Journey into the floodplain forest of Congaree National Park in South Carolina in this beautifully shot five-minute film, part of the National Park Service’s America’s Wilderness series. The film focuses not only on the beauty of this wilderness, but is also a reflective exploration of two veteran’s path by paddle to find healing.
“With veteran’s day less than a week away, and 2014 being the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, it is a great time to celebrate the special bond of our vets and these wild places, as well as the healing value of time on the water,” says the film’s producer, Sarah Gulick.
Exploring miles of boardwalk and a dense canopy of old growth hardwood trees is what many visitors experience at Congaree National Park. During winter months—an ideal time to visit and paddle—waters from the Conagree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, opening up a new, surreal world.
Team River Runner, Heroes on the Water and other vet organizations provide opportunities for veterans like film stars Eric Guzman and Edye Joyner to find reprieve and escape on the water, making a positive impact and restoring the lives of countless vets.
Read more about these organizations and the healing power of kayaking in the Early Summer 2014 issue of Adventure Kayak here.
