Cape Cod by Scooter by Jim Seaton
August 31, 2010
In recent past summers, the Cape has been a double-edged sword: the air was just as delightful, refreshing and inviting as always, but the things I used to love doing best with my wife — hiking (long trails), biking (fast & hard) and birding (slow walks) — all seemed just out of my MS-reduced reach. But this summer, we latched onto a partial solution…renting an electric scooter. I chose a 3‑wheel Celebrity-X and what a difference! The 1.3 mile Wing Island trail from the Natural History Museum to the bay shore passes along some of the most beautiful, expansive meadow views and marsh grass flats anywhere in the world. It’s one of our favorite hikes, and the scooter got me close enough to the water — as far as a short series of steps that were impassable— that I was able to walk the last 150 yards or so and spend a delicious hour by the shore.
Scooting wasn’t the only route to heaven, either. For years and years, I’ve had to grind my teeth as the rest of my family and friends hiked the 5+ miles to Great Island and back near Wellfleet, leaving me to wonder what was so wonderful. But this year we took a 3-hour kayak tour sponsored by the Audubon Society that cut the trip down to size. Led by Dennis, head of the Society’s outreach programs, the paddle was full not just of beauty and delicious breezes but also spicy and surprising information about the Cape’s horseshoe crabs, beach houses, power boats, weather, and birds. My wife and I were the only ones to take a tandem kayak, and it totally filled the bill for novice me!….banished all my anxiety about flipping over and gave us a treasured lesson in how to get those paddles in synch.
And, finally, promise for the future….for years I’ve held back from exploring a Segway, but while we were up on the Cape, I learned about the SegSaddle, a device first developed for recent wheelchair-bound veterans which allows anyone to get about on a Segway from a seated position. My son and I had a blast giving the Segway a test drive in Sandwich. This should allow me to go just about anywhere I want on the Cape: along trails, over roots, even up and down stairs and up hills as steep as 19o…anywhere except on loose dry sand or gravel… and I’ll be almost at head level with those walking around me….the promised land!
Eat, Pray, Love … Spend Money?
August 22, 2010
I know many of you have either read the book or seen the movie. It is a kind of fantasy for women. A woman ends her marriage, which is very traumatic for her. She spends a year traveling to find herself and in the process visits Italy, India and Indonesia. Sounds great, right? In fact, it is so perfect that Julia Roberts plays the part of the author in the movie. This is all true. So far,so good…
Well, it seems that the movie is just an opportunity for product placements. They are selling what you see on the screen! As if that isn’t bad enough, while being interviewed, the author states (and I am paraphrasing here) if you can’t afford to travel may be a nice trinket is a good little substitute. That sounds pretty crass to me since the author owns a store in NJ selling nice little foreign baubles…
Who would rather substitute a thing for an experience? I believe anyone can travel – I don’t think it is just for the well-to-do but any one of us with determination, can take a trip and make it our own. It depends on what we want from our trip. After all, aren’t we just like the writer, isn’t each of us the author of our own journey, of our own lives?
Plan a Unique Mayan Encounter by Stefanie Baeker
August 18, 2010
My unconventional approach to life welcomes and encourages individualism and, hopefully, inspires others to create healthy, environmentally conscious lifestyles. I have found the Mexican Caribbean to be a very nourishing place for body and mind. This has led me to launch Project Mayan Encounter in 2008 in order to make meaningful travel and the rich Mayan culture available to everyone.
I work with small, private groups only, to leave as little footprints (or wheelchair tracks) as possible while supporting the local communities.
Together with local nature guides, I handcraft itineraries to create an ideal frame for each group. I have mostly seen wheelchair or walker users, but have also worked closely with a blind Braille instructor on tactile, sensory or audio activities, to accommodate visually impaired travelers. I encourage travelers of any age, ability and preference to get out of their comfort zone and explore the Riviera Maya in a responsible way and in an individual setting.
I constantly blend activities that create a long-lasting impression on people. We came into the world naked, and we leave it naked. What remains most truly ours are the memories and wisdom we acquired during our journey through life. The Mayan culture provides many opportunities for spiritual growth and physical well-being.
Some of the most outstanding features of the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan peninsula are the Caribbean Sea and its white sand beaches, the magnificent barrier reef and marine life, the complex underground river system and cenotes (openings to that system), and the mystical
Mayan history. Serious seekers will find healers who use medicinal plants and who still live in alignment with natural cycles.
However, to discover the authentic side of this geographical region, you will have to avoid such things as the convenience of large resorts, time-share complexes, imported foods, chain businesses, theme parks and conventional large-scale tour operators. Having witnessed firsthand their negative impact on communities and environment, I am dedicated to help maintaining a natural, healthy lifestyle, respecting our planet and each other.
Members of http://www.i-can-travel.com can learn more about our unique travel opportunities, including a 10% discount on Caribbean tours, at info@accessecotours.com.
Traveling with Cancer
August 15, 2010
Before taking that much-needed vacation, seeing family or friends or consulting with specialists at a renowned cancer center, make sure you’ve spoken to your doctor about your medical condition to know if and when it’s safe to travel.
Air Travel can be Tricky
Depending on the type of cancer you have, it might not always be safe to fly. Oxygen levels and air pressure change at high altitudes. If you’ve got a brain tumor, you might be at risk for developing increased swelling in the brain. For patients whose lymph nodes have been removed, changes in air pressure during the trip can trigger swelling of the arms and legs. A compression garment can reduce this risk. And, while all airline passengers have an increased risk of developing blood clots, people with cancer, particularly bowel, stomach, or lung cancer, are especially susceptible.
Consider Your Needs — and the Destination
First and foremost, wherever you go, remember that traveling can be exhausting. Since chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause a person to tire easily, schedule plenty of rest periods to help reduce fatigue.
If you’re traveling to a beach or expect to spend a lot of time outdoors, even in the mountains, where sun reflects off snow, remember that chemotherapy and radiation treatments can make skin more sensitive to sun damage.
Many of the common cancer treatments weaken the immune system. This, in turn, may limit the value of vaccinations that are required to travel to some international destinations. For example, people with weakened immune systems may be advised against receiving live vaccines, such as yellow fever. Even inactivated vaccines, such as cholera, may be less effective.
As long as you plan sensibly consulting with your doctor, listening to your body and taking it easy, you’ll be fine. Remember, you can this. You’re the one in pilot’s seat; the cancer doesn’t define you.
I’d rather be in Philadelphia
August 8, 2010
Probably, there aren’t too many people who remember W.C Fields famous quote, but I think that Philadelphia has gotten a bad rap. Having recently been there, I can tell you that I was quite enchanted by the place. Granted, I was only in downtown and at tourist sites, but I must say Philly is pretty handicap friendly place. The curb cuts were good, the public buses accommodate people with disabilities and the people were friendly.
Philly is a nice size city, not too big to be overwhelming but large enough not to be boring. The city was laid out logically so it was pretty easy to get around without getting lost which was great for me since I have a lousy sense of direction. Anyway, I would have been comfortable asking for directions except everyone I saw was a tourist just like me.
I went to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and a Quaker Meeting Hall. I also saw where Ben Franklin was buried and visited Chinatown. Unless you are really into cemeteries, I’d skip this one. I especially like the re-enactor who portrayed a Quaker and wasn’t very impressed by the Park Ranger who gave us a spiel on Independence Hall. But those are small quibbles compared to the fun of sightseeing the historic sites of Philly.
I must also point out that I don’t know what I expected from the Liberty Bell but I wasn’t all that impressed. It was a pretty small polished, cracked bell housed in its own little building. I had the same kind of feeling when I saw Stonehenge for the first time. The myth seemed greater than the actual physical object. Oh well, may be they did too good a job publicizing the thing.
I liked the Reading Terminal Food court, with the many choice s of food from which to choose. And I am sorry to disappoint but I didn’t sample the famous Philly cheese steak. But may be next time…
In short, Philly is a fun city, easy to navigate and a good size for a week-end excursion.
