Gros Cap Conservation Area

Ontario, Canada

October 2012

Gros Cap is just Northwest of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. We missed the peak autumn color by a couple of weeks. It was late in the afternoon and it was cold and rainy, so we stayed in the car to enjoy what remained of the day and fall colors.

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Gros Cap Conservation Area

Ontario, Canada

July 2008

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Fort Creek Conservation Area

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

October 2012

It was Egypt's idea to go for a hike because she wanted to see a bear in the wild. As you can watch in the videos below, Egypt is better than a bear bell to keep bears away. We found Fort Creek Conservation Area by chance and were pleasantly surprised to find a nice paved trail through the hilly forest.

Highpoints

State highpointing is the activity of reaching the highest natural point in a given state. The ascents range from easy drive-ups like Delaware (where you literally drive to within a few feet of the highpoint) to Denali in Alaska which requires high altitude mountaineering equipment and experience. Less than 400 people have completed all 50 United States highpoints, with approximately 10 new climbers joining the exclusive club each year.

Kellisa has completed 22 state highpoints and I'm confident that I can safely get her to the top of an additional 7 and if everything lines up perfectly, there are 4 highpoints in the west that may be reachable with the right planning and mobility chair. I believe 33 is the  upper limit of state summits for someone in a wheelchair with major assistance. 

I suppose you could hire a helicopter or a large team of climbers to carry someone in a wheelchair to the summit, but that does not interest us due to the danger and the idea of being dependent on many others.

We will be happy if Kellisa can reach 29 and overjoyed if we can get her to the top of 33 states. Stay tuned!

Click on the state below for trip reports and more pictures:

Timms Hill, Wisconsin

Alabama - Cheaha Mountain (August 2009)

Delaware - Ebright Azimuth (December 2009)

Florida- Britton Hill (November 2004)                    

Georgia - Brasstown Bald (May 2004)

Indiana - Hoosier Hill (May 2006)

Kentucky - Black Mountain (June 2006) 

Maryland - Backbone Mountain (July 2010)

Massachusetts - Mount Greylock (June 2009)

Michigan - Mount Arvon (September 2011)

Mississippi - Woodall Mountain (August 2009)

Missouri - Taum Sauk Mountain (July 2013)

New Hampshire - Mount Washington (June 2009)

New Jersey - High Point (December 2009)

North Carolina - Mount Mitchell (June 2006)

Ohio - Campbell Hill (May 2006)

Oklahoma - Black Mesa (April 2008)

Pennsylvania - Mount Davis (July 2010)

Rhode Island - Jerimoth Hill (June 2009)

                                           (May 2014)

                                           (October 2019)

South Carolina - Sassafras Mountain (June 2011)

Tennessee - Clingmans Dome (August 2007)

West Virginia - Spruce Knob (July 2010)

Wisconsin - Timms Hill (September 2011)

* Washignton DC - Fort Reno (July 2010)

Apex to Zenith #96 (Spring 2012)

Highpointers Club

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Kellisa's 62nd Airport Visited

 

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

 

Kellisa's First Camping Trip

 John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Florida
November 2003

Airports Visited - 2023 Update

Kellisa - October 2018

 All-time list of airports visited: 

Chris- 126
Kellisa- 60
Lisa- 48
Egypt - 42

* March 6, 2023 *

In 2022, Egypt added LAX and Chris added Palm Springs, CA and Kodiak, AK. In early 2023, Lisa added Long Beach, CA, Washington Reagan, and LaGuardia, NY. 

We all flew to St. Louis in January 2023, but no one added a new airport. This was Kellisa's first flight since February 2020, by far the longest stretch of her life.  

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This is usually one of my favorite posts because I get to reflect on the new places we visited during the year. Kellisa, Egypt, and Lisa didn't fly to or through any new airports in 2021. The girls didn't fly at all due to COVID. In fact, this was the first full calendar year for either girl without a single flight. 

Lisa had one trip and it was back to Chicago.

I had another busy travel year for work,  including 5 trips to Alaska, but I only added 2 new airports- Bozeman, MT and Fairbanks, AK.

I'm hoping we can all add at least 1 new airport in 2022!

Meet Kellisa

Kellisa was born on May 23, 1999 

Rush University Medical Center

Chicago, IL

Birth Weight: 2 pounds, 1ounce

25 Week Micro Preemie

Primary Diagnoses: Hydrocephalus, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Developmental Delays

Surgeries: Shunt (10), Gastrostomy Tube (4), Hips (4), Eyes (2), Breast (1), Heart (1), Tonsillectomy/Adenoidectomy (1)

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• Kellisa enjoys watching and listening to The Wiggles and Hannah Montana.
• Kellisa likes observing and learning about bugs, bats, snakes, and alligators.
• Kellisa loves all forms of travel and all outdoor activities.
• Kellisa has spent time in 31 national parks.
• Kellisa has visited and hiked all 50 United States at least twice. 

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Kellisa lives in Roseville, CA with her sister (Egypt), mom (Lisa), and dad (Chris)

Book Blurbs

Jennifer Pharr Davis

Author, speaker, record setting hiker

National Geographic Adventurer of the Year

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Chris and Kellisa are two of my heroes - and some of the best hikers I know. The trail doesn't care how far or fast you go. Hiking is all about getting out there, making the most of the experience, and taking all the lessons, memories, and friendships back home. In Rugged Access for All, Chris and Kellisa prove that the trail is there for everyone at every phase of life. Hike on!

Ian Mackay

Executive Director of Ian's Ride

Guinness World Record Holder

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Part guidebook, park chicken soup for the soul. Adventurous, heartwarming, and informative. If this book doesn't make you want to explore the outdoors, nothing will.   

Christina Adams

Author, speaker

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Gain a whole new view into the wonders of nature through the eyes of Kellisa and Christopher Kain, an intrepid father-daughter hiking team who tackled all 50 states-twice-by 'pushiking' with a mobility chair. The Kains'  uncertainties and delights, from predictable struggles with signage and parking to dealing with snakes, deep sand, and people's varying attitudes, enable the reader to be surprised alongside them. From prudent notes on trail sections to packing tips for a person with extra needs, readers will find what they need to do  the same. But it's Christopher's offhand lines about tube-feeding a daughter in a dark tent, tethering himself to her stroller to keep them attached in case of a fall, and treating her seizures beside a road before a dinner for two that add depth and sparkle to this guide. He says Kellisa's social skills and language benefit from hiking, and it's easy to see why as we follow their stimulating paths. Rugged Access for All is useful and inspirational for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities.  

Terri Weeks

Author and owner of Big Rock Travel

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I have been following and admiring Chris on social media for several years. Chris's drive to enrich Kellisa's life through pushiking will inspire you to persevere through life's challenges. This book will encourage you to explore and appreciate the breathtaking natural beauty our country offers, while forging a lifelong bond with your loved ones. It also includes lots of practical advice and recommended trails for would be pushikers.

Dr. Kay Tasso

Professor| Spalding University

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An inspiring story of a father who kept his first promise to his daughter. Kain documents their tender moments while using wheeled mobility to explore trails throughout America and provides guidance for others interested in doing the same. 

Karen Kain

Author and advocate

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I have met a handful of people in life who inspire everyone they come into contact with. these people have one thing in common - they are always kind, happy, and smiling. They do things that others only dream of, and of course make it look effortless. Christopher Kain is one of those people. This book gives you permission to push your boundaries, and experience life to the fullest no matter your abilities.

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