. The events leading to this decision began when US border patrol set up a checkpoint at the entrance to Key West. This border stop infuriated residents when a 17-mile traffic jam occurred and began to interrupt Key West’s tourism industry. When the government refused to listen, Mayor Wardlow decided to declare war on the United States. Within one minute, he quickly surrendered and applied for foreign aid in the amount of one billion dollars. This publicity stunt resulted in the US government agreeing to remove the inspection station and life in Key West went back to normal.

For the conchs of Key West, the 1982 Conch Republic secession is celebrated each year with a ten-day festival taking place around April 23rd. Among the festivities are a Pirate’s Ball, the Conch Crawl and a Musical that reenacts the events of the secession.

I caught the next trolley from the Southernmost Point and disembarked at the Ernest Hemingway Home. The beautifully restored two-story home is located at 907 Whitehead, across from the Key West Lighthouse. Hemingway wrote many of his great novels here from 1931 to 1939 including “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”, “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber”, “Green Hills of Africa” and “To Have and Have Not”.

I enjoyed a tour of Hemingway’s home, the property and his inspirational studio overlooking the pool. Following the guided tour, I opted to take a second stroll of the home to explore the gardens of hibiscus, jasmine and gardenias.

One of the highlights of my visit was watching the Hemingway’s cats lounging among the lush tropical plants outside. Descendants of Hemingway’s beloved polydactyl (many toes) cat Snowball, the nearly fifty felines have taken up residence in this luxurious estate.

My final ride on the trolley returned me to Duval Street. A popular hub of restaurants, bars, shops and museums, cruise ship passengers could participate in the “Duval Pub Crawl” with a stop at the Bull and Whistle. Known as the “oldest Open Air Bar in Old Town Key West”, it is located on the corner of Duval and Caroline Street. The Bull, located on the ground level, showcases a beautifully hand-painted mural, paying homage to a number of the island’s influencers. Yankee Jack has been entertaining patrons of the Bull with his performance of “On the Walls of the Bull”.

The Whistle is the bar upstairs providing great views of Duval Street and the opportunity to shoot a few games of pool. The Garden of Eden is the bar located on the third floor for visitors interested in a clothes optional environment.

Before leaving the Bull and Whistle, I begged one of my colleagues to pose next to “The Bull” on Caroline Street.

Duval Street is just over a mile long running north and south of the island. The most well-known bars of Key West include Sloppy Joe’s, Rick’s Bar Key West, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Cafe, Irish Kevin’s, Captain Tony’s and Hog’s Breath Saloon.

Each year, Sloppy Joe’s pays homage to famous author Ernest Hemingway by staging its annual Ernest Hemingway look-alike contest.

My day in Key West had come to a close but I had one more attraction to experience. I had arrived at Mallory Square with plenty of time to enjoy the live entertainment and secure a pier-side seat to watch the spectacular sunset. The plaza was bustling with arts and crafts stands, food carts and street performers. I waited in anticipation as sailboats glided by and catamarans drifted off into the horizon. I took several photos of this unforgettable moment and looked forward to experiencing it again on my return.

What is one of the most memorable sunsets that you have seen in your travels? I would love to hear about it! Tell me about your experience or recommendations for places to visit in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading my post about Key West and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Southernmost Point
At the corner of South and Whitehead Streets
Key West, FL 33040

Admission Fee: Free
Hours: Open 24/7
Tips for Your Visit: The trolleys drive by The Southernmost Point and a drop off location for the shuttle is nearby. There may be a line to wait to take your photo at the buoy.

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
907 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
Phone: 305 294 1136

Admission Fee: Adults, $13 and Children, $6, group rates may apply (12 or more)
Guided Tour: Admission includes a 30-minute guided tour
Hours: 9AM to 5PM, 365 days per year, including ALL holidays
Tips for Your Visit: The museum is home to many cats and may affect those with cat allergies.

Mallory Square
Address:
400 Wall Street
Key West, FL 33040

Cost: Free
Hours: Open 24/7; best time to visit is during sunset
Tips for Your Visit: Arrive early because the square fills up with spectators who are visiting to watch the sunset. Festivities begin 2 hours before sunset.

Where to Stay:

Heron House
512 Simonton Street
Key West, Florida 33040
Toll Free Number: 800 294 1644

I absolutely loved this property with the accommodations surrounding the pool. The plants and foliage are thick and provided much appreciated privacy during our visit! The rooms were spacious and there was a complimentary breakfast provided each morning!

Where to Eat:

There are so many colorful restaurants with a variety of cuisine in Key West that selecting one place is incredibly difficult. Because I have a love for Cuban Sandwiches and Oysters, here are my two recommendations:

Half Shell Raw Bar
Waterfront dining
231 Margaret Street – 305 294 7496

Oysters, oysters and more oysters! Food & Wine Magazine voted the restaurant “Best Local Oysters.” I ordered a half dozen lightly steamed oysters with hot sauce and crackers along with an order of the conch fritters appetizer which included six fritters served with cocktail sauce.

What to Eat:

Key West pink shrimp – said to be sweeter than other shrimp
Conch – a tough, hardy mollusk usually cooked as fritters
Seafood – snapper, grouper and lobster
Key Lime Pie – a tangy, creamy dessert made from key limes

Where to Drink:

The Bull and Whistle
On the corner of Duval and Caroline Streets
Key West, FL 33040
Phone: 305.296.4545

Hours: 10AM to 4PM, daily
Tips for Your Visit: Note that the rooftop bar, the Garden of Eden is clothing optional. Check out the website for coupons before you visit.

Cuban Coffee Queen (two locations)
284 Margaret Street – 305 292 4747
5 Key Lime Square – 305 294 7787

I started with a Cafe con Leche, the strong Bucci coffee with steamed milk. I loved the Cuban Mix sandwich because it was the closest to an authentic Cuban sandwich with a side of black beans. Save room for Key West’s famous Key Lime pie!

What to Read: