This local landmark has a fun history, and it’s a nice spot to take a break while driving along Highway 195 in the Palouse. It’s a small site, so if you have an adapted van it’s best to parallel park on the street in front of the tiny park that surrounds the Codger Pole. There’s also standard parking in the Farmers Insurance lot next door. From either point there’s level access to this unusual monument, which also has a picnic table on a cement pad.
The story behind the Codger Pole dates back to a historic 1938 football game between the Colfax Bulldogs and the St. John Eagles. The Colfax team lost, but 50 years later the “old codgers” asked for a rematch, and this time they won. This monument stands to commemorate the resolve and determination of that team. The pole, which is actually comprised of five 65-foot tall cedar poles, was carved with a chainsaw by John LaBenne. It includes the faces of all 51 players along with their original leather football helmets. It’s a fitting tribute to codger-hood.
Created by Jane Orleman and Dick Elliott, this downtown Ellensburg home is decorated in a conglomeration of reflectors and other common items. And it’s more than just a work of art, as Jane still lives there. Sadly Dick passed away in 2008, but his artistic creation lives on in this house that the couple purchased in 1978.
The home is surrounded by a fence with posts adorned with everything from nails and keys, to bottle caps, insulators and even a few cooking implements here and there. A “Life is But a Dream” mural graces one side of the fence, and a nook with a guest book sits near the end. Add in a few insulators on the side, a racy mannequin with reflectors for boobs (Big Red), and a man with a camera for a face and you have everything but the kitchen sink — all artistically done of course. And don’t miss the gigantic hand that adorns the front, near the doorway. Dick and Jane’s Spot is truly a work of art, and everywhere you look, you find something different — and sometimes it’s pretty subtle. Other times, it’s hard to miss.
Access is good around the house, with sidewalks lining the venue, and curb-cuts at the corner. And there’s a little side alley that gives folks access to another aspect of the decorated home. There’s a parking lot that’s adjacent to the house, but there are no accessible parking spaces. Best bet is to park in the accessible street parking spots in front of the police station across the street. If you need accessible parking, set your GPS to 100 N. Pearl Street, as otherwise you’ll be routed through a few parking lots to the side of the house. Worth a quick stop for sure — an excellent photo-op.
Located at the foot of Zafarraya Gorge, just an hour from the Malaga Airport, Villa Zafarraya is an excellent lodging choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. But it wasn’t always that way. Previously, the three-bedroom two-bathroom unit was not wheelchair-accessible; so prior to an extensive renovation the owners sought input from wheelchair-users to determine how to improve access in their villa. Today, after lots of hard work, the results are apparent, and Villa Zafarraya (www.villazafarraya.com) is now truly a wheelchair-accessible Malaga villa.
The Property
Although wheelchair-access was the ultimate goal of the renovation, the owners also wanted to make Villa Zafarraya a relaxing and inviting lodging option, free from any hospital or institutional trappings. And in that respect they greatly exceeded all expectations.
There’s level access from the parking area to this boutique villa, which can sleep two to six people. Inside there’s barrier-free access, with wide doorways and tile floors for easy rolling. Large windows dot the unit, and there are gorgeous views of the swimming pool and gardens from just about everywhere. The large kitchen features a wheelchair-accessible workspace, as well as appliances that are easy to operate from a wheelchair.
Outside, level cement pathways wind through the gardens and around the swimming pool. There’s ramp access to the pool, and you can roll right into it in the provided water wheelchair. And there’s even barrier-free access over to the quiet little nook under the pergola with a table underneath. No matter where you look, you get that true Mediterranean vibe at this wheelchair-accessible Malaga villa. .
A Wheelchair-Accessible Suite
Great care was also paid to the renovation of the wheelchair-accessible suite. There’s good pathway access throughout the bedroom, which is furnished with a double hospital bed. Rest assured, it doesn’t look like a hospital bed though, as the bedding and interior design bring out a true Mediterranean flavor.
There’s a sliding barn door to the adjacent bathroom, which has plenty of room to maneuver even the largest wheelchair. It includes a Continental (no-hub) shower with a hand-held showerhead, a grab bar and a fold-down shower seat. The shower seat can easily be folded up out of the way if you’d prefer to use the included shower/pool wheelchair. Round out this accessible unit with fold-down grab bars on both sides of the toilet, and a roll-under sink, and you have just about everything you need in this wheelchair-accessible Malaga villa.
The Extras
This beautiful rental comes with a lot of extras, as well as some referrals to sometimes hard-to-find accessible services. First off, as noted earlier, it includes a shower wheelchair that can also be used to access the pool via the ramp. A mobile electric hoist is also included in the rental. And if you want to get out and see some of the sights, a lightweight wheelchair that can be easily folded up and put in the back of a car, comes along with the rental. Additionally, if you need additional medical equipment, the owners can recommend a local equipment rental firm.
Finally, if you need an adapted rental car or caregivers while you are in the area, the owners can refer you to the appropriate folks. It’s a full service rental package. Best of all, you won’t pay extra for any of these access features or services, as this wheelchair-accessible Malaga villa is competitively priced. All in all, it’s a great vacation pick.
Barrier-Free Travel 101 Accessible Vacations Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Built in 1936, the El Rancho Hotel entices prospective guests with the phrase “The charm of yesterday and the conveniences of tomorrow” emblazoned across its front portal. The main building is constructed largely of brick, with stone and wood finishing touches. Inside it’s like a step back into another century – from the vintage shoe shine stand to the cigarette machine near the front door. Add in the lush bordello-like furnishings and the massive wood staircase, and you have a real blast from the past.
And even though access wasn’t an issue when the property was built, there’s an accessible parking space near the front entrance, with curb-cut access up to the porch. From there, it’s an easy roll inside the lobby. There’s also a small gift shop and restaurant on site, if you’d like to extend your stay. Unfortunately the elevator up to the mezzanine gallery looks like it hasn’t worked for decades, so the only way to view the portraits of the stars that stayed there is to climb the stairs. Still, it’s worth a quick stop just to see the outside of the building and the front lobby, which has a few display cases filled with film memorabilia. And it goes without saying, that it’s a must-see for movie buffs, as the El Rancho Hotel was once home base to the movie stars that filmed westerns in the area.
This local landmark has a fun history, and it’s a nice spot to take a break while driving along Highway 195 in the Palouse. It’s a small site, so if you have an adapted van it’s best to parallel park on the street in front of the tiny park that surrounds the Codger Pole. There’s also standard parking in the Farmers Insurance lot next door. From either point there’s level access to this unusual monument, which also has a picnic table on a cement pad.
101 N. Pearl Street
