The Great Outer Banks Kite Fiasco

Last summer, my family decided to take a much-needed vacation to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. We packed our bags, loaded up the minivan, and set off with high spirits and a trunk full of sunscreen.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by miles of pristine beaches and the soothing sound of crashing waves. On our second day, I suggested we embrace the local culture by flying kites on the dunes near Kitty Hawk. The very place where the Wright brothers took their first flight. It seemed fitting and harmless enough.

We purchased an enormous, colorful kite shaped like a dragon from a beachside shop. My husband, ever the enthusiast, claimed he was an expert kite flyer from his youth. With that confidence, we trekked up the tallest dune we could find.

As we reached the top, the wind was perfect. He released the kite, and it soared gracefully into the sky. We all cheered as it danced among the clouds. Feeling triumphant, he handed the string to my son, Danny, to give him a turn.

That's when things took a turn or rather, a flight.

A sudden gust of wind pulled the kite upward with such force that Danny, refusing to let go, was dragged a few feet before finally releasing the string. The kite spiraled out of control, the string unraveling rapidly as it headed toward a nearby ice cream stand.

We watched in horror and amusement as the dragon kite swooped down, snatching a triple-scoop cone right out of a startled tourist's hand. Chaos ensued as people ducked and dodged the rogue kite, which seemed to have a mischievous mind of its own.

Determined to rectify the situation, my husband sprinted down the dune in pursuit, only to trip and roll down the last few feet, landing at the feet of the ice cream thief—our kite, now tangled in a pretzel stand.

By the time we retrieved the kite (or what was left of it), we were all covered in sand, he had mustard on his shirt from the pretzels, and Danny was declaring he would never fly a kite again.

As we walked back, a passerby quipped, "Heard the Wright brothers were good, but didn't know they'd be outdone by a dragon!"

We couldn't help but laugh. Our kite-flying adventure might not have been graceful, but it was certainly memorable.