Candy B. Harrington

About Candy B. Harrington

As a travel writer since 1977, Candy Harrington has been writing about accessible travel exclusively since 1996. She’s the founding editor of Emerging Horizons, and the author of the popular Barrier-Free Travel national park series. With thousands of bylines to her credit, Candy hits the road often, in search of new accessible travel finds. Candy and her travel photographer husband Charles Pannell reside in NE Washington, where they tend to their chicken flock and enjoy a rural lifestyle.

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Bishop Mule Days Coming Soon

Bishop Mule Days Coming Soon

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Opening Ceremony at Bishop Mule Days

Although Memorial Day is celebrated in a variety of ways across the country, the Eastern Sierra town of Bishop marks this traditional beginning of summer with Bishop Mule Days (muledays.org). This annual event, which promotes the heritage, legacy and talents of mules; draws mule teams and spectators from across the west, and offers a week filled with fun, festivities and good old fashioned western entertainment. Although the 2025 event technically runs from May 20 to May 26, the highlights of the festivities are the weekend parade and arena events.

Everyone Loves a Parade

20 Mule Team at the Bishop Mule Days Parade

The Bishop Mule Days Parade, which is billed as the world’s longest non-motorized parade, is definitely a crowd favorite. It begins at 10 AM at South and Main Streets and travels north on Main Street. This festive event features mule teams, horses, wagons, bands and lots of mules with costumed riders. You never know quite what you’ll see, as the popular costume contest has a different theme every year.

Accessible parking for the parade is available in front of the Bishop Dog Park, but it’s best to ask the officer at the Main Street road block to direct you to other accessible parking areas. The good news is that the town is pretty flat, so it’s easy to navigate in a wheelchair. The not so good news is that the parade draws a huge crowd, so accessible parking can be difficult to find. The best plan of action is to arrive early for first crack at the accessible parking spots, then have a leisurely breakfast and stake out a place to watch the parade. It’s an extremely popular event, and many locals even save their spots with chairs as early as Friday afternoon.

2025 Bishop Mule Days Rodeo

The bulk of the other events take place at the Tri-County Fairgrounds over the next two days. Accessible parking is available in the fairgrounds parking lot, and a paved level pathway leads from the parking area, around the mule barns to the grandstand. Accessible seating for up to two people is available in Box 1 in the grandstand, and for groups of three or more in the first rows of Sections A and E. It’s best to call (760) 872-4263 and order your tickets as far in advance as possible. Additionally, it’s extremely important to specify that you need accessible seating when you place your order.

The arena events resemble something akin to a mule rodeo, where the packers show off their skills. The whole event is steeped in tradition, as mule packers are a fixture in the Sierras for back country camping, hunting and rescue operations. There are no money prizes for the winners, but the bragging rights are huge.

The Main Events

The Scramble that starts the Individual Packing Event

A variety of different competitions are held in the arena, but here’s a sampling of some of the events you can expect to see.

Timed Packers Choice

Packers lead their mule strings over and around their choice of obstacles in this timed event. Obstacles range from bridges, gates, water hazards and logs. Packers earn one point for each obstacle they navigate successfully.

Coon Jumping

In this event, handlers encourage their mules to jump over a bar from a standstill. The bar is raised until there is one mule left. The contest takes its name from the practice of jumping mules over fences during coon hunts. There’s always a laugh or two during this contest as some mules are very hesitant to jump.

Individual Packing

A variety of objects, including ice chests, washtubs, pots and pans are laid out on the ground. Packers then pack everything on their two mules, cover the load with a tarp, and attempt to race to the finish line without losing anything.

Run, Ride and Lead

In this fast-paced event packers run to their mules which are located on the opposite side of the arena. Next they ride their mules back to the start, then lead the animals back across the arena. In the end, more than one packer usually ends up on the ground.

Team Pack Scramble

One of the highlights of the arena events is the Team Pack Scramble. Packers lead their mule strings into the arena, then unpack and unharness the animals. Cowboys then fire blank shots into the air to disperse the animals. Packers must round up their animals, repack them, assemble their strings, then lead them by horseback out of the arena for a lap around the parking lot. A real crowd pleaser!

Make Plans to Attend!

Although distinctly different from a traditional rodeo, Bishop Mule Days is a fun, family-friendly way to celebrate Memorial Day. Afternoon and evening arena events are held on Saturday and Sunday, and you can get a single ticket or a buy an all-event pass. Get your tickets early though, as this popular event sells out quickly. Don’t miss the 2025 celebration – a tradition that dates back 55 years.

Barrier-Free TravelYosemite, Sequoia and Kings CanyonNational Parksfor Wheelers and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

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Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon
National Parks
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Accessible Romania Tours

Accessible Romania Tours

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Strada Turnului – Sighisoara, Romania

Bucharest-based Accessible Romania offers a number of a tour options for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. They have a ramped wheelchair-accessible van available for transfers and tours. This large vehicle can carry up to two wheelchairs and five seated passengers, with room for luggage.

The agency offers a number of day tours, including a wheelchair-friendly tour of Bucharest. It includes transportation in an accessible van with stops at The Palace of Parliament, The Old Center, The Village Museum and Herastrau Park. An English speaking guide and admission to all attractions is included in this all-day tour.

If you’d like a longer tour, then their Accessible Transylvania Tour is your best choice. It includes transfers from Bucharest and stops at Sinaia, Busteni, Brasoe, Sighisoara, Cluj Napoca, Alba lulia and Sibiu. This eight-day tour includes transportation in an accessible van and accommodations at four-star “cozy hotels.”

Although Accessible Romania focuses on inclusion and strives to provide accessible services, there still may be some limits for full time wheelchair-users due to the existing infrastructure in Romania. That said, many of their tours are good choices for seniors and slow walkers. It’s hoped that Accessible Romania will create a greater awareness of access needs in the tourism sector, which will hopefully open up accessible tourism and improve the facilities in Romania. For more information about their offerings, visit accessibleromania.com.

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101 Accessible Vacations
Travel Ideas
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Can Hotels Charge More for Accessible Rooms?

Can Hotels Charge More for Accessible Rooms?

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I just booked an accessible hotel room in a Los Angeles hotel and it was $25 more than the non-accessible room that a friend booked. Can hotels charge more for accessible rooms? I thought that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibited discrimination like this. Is this legal, and if not, what can I do about it?

The Law

Although discrimination on the basis of disability is prohibited in the US, there isn’t enough information to determine if the hotel in question violated the ADA. Under the ADA, hotels are required to have a certain number of accessible rooms based on their size. That number ranges from one accessible room for a property with 25 rooms, to nine accessible rooms in a property with 500 rooms. And properties that have more than 500 rooms are required to have 2% of their rooms flagged as accessible rooms.

But no matter how many rooms a property has, the accessible rooms are supposed to be distributed evenly among the various room types. What does that mean exactly? Well if they have multiple accessible rooms, they have to be equally distributed between the economy rooms and the high-end rooms. It also means that they should offer a choice in bed types, or other amenities such as ocean views.

The problem comes in when the property only has one or two accessible rooms, but a large variety of room types. Then some choices have to be made on how to allocate the rooms so that guests who need these rooms will have a reasonable choice.

Can hotels charge more for accessible rooms? Yes and no. They can’t charge more for an accessible room in the same rate category; however if all the accessible rooms in the lower rate category are booked, and the only accessible room left is one in a higher rate category, then yes you will have to pay that higher rate for that accessible room. 

The Solution

The solution to your problem begins with contacting the hotel. Address your access concerns with the property manager. Ask about the property size, and the allocation of the accessible rooms in different rate categories. And be sure to write down those figures for future reference.

If the accessible rooms seem evenly split in all the rate categories, then you really don’t have any recourse. It could be that they had lower rate standard rooms available, but if all of the lower rate accessible rooms were already booked, then the only thing left for you was an accessible room in a higher rate category. So if that’s the case, you’re out of luck. That’s one reason it pays to book early, because the lower rate rooms usually fill up first. Of course it doesn’t hurt to ask for a credit, or a discount on a future stay for your troubles, but the hotel is not required to give you anything.

On the other hand ,if the property has a disproportionate number of accessible rooms in the higher rate category, you should definitely ask for the difference between the lower rate room and the higher rate room. And remember to remind the manager what the ADA requires.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to file an ADA complaint. Even if you are compensated, the property should still be up to ADA standards. After all, you don’t want this to happen again — to you or anyone else. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking compensation from a property and also filing an ADA complaint. The ADA complaint won’t get you any compensation, but it could help effect change.

Filing an ADA complaint is easy. You can do it online or by mail. Just follow the instructions at www.ada.gov/file-a-complaint/.

More Resources

Of course, this issue is just the tip of the iceberg as far as accessible travel problems are concerned. With that in mind here are a few resources to help you adequately address other access shortfalls.

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Glacier, Yellowstone
and Grand Teton National Parks
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Hendy Woods: Explore the Accessible Redwoods

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Hendy Woods: Explore the Accessible Redwoods

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Hendy Woods State Park

Located in sleepy Mendocino County, just east of the hamlet of Philo, Hendy Woods State Park (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=438) is home to an off-the-beaten-path wheelchair-accessible redwood grove. And although it’s easy to pass by this secluded park, it’s definitely worth a slight detour on any road trip along scenic Highway 128. Whether it’s for a picnic and a short stroll, a longer hike through the grove, or even a sleep-over in a camping cabin, a stop at Hendy Woods offers wheelchair-users and slow walkers an abundance of options.

Wander Through the Grove

All Access Trail in Hendy Woods State Park

There are several wheelchair-accessible hikes in Hendy Woods, but they all begin in the day use area parking lot. There’s accessible parking in the lot with level access over to the picnic area, where you’ll find several accessible tables under the trees. There’s also an accessible vault toilet near the parking area.

The shortest accessible trail begins on the other side of the picnic area. The .3-mile All Access Trail, is wide, level and doable for just about everyone. The hard-packed dirt trail, which winds through Big Hendy Grove, is lined with redwoods and ferns. The trail ends on the park road; and from there you can double back through the redwoods for a .6-mile hike, or roll along the paved park road back to the day use area.

The accessible Discovery Loop Trail, which branches off of the All Access Trail, is another good choice. This .45 mile hard-packed dirt trail travels through the grove for a nice .85-mile hike. And if you’re up for a longer stroll, then take the Upper Loop Trail which branches off the Discovery Loop for a nice 1.8-mile hike through the grove.

Camp in the Redwoods

Puma Cabin in Hendy Woods Redwood State Park

Although spending the day at Hendy Woods is a treat, there’s nothing quite like spending the night surrounded by the giant redwoods. And although the Azalea Campground offers four accessible campsites, the adjacent Wildcat Campground also boasts a comfortable wheelchair-accessible camping cabin.

The Puma Cabin (1), which is located right across from the visitor center, is pretty basic, but it will save you from pitching a tent. There’s accessible parking on a cement slab in front of the unit, with level access over to the front door. Although there’s a slight lip on the threshold, most folks can bump over it easily. Inside there’s plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair around the bunk bed (double on bottom, single on top), wood stove, table and bench. Bedding is not provided, and you’ll definitely want to bring an air mattress or an egg crate, as the wooden bunks are bare – and hard. Outside there’s level access to a raised grill and an accessible picnic table.

There’s no water or plumbing in the cabin, but an accessible showerhouse is just a short roll away. Both the men’s and women’s sides include a accessible stall, roll-under sinks, and roll-in showers with grab bars, a lowered showerhead and a built-in shower bench. The pay slots for the showers are within easy wheelchair reach, and the accessible shower stalls also feature enlarged changing areas.

Accessible Shower and Toilet in the Showerhouse at Hendy Woods Redwood State Park

All in all the Puma cabin is a rustic but comfortable wheelchair-accessible lodging option. After all, how often do you get to spend the night in an ancient redwood grove?

Barrier-Free TravelCalifornia National ParkRoad Tripsfor Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

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California National Park
Road Trips
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airport

Wheelchair-User Nabbed for Smuggling at ORD

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Last month Elaine Perez-Pena was arrested at O’Hare International Airport for smuggling cocaine. I guess that’s not big news by itself, but to add a little twist to the story, Perez-Pena is supposedly a wheelchair-user — or at least she had a wheelchair in her possession at the time of her arrest. She later admitted that she really didn’t physically require a wheelchair, and the only purpose of her assistive device was to conceal illegal drugs.

Cocaine in the Cushions

So here’s how the smuggling bust went down. Perez-Pena was selected for a secondary inspection after she deplaned in Chicago, not because she was a wheelchair-user, but because she was previously convicted of drug smuggling in 2022. So they gave her luggage a through once-over, and put her wheelchair through the x-ray machine. Although nothing was found in her luggage, there were some abnormalities in the wheelchair cushions X-rays. Subsequently a drug-sniffing dog alerted to the wheelchair, so the authorities tore it apart and found an impressive 14 kilograms of cocaine.

This incident was quite a step up from her last endeavor in 2021, when she concealed a mere three kilograms of cocaine in her luggage on her return from the Dominican Republic. She pleaded guilty to that offense and ended up with “time served” which was about nine months in jail. Perhaps she’ll be in custody a little longer for this offense.

Increased Scrutiny for Wheelchair-Users?

Of course since Perez-Pena used a wheelchair to smuggle her goods, many folks are wondering if wheelchair-users will now receive closer scrutiny when passing through airport security checkpoints in the US? I don’t really think so. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure every TSA employee in the country is aware of this wheelchair-related bust, so they’ll be more aware of the possibility that assistive devices can be used to conceal drugs. That said, Perez-Pena isn’t the first person hide contraband in a wheelchair, so I think this incident will serve as a gentle reminder rather than a great revelation.

For example, in September 2024, a passenger’s power wheelchair was flagged for secondary screening at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, due to unusually large cushions. After an x-ray revealed a hidden metal compartment, the wheelchair was more closely examined and 12 kilos of cocaine were uncovered.

And then there was the traveler at JFK International Airport in New York, who tried to hide over $450,000 of cocaine in her wheelchair wheels. She was flagged for secondary screening when a TSA agent noticed that some of her wheelchair wheels were not turning. That was a big red flag!

So although wheelchair-users may receive a closer look from TSA agents, they probably won’t be flagged for a more intensive screening unless some anomalies are spotted. Or if the wheelchair-user happens to be a convicted smuggler.

What to Expect at Security Checkpoints

Security checkpoints are a necessary evil of modern airline travel, but on the plus side the TSA has specific guidelines about how to professionally and respectfully screen wheelchair-users.

And although TSA PreCheck can help streamline the process a bit, there are still some limitations of that program for wheelchair-users. The good news is that you don’t have to remove your shoes, belts, laptops or liquids when you go through the TSA PreCheck line. And that makes the whole screening process a lot easier for everyone.

That said if you cannot stand and walk through the metal detector — in any line — you will need to undergo a manual pat down. And if there is any sort of flag or alarm during the pat down, then your personal property, carry on and wheelchair may be subject to additional screening. So suffice it to say that if your cushion looks like an overstuffed chair, or the wheels on your wheelchair don’t turn, then it’s off to the x-ray machine for your equipment. And most likely a drug-sniffing dog will also be called in to check your personal property if you are suspected of smuggling.

But for the majority of wheelchair-users, the security checkpoint won’t present any problems. That said, it pays to be prepared, so check out these handy tips before you hit the security checkpoint on your next trip. (https://emerginghorizons.com/the-disabled-traveler-and-airport-security).

Museums-Calaveras-County-1885

Four Calaveras County Museums Worth a Stop

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Located in the heart of California’s gold country, Calaveras County is chock full of wild west history. From Mark Twain’s famous jumping frog, to pop-up gold rush towns, and even a guest appearance or two by Kit Carson, there’s no shortage of tales — some taller than others — woven around this area. And there’s no better way to immerse yourself in the history and learn about the colorful past of the gold country than to visit a few Calaveras County museums. Although things were a little rough and tumble back in the wild west days, today these museums offer good access for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

Downtown Museum

Sheriff’s Office in the San Andreas Downtown Museum

historicalcalaveras.com/downtown-museum
The best place to start your tour of Calaveras County museums is in San Andreas, at the Downtown Museum. This historic complex is located in three side-by-side buildings, which date back to the 1800s — the old Courthouse and Jail, the Hall of Records and the Odd Fellows Hall.

Although steps grace the historic front entrance, an alternate entrance is available for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Instead on entering the museum from the Main Street entrance, drive around the back of the complex on California Street and park in the accessible parking spot behind the museum. There is a locked gate next to the accessible parking space, which has ramped access to the museum courtyard. To access the gate ring the bell — a real cow bell not a door bell — or call (209) 754-4658. Alternatively, if you’re traveling with a companion, just have them go to the front desk to arrange access.

Inside there’s elevator access to the second floor of the courthouse, which includes the judge’s chambers, law library and the courtroom where Black Bart was tried. There are historical exhibits set up throughout the space and they include everything from a vintage kitchen to a collection of old typewriters, lots of photos, and some artifacts from the native Miwok people. And don’t miss the vault which contains the altar from the Comanche Catholic Church of Immaculate Conception, which was dismantled in 1962.

There’s level access to the courtyard out back but the path to the assay office and the old jail is uneven and too bumpy for wheelchair-users. Still it’s a nice stop and the buildings that you can access are filled with history.

Angels Camp Museum

Stagecoach in the Angels Camp Museum

gocalaveras.com/business/attractions/angels-camp-museum-gift-shop
Next up on the list of Calaveras County Museums is the Angels Camp Museum, which is located about 15 minutes south of San Andreas, on historic US 49. As an added bonus, the Calaveras Visitors Bureau is also located in the main museum building. There’s a flat gravel parking area in front of the building, with level access to the museum. Inside you’ll find exhibits that outline the story behind the Calaveras County Frog Jump, and everything from a vintage trophy to some frog cages.

From the main building there’s stairway access in the back to the other parts of this sprawling museum. That said, wheelchair-users can drive down and park in the accessible parking space in front of the Carriage House. From there, it’s a short level roll to the building. This part of the museum focuses on vintage transportation used in the area, and it includes a nice collection of wagons, steam engines, a fire truck and even a stagecoach. Docents are on hand to answer questions, and this building is a huge hit with kids.

There’s also accessible parking in front of the Mining & Ranching Building, which is located a short walk away. That said, wheelchair-users may want to drive as the path has a slight downhill slope. Exhibits include everything from an old print shop, mining tools and a textile shop, to farming implements, minerals and a nice collection of crystals.

There’s also an old stamp mill near the mining exhibit, and although the pathway is paved, some manual wheelchair-users may require a bit of assistance. And take along a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds, as there’s level access over to some shaded picnic tables.

Heritage Museum

The 44-pound Kautz Crystalline gold specimen in the Heritage Museum at Ironstone Vineyards

www.IronstoneVineyards.com
Although most folks head over to Ironstone vineyards to enjoy a little vino, there’s also a nice collection of historic artifacts in their Heritage Museum. From Angels Camp, continue along Highway 4 to Murphys, then follow Six Mile Road until you hit the winery. It’s a pleasant 15-minute drive through the countryside.

Accessible parking is located near the museum, with level access to the building. As you enter the winery, bear right to visit the museum. There’s plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair through the museum and adjacent gift shop, which includes a good collection of old mining photos. equipment and documents.

That said, the highlight of the museum is located around the corner, in the vault. The Kautz Crystalline gold specimen, which weighs in at a whopping 44 pounds, is the largest crystalline gold specimen in the world. It was found in nearby Jamestown at the Sonora Mining Corporation Mine in 1992, and was subsequently purchased by Ironstone Vineyard proprietor John Kautz. This unique specimen consists of layers of gold separated by rock, and is said to be the rarest form of gold. To describe it as stunning is an understatement.

The vault also includes some mineral displays, some ancient bones, a few meteorite slabs and even some old coins. And if you’d like to learn more about the history of the area, the adjacent gift shop has a nice collection of books.

The Heritage Museum is well worth a stop, and best of all, there’s no admission charge.

Sierra Nevada Logging Museum

Outside exhibits at the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum in Arnold

sierraloggingmuseum.org
Last but not least on the list of Calaveras County museums is the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum over in Arnold. From Murphys, continue east on Highway 4 and turn left on Dunbar Road. If you hit White Pines Park, turn around, as you’ve gone too far.

There’s accessible parking near the museum, with a level pathway near the entrance. Inside there’s plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair around the exhibits, and wheelchair-accessible family restrooms are located near the front desk. Additionally, there’s barrier-free access to the picnic table on the back deck, which is a great spot to enjoy lunch, or just take a short break.

Exhibits range from forest management and the bark beetle, to the logger lifestyle, tools of the trade and even a display of logging camps. And volunteers are on hand to field questions or offer a deeper interpretation of the exhibits. Outside there’s a large collection of logging equipment under the pines. There is a mostly level trail that leads around the various saws, steam donkeys and a vintage Yosemite Lumber Company engine. And although there are a few rough patches here and there, the majority of the outdoor exhibits are manageable for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

Visitors will come away with a new knowledge of forest management and a definite appreciation of the hard work of loggers. There’s no admission to this excellent museum, which is staffed by volunteers; but plan ahead as hours and days of operation are limited.

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Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon
National Parks
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south-carolina-track

South Carolina Track Chair Program

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After a hunting accident left Jacob Beisecker with a spinal cord injury, he was determined to continue his active outdoor lifestyle. While he was in rehabilitation at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Jacob discovered a mobility device that could make that dream a reality — a track chair. This offroad power wheelchair is outfitted with tank tracks instead of wheels, which allows it to navigate uneven terrain. After Jacob tried it out, he knew it was just what he needed to enjoy the outdoors. Sadly though, this expensive piece of adaptive equipment was out of his price range.

After he returned home, Jacob continued to search for an affordable offroad option, and as luck would have it he stumbled across a used track chair within his budget. He snapped it up and proceeded to explore the South Carolina outdoor areas that he had always enjoyed. But then he thought that there were probably others like him, who would benefit from a track chair but couldn’t afford one. And so, Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs (www.waymakeroffroadwheelchairs.com) was born. Today this South Carolina non-profit provides loaner track chairs to wheelchair-users and slow walkers, who want to enjoy Mother Nature.

Pick Up a Track Chair

Headquartered in Hartsville, Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs has a fleet of track chairs available to loan. Reserving a South Carolina track chair is easy. Just go to https://docs.google.com/forms/  and fill out the form. The track chairs are usually loaned out for a day or two, but they are available for up to a week if needed.

A small utility trailer is also available for loan; however if your vehicle cannot pull a trailer, delivery can be arranged. The delivery option is only available within 100 miles of Hartsville, on Saturdays from April to September. There’s no deposit needed to borrow a track chair; however a valid drivers license is required. The track chairs are also GPS traceable.

A number of accessories are available for the track chairs, including a headrest and an umbrella holder. They also have a four-point harness for folks who lack trunk control. And if you like to hunt or fish, don’t forget to request the gun mount, shooting rest or fishing rod holder.

Hunters will be happy to hear that track chairs are also permitted in all South Carolina Wildlife Management Areas. In the end, the choice is totally yours — you might even want to check out Myrtle Beach, which is just a few hours from the Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs headquarters.

Track Chairs at State & County Parks

If you’re not able to pick up a track chair, you can also borrow a South Carolina track chair at many state and county parks through Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs. These can be reserved online at https://www.waymakeroffroadwheelchairs.com/state-parks . Your drivers license will be held as a deposit when you pick up the track chair, and returned when you are through.

Track chairs are currently available at:

  • Huntington Beach State Park
  • Edisto Beach State Park
  • Ghivans Ferry State Park
  • Hampton Plantation
  • Hunting Island State Park
  • Oconee State Park
  • Sadlers Creek State Park

Jacob hopes to be able to expand the track chair loaner program in the future, so check the Waymaker Offroad Wheelchair website for new locations. Says Jacob, “We’re totally donor funded and are looking for corporate and individual donors to help sponsor us. These chairs made a huge difference in my recovery journey to be able to get back outdoors doing the things I love.” For more information about Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs, visit their website, call (843) 287-7986 or e-mail WaymakerOffroadWheelchairs@gmail.com.

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the Grand Canyon
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MaedaAkihiko, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Accessible Japan Resource

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If a trip to Japan is in your future, then surf on by the Accessible Japan website (www.accessible-japan.com); a consumer-created resource with details about wheelchair-accessible attractions, transportation and lodging throughout Japan. Additionally, the website includes information about wheelchair-accessible day tours, and companies that offer wheelchair-accessible options. Essential information about getting around, accessible transfers, disability discounts, equipment rentals, voltage and suggested guide books and resources are also included. And if you’d like to know about something that isn’t listed on the website, there’s a link to a forum where you can ask additional questions.
All in all,  it’s a very comprehensive resource for accessible travel in Japan.

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Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon
National Parks
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

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Water Wheelchairs at Florida State Parks

Water Wheelchairs at Florida State Parks

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Although many Florida state parks have beach wheelchairs, thanks to a partnership between the Florida State Parks Foundation (floridastateparksfoundation.org) and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation (preservesurfingbeaches.org) a handful of state parks also have water wheelchairs. Unlike standard beach wheelchairs, the water wheelchairs — also called floating wheelchairs — have buoyant armrests so they can also be taken out into the surf. There’s no charge to use the water wheelchairs at Florida State Parks, but the checkout procedures vary from park to park, so contact the parks directly for more information,

Here’s where you can find the Florida State Park water wheelchairs:

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Favorite Florida Parks
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

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Shenandoah National Park for Wheelchair-Users

Shenandoah National Park for Wheelchair-Users

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Shenandoah National Park

Located in Northwestern Virginia, Shenandoah National Park (www.nps.gov/shen) encompasses nearly 200,000 acres of protected lands, including 79,000 acres of wilderness, and a slice of the Appalachian Trail. Truly you don’t even have to get out of your car to enjoy Shenandoah’s majesty, as impressive windshield views can be had just about anywhere along the 105-mile length of Skyland Drive. That said, the park is worth more than a quick drive-through. The good news is, that if you’d like to stay and linger on, Skyland mountain lodge offers some nice wheelchair-accessible accommodations, close to one of the most accessible trails in the park.

A Room With a View

Located near milepost 41, Skyland (www.goshenandoah.com), which was originally known as Stony Mountain Camp, dates back to 1888. And although there have been a few changes to the property since George Freeman Pollock originally broke ground, the natural beauty of the surrounding forest remains unchanged. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this mountain lodge has also added numerous access upgrades over the years.

Accessible parking is located near the lodge office, with an accessible cement pathway down to the front door. Accessible room 14 is located near the office, with accessible parking nearby. This large corner room not only offers excellent access, but also boasts a lovely valley view.

Room 14 at Skyland in Shenandoah National Park

Access features include wide doorways, wood floors, lever handles, a lowered closet rod, and good pathway access. Furnishings include a 19-inch high open-frame king-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides, two night tables, a chest of drawers and a table with two chairs. And if you want to catch up on the news, there’s also a television in the room.

The bathroom features a full five-foot turning radius, and it’s equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead, and a fold-down padded shower bench. The toilet grab bars are located on the back and right walls (as seated), and the bathroom also has a roll-under sink and a lowered mirror. Add in shower controls located within easy reach of the shower seat, and a lowered towel hook near the sink, and you have a very accessible room.

Bathroom in Room 14 at Skyland in Shenandoah National Park

And out on the semi-private front porch, there’s plenty of room to maneuver even the largest wheelchair or scooter. It’s the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the sunset, or to just relax after a busy travel day.

Take A Hike

Access to the public areas of Skyland — which are located next to the office — is equally impressive. There’s barrier-free access to the day lodge, with level access over to the Mountain Room taproom, gift shop and grab-and-go food kiosk. Accessible restrooms are located just off the lobby; and there’s ramp access down to the Pollock Dining Room, which also offers a great view of Shenandoah National Park. Not only is Skyland a great place to spend the night, but it’s also a very accessible spot to grab a bite to eat during the day.

Limberlost Trail in Shenandoah National Park

Additionally, Skyland is located close to the nicely accessible Limberlost Trail. There’s accessible parking near the trailhead, with level access over to this hard-packed dirt trail covered with decomposed granite. The 1.3-mile trail begins in an oak-filled wooded area with ferns and mountain laurels; before it transitions to a wetlands boardwalk, and then crosses the river and loops back to the trailhead.

This area is especially beautiful in June, when the mountain laurels are in bloom, but it also makes for a pleasant hike in the spring and fall. And you can enjoy all of this beauty, just steps from the lodge. It’s definitely worth an overnight stay at Skyland, on your next visit visit to Shenandoah National Park.

Barrier-Free Travel22 Accessible Road Tripsfor Wheelers and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
22 Accessible Road Trips
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

Buy the Book
 

 

 

 

 

 

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