Take Flight: The Wright Brothers National Memorial (PhotoDisc)
Where better to cut your sandboarding wings than the Wright Brothers' jumping-off ground? Jockey's Ridge State Park in North Carolina's Nags Head is the East Coast's pinnacle dune; at 140 feet, it's the highest this side of the Mississippi, and atop the dunes, the Wright Brothers Memorial is actually visible on clear days. The 420-acre state park opens its dunes to sandboarders from October 1 to March 31, for which a free permit is required. During the early 20th century, the area was used as a horseracing track, but these days the most popular activities are kite flying and hang-gliding (with sandboarding quickly gaining popularity).
In 1973, local mom Carolista Baum rescued the dunes from being leveled for a property development. After her children came home to tell her about a bulldozer flattening the dunes, she ran out and stood in front of the machine, forcing the operator to shut down. The nonprofit People to Preserve Jockey's Ridge arose as a result of this local Tiananmen moment, and the area was protected as a National Natural Landmark in 1974. Today, over one million visitors come each year to play in the sand and surf. The heights of Jockey's unique coastal dune system offer an impressive vista of Kill Devil Hills and the entire Nags Head drag—from Roanoke Sound to the Atlantic Ocean. The sunrises are spectacular and worth the early hike up the dune before you begin your day's sand-shredding.
Before going, check local weather conditions as the dunes' height may vary from 80 to 100 feet. Contact 252-441-7132 or visit www.ncsparks.net for more.
