Thursday, September 6, 6:30 p.m.: Wilbur boards a train at Union Station in Dayton, OH, headed for the most remote, isolated spot on the East Coast of the United States-the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Friday, September 7, 6:00 p.m.: Wilbur arrives at Old Point Comfort (now Newport News, Virginia). After loading his gear onto the steamer "Pennsylvania," he boards the vessel for a short trip across Hampton Roads, arriving in Norfolk, Virginia.

Saturday, September 8, 4:30 p.m.: Wilbur takes a train to Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Upon arrival, he checks into the Arlington Hotel. After many inquiries about transport to Kitty Hawk, he is startled to find that "no one seemed to know anything about the place, or how to get there."

Tuesday, September 11, after dinner: Upon locating a boatman, Israel Perry, who was willing to ferry him down the Sound and across the head of Roanoke Island to the Outer Banks, Wilbur resumes his journey. His enthusiasm evaporates somewhat when he sees the condition of the boat. The poor shape of the vessel, combined with rough waves, numerous leaks, collapsing sails and frequent bailing make the evening trip quite unpleasant. Fortunately, Perry's seamanship skills surpass his craft's condition. Exhausted, Wilbur and the crew collapse on the deck of the anchored schooner around 11:00 p.m. near North River.

Wednesday, September 12, noon: The group sets sail after spending hours repairing the boat. Wilbur politely refuses any of the food on the vermin-infested schooner, consuming only a jar of jam sister Kate had put in his pack. At 9:00 p.m. the boat reaches the shores of Kitty Hawk Bay. Wilbur spends the night on the boat.

Thursday, September 13, early a.m.: After one full week of travel, with two nights on the water, Wilbur Wright finally stands on the sandy beaches of the Outer Banks.

    The letter Wilbur wrote to Orville detailing the ordeal of this first trip to Kitty Hawk was talked of in the Wright family for many years and remembered as the funniest thing Wilbur ever wrote.

    Orville Wright joined his brother Wilbur in Kitty Hawk on September 24, and the two began a second journey, one of experimentation and knowledge, which would bring to them and the world, the secrets of powered, controlled flight.