In Crete, Mobility With a Guide and a Glide
The New York Times Travel
By Marilynne Rudick
September 19, 2004
As our plane landed in Iraklion, I considered whether sea kayaking in Crete was going to be a peak experience or a long way to go for a gyro sandwich. For years I'd listened enviously to my friends' tales of adventure travel. I have multiple sclerosis, so trekking in Tibet was out. But kayaking -- which requires upper body strength, not leg power -- seemed like a good bet.
After seeing an ad in Outside magazine for inn-to-inn kayaking in Crete, I called the outfitter, The Northwest Passage, and explained what I could do (kayak) and couldn't do (walk more than a short distance). Could they accommodate me on their September trip? ''Absolutely,'' Adam Walsh assured me. He described an eight-day kayaking adventure that combined physical challenge, great natural beauty and the comfort of staying in a family-owned inn -- a firm mattress and a hot shower -- after a hard day of paddling.
Despite Adam's assurances, I worried about my abilities and disabilities. Along with my quick-dry wardrobe and headlamps for exploring sea caves, I packed a hefty supply of books as a hedge.