After spending a weekend at nearby Murphys, California, some friends and I decided to visit the Calaveras Big Trees before heading home to the Sacramento area.
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Author: Jeri Murphy
Traveler, writer, photographer, former wedding officiant, mother, friend, explorer and new Texian ... that's just a little about me!
Those were Carrieanna’s words, as we reached the first bend of the Bird Island Trail at Point Lobos.
September 8th is a day of personal remembrance for Carrieanna and me, and we chose to spend the day at Point Lobos State Reserve in Carmel, California. She had learned that there was a newly-opened accessible trail, and we wanted to check it out.
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Carrieanna’s Aunt Becky speaks French and loves Paris – she has been there many times.
In April of 2009, we three — Rich, Carrieanna and I — spent three days in Paris.
This was Rich’s first visit; he wrote the following letter to Becky:
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This is a very short post, because I want to share a link to Global Access News. Lots of good information therein!
And many thanks to my LinkedIn acquaintance, Les Seracs L, who owns a wheelchair- accessible apartment for rent in the heart of Paris, for sharing this info.
We are both members of the LinkedIn group “Accessible Travel for Persons with Disabilities” – another great resource!
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A Day in Paris!
I believe I first became infatuated with Paris as a seventh grader, when I chose to take French as my foreign language class instead of Spanish, which would have been far more useful, but not nearly as romantic!
However, it wasn’t until 2002 that I actually visited the City of Light, and that’s when I fell in love with Paris. And realized that a 12-day visit was not enough. I wanted to go back someday.
That “someday” occurred in late fall of 2008.
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Nothing says “State Fair” like the smell of hay and fresh manure …
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The Original Haarlem
According to Rick Steves’ book “Easy Access Europe” (copyright 2006, Avalon Travel Publishing), “In a recent study, the Dutch people were found to be the most content people in Europe. In another study, the people of Haarlem were found to be the most content in the Netherlands.”
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On the subject of accessible travel, Candy Harrington is an expert.
The author of many books, including “Barrier-Free Travel; A Nuts & Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers,” and the founding editor of “Emerging Horizons,” a quarterly online magazine, Candy says, “My goal is to describe access so travelers can make appropriate choices ….”
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Let me start by saying that I LOVE Mexican food!
In fact, if I were on death row – Heaven forbid! – and had to choose my “last meal,” it would be nachos!
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Monterey Bay Coastal Trail
I live in Sacramento, known for politicians, tomatoes, and hot weather.
And while I love living here, I am always glad when I have an opportunity to drive to Monterey and visit my stepdaughter, Carrieanna.
Not only is Monterey cooler than Sacramento (which is very important to Carrieanna, as heat exacerbates her MS), but it is also abundant with flora, fauna and beautiful scenery!
Read more: Monterey Bay Coastal TrailNaked ladies, lilies …
Pelicans, loons and seagulls …
stunning sunrises, boat reflections … for an amateur photographer like me, the list goes on and on!
And because I enjoy walking, I often spend my mornings – camera in hand – walking along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, which is very wheelchair friendly, and a wonderful way to enjoy the Monterey waterfront.
Although the 18-mile trail runs from Castroville to Pacific Grove, I generally spend my time walking between Lovers Point (Pacific Grove)
and the commercial wharf (just a little north of Fisherman’s Wharf).
Many favorite tourist attractions are easily accessed from the trail. Cannery Row, with its abundance of shops, restaurants and hotels, is one block toward the bay, running parallel to the trail.
At the end of Cannery Row is the Monterey Bay Aquarium — a favorite destination for children of all ages!
On a weekday morning, the coastal trail is fairly quiet: Joggers and cyclists, people walking their dogs, and, very occasionally, a group of people pedaling a surrey (a canopied quadricycle – possibly more work than they bargained for!)
I enjoy listening to the sounds of the bay as I walk: The waves breaking on the rocks, the squawk of seagulls, the occasional barking of seals.
Shortly after walking past the Aquarium, I enter Pacific Grove.
A familiar pungent scent tells me that I am near the little cove where Harbor Seals hang out and sun themselves. And have babies.
Springtime is pupping season, and visitors are encouraged to enjoy the bay view without disturbing the new babies and their mamas.
During my recent visit a portion of Ocean View Boulevard, adjacent to the pupping area, was being repaired. To minimize the disturbance to the new seal families, the fence was covered with tarp-like material – with a small section left open so visitors could see the seals.
The fence and viewing area is a little way off the Coastal Trail, but with a little assistance from a companion (or using her motorized wheelchair), I’m sure Carrieanna could get close enough to see the seals.
Walking toward Lovers Point, I am reminded of the first time I walked this trail. It was April of 2006, and I was part of Team Carrieannamals, joining Carrieanna and many of her friends as we supported the annual MS Walk.
The trail is wide enough to accommodate the crowd which, naturally, includes people using wheelchairs, walkers, canes and other types of assistive devices.
The trail has also been used by the local MS Quality of Life Project for their annual Walk and Roll fundraiser.
Although the Coastal Trail continues on to Asilomar State Beach and, further, to the famous 17-Mile Drive, I generally only go as far as Lovers Point.
I sometimes walk the Coastal Trail in the opposite direction, heading toward Fisherman’s Wharf, another favorite tourist attraction.
Not only is the trail user-friendly for people on foot, on bicycles, or in a wheelchair, but benches can also be found along the way for those who want to sit and enjoy the view.
Although Fisherman’s Wharf has many shops and restaurants,
I generally bypass it and walk past the Marina,
on my way to the commercial wharf .
I especially enjoy visiting this wharf in the morning, when the fish companies are doing business – and the pelicans stand in line to get their fair share!
The sea lions also hope for a handout!
While there are not many restaurants on this wharf, a little diner called LouLou’s Griddle in the Middle always seems to be busy during breakfast time!
While my walk generally ends at this wharf, the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail does continue northeast, going through Seaside, Fort Ord, Marina and on to Castroville.
Perhaps on a future visit to Monterey, I’ll head that direction …..
Anything Is Possible Travel 