A journey that calls for changes

Linda with grandkids Nate (left) and Luke at Elkmont in earlier trip

Travel plans have taken an abrupt change for this summer.

Plans to go to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are still on. But where we had originally planned to head up the Blue Ridge Parkway and spend another week traveling, we may be heading back after our Elkmont stay outside of Gatlinburg.

Life takes on a different aspect when one has had a stroke. There are additional doctor visits and therapy sessions which need  to be allowed for.

We are continuing to do normal things and once our routine becomes more normal, we'll plan on more road trips.

But we're looking at travel in a different perspective. And that perspective is "what is available for those in a handicapped situation?" and planning ahead to make sure we can find what is needed to handle the change in our life.

Family restrooms at rest stops and major retail stores will be appreciated since wifey needs a standby person to protect her from falls.

We will be looking more closely about what is convenient and available for the recovering handicapped.

In the Smoky Mountains, there is one wheel-chair accessible waterfall. That is the journey to Laurel Falls, about a three-mile round trip that has a paved path. We will probably be making this trek. It is uphill going out, and "coasting" on the way down. I am anticipating the "you're too close to the edge" refrain from wifey plenty times. There are numerous spots along the way where the dropoff is rather dramatic.

We will have help from others so I won't' have to expend all my energy. Our camping experiences call for a lot of sitting around and enjoying the campfire and the area in which we are visiting. That's not tough at all to do.

Next post: June 14, 2011