Barrier Free Travels

Well, we've made it all the way to Oklahoma City on our grand road trip, and I have to say that I am quite impressed with what I've found here. It's a very walk able city, and there are lots of attractions in the downtown area. It's one of those places you can drive to, park your car at the hotel and then pretty much get around on foot for most of your stay. Additionally, access is pretty good in the downtown area, with lots of curb-cuts and nice wide sidewalks.

I've discovered a lot of things here in Oklahoma, but so far my best find is the Chihuly collection at the Oklahoma City Art Museum. I spent the afternoon there, and as a diehard Chihuly fan, I can say it's magnificent. It's a permanent exhibition so unlike most of his other installations, it will be here for many years to come. I've heard that it's the only other permanent collection of his work outside of Tacoma, but I will have to check on that.

Still, no mater how you describe it, it's great. There are some very large installations featuring some of his favorite shapes, along with some smaller pieces and even one of his famous glass ceilings. And of course there's a chandelier - probably the largest one I've ever seen.

And you'll be happy to know that the museum features good access, with accessible parking in front, a level entrance, ramps to all of the raised areas and elevator access to all floors.

It's a fun (and very accessible) way to spend an afternoon, so be sure and put it on your list next time you visit Oklahoma City. In a small way it kind of makes up for my missing the press preiew of his new installation at the Legion of Honor; but I'll make sure and catch that exhibition as soon as I get home.

Charles and I are on the road again; this time on a three week trip of the Western states, culminating in Oklahoma City. We're basically spending our time finding accessible options in the national and state parks, tourism sites and lodgings along the way. We'll check out a couple of larger cities too, and of course we also have a number of B&Bs on our itinerary. To date, it's been a very productive trip, and I look forward to more of the same in the next few weeks.

We spent a good deal of time talking to the folks at the Grand Canyon Railway and Xanterra Resorts while we were in Williams and the Grand Canyon. This included a tour of some of the accessible lodging options in Williams and up on the South Rim, which are managed by Xanterra. But my most interesting interview was with the reservation supervisor for the Grand Canyon Railway.

He went through all of the accessible options as we toured (and later rode ) the train, and I have to say that these folks are spot on as far as access goes. They see to every detail to make sure folks get the accommodations they need. They have a great system. But I'll save the details for a future issue of Emerging Horizons.

I also asked the reservation manager about problems they have encountered along the way, and how they were able to address them. To my great surprise he said that they have had several passengers who have run out of oxygen. This amazed me as the people that I've met who use oxygen are so meticulous and careful about all the details.

Well, in talking with the manager, he told me that some folks think it's just a two hour trip with a 3 hour stop at the canyon and then another two hours on the train, and they plan for that. Well, that's all well and good, but it should be noted that both the Williams depot and the South Rim of the canyon are at a high elevation - 7,000 feet. And you use more oxygen at 7,000 feet than you do at sea level. So if you plan for the regular amount that you would use at sea level, you will most likely run out at 7,000 feet. And that's not good.

So, a word of warning, if you are planning on visiting the Grand Canyon (or any other place with a high elevation) this summer, be sure and pack along enough oxygen for the higher elevation.

On the plus side, the Grand Canyon Railway folks have successfully dealt with oxygen emergencies in the past. Still, better safe than sorry - especially when we are talking about oxygen!!,

I've covered Bonaire a number of times for Emerging Horizons, and although you won't find ADA access there, it is doable with some advance planning. Nobody knows that better than the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) as they've been planning trips to the island for years.

And if you'd like to join them on their next excursion, you're in luck, as registration is still open for their 24th annual trip to Bonaire.

Slated for August 9-16, 2008, the trip includes seven nights hotel accommodations, breakfast daily, roundtrip airport transfers, six days of boat diving, three dives per day and unlimited shore diving on the beautiful Calabas Reef. Price for scuba divers is $1,240 per person double occupancy, $1,670 single occupancy. Non-diving guests charges are $880 double occupancy; $1,345 single occupancy.

The trip is also open to able-bodied divers who would like to get their dive buddy certification. Additionally, certified instructors can enroll in a course that will earn them teaching status for training divers with disabilities. So the trip offers a little something for everybody. To be honest, if I wasn't knee deep in research for the third edition of Barrier-Free Travel; A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers, I might even give it try.

The program will be based at The Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino, which features wheelchair-accessible rooms with roll-in showers. The hotel dive shop, Divi Dive Bonaire, has a boat with roll-on access and a dive crew which includes HSA-trained dive masters.

I've heard from folks who have gone on this trip (some year after year) and they've all given it great reviews, so I have absolutely no problems recommending this fun excursion. Not only will you see some great marine life, but the HSA folks and Divi Flamingo staff will make sure all your access needs are met.

For more information, call 949.498.4540 or drop an e-mail to hsa@hsascuba.com. But you'd better hurry, as this popular trip fills up fast!

It seems I spend a lot of time in restrooms. Not personal time, but as part of my work. Restrooms are very important, as everybody needs them, and I check to make sure they are accessible. Sure, I know most folks think that in this day and age, everything is accessible, but unfortunately that's just not true. That's pretty much why I travel with a tape measure.

But I digress.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to see the fifth place winner in the 2007 America's Best Restroom contest. It was quite attractive, complete with lots of artwork, a chandelier, a valance over each stall and even an autographed photo of Joan Rivers in one stall. And best of all, it was accessible, with a very spacious accessible stall, grab bars in the stall and a roll-under sink.

It's nice to see a restroom (or anything) that is both accessible and attractive.

And if you want to see it too, then wander by Fandangles' restaurant in (and I'm not kidding) Flushing, Michigan.

Form and function.

Oh yes, and some really good food too!

That's right I said "Michigan's Thumb".

OK for those of you who are geographically challenged, hold out your right hand, palm up. Now imagine your whole hand is the state of Michigan. Well, I'm going to the "thumb" area. And if you take out a real map you'll see that's the Flint and Saginaw region.

I've got a pretty busy schedule that includes cultural attractions, some outdoor activities and even a pontoon boat trip out to Charity Island. And a bevy of accessible sites and properties to investigate.

And a very interesting stop at a unique restroom in Flushing. More on that in a few days.