First sail of the year

Got my sailing in for January with my sailing buddy Mitch. Little work pushing the sailing kayak back up the ramp, but other than that its was way fun. Not to cold either. As with every year Mitch and I goal is to sail every month of each year. This is like our 5th year doing this.

First sail of the year!

Got my sailing in for January with my sailing buddy Mitch. Little work pushing the sailing kayak back up the ramp, but other than that its was way fun. Not to cold either. As with every year Mitch and I goal is to sail every month of each year. This is like our 5th year doing this.

Sponsors Needed

Hello Friends... I am posting this notice out to all my friends to see if they can help me connect with businesses and other organizations that might be interested in sponsoring our efforts to make the outdoors more accessible to persons with disAbilities.

This is the time of year many businesses and individuals are looking to donate and contribute to worthy causes to make a difference in their communities and nationally.

Please realize you do not have to sponsor Access To Outdoors (ATO) directly and I certainly will not be offended if you chose not to. What I am hoping is that you will pass this post onto all those persons and businesses you think might want to contribute. In addition they can get a tax deduction as ATO is a 503C Non-profit organization.

We had some great success in 2016 with ATO projects. We were able to make Smith and Brush Lake in Boundary County North Idaho more accessible via collaborating with the US Forest Service. This coming summer of 2017 we have 2 new projects at Roman Nose and Solomon Lake.

Also at Elsie Lake we were able to make the restroom at this lake fully accessible. This was another US Forest Service facility. Making this restroom accessible had been a dream of Tom McTevia who was a retired Police officer with a disAbility. Unfortunately he did not get to see this project completed as he died in a tragic ATV accident in the same year. This improvement will be a great benefit for years to come.

We have a bran new project in development with Bureau of Land Management at their Blackwell Island facility on the Spokane River just outside of the City of Coeur d'Alene. This will be a new non-motorized-watercraft launch facility, the first of its kind in the Inland NW. In addition to this we will be working to develop several fully accessible sites on the Spokane River and on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

I should note that some of our projects are offered to young men as Eagle Scouts. Micheal Bingham was the recipient of one of our projects that allowed him to get is Eagle Scout award. If you know of any young men that need Eagle Scout projects please have them contact us.

There is so much we are doing but can not note it all here in this post. To learn more about ATO and all its projects please explore this site but click on the tabs above.

2017 is going to be a very busy year.

Please contact us if you would like to contribute and/or refer us to interested parties.

Sincere Thanks,

Miles Moore, President
Access To Outdoors
208-704-4454
accesstooutdoors@gmail.com

Potholes Canal and Chain Lakes, Grant County, Washington

POTHOLES CANAL AND CHAIN LAKES
Access Points between O'Sullivan Dam and Othello, WA.

Read the article about Miles Moore kayaking and sailing the Potholes Canal and Chain Lakes by Clicking Here!

Click to enlarge
or copy to print

The Potholes Canal starts at the O'Sullivan Dam (which created the Potholes Reservoir) then goes through the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and Sheep Lakes area. Potholes Chain Lakes is the name of the multiple lakes created by the canal. The navigate-able portion of the canal ends at the Othello WA. W. Main Street Bridge. This section of the canal is appropriate to boat on in late spring, summer, and early fall. Going beyond Othello main street bridge is dangerous due to many low bridges and pipes crossing the canal, in some cases being only a foot or two off the water. DO NOT BOAT AN INCH BEYOND THE OTHELLO MAIN STREET BRIDGE AS DOING SO IS LIFE THREATENING. The Potholes Canal was created during the same time as the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam for the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. Ever since the first waters were released into this canal water has never been absent from it and now its water 

 sustains all forms of wildlife and recreational activity, particular fishing. The canal runs through Soda, Elbow, Pillar, Long, and Crescent Lakes (upper and lower) creating the chain lakes, then passes by the city of Othello WA., and through numerous farms, and runs its course almost to Pasco WA. (one of the Tri-Cities) into the Columbia River. This section of the canal from O'Sullivan Dam to Othello is popular for kayak touring during the times of the season when the current slows. The starting points for entering the canal either starts near the O'Sullivan Dam or at one of the Soda Lake launches (see details below). Launching near the dam is done by hiking down a primitive gravel road on the west side of the canal for a few hundred feet and then portaging down a steep bank into the canal (only suited for experienced kayakers/canoeist). Launching at Soda Lake is where powerboaters launch and then motor up the canal under Soda Lake Road bridge toward the dam. Kayaking or canoeing up this portion of the canal is not advised due to the very strong currents you would have to paddle against. Getting back into the canal after Soda Lake is done by portaging around the small Soda Lake dam, which is a fairly easy task for kayaks/canoes but not possible for powerboats. After Soda Lake Dam the canal passes through Elbow and Pillar Lakes, which are more like ponds, than lakes, actually are just wide parts of the canal. Before you get into the next lake (Long Lake) the canal walls reach heights of 50-90 feet making it a very stunning section of the canal to boat in. Power Boaters wanting to go up the canal to Elbow or Pillar Lakes you can launch in Long Lake. Long lakes is about 2 miles long, with lots of places on the east shoreline to camp (no camping allowed on the west shore). After Long Lake you enter about a 3 mile section of the canal that passes under the Sheep Lake Road Bridge and into (Upper) Crescent Lake followed by Lower Crescent Lake either of which have a public access road available (private and closed lands to the public). So if you are paddling you will need to go all the way to Othello an 8 mile section of the canal to be able to get out onto public land (public easement land at the mainstreet road). Power boaters of course can go into both Cresent Lake & Lower Crescent lake and then motor back to Long Lake. Power boaters be advised that Lower Crescent Lake is shallow except in the main channel. Boating in the Canal ends at Othello main street bridge. Before getting to the main street bridge you will pass under McManamon Road bridge and a steel non-vehicle bridge before getting to the W. Main Street bridge take-out. All the bridges on this canal have a clearance of about 10 or more feet. About third of the way between Lower Crescent Lake to Othello is Otter Bay a place you can stop to anchor or view wildlife. Seems a couple Otters like this not so picturist bay. Otter Bay is the only spot after Lower Crescent Lake that you can get out of the canal. Under the Othello main street bridge is a wide dirt area where one can get out of your craft. Kayakers/Canoeist can portage their craft up the bank to the road. The bank to the road is extremely steep so we recommend you tie a line to your craft to get it up the bank. Again do not pass an inch beyond the bridge due to all the pipes and low low bridges that cross the canal after the main street bridge (see pic at end of this page). The canal depth ranges from about 10 to 40 feet. Soda and Long Lakes run a bit deeper at 20 to 80 feet. All in all the Potholes Canal is a great place to fish and paddle, and for the most part it's smooth paddling. Another note of caution is this desert area high winds are common and so check the weather report. I have actually been on my kayak without paddling and was pushed up the canal against the current. Fishing: Different sections of the canals and associated chain lakes have different fish species - From O'Sullivan Dam to above Soda Lake Dam fish species are Spiny Rays; Walleye; Large & Smallmouth Bass; Crappie; Bluegill; Perch; Whitefish; Trout; Below Soda Lake Dam through Elbow, Pillar, Long, and Crescent Lakes to Othello, WA. fish include Rainbow Trout; Walleye; Large & Smallmouth Bass; Crappie; Perch; Bluegill; Whitefish. Pillar Lake primarily seems to attract Rainbow Trout.

CANAL AND CHAIN LAKES ACCESS
Canal and Chain Lakes Access Sites and Boat Launches - Starting on the north end of the canal going South, Southeasterly direction to the city of Othello...

1. Potholes Canal O'Sullivan Put-In
This is the 1st Put-In site on the Potholes Canal which is just a few hundred feet below the O'Sullivan Dam. You should only put-in your kayak or canoe at this access point during slower current times of the year such as late spring or early summer, or better yet mid summer depending on flow rates. As you can see from the picture there is a cement three sided wall were an eddy is created. Portaging down the north outside of the wall is best due to there being a steep trail to use and small level area near the water's edge. Make sure to portage your craft down the wall with a rope because if you lose hold of the craft and if falls in the water the current will quickly take it down the canal. Also if you are using a sail yak do not put the mast up as there is a bridge just a few hundred feet down the canal. Once in the canal there is no getting out until you get to Soda Lake. Directions: From Moses Lake take HWY 17 south toward Othello; turn right (west) on HWY 262/O'Sullivan Dam Road. Before crossing the O'Sullivan Dam and just  before the Dam is a boat launch on your left/north is a parking lot. This is the place to park your vehicle. The access road to the first Potholes Canal is just up the road from the boat launch is a very rough gravel road that is gated. This gravel round/trail traverses the dike on the west side of the canal. Hiking a short distance down the trail and you will come to a three sided cement wall that goes vertical into the canal water, this is the place. Maps: To view a map click on google.com/maps and type GPS coordinates of 46.980872, -119.258705

ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible to wheeled mobility devices. If you are not fit to climb rocks and paddle long distances this is not the place for you to launch from.

Soda Lake Road bridge, Potholes Canal. Clearance 10' Depending on water level

Exiting the canal into Soda Lake and sailing

Soda Lake
This lake is the first lake in Potholes Canal Chain Lake series. It is large with lots of open water to sail, etc. Info: Click here for more detailed information about Soda Lake.

2. Soda Lake Campground and Gravel Boat Launch
Directions: From Moses Lake take HWY 17 south toward Othello; turn right (west) on HWY 262/O'Sullivan Dam Road. Before crossing the O'Sullivan Dam and after just passing the entrance to the Potholes Reservoir boat launch on your left/south is Soda Lake Road. Follow this road to the Soda Lake Campground sign. Turn at this sign to the campground and launch. Maps: To view a map click on google.com/maps and type in Soda Lake, Grant County, WA. or type in GPS coordinates 46.969021, -119.247149

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel, sand, dirt combo parking areas; PATHS/TRAILS... Lots of dirt, sand, and gravel trails, none of which are designated as wheelchair accessible; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… One fully accessible restrooms. Covered picnic areas. No trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One wide gravel, rocky, sandy, muddy launch. No docks or platforms; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices. Access water via wide rough launch when no powerboats are present, assistance likely needed. Mud is deep in the water; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Developed primitive camping; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Lots of sand and deep mud during wet times of the year at launch area. Other than at launch area there are cliffs along camping area along lake shore; Terrain: Level to about 7% grades. Cliff next to campground and in area; H2O/Water: Water normally murky. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water not available; Environmental Conditions: High winds and hot summer temperatures; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in Potholes Reservoir resort area.

3. Soda Lake Dike Road Gravel Boat Launch
Directions: From Moses Lake take HWY 17 south toward Othello; turn right (west) on HWY 262/O'Sullivan Dam Road. Before crossing the O'Sullivan Dam and after just passing the entrance to the Potholes Reservoir boat launch on your left/south is Soda Lake Road. Follow this road past the Soda Lake Campground sign. After passing sign for a short distance turn right onto the gravel road, which takes you to the launch. Maps: To view a map click on google.com/maps and type in GPS coordinates 
46.955915, -119.239609

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel, sand, dirt combo parking areas; PATHS/TRAILS... None; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… No restrooms (fully accessible restroom up the road at Soda Lake Campground). Covered picnic areas. No trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One wide gravel, rocky, sandy, muddy launch. No docks or platforms; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices. Access water via wide rough launch when no powerboats are present, assistance likely needed. Mud is deep in the water; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No. Camping up the road at Soda Lake Campground; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Lots of sand and deep mud during wet times of the year at launch area. Other than at launch area there are cliffs along camping area along lake shore; Terrain: Level to about 5% grade; H2O/Water: Water normally murky. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water not available; Environmental Conditions: High winds and hot summer temperatures; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in Potholes Reservoir resort area.

4 & 5. Soda Lake Take-Out and Put-In at Soda Lake Dam
CAUTION this access site is at the mouth of canal to the dam. Stay out of canal leading to the dam, extreme currents! If you enter the canal you may not be able to get out Once in the short canal to the dam there are high vertical rocks walls that would be near impossible to climb. In addition there is extreme under-toe at the dam. So on the left side of the entrance to the canal there is a wide rocky gradual sloping area to take your watercraft out at. Portage up this area onto a sand trail past the dam to the canal edge. Use a rope/line to drop your kayak into the canal. At the canal bank it may be a 4-9 foot drop to your watercraft, requiring you to climb down rock climbing style with line attached to you and a buddy (never boat alone). Driving Directions: From Moses Lake take HWY 17 south toward Othello; turn right (west) on HWY 262/O'Sullivan Dam Road. Before crossing the O'Sullivan Dam and after just passing the entrance to the Potholes Reservoir boat launch on your left/south is Soda Lake Road. Follow this road to past the sign indicating the Soda Lake Campground to the next sign indicating Soda Lake, Pillar/Widgeon Lakes. Follow this road past the Soda Lake boat launch on the dike to the end of this dike. At the end of this dike turn right/south and then east to the parking lot. From the parking lot take the trail east and then north past a  small pond to the dam. Cross the dam and walk just a short distance west to view the wide access site. Maps: To view a map click on google.com/maps and type in GPS coordinates 46.957281, -119.230051 . CAUTION stay out of canal leading to the dam, extreme currents and undertow!

This put-in just below Soda Lake Dam. There is no official put-in point just locate the most accessible spot. Be advised at the water's edge of the canal it's a straight 5-9 foot drop to the canal water. Directions above!

ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible to wheeled mobility devices.

Elbow Lake
Wide part of the canal after Soda Lake Dam is called Elbow Lake and is a good place to fish and get out of the current. Info: Click here for more information about Elbow Lake.

Pillar Lake
This lake which is another wide spot in the canal just before you get to Long Lake. This lake is a bit bigger than Elbow Lake. Its a good place to fish and to get out of the current. 3rd lake in Potholes Canal Chain Lake series. Info: Click here for more info about Pillar Lake.

6. Long Lake Gravel Boat Launch
The launch is on the very southeast end of the lake and there are many places along the shoreline to access the lake from if you are putting in at this lake. Info: Click here to get more information about Long Lake. Driving Directions: From Moses Lake take HWY 17 south toward Othello; turn right (west) on HWY 262/O'Sullivan Dam Road. Approximately 2 miles up the road on your left (south) you will see the entrance to Sheep Lake Rd. Follow this road all the way to Long & Sage Lake sign. Turn right/northwest to access the Long Lake Boat Launch and primitive camping areas. Maps: To view a map click on google.com/maps and type in Long Lake, Grant County WA. or type in GPS coordinates 46.928365, -119.197479

ACCESSIBILITY: Note that this is the last place as you paddle down the canal towards Othello with any level of accessibility to get in and out of the canal for those using wheeled mobility devices. The last stop on a trip down the canal is in Othello with zero accessibility for those using wheeled mobility devices. PARKING... Gravel, sand, dirt combo parking all along the east and southeast shore line; PATHS/TRAILS... Lots of dirt, sand, and gravel trails, none of which are designated as wheelchair accessible; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Two fully accessible restrooms at the Southeast end of the lake. No designated picnic areas or shaded area. No trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One wide gravel, sand. mud combo launch. No docks or platforms; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices. Access water via wide launch when no powerboats are present, assistance likely needed. Mud is deep in the water; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Primitive camping along east and southeast shore; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Lots of sand and deep mud during wet times of the year along shoreline; Terrain: Level to about 7% grades; H2O/Water: Water normally murky. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water not available; Environmental Conditions: High winds and hot summer temperatures; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in towns of Moses Lake and Othello (Wal-Mart), and at Potholes Reservoir resort area.

White Pelicans on Long Lake

Sheep Lakes Road Bridge after exiting Long Lake. Clearance 12' Depending on water level.

Crescent Lake
This lake also known unofficially as Upper Crescent Lake shoreline is private and no access allowed. From Long Lake into the canal to then enters this lake. 5th lake in Potholes Canal Chain Lake series. Info: Click here to get more information about Crescent Lake. Driving and Boating Directions: From Moses Lake take HWY 17 south toward Othello; turn right (west) on HWY 262/O'Sullivan Dam Road. Approximately 2 miles up the road on your left (south) you will see the entrance to Sheep Lake Rd. Follow this road all the way to the Long & Sage Lake sign, turn right (west) and to the boat launch. From the boat launch boat southwest to the canal entrance and proceed down the canal. Exiting from the canal you will enter enter Upper Crescent Lake. Maps: To view a map click on google.com/maps and type in, Othello, WA. pan up/north and slightly west to view Crescent Lake or type in GPS coordinates 46.923839, -119.176130

Lower Crescent Lake
The shoreline of this lake is also private and no access allowed. This is the last and 6th lake in Potholes Canal Chain Lake series is access from its bigger sister lake Crescent Lake. Info: Click here to get more information about Lower Crescent Lake. Driving and Boating Directions: From Moses Lake take HWY 17 south toward Othello; turn right (west) on HWY 262/O'Sullivan Dam Road. Approximately 2 miles up the road on your left (south) you will see the entrance to Sheep Lake Rd. Follow this road all the way to the Long & Sage Lake sign, turn right (west) and to the boat launch. From the boat launch boat southwest to the canal entrance and proceed down the canal. Exiting from the canal you will enter enter Upper Crescent Lake followed by Lower Crescent Lake. Maps: To view a map click on google.com/maps and type in, Othello, WA. pan up/north along the canal to view Lower Crescent Lake or type in GPS coordinates 46.915904, -119.168866

Many small waterfalls along the canal between Lower Crescent Lake and Othello.

Potholes Canal Otter Bay near Othello WA.  A muddy bay that is not to attractive but the Otters seem to lake it. GPS coordinates 46.878029, -119.168744

W. McManamon Road Bridge, Othello WA. Clearance 7' Depending on water level.

Steel Irrigation Bridge, Othello WA. Clearance 19' depending on water level.

7. W. Main Street Bridge Take-Out
This Take-Out at Othello WA. is end of the line on this canal. Clearance under the bridge at this take out is about 6' depending on water level. Driving Directions: From Moses Lake take HWY 17 south to Othello, WA. Turn right (west) onto W. Cunningham Road/E. Main Street. proceed through town. Proceed west through the cross street of S. Broadway Ave. stop light. Road turns into W. Main Street. Just after crossing S. Broadway Ave. on W. Main street you will come to a bridge. This is the place, park along the road by the bridge. The trail to the canal waters edge is on the south side of the bridge, then under it. Maps: To view a map click on google.com/maps and type in, Othello, WA. and follow directions to bridge or type in GPS coordinates 46.826230, -119.180136 . Interesting fact if you paddle from the North end of Moses Lake, then through the Potholes Reservoir, though the canal and chain lakes to this take-out its a total of 45 miles.

ACCESSIBILITY: No accessibility for wheeled mobility devices.

DO NOT PASS BY THE MAIN STREET BRIDGE TAKE-OUT because as shown in the pic below there are many pipes and low bridges passing over the canal after the Take-Out that are in the way of save navigation. You could get swept off your watercraft by these obstructions and the fast current adds to the difficulties. The water can be very cold significantly increasing your chances of drowning, along with the challenge of it being near impossible to climb out of the canal due to the steep and slippery banks.

Crusade for Accessibility

HAYDEN MAN WORKS TO ENSURE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAN ENJOY THE OUTDOORS (see link... )

Coeur d'Alene Press (NewsPaper): January 03, 2017 at 5:00 am | By STEVE CAMERON Staff Writer

It's a common description.

When you hear or read about someone working to help people with disabilities, it's pretty routine to find the phrase: “He/she spends a lot of time with those who are less fortunate than themselves.”

Except in the case of local sailing instructor Miles Moore, that sentence wouldn't be correct.

Not even close.

Moore, who has been sailing most of his life and now spends endless hours helping people with disabilities get out on the water, happens to have several disabilities himself.

Talk about being able to relate.

Moore was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child and didn't read until he was 14. A disease you really don't want, called otosclerosis, has left him hearing-impaired despite several surgeries. Multiple knee injuries have limited his ability to run and walk properly. And he has been diagnosed as bipolar.

“My disabilities have impacted me in many amazing ways and a few sad ways,” Moore said. “I openly talk about them, because it does no good to overcome things and keep it to yourself.

“Other people gain hope when they know or see others overcome disabilities and find balance.”

MOORE'S problems have been so severe that many people would have given up.

“When I got into college — which was a miracle — I had a fourth-grade reading level,” he said. “My wife (Corine) was my tutor so any academic success goes to her.”

Moore downplays his college achievements, but he has a degree in recreational therapy from the University of Idaho and a masters in vocational rehabilitation counseling.

That education, along with the fact that he grew up in the seaside town of Westport, Wash., — with his mom and dad working as sailing instructors and fish taxidermists — pretty much set the course for Moore's own professional and volunteering life.

Miles and Corine run a sailing equipment shop in Hayden called FunToSail.com, 406 W. Miles Ave., and he earns a living as an instructor — but Moore also puts in endless hours working to get anyone with a disability on the water.

“I soon will be producing trap seats that bolt onto either side of a Hobie 16,” Moore said. “These seats are made specifically for persons with disabilities.

“The trap seat was designed by Mike Strahle, a good friend of mine, who has a spinal cord injury. I will also start to produce Mike's adaptive sailing chair — called the Strahle Chair — that is used in keelboats and that I'm adapting for the Hobie Islands, a sailing kayak I use a lot for my programs as they are the most accessible sailboats on the planet.”

BESIDES working with individuals and groups of future disabled sailors, Moore is conducting a personal battle to make sure there are proper facilities available for anyone who wants to get out on a boat — or even use a local beach.

To that end, he runs a program called Access to Outdoors (www.accesstooutdoors.com), a nonprofit that aims to improve access for everyone.

“It does no good to teach persons with disabilities to sail and kayak if there are no accessible places to launch,” Moore said. “This was a big complaint of my friends and clients with disabilities.

“They would say: ‘Miles, I appreciate what you're doing, but there are no accessible launches.'

“When a person gets into a car accident and suffers a spinal cord injury, for example, then goes through a fabulous rehab program to teach them to ski, handcycle, boat, etc., it's discouraging when they go home and find there are no programs or no access to the outdoors for what they've learned to do.

“Thus, my work with ATO has become very important.”

MOORE insists that, occasionally, the problems with accessibility (including the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane areas) can be downright silly.

“I've gone to assess sites,” he said, “and had engineers tell me they followed all the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) legal measurement requirements. I tell them that's fine, but accessibility goes beyond measurements.

“For example, through a friend with a spinal cord injury I found a restroom that fit all the ADA measurements — but unfortunately there were big rocks around the restroom to protect it from vandalism. The rocks were so close together, it kept people in wheelchairs from getting to the restroom.

“I did get that one fixed by having one of the rocks moved just 12 inches over to create a 48-inch opening.

“Most of the boat launches in this area have real issues with slope. They're just too steep. Others have barriers to their accessible features.

“I actually have had people ask me: ‘If our site is made accessible, will people with disabilities really use the site?' To which I say: ‘If you build it, they will come.'

“There simply is a segment of our population with disabilities that just know that so little is accessible, they just stay home. That's what we're trying to change through ATO.

“The Forest Service in Boundary County did a lot with us last year, and we hope to make at least one site fully accessible. Also, I just met with the Bureau of Land Management to make a new accessible site at the Blackwell Island facility.

“The Blackwell Island site is by far the most accessible in Kootenai County, and I mean by far.”

MOORE is disappointed the city of Coeur d'Alene did not approve the 10th Street Non-Motorized Launch — he suggests some powerful people simply didn't want it in their backyard — but he has no intention of giving up on any project.

He's even willing to praise some areas that are not fully accessible.

“The Honeysuckle launch (at Hayden Lake) doesn't give persons with wheelchairs direct access to the water, but when it comes to boating, it does really well in facilitating a person getting to his boat.”

Moore intends to remain relentless in this crusade for accessibility — and for a very simple reason that he states as a question.

“Why shouldn't someone with a disability enjoy the same accessibility to boating or anything else that other people get to do?”

To Moore, the answer to that is pretty obvious.

Crusade for Accessibility

HAYDEN MAN WORKS TO ENSURE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAN ENJOY THE OUTDOORS (see link... )

Coeur d'Alene Press (NewsPaper): January 03, 2017 at 5:00 am | By STEVE CAMERON Staff Writer


It's a common description.

When you hear or read about someone working to help people with disabilities, it's pretty routine to find the phrase: “He/she spends a lot of time with those who are less fortunate than themselves.”

Except in the case of local sailing instructor Miles Moore, that sentence wouldn't be correct.

Not even close.

Moore, who has been sailing most of his life and now spends endless hours helping people with disabilities get out on the water, happens to have several disabilities himself.

Talk about being able to relate.

Moore was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child and didn't read until he was 14. A disease you really don't want, called otosclerosis, has left him hearing-impaired despite several surgeries. Multiple knee injuries have limited his ability to run and walk properly. And he has been diagnosed as bipolar.

“My disabilities have impacted me in many amazing ways and a few sad ways,” Moore said. “I openly talk about them, because it does no good to overcome things and keep it to yourself.

“Other people gain hope when they know or see others overcome disabilities and find balance.”

MOORE'S problems have been so severe that many people would have given up.

“When I got into college — which was a miracle — I had a fourth-grade reading level,” he said. “My wife (Corine) was my tutor so any academic success goes to her.”

Moore downplays his college achievements, but he has a degree in recreational therapy from the University of Idaho and a masters in vocational rehabilitation counseling.

That education, along with the fact that he grew up in the seaside town of Westport, Wash., — with his mom and dad working as sailing instructors and fish taxidermists — pretty much set the course for Moore's own professional and volunteering life.

Miles and Corine run a sailing equipment shop in Hayden called FunToSail.com, 406 W. Miles Ave., and he earns a living as an instructor — but Moore also puts in endless hours working to get anyone with a disability on the water.

“I soon will be producing trap seats that bolt onto either side of a Hobie 16,” Moore said. “These seats are made specifically for persons with disabilities.

“The trap seat was designed by Mike Strahle, a good friend of mine, who has a spinal cord injury. I will also start to produce Mike's adaptive sailing chair — called the Strahle Chair — that is used in keelboats and that I'm adapting for the Hobie Islands, a sailing kayak I use a lot for my programs as they are the most accessible sailboats on the planet.”

BESIDES working with individuals and groups of future disabled sailors, Moore is conducting a personal battle to make sure there are proper facilities available for anyone who wants to get out on a boat — or even use a local beach.

To that end, he runs a program called Access to Outdoors (www.accesstooutdoors.com), a nonprofit that aims to improve access for everyone.

“It does no good to teach persons with disabilities to sail and kayak if there are no accessible places to launch,” Moore said. “This was a big complaint of my friends and clients with disabilities.

“They would say: ‘Miles, I appreciate what you're doing, but there are no accessible launches.'

“When a person gets into a car accident and suffers a spinal cord injury, for example, then goes through a fabulous rehab program to teach them to ski, handcycle, boat, etc., it's discouraging when they go home and find there are no programs or no access to the outdoors for what they've learned to do.

“Thus, my work with ATO has become very important.”

MOORE insists that, occasionally, the problems with accessibility (including the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane areas) can be downright silly.

“I've gone to assess sites,” he said, “and had engineers tell me they followed all the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) legal measurement requirements. I tell them that's fine, but accessibility goes beyond measurements.

“For example, through a friend with a spinal cord injury I found a restroom that fit all the ADA measurements — but unfortunately there were big rocks around the restroom to protect it from vandalism. The rocks were so close together, it kept people in wheelchairs from getting to the restroom.

“I did get that one fixed by having one of the rocks moved just 12 inches over to create a 48-inch opening.

“Most of the boat launches in this area have real issues with slope. They're just too steep. Others have barriers to their accessible features.

“I actually have had people ask me: ‘If our site is made accessible, will people with disabilities really use the site?' To which I say: ‘If you build it, they will come.'

“There simply is a segment of our population with disabilities that just know that so little is accessible, they just stay home. That's what we're trying to change through ATO.

“The Forest Service in Boundary County did a lot with us last year, and we hope to make at least one site fully accessible. Also, I just met with the Bureau of Land Management to make a new accessible site at the Blackwell Island facility.

“The Blackwell Island site is by far the most accessible in Kootenai County, and I mean by far.”

MOORE is disappointed the city of Coeur d'Alene did not approve the 10th Street Non-Motorized Launch — he suggests some powerful people simply didn't want it in their backyard — but he has no intention of giving up on any project.

He's even willing to praise some areas that are not fully accessible.

“The Honeysuckle launch (at Hayden Lake) doesn't give persons with wheelchairs direct access to the water, but when it comes to boating, it does really well in facilitating a person getting to his boat.”

Moore intends to remain relentless in this crusade for accessibility — and for a very simple reason that he states as a question.

“Why shouldn't someone with a disability enjoy the same accessibility to boating or anything else that other people get to do?”

To Moore, the answer to that is pretty obvious.

- - FOLLOW UP ARTICLE - -

OUTDOORS ACCESSIBILITY ADVOCATE SEEKS FUNDS
January 19, 2017 at 5:00 am | By STEVE CAMERON Staff Writer

HAYDEN — This is the toughest time of year for Miles Moore, and not because it’s cold — or because he can’t be out sailing.

Nope, this is fundraising season, and no matter how worthy the cause, it’s never easy to ask people for financial help.

But Moore plugs away at it nevertheless, trying each winter to secure enough money to continue his efforts to provide local marine and park access for disabled users.

“There are so many places in this county that don’t have proper access for everyone,” Moore said. “We need funding to change that.”

Moore is a veteran sailor who has taken on this accessibility crusade through his Access to Outdoors program.

Miles and his wife, Corine, run a sailing equipment shop called FunToSail.com, 406 W. Miles Ave., and he earns a living as an instructor — but Moore also puts in endless hours working to get anyone with a disability on the water.

“We want to create more fully accessible marine facilities and to support water sports for everybody through Access to Outdoors,” he said.

What exactly is the goal right now?

“Creating non-motorized kayak launches, and achieving swimming access for people using wheeled mobility devices like wheelchairs,” Moore said. “We also want to grow our accessible sailing and kayak program.”

He can relate to the people he’s helping, too, as Moore fights disabilities himself.

Moore was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child and didn’t read until he was 14. A disease called otosclerosis has left him hearing-impaired despite several surgeries. He’s suffered multiple knee injuries, and has been diagnosed as bipolar.

A water-sports enthusiast all his life who grew up on the ocean in Westport, Wash., Moore knows very well how someone with a disability might be denied the fun of sailing or swimming.

And if the problem is simply lack of access, Moore sees that as something that needs to be remedied.

“We have these beautiful lakes and beaches in the area,” Moore said. “But we truly need to provide proper access for everyone, including the disabled and people who need wheelchairs.

“It does no good to teach persons with disabilities to sail and kayak if there are no accessible places to launch. That was a big complaint of my friends and clients with disabilities.”

Moore is hoping to find funding help from companies, individuals, anyone with a desire to see what Moore believes is simply a fair opportunity for the disabled to enjoy marine sports with the same joy as everyone else.

If you want to help, learn more about the Access to Outdoors program by contacting Miles Moore via email at accesstooutdoors@gmail.com — or phone (208) 704-4454.