![\"Lonnie](\"https:\/\/www.gobeyondthefence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/lonnie-1024x640.jpg\")
I also know it’s completely the wrong time of year in Maine to be writing about kayaking. I was inspired to write this post by a friend of mine. Lonnie Bedwell<\/a><\/strong>, whom I met on a ski trip to Alaska, is blind from a hunting accident in 1997. Since then he has gone on to be one of the most badass blind athletes on the planet. Not only is he an amazing athlete, but he also is a roofer. Yes, he does roofing for a living when he isn’t roaming the world, conquering mountains or rivers. He is a charismatic public speaker and all around great guy.\u00a0 I had an amazing week in Alaska getting to know him and all about his escapades through life.<\/p>\n So back to the inspiration for this post.\u00a0 Lonnie along with a group of friends has just released a film that has been traveling the film festival circuit and winning awards.\u00a0 The film is called Feel of Vision and is about Team River Runner<\/strong><\/a>, a group of blind veterans who were guided by veterans to complete a 226-mile kayak trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. I don’t want to give anything away about the film so you should click on the link below and check out the trailer. Also, make sure to click on Lonnie’s name and visit his website.\u00a0 I have barely scratched the surface of his achievements and history. Feel of Vision Trailer<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n I also have dabbled with kayaking over the past few years.\u00a0 Of course nothing like what Lonnie has done. A few years ago I realized that we live near so many ponds and lakes that I had to find a way to enjoy that part of the outdoors.\u00a0 I started researching kayaks and other means of water sports.\u00a0 Through my research, I found that there is such a thing as an inflatable kayak.\u00a0 I thought this might be an easy way for me to access the water. After looking online, I found a couple used ones for sale, drove 3 hours one way and bought them that weekend. The fact that they could be deflated and then rolled up to be able to easily carry it on my lap was a great feature.\u00a0 Then when I get where I want to kayak and I can just inflate it with the car air compressor and put it on the shore, hop in and go.\u00a0 I have found it is also very stable in the water and I sit right down in it so it helps keep my balance.\u00a0 I don’t have a lot of control once I lean past a certain point from side to side.\u00a0 It can be difficult to upright myself without some sort of assistance or something to push against. Being surrounded by the kayak makes it very easy to paddle and not feel tippy.<\/p>\n After getting the kayaks Sandy and I went out quite frequently that summer exploring the little-hidden ponds and lakes in our area.\u00a0 Truth be told we literally live on a pond and have never kayaked on it haha.\u00a0 I think it doesn’t seem adventurous enough to just walk down the hill to the pond.\u00a0 Kayaking has allowed me to view the world from yet another perspective that you don’t get sitting on the shore.\u00a0 This perspective has given me the opportunity to be surrounded by nature in a peaceful, slow setting. One of those settings I remember quite clearly was Coleman Pond in New Hampshire.\u00a0 It is a fairly small pond so it didn’t take a super long time to make our way around Throughout the day we watched an eagle, could see fish below us and watched a loon. We literally were surrounded by nature. The animals carried on about their day, allowing us the chance to be in their world.\u00a0 That is also what climbing does for me.\u00a0 It allows me opportunities to see the world from new perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\t\tGetting Into Kayaking<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Experiences Through Kayaking<\/strong><\/h4>\n