Long on spirit, Mary Shideler did not let her short stature interfere with a quest to paddle all 1,007 lakes in northern Minnesota’s Itasca County. Sometimes with the help of friends, but often on her own, she carried her kayak through brush, trudged across bogs in tall boots, and put up with hordes of mosquitoes and legions of wood ticks. In close-up encounters, she observed birds and animals in their forest and wetland habitats and became adept at identifying wildflowers. Along the way, she also learned to trust her own capacity to overcome obstacles, including her fear of being alone. Her book, entitled, The Kayak Lady is a collection of stories and photos—a mix of adventure and fun—that documents Mary’s experiences over 15 years. Today, she shares with us some of those stories and adventures.
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