Disabled Traveler On Route 66 – RV

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Route 66…Just saying the name of this infamous roadway exudes a feeling of excitement…an impression of nostalgia…a sense of adventure.  It’s a part of Americana; a component of our pop culture; an iconic piece of our country’s history.

That famous thoroughfare connecting Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California, Route 66 was the main road for those traveling west prior to the establishment of our National Interstate Highway System.  For 2,448 miles, it supported economies and communities along its path.  Though some of it has been re-aligned over the years to make it faster and safer to drive and some has been re-routed to bypass busy cities such as Springfield, Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, much of it remains a National Scenic Byway for vacationing travelers yet today.

Beginning at Jackson Boulevard and Lakeshore Drive in Chicago, today it ends at Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California where the final “Historic Route 66″ sign stands.  It has been renamed “Will Rogers Highway” where Santa Monica Boulevard meets Ocean Avenue.  Because Route 66 is in close proximity to other roadways, often actually sharing the same pavement, and parallels interstate highways, as it makes its way through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, it is a popular truck route, making it an ideal RV route, as well.

Driving our RV on Route 66 has been a dream-come-true for us.  The sights we have seen while driving on it are memorable; the journey is emotional; the experience is priceless.  Following it as closely as we can, we note that much of it is two-laned, flat, straight, and extends for as far as we can see.  Other parts are curvy, snaking its way up and down mountain-like hills.  Some of it is asphalt-paved with newly painted lines; other parts are graveled, dusty, and bumpy.  Sometimes it dead-ends with little warning.  Other areas easily and seamlessly join another highway, which proceeds for miles until Route 66 exits into itself once again.

Communities along its path have enjoyed the economic boost when Route 66 was in its heyday.  Mom-and-Pop businesses sprang up all along the way featuring gas stations, diners, and motor courts. Some of the most famous that come to mind are Tee Pee Curios, the Wig-Wam Motel, and the Blue Swallow Motel, and Roy’s Cafe.  Advertisements painted on barns and on roadside signs along the way tout the businesses that lie ahead.  Sadly, most of these communities have become virtual ghost towns since its demise.

Some little towns, though nearly deserted, still play up the “Get your kicks on Route 66″ theme for the benefit of the travelers passing through.  Buildings featuring soda fountains and diners, complete with mannequins dressed in 50′s attire lining the streets and balconies.  Old-fashioned gasoline stations with ’57 Chevy’s parked at the non-operating pumps catch your eye at the corner.  The infamous Burma Shave placards line the side of the road as you drive along the vacant countryside…their rhyming scheme both entertaining and humorous; enticing you to find more of them…which does not disappoint you because there ARE more…for miles and miles.

Today, for those interested in traveling on Historic Route 66, turn-by-turn roadmaps are available, highlighting places of interest along the way.  You can see Mustang Corral, the One Stop Pony Shop in Illinois.  Missouri showcases the St. Louis Arch, as well as Meramec Caverns touted as Jesse James’ hideout.  Though Route 66 is only 13 miles long in Kansas, it travels by The March Arch Rainbow Bridge.  Oklahoma features fields of oil drilling wells.  Route 66 in Texas leads you along Palo Duro Canyon and The Cadillac Ranch…an automobile graveyard of sorts with graffiti-painted cars whose noses are buried in the ground with the tail-end sticking straight up.

In New Mexico, you start to get a real feel for the west with the adobe architecture, miles of desert scrub, flat-topped mountains visible in the distance, and Red Rock State Park.  Arizona offers the best part of Route 66, in our opinion, with the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park, Meteor Crater, and especially the Grand Canyon nearby.  In California, Route 66 joins the “Old National Trail Highway”, and is paved, lined, and hilly.

Driving our RV on Historic Route 66 was definitely a highlight of our westward trek.  It was a step back in time…a chance to re-live history…a thrill at every hill.  We wouldn’t change that adventure for the world!  We highly recommend this famous advice:  “If you ever plan to motor west, travel my way, the highway’s best.  Get your kicks on Route 66!”

Disabled RV Camping – Not Like The Old Days

Image by drburtoni via Flickr

Today’s RV Camping Experiences are Definitely Not our Parents’ Camping Trip!

Many Baby Boomers have happy childhood memories.  Many of these memories were created via family camping trips.  Ahh…packing as much as possible into the family car, but not being allowed to bring your favorite toys; leaving just enough space to sit shoulder to shoulder for the long, hot ride to the campground.  Wasting time setting up the tent when you’d much rather be playing; stretching the canvas as far as it will reach, praying it won’t rip and hoping none of the stakes are missing and that they will hold tightly.  Making the campsite your home away from home by carrying the picnic table, cooler filled with food, camp stove, utensils, and lantern within easy reach.  Gathering sticks to start the campfire; the wood-smoke aroma permeating the air, as well as your clothing and hair.  Trying to fall asleep in your cramped, humid surroundings; only to be awakened by the intense buzzing of a mosquito.  Needing to use the bathroom, but waiting as long as you can until the relief is worth the stench of the outhouse…no one can hold their nose and breath that long…but, it’s worth it in the end.  Praying for no rain, which can end a camping trip abruptly.

The day would often begin with waking up at the crack of dawn to the aroma of bacon and sound of eggs sizzling on the camp stove.  The tin coffeepot was heated and slices of bread were toasted on long-handled forks by the campfire.  Faces were quickly splashed with cold water from your supply, or from the hand-pumped water faucet if you were lucky enough to have one at the campground.  Teeth were brushed, spitting on the ground, and rinsing with a sip of water from your canteen.  For some reason, being in the great outdoors makes you famished, so you gobble every bit of food presented to you.

After breakfast, you would stay busy taking walks with your family, exploring your surroundings, fishing at the creek, skipping rocks, and watching for wildlife.  Lunch would often be a picnic basket of peanut butter sandwiches, apples, carrots, and cookies.  The hot afternoons would be spent swimming or wading in the water, lounging in the shade, playing board games, cards, hide and seek, or tag if not too hot.  Evenings were spent fishing (again), hoping to catch dinner.  Everyone pitched in and helped prepare the supper meal, which wasn’t served until dusk.  After supper, the campfire would be stoked and we would sit around it singing songs, telling stories, snacking, and planning the next day’s activities so we would have sweet dreams.

Though many things remain the same, as in enjoying the great outdoors, today’s camping experience is quite different than what many Baby Boomers experienced in their childhood thanks to the Recreational Vehicle industry.  Instead of pitching a tent, RVs offer a very stable, comfortable means of shelter in which you have a myriad of choices to make your camping experience as enjoyable as possible.  Instead of spending a long time setting up your campsite, RVs can be hooked up to electric, water, sewer, Cable TV, and leveled in a matter of a few minutes, allowing you to start the fun almost immediately.

Meals can easily be prepared inside your RV via oven, stove top, or microwave as well as a portable gas grill for outdoor cooking.  Grooming and personal duties are achieved in the comforts of your own bathroom and shower.  Beds are comfortable; furniture is stylish; space is abundant, especially with room-extending slide-outs.  Too hot?  Turn on the climate-controlled air conditioner or ceiling fan.  Too cold?  Turn up the forced-air heater.  Undesirable weather conditions that would ruin a camping trip in the past are handled simply and efficiently in an RV.  You can simply move indoors and enjoy dancing to the stereo, watching your surround-sound television show, or go online through your Wi-Fi connection.  Family board games, cards, and charades can even be played indoors.

Extra amenities are available through your selection of RV and can enhance your RV lifestyle.  These consist of items that make your RV unique to your personal tastes and desires.  Leather furniture, a u-shaped dinette, granite counter tops, a double-sized refrigerator with ice maker, a built-in dishwasher, a washer and dryer, a king-sized bed, a fireplace, and even a second bathroom are examples of some of the options you have.

The option of camping in an RV is especially attractive to those with disabilities.  The familiar surroundings of the living space keeps everything within easy reach.  The private bathroom facilitates the needs for grab bars, shower seats, and raised toilets.  RVs can be outfitted with special equipment such as wheelchair lifts, ramps, lower countertops, and push-button controls.  With today’s innovative technology and clients’ creative requests, RVs can be personalized and specialized in a variety of ways.  In addition, many campgrounds offer handicapped sites in barrier-free areas and try to incorporate the needs of those who are disabled into their recreational programs.

Campgrounds, today, offer a range of activities in which to participate.  Hiking is still a popular activity enjoyed by campers; especially with today’s sturdy, breathable hiking boots, lightweight gear, and eco-friendly water containers.  Maps outline various hiking trails and rate them in difficulty; many are paved and wheelchair-friendly.  Wildlife viewing and birding is enhanced by state-of-the-art binoculars which are practically feather-weight and small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, though more powerful than anything available years ago.  Park programs teach you about environmental issues we’ve created over our lifetime.

Even with today’s comfortable RV options, the camping experience is still full of excitement, and wonder.  Baby Boomers’ childhood camping trips were considered “roughing it”.  Today, “roughing it” in an RV simply means no full hook-ups.  Either way, camping creates a lifetime of memories.

Techniques for Discovering the Ideal Recreational Vehicle

Do you desire to acquire a recreational vehicle? There are many good reasons for obtaining an RV, for example the freedom to venture wherever you desire and owning a vehicle that has several conveniences. Nevertheless, it can be stressful to make a decision on what kind of RV to obtain or where to purchase it. The following input will aid you in figuring out which recreational vehicle is optimal for you. Also, something that I’ve had a lot of fun with in addition to our RV are blow up boats. Be sure to read these Sea Eagle inflatable boat reviews.

Before you make a decision on an RV, you should have a clear idea about who you desire to have one and how often you’ll be using it. Do you have plans for spending a ton of time in it and driving it all around the country or do you just want to take it out on a couple trips per year? If you plan to make an RV your new full time home, you will require more facets, and a bigger vehicle than if you would only be using it once or twice per year. In addition, you have to think about the number of people who will be riding around in it, as well as any pets. Remember that it’s not just a pondering of the number of people and items you’ll be able to fit into an RV, but also about being able to live comfortably in your new vehicle.

Try to keep your emotions out of your selection and buying process as much as possible only because you need to be totally practical about your needs. One salient question concerns weight and the maximum safe carrying capacity of a particular RV. Some things people take with them on trips are heavy! So just keep that in mind for safety reasons. You never know how your RV will react if you subject it to payload overload. Before you go shopping, just be ready by already knowing as accurately as possible the payload weight of your family and belongings.

People who purchase recreational vehicles sometimes make the mistake of not considering what kind of features and layout they need before they buy one. Your RV isn’t simply a vehicle it’s your home away from home and must suit your lifestyle. When you begin shopping you’ll probably notice little things that make a big difference. If these are conveniences you use regularly they can make a rather large dent in your comfort level. As you are trying to decide which rv is right for you picture your belongings being in it and think how it will suit your needs.

Buying a recreational vehicle is not something you can do in one step. You have to completely investigate the subject and once you’ve come across one you like, you then need to make sure that all is in decent working order, and that the paperwork is authentic. The more time you take before you acquire an RV, the less stress you’ll have to endure in the future. The strategies mentioned above will help you to navigate your way around the process of buying a great recreational vehicle. Last but not least, don’t forget to read this post called “Sea Eagle SE 9“.

The National Parks System Offers a Myriad of Opportunities for Disabled Travelers

I’ve said it before, but I am happy to reiterate that traveling in a motorhome is a very comfortable and affordable means of transportation for the disabled.  It allows you to explore different parts of our country and experience some unforgettable opportunities.  I can think of nothing more awesome than a trip to our National Parks.

There are 391 areas in the National Parks System covering more than 84 million acres.  These areas consist of National Parks, National Seashores, National Forests, historical and military areas, as well as scenic and recreational trails and waterways.  All are kept immaculately clean, amply staffed, and easily accessible.

The National Parks Service offers a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass absolutely free to disabled persons.  This Pass, called America the Beautiful Pass, allows the pass holder, plus three additional persons in their party, free entrance to federal recreational sites that charge a free.  It also provides a 50% discount on extra activities such as camping, swimming, boat launching, tours, and specialized services for the cardholder.  Concessionaries (gift shops, food, etc.) are usually not included in this discount.

The America the Beautiful Pass is a lifetime free pass and can only be obtained in person at any National Park.  In order to obtain this pass, you must provide valid documentation for your disability.  This documentation can include a written physicians statement; documentation from a Federal agency such as the Veterans Administration or Social Security Disability Income; proof of Supplementary Income; or a document issued by a state agency.

The National Parks System wants their parks accessible and enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their disability.  Many provide specialized programs in which to participate.  The best way to find out about these programs is to investigate the parks via www.nps.gov.  It is also highly recommended to visit each park’s Welcome Center upon arrival, in order to take full advantage of the programs and activities they offer.

Depending on the disability needs and the particular National Park, there are a variety of services offered.  Most offer ADA compliant tours; some tours are accessible with assistance.  For the visually impaired, audio stations and Braille are used to describe the sights and history in detail.  Service animals are permitted, but due to safety issues, some areas are limited.  For the hearing impaired, employees using sign language assist; as well as the Hearing Helper, which amplifies the audio descriptions.

There are wheelchair accessible decks and doors, as well as paved boardwalks at many of the scenic vistas.  Tram service, golf carts, and beach wheelchairs, which are ambulatory in sand and shallow water, allow access to areas within the National Parks.  For those who cannot get to these sights, CD-Rom, photos, and touchable exhibits are available in the Welcome Centers and Ranger Stations.

Many of our National Parks are easily accessible by motorhome.  The roadways are easily drivable and pull-offs are large enough to afford ample space in which to accommodate the motorhome so the breathtaking views can be enjoyed and appreciated by all.  Some campsites are also specifically reserved for those with disabilities.

Our National Parks System has been set up in order for all of us to experience our country’s natural beauty and history.  Because of a few extra considerations, like free access, special tours, and ADA compliancy, those with disabilities can enjoy our National Parks, as well.

Related articles:

• The Best Of National Parks (slideshare.net)
• Miami daytrip: A journey to the Everglades (locals.oyster.com)

RV Camping – Chicken, Alaska

A motorhome is a very good option of transportation in which a disabled person can travel.  The seating is large and comfortable.  There is ample room in which to maneuver inside the motorhome. The luxury of having bathroom and bedroom facilities “on-board” proves to come in very handy, too.  Everything is within easy reach, including food, clothing, and toiletries.  It is because of these comforts that we are able to travel extensively in our motorhome.

Although all of our road trips are memorable, some are more so than others.  One such trip includes our motorhome trip to Alaska.  We entered Alaska via “Top of the World” Highway, where we truly had a bird’s eye view.  The sights were not only amazing, but experiencing it in a motorhome gave us a new respect for paved roadways.

After crossing customs into Alaska, we traveled another 43 miles via a dirt, “wash-board” road to the first town:  Chicken.  Chicken, Alaska was established in 1903 as a mining camp and post office.  It got its name from the chicken-like Ptarmigan bird, which is plentiful in that area.   Miners wanted to name their camp “Ptarmigan”, but were unable to spell it and settled for “Chicken”…so the story goes.

Chicken, Alaska is actually quite an interesting and unique place.  It has a population of 21 in the summer; six in the winter.  It consists of a gas station, a saloon, a liquor store, a gift shop/mercantile/emporium, a cafe, a gold mining dredge, and a post office.  Dry camping is available in a flat, dirt parking lot.

Chicken, Alaska has no electricity…it runs on generators.  There is also no running water; water is hand-pumped from a well.  There are no bathrooms…outhouses are used.  There is also no telephone service.  Amazingly, Chicken does have Wi-Fi.  We were able to sit comfortably at a table in the cafe, enjoying our espresso, and go online; the generator motors humming noisily behind us.

We were encouraged to drive our motorhome on a narrow, pine tree-lined dirt lane to see the Post Office, which consists of a one-room log structure.  The Post Office is open Monday through Friday, but the mail plane only stops on Tuesday and Friday for delivery and pick-up services.  Talk about having to “plan ahead”.

Upon approaching the driveway which goes up a mountainside, we came eye-to-eye with a moose sculpture directly in front of us.  I think to myself, “How appropriate that the first Alaska Post Office that we see has a statue of a moose.”  As we try to maneuver our motorhome around this sculpture, which we notice also consists of two baby moose on each side, it m-o-v-e-s!  It isn’t a sculpture at afterall…it’s real.  Mommy moose and twins make their way back into the thick woods.  What a thrill for us to have seen this sight.

Traveling in a motorhome is a wonderful way for disabled persons to easily see the sights.  We didn’t see that darn “Ptarmigan” in Chicken, but we did see a moose and her two babies.  What a memory!

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Choosing The Ideal Motorhome

Many people with disabilities choose to use a motor home (RV) for much of their traveling.  While they can be rented for single trips, buying one seemed to be the right choice for this writer (Laura Weaver) and her husband.

The compact, efficient nature of the RV make it quite handy for people with some types of disabilities.  RVs also offer an ability to view the sights from the over-sized windows and windshield while you travel.

Three years ago, my husband and I made the ever-important decision to purchase an RV. Once we made this decision, we had the overwhelming task of deciding what kind of RV to purchase. Luckily, we had several friends who already owned RVs helping us by offering their knowledgeable experience. However, we had a very difficult choice in spite of their advice and opinions since there are so many different styles of RVs from which to choose, and we became quite confused.

Types Of RVs

There are actually two types of RV categories. The first category I will address are Towables. Towable RVs are, just as the name indicates, those which you tow behind your vehicle. They include travel trailers and fifth wheels. Both of these types of RVs have their pros and cons.

Good points in a towable RV include:
1. Interior is divided into actual, more private rooms; bedroom and bathroom are upstairs in a fifth wheel.
2. Easy to maneuver (back, turn, and park).
3. Your driving vehicle is always with you.

Disadvantages in a towable RV are:
1. Can be difficult to level.
2. Very little basement storage area.
3. Traveling to and from destinations may cause damage to items that aren’t secured properly, and you have no way of knowing the damage occurred until you arrive at your destination.

The second category of RV type is the Motorhome. Motorhomes are all-in-one, drivable RVs. They consist of a cockpit area for the driver and passenger; a living/kitchen/dinette area; a bathroom and a bedroom area. These, too, have pros and cons to consider.

Pros of  a Motorhome:
1. Convenience of having everything at your fingertips while on the road. (Can also investigate noises and fix items that need securing during travel.)
2. Lots of basement storage
3. Easy leveling with automatic jacks.

Cons of a Motorhome:
1. Noisy ride.
2. Have to tow your extra vehicle, so can’t back up without unhooking tow vehicle.
3. Maneuverability can sometimes prove difficult.

After considering these RV choices, and weighing in on the pros and cons of each, we decided to select a Motorhome as our Recreational Vehicle. The main contributing factor in this decision was the fact that we didn’t already have a truck/heavy-duty vehicle in which to pull the Towable RV. Although it was a thought-provoking decision to make, we are pleased with our choice.