Mass Transit in New York
January 25, 2010
With a great deal of apprehension, I ventured into New York on my motorized wheelchair. My last excursion to New York had occurred in September 2005 which was the last day of my job. I felt such relief that I wouldn’t have to commute anymore. I needn’t put up with all the impatient people whizzing by me, the fear of falling and the exhaustion that comes with the overcharged atmosphere that is New York.
Yet here I was back on NJ Transit waiting for the worst to happen. But the trip was surprisingly pleasant and uneventful. The day was beautiful, and the conductors were pleasant. They got the bridge plate out so I could get on the train and even remembered me so I could get off the train. The elevators were working and Penn Station even had a new extension on its 7th Avenue side for people with disabilities. It had escalators and an elevator to take you where you needed to be – either street level or the main level of Penn Station. New York was getting downright civilized!
Now for the next phase of my journey – trying to navigate the New York mass transit system. I knew the city has the largest fleet of accessible buses in the world and decided to test it out. At www.nycgo.com,, which offers a detailed online Accessibility Guide, I found out that the M4 bus would take me to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I had decided against the subway since I would have to change trains. Although I was up for the adventure, the bus went straight to the museum, which greatly appealed to me. And, while there are 82 ADA-accessible subway and commuter rail stations, not every subway station is accessible, and some are only accessible in one direction.
Literally across the street from Penn Station is the bus stop for the M4 bus. After waiting no more than 5 minutes, the bus arrived. Not only was it on time but the bus was a kneeling bus so people who had difficulty walking could get on the bus easily and the platform flipped over and provided a ramp for my wheelchair. In the front was an area for a wheelchair lock down which the driver knew how to use. He was even nice about it. All this for the bargain price of $2.25 and for those of you concerned about the environment, the bus was an electric vehicle. A guilt free ride!
The bus traveled along Madison Avenue, which goes uptown. I had discovered the museum bus – it passed the Whitney, stopped a block away from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim and the Jewish Museum. As if this wasn’t enough, the bus went to the Cloisters.
Returning was even easier, the bus traveled along 5th Avenue and stopped at each museum. The curb cuts were better than I expected – a little bumpy but certainly manageable. All in all, my experience exceeded my expectations. Perhaps I will have to dust off my “I ♥ New York” button after all.
Last year 46 million tourists visited the Big Apple and the city prides itself on its accessibility. “All medallion taxicab drivers are required to assist persons with disabilities, and are trained to do so. More than 130 medallion taxicabs are wheelchair accessible and may be hailed on the street. In August 2008, the City launched a pilot program under which a person in need of an accessible taxi can call 311 or 212-639-9675 or the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC; 718-666-4067 voice) to be connected to a dispatcher.”
Note: For those of you who’d prefer to drive themselves, you can rent an accessible van with lifts, ramps, hand controls, etc. from Vega Transportation, 888-507-0500 or Wheelers, Inc. at 800-507-0500.
Mulnomah Falls
January 12, 2010
If you drive up the historic Columbia River Gorge Highway, you’ll be astounded by what you can see without even getting out of the car. Every twist and turn brings its own surprise, my favorite being Multnomah Falls, a stunning two-tiered waterfall.
The Highway was designed in 1913 to take advantage of the almost indescribable natural beauty of the area. As its engineer, Samuel C. Lancaster, noted, “we did not [want] to mar what God had put there.” Almost a century later, you can enjoy a scene that seems almost untouched by man despite the many thousands of tourists and travelers that have visited. The Columbia River Highway was the first scenic highway in the United States and it remains a wonderful civic achievement.
Staying Outside of Portland – Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort
January 5, 2010
While you are in the area, and if you are feeling nostalgic for the best of good old hippie days, or you were born before or after that era but always felt an affinity for the times, then I suggest you try Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort. It is a great place to relax, rejuvenate and generally unwind. There are rooms, cabins or you can bring your own tents, depending on your pocketbook or inclinations. There is a shower facility near the cabins which I didn’t use.
The fees are quite reasonable and include 3 meals a day. The food is wholesome vegetarian fare so you will be eating healthy whether you want to or not. The meals are served cafeteria style, and part of their charm is meeting the other guests. There is no lack of human variation for you to observe and engage. All you need is honest curiosity, and the ability to suspend judgment and enjoy the conversational ride.
The grounds are rustic, so it is hard going in a wheelchair. I opted to stay at the main house where most of the events and meals are served. It reminded me more of someone’s casual bed and breakfast than a hotel. The room was quite small and not really suited for a person with a disability. The bed was very high and difficult to navigate. I just kind of prayed for the best and jumped on the bed with a little bit of help from my husband and daughter. The other thing to keep in mind is that you must provide your own linens which might discourage some, but helps keep costs down.
The bathroom was a real point of contention for me. There were three stalls, one of which was supposed to be handicapped accessible. However, it was very small, and way too narrow to fit any else besides yourself. Although I was pretty unhappy because of the bathroom and lack of a shower in the main house, it didn’t really detract from the laid back feeling of having fallen off the grid. I was there for only three days so I can’t say how much more it would have bothered if I was there for a longer stay
For the rest of your group who may have no mobility issues, the major attractions of Breitenbush are their hot springs, which you can enjoy clothed or au naturel, either way being relaxing, Their nature trails perfect for hiking – there are plenty of big Douglas firs and western hemlocks. There are also classes in yoga and other New Age ways to get in touch with your inner spirit. Nothing is mandatory so you can be as active or idle as you wish.
The staff was always very obliging and although they couldn’t change my accommodations to be more convenient, they certainly tried their best and were always friendly. The next year, I was told that they had changed the bathroom, moving the handicapped bathroom stall to be first and enlarging it as well. It was nice to know that people listened to what I had to say and I am looking forward to going back there again.
For more information, see www.breitenbush.com. Share your experiences of Brietenbush in the comments below.
Staying at the Ace Hotel
January 4, 2010
The Ace Hotel is in N.W. Portland close to downtown and the trendy Pearl District. A handicapped accessible room had been reserved for me.
The Hotel’s ramp entrance takes you through directly into the Stumptown Coffee Shop next door. Although this might not have been the most convenient way into a hotel, the delicious coffee made the trip worthwhile. When I entered the hotel I was struck by how “cool” it was – tourists were hanging around the lobby, snapping pictures. This was a place to see and be seen! This made me feel a little strange since I consider my cool days long over but I am always game to see what it is like. The young men at the check in desk were courteous, and directed me to my room. The one elevator was snug, intimate– you take your pick of adjectives, but you get the idea. My husband and I managed to fit in which I suppose is what really counts.
We got to our room only to discover, it was not, in any way handicapped accessible – there was a step up to the room, a step to the bathroom etc. The bed was so low I could not envision any way to hoist myself up once I got in. It was obvious to all that this wouldn’t do at all. A hasty meeting was convened and the best solution was a room on another floor. The only hitch in the arrangement was that I would have to use the bathroom and shower on another floor. The logistics of this arrangement made me wish for home. However, travel is never for the faint of heart so I expressed my concern but said if that was the best arrangement, I would try to manage.
So I was resigned to my fate when their manger took us up to the top floor and showed us a magnificent room that was about triple the size of our initial room with amenities galore. They felt that since the error was theirs (someone had given my room away earlier in the day), I shouldn’t suffer. So it was arranged that they would comp the first night and the room rate would be the same as the first room. All this was achieved with no fighting, bad feelings or any kind of negativity. My only complaint, and a minor one, was that the bed was low, so I needed help getting up in the morning, but the bathroom was better than some handicapped accessible ones I’ve used.
And for you bibliophiles, the Ace hotel is only a few short blocks away from Powell’s Bookstore, the largest west of the Mississippi. It’s also very near Portland Center Stage, one of America’s 25 largest regional theaters, showing a mix of classical and contemporary work. And, a block away from Powell’s is the Deschutes Brewery and Public House, serving great beer and pub food. Needless to say the Ace Hotel is an ace in my book. I hear they’ve opened one in New York City.
For more information, visit http://www.acehotel.com/portland and http://www.i-can-travel,com/destinations. Share your own experiences at the Ace Hotel or other hotels in Portland in the comments below.
