Vacationing with Physical Challenges
Written: Feb 15 '01
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Pros: Experience incredible scenery!
Cons: Challenging for someone in a wheelchair or walker.
The Bottom Line: This is a trip well worth taking no matter what your physical limitations might be. Plan ahead, do your homework and plan on having a great time.
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| pkmom's Full Review: Grand Canyon National Park |
This is a vacation experience not to be missed.
With my elderly grandmother and 2 daughters aged 9 and 10 in tow we escaped to the wonders of the Grand Canyon's South Rim in mid-September 1999. It was a trip we'd love to repeat.
Because of the difficulties of making a long trip from Tennessee with my grandmother we chose not to make reservations but decided to stay outside the park in Flagstaff and drive into the park instead. This proved to be a great decision because of the great staff, motel and lack of available motels at the canyon.
We found the Hampton Inn at the Grand Canyon Exit in Flagstaff to be hospitable, and clean. They offered the convenience of a reasonably priced box lunch for 5.95. After chatting with the clerk about food allergy issues, we decided to take them up on this. I was extremely impressed by the length to clerk went to in order to be sure no onions were included in the lunches.
When leaving the motel, we were advised by the staff there "if you see a gas station fill the tank". This also proved to be good advice. Gas stations are extremely limited. We only found one outside the park. Having this information most likely saved us heartache and sore feet.
It was a couple of hours into the park from the motel (counting photo stops). We were not in a rush for the day but planned to take our time seeing the loop and canyon.
The first view was incredible. Used to the mountains of East Tennessee made the contrast all the more breathtaking! We spent quite a bit of time "oohing" and "aaahing".
When we got hungry we found the lunches of ham sandwich and 2 salads were excellent and proved to be a good choice. We were unable to find a restaurant at the Canyon my grandmother could negotiate with her walker. There are facilities available, just none that looked like she could manage. (We were warned about this possibility by a knowledgeable desk clerk at the motel.)
An important note:
The South Rim is a loop you drive through. Other areas of the Grand Canyon are available by shuttle bus. For those traveling with someone disabled, car passes are available. You just need to request a pass at any of the areas marked. Any Ranger will glady guide you if you aren't sure where to make the request. We went through this process but decided since it was late in the day we would turn back. (Sigh! This is the one decision on the trip I regret.)
Part Grandmother's difficulty was the weather. Unfortunately, not only did it rain during the trip, it stormed. Not just a small storm mind you, but it hailed enough that it looked like snow on the ground. This added to the beauty of the trip. It did not make it easier to navigate.
Much of her time was spent gazing from the car window while we took advantage of exploring ruins, and generally seeing what we could. She repeatedly assured us that she could see quite well and was happy.
Only once, after it stopped raining and dried up did she venture from the minivan to go closer to the railing. That she said, was what she came for. She then insisted she could see well enough from the car without the need to be closer to the edge.
Suggestions:
It was a great trip. However, I will be sure to get a car pass for the other rims if we do it again. We may not use it but it would be nice to have another option.
Take more film. We made the mistake of not bringing enough with us. This proved to be costly. Remember that grocery store I mentioned? A four pack of 200 speed film was 18.00. Definitely a lot of money but when compared to not having photos even that price seemed like a bargain.
Take a tour into the canyon.
Tours are available into the canyon from several sources. None of them seemed to be exactly amenable to walkers so we passed. Those without the physical limitations might find these appealing.
Take snacks and drinks:
My grandmother is a diabetic and my daughter has problems with hypoglycemia. We did bring snacks. Not only are the eating places a challenge to navigate, they are few and far between. Bringing a well stocked cooler and the lunches was a definite plus. Even if you don't bring lunch, you will need to bring extra snacks. Even in September, the weather is warm and you are walking around a great deal. Don't underestimate on snacks. Whatever you don't use can always be saved for later.
Spend more time:
Cabins are available at the park for rental but need to be reserved through the park service months in advance. They looked clean and well kept.
Note:
When you first get to the canyon take things slowly. Give yourself time to adjust if you're not used to high altitude.
I have asthma and had no trouble. This doesn't mean I wasn't lucky. My doctor had advised me to bring my nebulizer and a car adapter so it could run from the car's battery. It wasn't needed.
However, we did run into people who did have problems. They were staying at the same motel. When we saw them at breakfast the next morning, they said they weren't prepared for the altitude difference, and had trouble at first but things got better as they adjusted.
Heat:
Carry something with you to drink. This is especially important if you're not used to being outside. Even though it was September things warmed up quickly after the storm. A local person we spoke with said one of the biggest problems vacationers experience is in not drinking enough. Fortunately, this is one area that's easy to avoid.
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: September-November
Recommended for: Familes
Review Topic: Overview
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Epinions.com ID:
pkmom
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Reviews written: 96
Trusted by: 6 members
About Me:
Married Mom of two teens.
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