Peace of Adventure has a new home!

This blog was originally created as an avenue to tell stories from my adventures; a place for friends and family to keep tabs on life as I traveled around this great country. However, through this process, Peace of Adventure went from being a hobby to my job. I'm excited to announce Peace of Adventure is now an organization empowering veterans to serve civilians with disabilities through outdoor recreation. 

I will no longer be posting on this blog site but encourage you to head on over to www.peaceofadventure.org to check us out and see what adventures we have to share!

-Kyle

DEFINING MOMENTS

There are moments in our lives that stop us in our tracks. Moments that serve as reminders to what is important. 

I believe that society is starting to get a bit carried away. We have become so obsessed with having “stuff” or living a certain lifestyle that we immerse ourselves in the stress that enables us to afford the things we don’t need. “Reality” television programs are the new sitcoms and the idea of a well-rounded diet is far from normal. Even more concerning, we can’t seem to get a group of politicians on the same page long enough to affect any sort of positive change. It’s like the real life version of “red light green light.” And, we have become so enthralled with the abundance of information—be it mass media, smart phone apps, or the fear our Snapchat isn’t linking to our Vine and our hashtag reference on Twitter can’t be transferred to Facebook and all condensed on our Tumblr which pulls images from our Flickr account that houses filtered shots we have Instagramed (yes, it’s a verb now)!  I have a theory that smart phones are like yawns—if you see someone with his phone out, you automatically feel compelled to check yours.

I don’t know about you but I have gotten in this weird habit in the morning when my phone alarm goes off; as I reach over to shut it up, I grab the phone and immediately check my emails and Facebook news feed as if the urgency of that information has taken precedence over the fact that I have witnessed the start of another day. Why is it that we have gotten to a place where this is the norm? Why do we forget that every breath is not a right but an amazing gift we have been given. It is so easy to assume the sun is going to rise and fall every single day, but the reality is that we don’t know when we’re missing the next one.

All that said, life has a unique way of keeping us in check and hitting the reset button. Sometimes it is the tragic death of a loved one that reminds us how truly short our time is. Sometimes it’s that brief pause at dawn as the sun pulls out all the colors on his pallet to paint a canvas truly hypnotic to the lucky few awake to see it. And sometimes it’s the genuine innocence of an imaginative child seeking a world full of candy, toys and smiles.

If you were a kid in the early ‘90s, you were definitely proficient in the art of Nintendo repair. There was nothing more frustrating than sitting down for that final level of Zelda with your magic whistle or crouched over the Track and Field foot pad ready to cheat the cheetah with your hands like a magic drum roll only to experience the infamous malfunction. That moment when a line shoots horizontally across the screen and the bottom half is now the top, or the screen just flashes intermittently as if to tease you with the false hope of actually getting to play. But did we go running to Mommy? Did we dial up tech support to remote connect into our mess? No. We popped the game out, blew some fresh air in the console, pushed reset and were back in business!  

Let’s try to do more Nintendo repair with our own lives. By sheer nature of our surroundings and the fast paced existence we lead, we’re going to get distracted and that’s ok. I’m just saying let’s try to remember to blow some fresh air in the system every once in a while. For each person, it’s going to be different. I subscribe to high fives and waterfalls. Whatever it is that reminds you of the gifts you have been given in this wonderful life, do more of that! I think you’ll be pleased with the outcome.

DON’T TALK ABOUT IT; BE ABOUT IT!

Today, I walked into my office, sat down at my desk, turned on my computer and stared at my coffee hoping to mentally will my beverage from molten lava to a drinkable second degree tongue burn. My eyes fixated on the flashing red light of my phone pestering me like a relentless gnat on a humid summer day. As I leaned over to push the voicemail button and kick off my day with a barrage of messages, I couldn’t help but glance up to my bulletin board to see a slue of motivational quotes I have heard and documented over the years. Quotes like “Live life to the fullest” and “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

As I look at these quotes, I realize two things: 1) I can say with decent confidence I strive to achieve the desirable outcomes of said quotes and 2) these quotes aren’t only seen in my office. I have posted quotes all over my Facebook profile and on various status updates as if to impact others from the reiteration of wise interpretations of life from those before me.

Here in lies my problem: I’m starting to realize that my posting of quotes is often to mask a certain level of discontent—almost serving as a crutch when I am not feeling…well…motivated. By pure definition of the word, motivational quotes are used to “stimulate” a certain response. Therefore, someone requiring stimulation isn’t totally motivated and, in my own personal experience, leans heavily on words to validate something that might be missing. Am I using these words as description of my life or as a desire for my future? Now before I steer us down a negative and depressing path, let me bring us back. Nobody is perfect and I don’t think there is anyone on the planet that doesn’t have brief spat of discontent. In all honesty, I believe that to be content is to be lazy…but that’s a conversation for another time. My point is that motivational quotes just remind me of a certain level of wishful thinking.

My favorite journalist, Brendan Leonard, recently discussed in his blog, Semi-Rad, the phenomenon of Instagram. He acknowledged the overabundance of images of people doing awesome things and applauded their efforts. There is a stigma in the social media realm that so-in-so only posts pictures of an awesome meal or fun adventure. Leonard’s point: who cares? Maybe we all need to see our friends doing cool things to help inspire us to achieve post-worthy status!

I am really starting to agree with Leonard on this. I used to get annoyed with my friends only posting baby pictures, the amazing fajitas they prepared, the pic of just bare legs stretching out to the beautiful ocean, or the famous “look at me being pensive in this beautiful place.” But now, I say bring it on! These are things that need to be shared. There is too much negativity in our world and Instagram seems to be doing a great job of making things positive again.

I have recently grown obsessed with following the film crew from Camp 4 Collective. Not only are they wicked talented but they seem to be having so much fun exploring our beautiful globe, pushing their personal boundaries and sharing their story with others. I find myself inspired to go outside and push myself; I’m inspired to go make my own fun story in the hopes that someone sees what I am doing and possibly tries to replicate the excitement in their own adventures.

Motivational quotes are fantastic words of wisdom and can/should be recognized as positive reinforcement to living a fulfilling life. There is a place for them and we should not say goodbye to the art of the lyric. However, let us not hold these words as a crutch to our own discontent. The next time you hear a cool quote and start to post it on one of your 12 social media platforms, think about what people are going to be motivated by more: Reading your story? Or seeing your story?

The other day I posted a new quote on Facebook: “Limitations are optional.” I look back on it now and can think of 100 different images or short films I could have shared that would have done a better job portraying that message. Yes, I strongly believe limitations are optional but I also believe in “walking the walk.” One of my best friends, Lonnie Bedwell, happens to be totally blind from an injury suffered in a hunting accident. Lonnie recently became the first blind man to ever solo kayak the entire 226-mile Grand Canyon (story HERE). He is proof alone that limitations are optional! Rather than posting a quote, sharing Lonnie’s story would have gone so much farther.

So in all this, here is what I’m trying to say. Don’t tell me your story; get out and show me!

Ode to my playground...

As I reach the end of the Christmas season and approach the start of 2012, I am reminded of many things: a) I have been awful at keeping up with my blogging responsibilities b) I am blessed to live and work in an environment that affords me constant adventures c) I am motivated by great tunes and d) my biggest pet peeves/annoyances are folding laundry, unloading the dish washer and people who double park.

Rather than recap the entire fall season in long drawn out stories, I am going to provide a couple “top 10 lists” and some pictures. For one of my many New Year’s resolutions, I want to commit to getting better at updating this blog with all the funny, exciting and crazy things that happen in my little life.

Top 10 events of the fall (no particular order)

1. Bunk bed hammocks
2. The 2am wake up of a pretty sketchy mountain flash flood
3. Running with Jason
4. Trips to Jack of the Wood and Sunnypointe in Asheville
5. Green River Race
6. Icy river swims
7. Brevard mountain biking
8. Visiting the Bacon Beach
9. Christmas with my nieces….and rest of the family I guess
10. Growing a beard!

Top 10 favorite songs

1. “Worried Mind” – Megafaun
2. “Jump On My Shoulders” “Sail” and “All I Need” – Awolnation
3. “No One’s Gonna Love You” – Band of Horses
4. “What I Wouldn’t Do” – A Fine Frenzy
5. “Hurts Like Heaven” – Coldplay
6. “Raconte-moi une histoire” – M83
7. “Folding Chair” – Regina Spektor
8. “Brand New Day” – Van Morrison
9. “So Within” and “Hold On” – Seryn
10. “I Will Remain” – Matthew and the Atlas

Top 10 events to look forward to in 2012

1. Skiing in Telluride
2. Perfecting my climbing and whitewater paddling
3. Kayaking the Apostle Islands with a great group of Enabled Athletes
4. Canoeing the Missouri River in Montana with Enabled Athletes
5. Kicking off JOH in Seattle and hanging with the team through Mt. Rainier
6. Working in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado
7. Going to Hawaii or the Tour of Colorado cycling race (haven’t decided yet)
8. My 9th or 10th marathon (I’m losing count) and 3rd with Jason
9. Loading up on blueberries in Shining Rock Wilderness
10. Asheville…..duh!

Enjoy some fun photos and videos of the past season!

Thought I left didn't ya......

I'm not going to bore you with the reasons why this blog has not been updated since December covering an October event. All I will say is I'm back and have one hell of a year! I am going to do my best to provide you with stories and adventures of the last 9 months....

NOVEMBER
Following the 2010 Marine Corps Marathon, Andy, Dave and I explored the world of underground kayak racing. Occurring the first weekend of every November is the Green River Race in which thousands of people gather in a very remote corner of North Carolina to watch competitors (myself not included) run one of the sketchier whitewater runs in the country...the Green River Narrows. Other than the sheer danger associated with such an endeavor, what makes this event so cool is the fact spectators hike miles into the wilderness to see this. Upon our arrival, we discovered folks were cooking hot dogs on camp stoves and selling them for $1, there was no a shortage of moonshine and you would think the event was sponsored by Carhartt and the inventors of flannel. Looking forward to this November!

DECEMBER
Santa came and he brought presents.....

JANUARY
Happy New Year!!!!

FEBRUARY
If you know me well, you are well aware that sometimes I like to step outside the box and do things a little outside of the ordinary. How about a polar bear plunge??? Before I discuss this event in more detail, let me go super hippie on you for a sec. I have found that there are not many things I like more than a freezing plunge into a cold river. And I promise this is not a manly, "look how strong I am" contest. This is about the benefits it brings. If you have not experienced this to its fullest, please try it out. WARNING: do not go right into ice water. Build your tolerance. While the initial shock of the freezing water is in fact painful, the alertness and clarity following is what its all about. Please try it....maybe start with a cold bath in your tub.

Anyways....I have discovered over time that there is no amount of cold that will prevent me from testing the limits of a cold river. Enjoy the photos from our snow camping adventure.

MARCH
I'm 28 now.....

APRIL
Busy at work...

MAY
Even more busy at work.....

JUNE AND JULY
Hopefully you (family and friends) know by now that work for a nonprofit organization that serves people with disabilities. If you didn't know that.....welcome to my blog....and life. Well, the summer is the busiest time of our year and is when we venture out to different parts of the country to launch/manage many of our programs.

In early June, I set sail for Seattle and the Cascades of Washington to help kick off Journey of Hope (cross country cycling trip raising over $600,000 for Push America). Touch gig, right? Well after leaving Seattle, I found myself at the base of Mt. Rainier. Words can not describe this mountain. The surrounding peaks top out at about 7,000 ft. Rainier towers to 14,000 plus.

Oh yeah......HLP done got married!

After a brief week back in Charlotte to wrap up planning for Build America, I was on the road again. Yes, another road trip to Colorado. I thought I was done making that drive. WRONG!

This year's Build America team kicked of from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Probably one of my proudest moments in Push America history was seeing this team of 16 men, who had all raised over $3,500 to be there, summit Mt. Bierstadt (14,062 ft) as part of orientation team building. Watching these guys come together as a team, make it up and down safely was a really cool thing and one of the many reasons I have the best job in the world!

After orientation was the No Barriers Summit. Imagine the top athletes with disabilities from all over the world gathered in one location to participate in adventure sports, try out new technology and learn their true abilities. Being a part of the summit was truly and honor and inspiring event to see. The following pictures are proof that no disability stands in the way of what is possible!CONCLUSION
To wrap this all up, I want to share with you a video that was created about Jason Dorn and myself and our efforts to show the world the abilities of all people. Jason and I rant the Marine Corps Marathon together and are planning to do it again. The following video is a quick look at our story. Jason is one amazing dude and I am blessed to have met him. I hope you enjoy.

Why I Run from La Storia on Vimeo.

A run for the ages!

As some of you know, on October 31 of this year, Jason Dorn and I completed the Marine Corps Marathon for Push America. We competed in an effort to prove the abilities of all people and that an individual with a disability has the same opportunities as anyone else. As part of our efforts, we committed to raising $3,000 for Push America. Well, with much support, we were able to raise over $8,000. I know I speak for both of us when I say, we are truly humbled by all of the support. The commitment to helping us in our efforts is a true display of compassion and mutual support for a cause we value dearly. Words cannot describe the emotion felt as I look over the list of donors on our behalf. Some don’t know personally and others, I haven’t seen in many years. However, there was no hesitation to help us achieve our goal. And for that, we are forever grateful. Without it, it would not have been possible.

Jason and I completed the race in 5:21 and some change. While we were on the course a little longer than I expected, we had a blast the entire way and were encouraged by so many people. Jason never hesitated to cheer on other runners and express his equal frustration for the difficult section (“The Bridge”). I promise you, Jason was the heart and sole of our team and the fuel my legs needed. My favorite part of the whole event was at dinner the night after the race. As we were eating dinner, a fellow runner began to cramp up at the table.

While in agony as everyone laughed, he responded with, “leave me alone, I just ran a marathon!”

Without missing a beat, Jason responded with… ”ME TOO!!!!!”

Not one person in that room will ever forget those words because it was proof that no disability can get in the way of the human spirit.

So on this holiday season, rest assured that the money raised through Push America programming makes a difference in so many lives; that the support not only enabled Jason and me to run, but impacted all those that saw Jason run! 5:21 may have been a little slow, but that only means Jason and I have something to shoot for next year.

Thank you to everyone for the outpouring of support. All the glory truly goes to God!

Long time coming....

There are some things in life that just bring you back to the memories of your childhood. Well for me, it's memories of my dad driving us to Dairy Queen after dinner for Blizzards just before a big storm rolls in and just in time to catch the Ranger game on channel 27 (KDFI if I remember correctly). You see, the Rangers never were all that good and battled air time with Fresh Prince, Martin and Cops.

So when Nolan Ryan turned our world around, you know I had to come to a game. Luckily I got to spend game 1 of the ALCS with my pops. We even got a couple Blizzards on the way to the game.....that's actually a lie, but would have been tasty. Enjoy the pics.

Carolina...one day I'll...some day I'll come home

I believe the Avett Brothers said it best in one of my all time favorite songs, "Salina." And they were correct, you can leave Carolina....but you will return.

We have come full circle and I am now an employee of Push America once again and could not be more blessed. I am doing what I love and am truly thankful. The past year and a half was one great year and I wish everyone had the chance to see the country the way I did. One for the record books.

In the midst of moving, I did manage to cram in a few list items and I would like to share.

First, St. Mary's Glacier with Hazel
Hazel was passing through and we shot up to the mountains to hike around the glacier and take a dip in some refreshing glacier melt. You will notice me dipping my head into a comforting little stream. What you can't see is that it is about 5 feet from the mouth of the glacier. Therefore, water temp is in the 30s I would estimate. Luckily the lake was quite a bit warmer....maybe 45-50 if I had to guess. Good times.Second, Great Sand Dunes with KnottsEric and I made a quick trip down to the dunes for one last bro-mantic weekend before I made the trip east. It is hard to tell but the dunes rise 500 feet from the base to the summit. Climbing 500 feet of sand is no easy task. But, what we experienced in difficulty was met with equal amazement. It is hard to believe something like that exists in Colorado. It is truly a bucket list item.Third, marathon training in the mountains with Dave and the BaconsWe ventured up to one of my favorite spots for a weekend of hill training for our upcoming marathon. 13ish miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway is something everyone should get the chance to do. We rewarded ourselves with some quality camp food and a trip to Asheville for some celtic music and Staci's first Guiness.Finally, Cameron still knows how to wakeboard...check out this video.