Even with advance notice, sometimes it’s hard to find a rental car that suits your needs. Unfortunately hand controls can only be installed on certain models, and until today that selection was pretty limited. To be fair, that’s not the fault of the car rental agencies, because they have to follow the safety rules issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Continue reading
Category Archives: Road Trips
Navajo Nation Tribal Parks Closed Due to COVID-19
If a Southwestern US road trip is in your future, please take note that the Navajo Nation tribal parks are currently closed due to COVID-19. The Navajo Nation’s roads also remain closed to visitors and tourists until further notice. This includes the following parks and recreation areas. Continue reading
Zion National Park Implements Shuttle Ticketing System for 2021
Shuttle tickets are no longer required in Zion National Park.
If you’re thinking about visiting Zion National Park this year, you’ll need to plan ahead, as a new shuttle ticketing system has been implemented in the park. Private vehicles are not permitted in Zion Canyon, and in normal years a free on-demand shuttle bus runs from the visitor center to trailheads and viewpoints in the canyon. Of course this is not a normal year, and due to COVID-19 shuttle capacity has been reduced in 2021, and a timed shuttle bus ticketing system has been implemented. Continue reading
Why I Do What I Do
I’ve been covering accessible travel exclusively for the past 25 years, and believe me, I do get a lot of strange questions about the subject. I try to educate whenever I can, and I understand that this is a subject that most people don’t understand unless they have some personal experience with it. Continue reading
Ditch the Crowds and Add These Stops to Your Summer Road Trip
The past month has been rough on the travel industry – and on travelers. Cruises have been cancelled, travel has been disrupted and people are thinking twice about getting on an airplane. Folks who are immunocompromised, and those over a certain age (and that age varies depending on which expert you consult) have been urged to stay away from crowds, and even to avoid cruise travel. And although some folks call that fear mongering, I think it’s just plain old common sense. Continue reading
Buyer Beware – Not All “National Park” Lodges are Equal
As a writer who has spent the last 20-some years visiting and writing about wheelchair access in our US national parks, (and just released a book about accessible national park lodges — www.BFNationalParkLodges.com), I’ve seen a lot of changes in the parks over the years. Some of the changes are due to the availability of new technology and equipment, but the bulk of them have been spurred on by increased visitation to these national treasures. Continue reading
Excellent Virginia Road Trip Book
If a Virginia road trip is in your future, be sure and pick up a copy of Virginia Off the Beaten Path, by Judy Colbert. Although the book doesn’t specifically list access (see judy’s reply to my first question below) it’s a great idea book. And if you like to find those off-the-beaten-path gems like I do, then this is the book for you. Continue reading
Win a Stay at Tenaya Lodge!
Yosemite Falls
If you’ve ever visited Yosemite National Park, then start flipping through your photos to find an entry for the “Dream Yosemite Adventure” photo contest. And the best part of this contest is that it’s easy. All you have to do is submit a favorite Yosemite photo – there’s no limit on how old it can be – and you don’t have to beg friends to share, like or comment on the photo. Continue reading
Excellent Route 66 Guide
As a self-defined Route 66 junkie, I’m thrilled to see more guidebooks on the Mother Road. Some are better than others, and that’s certainly the case with Amy Bizzarri’s, The Best Hits on Route 66. If nothing else this well-illustrated guide gets you in the mood for a road trip; but beyond that, it’s filled with useful information on a plethora of roadside attractions along the way. Continue reading
Reflections on Washington National Parks – My Five Favorite Accessible Travel Finds
Now that my newest national park title is released (www.barrierfreeolympic.doc), it’s time to sit back and reflect on my time in Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades national parks. Even though these Washington state gems contain some pretty rugged terrain, they also boast a veritable treasure trove of accessible trails, attractions and lodging options. And although it’s hard to pick just one favorite, here are my top five accessible travel finds in Washington’s national parks. Continue reading