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
Category Archives: Road Trips
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
Great Road Trip Resource!
If you’re headed to Arizona or New Mexico in the near future, be sure and pick up a copy of RoadTrip America Arizona and New Mexico: 25 Scenic Side Trips, before you hit the road. As someone who has logged a lot of miles in both states, I can absolutely tell you that author Rick Quinn really hit it out of the park with this title. Continue reading
Great Winter Deals at Lake Quinault Lodge
Lake Quinault Lodge
If you’re looking for a heck of a winter hotel deal, then look no further than Lake Quinault Lodge. Located just outside of Olympic National Park on the south shore of Lake Quinault, this Northwestern Washington lodge is offering rates that start at a very affordable $87, from now until April 30, 2018. Continue reading
Proposed National Park Fee Increases
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve most likely heard about the proposed peak season fee increase for 17 US National Parks. The National Park Service recently announced this increase, and cited that the additional funds are needed for repair, upkeep and improvements to the national parks. That said, it’s still a proposed increase, and if adopted it will only be effective during the peak seasons of these parks. The peak season fee at the following parks will increase to $70 under his proposal. Continue reading
Access Upgrades Abound in Glacier National Park
The accessible Trail of the Cedars in Glacier National Park
If you’ve been watching the news lately, you’ve probably heard about the wildfires in Glacier National Park. Yes, it is smoky here, and some days are certainly better than others, but with the wildfires near my home in the Sierras are producing quite a bit of smoke too. The firefighters are doing a good job of protecting the historic structures in the park, none of which are immediately threatened. The did lose Sperry Chalet, but that was in a remote area of the park, and quite difficult to protect. A small portion of the park is closed near Lake McDonald Lodge, mostly as a precautionary measure, and to give firefighters unfettered access should the need arise to actively fight the flames near the park’s lakeside properties. Continue reading