Author: Jeri Murphy

Traveler, writer, photographer, former wedding officiant, mother, friend, explorer and new Texian ... that's just a little about me!

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Accessible Travel - General Info

We feel very honored …

We just received word from UKSMobility.com that they find Anything Is Possible Travel Blog worthy of their “15 Disability Travel Blogs That Will Inspire You” Award!

We feel very honored to have this recognition, and hope to continue to be a source of travel inspiration to others.

Please click on the link above, take a moment to check out these other inspirational travel blogs, and pass the word along to any traveler you know who has mobility issues – and those who travel with them.

And keep pursuing your travel dreams, because Anything Is Possible!

wheelchair, accessible, Monterey Bay, California, bike trail

Categories
US travel

Laura, A Creole Plantation

Laura Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana, New Orleans, April 2015, ©2015 ImagesByRJM

Laura Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana, New Orleans, April 2015, ©2015 ImagesByRJM

Because “visit a plantation” was one of Amanda’s bucket list items, I asked her to share her thoughts about our tour of Laura, a Creole plantation located along Great River Road in Vacherie, about 35 miles southwest of New Orleans.

Continue reading “Laura, A Creole Plantation”
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US travel

Alligator Cheesecake

swamp tours, Lafitte, Louisiana, April 2015, ©2015 ImagesByRJM

hanging moss, swamp tour, Lafitte, Louisiana, April 2015, ©2015 ImagesByRJMWhen my daughter and I decided to spend a week in NOLA in April, I told her one of my bucket list items was to go on a swamp tour. “Not me, Mom,” she said; she had no interest in going.

But I wanted to go, and didn’t mind making a solo trip.

Continue reading “Alligator Cheesecake”
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US travel

A Taste of New Orleans – Dinner in the French Quarter

French Quarter, ©2015 ImagesByRJM
Crawfish Boil, Original French Market Restaurant, New Orleans

When my firstborn, Amanda, suggested that we travel to New Orleans to celebrate our spring birthdays I quickly said “Yes!” Because hers is in late March and mine is mid-May, we decided that April would be a great meet-in-the-middle time to go.

Plus, the French Quarter Festival was scheduled to be held during the second weekend in April, which was the perfect time for us to visit.

Decatur Street, French Quarters, New Orleans, ©2015 ImagesByRJM
Jackson Square, New Orleans, one of the French Quarter Festival sites.

Whenever we travel we each designate two or three things we “must do” at our destination, ensuring that we’ll experience some of our bucket-list items.

My top two desires: Go on a swamp tour, and walk around the French Quarter and take photos. Amanda’s two wishes were to visit a plantation, and to experience the food for which New Orleans is famous.

Continue reading “A Taste of New Orleans – Dinner in the French Quarter”

Categories
US travel

First Visit to Yellowstone National Park

Anything Is Possible Travel, Yellowstone National Park, ©2015 ImagesByRJM
Carrieanna's first visit to Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park

Before I begin this post about our recent trip to Yellowstone National Park, I want to express my great appreciation for accessible travel expert Candy Harrington and her suggestions regarding accessible lodging and sights to see while visiting Yellowstone. Her very thorough research and excellent advice was invaluable in making this trip a wonderful adventure. [I’ve talked about Candy and her books in previous posts.] Thank You, Candy!

Anything Is Possible Travel, Yellowstone National Park, ©2015 ImagesByRJM
West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park

When Carrieanna’s cousin approached me last year to ask if I would perform her wedding ceremony in Montana in June 2015, I enthusiastically said “Yes” – and began planning a trip that would include a visit to Yellowstone National Park.

Continue reading “First Visit to Yellowstone National Park”
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Accessible Travel - General Info US travel

Resting Easy in the US; Unique Lodging Options for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

Accessible travel resource

If you are disabled, or traveling with someone with special needs, one of the most challenging components is finding accessible lodging.

While the very nice person on the phone at the reservation desk may say “Yes, we can accommodate you,” discovering that they don’t really know the difference between a roll-in shower and an “accessible bathroom” can be frustrating at best and, at worst, may cause you to swear you will NEVER travel again. (And I speak from experience.)

So I am extremely excited to tell you about accessible travel expert Candy Harrington’s newest book.

Continue reading “Resting Easy in the US; Unique Lodging Options for Wheelers and Slow Walkers”
Categories
California travel

Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Pacific Grove, California

Wheelchair accessible, monarch butterfly sanctuary, ©2015 ImagesByRJM

During a recent trip to the Monterey Bay area I decided to visit the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove. Accessible entrance to Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Pacific GroveAccessible entrance to Monarach Butterfly Sanctuary, Pacific Grove, CAHaving never been before, I envisioned native trees covered with clusters of beautiful butterflies – and while I was right in some respects, my first visit to the butterfly grove was a little disappointing.

Continue reading “Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Pacific Grove, California”
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Accessible Travel - General Info

Hotel Showers and Wheelchair Accessibility

Days Inn at Pima; roll-in shower; wheelchair accessible
Although Carrieanna has long arms, she was unable to reach the water controls from the shower bench; she had to ask for assistance in turning the water on and off.

I take a shower [nearly] every day.

Whether I’m closing a plastic curtain in a tub-and-shower combo or the plexiglass door of a walk-in shower, the ability to shower while traveling is something I enjoy … and generally take for granted.

When Carrieanna and I travel together, however, the type of shower available is a key factor in our choice of lodging. And I have learned that I must be VERY specific in my inquiries because “accessible” seems to have a very broad meaning in the lodging industry.

Continue reading “Hotel Showers and Wheelchair Accessibility”
Categories
California travel

2015 Rose Parade – Inspiring and Accessible!

Inspiring Stories, Rose Parade, wheelchair accessible

Every New Year’s morning, I watch the Rose Parade on television. I love seeing the colorful floats and imagining what they might be like – every inch covered in flowers or some other plant in its natural state. I look at the crowds of people and think, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be there in person?”

Continue reading “2015 Rose Parade – Inspiring and Accessible!”
Categories
Accessible Travel - General Info

Expert Travel Advice, Part 2 – Accessible Lodging

Expert Travel Advice, Part 2 - Lodging
Easy-to-reach clothing rods

As we prepared for two trips – a family wedding in October and, a few months later, attendance at a cultural event – I found it necessary to make accessible lodging arrangements.

I solicited the help of a travel agent for the second trip, knowing that hotels would be crowded and costly, and hoping she would have some “professional sway” to make sure we got what we needed. (Big thanks to Nona of Divine Destination Weddings, who specializes in all aspects of travel!)

For the wedding, however, I chose to trust my instincts and follow the suggestions of Candy Harrington as shared in her presentation to the Northern California Chapter of the National MS Society in May 2014.

Expert Travel Advice, Part 2 - Lodging
Accessible room, Hampton Inn, Corona, CA
Continue reading “Expert Travel Advice, Part 2 – Accessible Lodging”