The Polite Traveler

Ah Hawaii, warm breezes, friendly people, and many lodging opportunities. Some are elegant, some are shabby, and some are just so-so. For the most part, my dear hubby and I have found our stays comfortable, but not always…perfect. What is perfect anyway? In Hawaii, perfect could simply mean looking out a clean window.  For this trip, we traveled and stayed in Waikiki. We know Waikiki well. It’s easy to maneuver through town, and it’s comfortable for my hubby, who is now living with mobility issues. Yep, a complete bummer. Still, we have found ways to help him enjoy—or sometimes simply tolerate—travel. (More on traveling by air in another post) As for our hotel stays, well, that requires a bit of finesse.  The Room Across from a Jet Engine--Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki  We’ve stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki multiple times but never in an accessible room. We chose this hotel based on its location and price. It’s not fancy or elegant. This Hilton is the typica...

My Dear Polite Travelers, Our first stay in a Hyatt was less than stellar.  In fact, it’s more of a mixed bag of frustration and comfort.  The hotel was beautiful, don’t get me wrong.  It was just … incomplete.  Really? Room #281 is considered accessible ? We booked an accessible room due to my hubby’s back issue—a typical old-person problem.  Typically, an accessible room would naturally have a shower with ease of entry.  In room #281?  Nope.  Getting into a tub requires some dexterity that a mobility-challenged person may not have.  This is a major problem that should be addressed.  I hope Hyatt is listening.  Other than that oversight, there were no towel bars in the bathroom — strange.  Plus, it would have been logical if there was at least one hook for clothing/robe in the bathroom as well.  And, speaking of robes, robes are an accessory in these rooms.  There were none.  In fact, I had to call down f...

My Dearest Polite Traveler, Our coastal journey to the lovely Albion River Inn begins on a warm July morning in Davis, CA.     It was an exceptionally pleasant 80 degrees and was warm for most of the day, not realizing we would end bundling up as if it were late autumn once we reached our destination.   Tip: When visiting north-coastal CA at any time of year, pack warm clothing.   We decided to travel from our home base—100 m east of San Francisco—west through the Napa Valley and then onto a more northerly procession through Sonoma and Mendocino Valleys.   Driving through these world-renowned wine countries, it was tempting to stop for a taste.     But, hey, a girl has got to eat—or indulge in a hot chocolate beverage.   I love Starbucks !   Okay, I’ve said it.   I just absolutely love it, with mochas as my absolute favorite.   Consequently, around lunchtime, and with the long freeway ahead of us, we pulled up the Starb...

Imagine a trip to a tropical island.   The air is fresh with smells of the ocean, sand, and something that can’t be put into mere words.   It is more of a feeling, rather than something that can be simply discussed or splashed down on a cold page.   Now, imagine Hawaii.   If you’ve never been, you are probably picturing swaying palms, sandy beaches, and tanned bodies lying everywhere.   Even if you’ve been to some of the Hawaiian Islands, you may be visualizing this right now—great vision to invoke mid-winter.   Keep this vision as we move on.      The big island, Hawaii, always held great interest for me since I was a young child because of the many romantic stories about the cowboys on the biggest cattle ranch in the US, the Parker Ranch.   Of course, in Hawaii, those cowboys are called Paniolos.   So here I am, a much older version of that little girl swooning over ranch life and horses and expecting to see cattle roaming ...

Advice for Wheelchair Travelers Living with a chronic disease is life-altering.   What was is no more.   Nevertheless, it isn't all doom and gloom, even if that disease is multiple sclerosis , MS.   For the newly diagnosed, you may worry after learning that the disease uses a person's own immune system to attack nerve connections in the brain causing varying symptoms.    However, if you have the relapsing-remitting form, which is the most common, there are drugs that help keep the disease at bay for some time.   In fact, many people have few symptoms until the disease progresses.   For some, that progression never comes.   For others – like me – we are not quite so lucky and go directly into the progressive types of the disease.   This is my story.   In the Beginning, There was a Chair My disease began with a bang.   Severe n ystagmus , dizziness, and difficulty walking kept me tethered to a wheelchair for many years.  ...

Answers for a Curious Visitor Q) What gave you the idea for this project? A) I began this blog because of an MS diagnosis and how it affected my ability to travel freely.   My experience with multiple sclerosis has been a rollercoaster.   In the beginning, all of this was new to me and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get through doors with my wheelchair, board tenders from cruise ships, or even fit in a European elevator.   Everything had changed for us which led to more planning and investigating before we left the house. Throughout our journeys, I began to notice how some businesses “get it right” and how some don’t when it comes to creating an environment hospitable for those with mobility issues.   As a Californian, I also noticed the mobility limiting issues in certain states and countries.   Considering this, I decided to share my experiences.   I also hoped that others would share their experiences as well.   It has been a labor of love...