Tag: writing

I did IT!

What was it? I think you can guess. I experienced a whole new world. I made it to the sand without getting stuck. I owe this to the confidence Roy has instilled in me and the ability of the ibot. Check out this video.

I was relieved, amazed, in awe. I spent almost an hour enjoying being at ‘ground level’. My perspective has changed for the longest time or since I’ve been at the coast and in a chair, I have been looking down on the beach. I’m ok with that perspective but I’ve added another perspective (ground level) to my photography viewpoint. I guess for me it was like I was able to get closer to the action. I can describe it as running down a hill to get to the bottom of the action and joining your friends.

What made it practical and possible for me was a sand mat. Some local communities here on the coast of Oregon will lay out mats so it goes over the soft sand to get to the hard sand.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to get closer to the sand. I need a little more confidence before I totally attack the sand with no training wheels so to speak. The facts are simple, yet I keep going back to my joy and exuberance and feeling of escaping the restriction of not being able to get close to the shore.

Just the power of sitting in front of the ocean. I watched this girl who was running on the wet sand and the joy and surprise that was on her face when a small wave rolled up on her feet. You can tell she wasn’t expecting it. I am so thankful to be able to see the joy and body language up close.

I saw her and her family later in the day when they were walking past me to head up the beach. I asked her if she enjoyed herself and if that was her first time. The answer she gave me was yes to both. It felt like I was experiencing a first with her. I asked them to pick up a rock for me as a memory of my first trip to the beach.

After my excitement settled in, I sat there and waited. I waited for the birds that I knew would come, the people that walk down the beach, and a few landscapes change when the surf rolled in. After snapping some pictures enjoying the breezes, it was time to head back to the parking lot and load up the chair and head back to Brookings from Gold Beach.

Perspectives change and develop when you embrace new tools in front of, or underneath you.`

Power Through or……

Get Stuck. I got stuck. I have the video to prove it. Let me explain, I have been touting the amazing ability that the ibot could go through sand. Unfortunately, I wasn’t ready for the test drive. Well, I tried to dip my toes/wheels in the sand about a week earlier than the getting stuck pretty good happened.  Common sense told me on the first trip don’t go too far into the sand.

That first trip, ok. That first 4 feet felt amazing and exhilarating and a little scary.  I had stopped to soak the feeling in, then started to turn around.  I realized not a good idea, so back up into my same tracks. I was back on solid ground and was amazed at how I still glowed.  I took a picture of the tracks and headed back up the ramp. 

I also stopped to take in the amazing view that I had not gotten to see this up close before.

Fast forward about a week later and I want to try again.  This time, I want to go farther because Roy would be videotaping me. (I have to have my 15 minutes of fame). I did get a tad farther until I figured out I needed to go faster.  My problem was I stopped, lost traction, and could not get started again. Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers.  Through teamwork, we were able to get the wheelchair back to solid ground. 

I do have to say that this is and was a learning experience.  I called the company and was assured that the ibot was fine.  I am just glad that I can learn lessons the hard way sometimes. My next sand adventure will be up at a place that has mats to get you over the soft sand.

I just need to approach the outdoor world like I approach this disease, power through and ask for help when needed.  Enjoy the video of my short journey into the sand.