Category: 50 States for My 50’s

“Who can I connect with in Rhode Island?” I texted one of my barefooting coaches.

“Bill Brzoza,” was the response.

After a few texts to Bill, he arranged for his wife, Nikki and her father, Rick Soubliere to give me a barefooting pull in Rhode Island.

Joe and I arrived in Rhode Island with no idea of where we would stay that night. I pulled up the Airbnb app and did a quick search. I landed on Cindy Wilson-Fera’s Seaside Escape. Her home was so enticing that we went ahead and booked with her–even though we normally use hotels. (We had used an Airbnb just once before–and it was an empty apartment.) This time, we would be staying in someone’s home and using a bedroom.

It was an amazing experience.

Cindy and her husband, Dave, made us truly feel at home. Cindy welcomed us with a gift bag filled with homemade soap and lotion. OH, MY, GOSH–her products are divine! Joe and I took a walk to the local marina and had dinner at Iggy’s Boardwalk. The next morning, Cindy whipped up a healthy breakfast before we took off for the lake. If you are considering an Airbnb, here’s a link (affiliate) that will give you a $40 credit to try it out: Airbnb First Timer.

When we arrived at the lake, we found ideal conditions: no wind and smooth water.

“Is it always like this?” I asked Niki.

“No, you guys are lucky!”

As it turned out, Rick and I met at a Michigan barefoot tournament in 2011 when I first started competing. I didn’t connect the name until I saw him on the dock.

I barefooted behind a beautiful, brand new Malibu. The wake was so crazy smooth that I couldn’t find the curl! Unfortunately, the hubby forgot his glasses and thought he was videotaping the whole thing. It wasn’t until we later reviewed the (absent) footage that we realized we didn’t have anything that captured my time on the water except a few seconds of the start. Ooops! At least I have two independent witnesses. Thanks to Southwest Airlines as part of the #SouthwestStorytellers adventures, Rhode Island became the 15th state on the #Barefooting50states quest! (The 13th and 14th states can be found here: #SouthwestStorytellers:  Barefooting My 13th and 14th States.) A big thanks to Bill, Niki, and Rick for making it happen!

After the barefooting morning, we took off on another adventure: Cape Cod Deaf Sailing. One entire week on a 45-foot sailboat with three other couples (two who were new to us.) On the very first day, I became seasick. Yes, me, the girl who grew up on boats. When I crawled into the tiny cabin the first night, I couldn’t sleep. At three am, I had a full-blown, claustrophobic panic attack. I desperately wanted to get out of the boat and considered even getting on the first flight home. There was NO WAY I was going to make it through an entire week at sea!

Or so, I thought.

The next day, I was better. And the next day, even better. Before long, I was loving it. Joe was too–considering he was reluctant to even go on the sailing trip in the first place!

As it turned out, it was a trip to truly remember. Sixteen deaf passengers and crew. We sailed to Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Cuttyhunk. What a beautiful experience. I left my hearing aids off all week. I only put them on when we rented bikes. I must say, the silence was complete bliss. When the captain cut the motor and we sailed by wind alone–it was just serenity. I realized in those moments, that’s when being deaf is such a blessing. There was nothing around us but blue skies and blue waters. For all the struggles that come with not being able to hear (communication challenges, etc.) there are the advantages, too–we just have to see them.