High atop a sand dune in the Outer Banks, you’re about to make your own aviation history at Jockey’s Ridge, a state park not far from Kitty Hawk, the site of the Wright Brothers’ first flight.
A 65-pound-plus set of wings that feels remarkably light is harnessed to support points on your chest and lower back. You start to motor and within 20 yards find your legs are churning in nothing but air. The wind is in your face, the sea in the distance.
Hang gliding is among the many adventures awaiting visitors to Jockey’s Ridge State Park, one of North Carolina’s 32 parks and recreation areas. In other parks you can climb a mountain, delve into Civil War lore or sit by a peaceful lake. Here is a sampling of state parks:
Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head
Rising 110 feet, Jockey’s Ridge is the tallest active sand dune on the East Coast. Private instructors teach hang gliding lessons and rent gear to firsttimers and experienced gliders alike.
Kite flying, sand-boarding and windsurfing are other activities. The Wright
Brothers National Memorial is nearby.
By Kerry Louden
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Courtesy of leisuregrouptravel.com
