I spent the first 20 years of my life in a mostly normal, functioning body. When I sought medical advice to make sense of my sudden pain and limited mobility, and ultimately be diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, my whole world changed. In a matter of months I went from snowboarding, trail running and hiking-to walking with crutches, in immense pain and barely able to perform basic tasks. Anyone who has lost the freedom of their mobility, spends everyday in physical pain, or both-this post is for you. As I come up on 20 years of living everyday in pain, using mobility aids and navigating the world with new eyes-I can tell you first hand, the importance of still making the effort to get out and explore. It’s work, I know. On top of pain, limitations and low energy we deal with the anxiety of compassion fatigue, looks from strangers and wondering if we did enough research.
Still, we have to get out there and find ways to experience new places, feel joy and adventure and most importantly-show the world that accessible travel matters. My disability is classified as a dynamic disability, which comes with its own set of pros and cons. Some days I can walk around OK without mobility aids, but for a limited amount of time and with very little balance. Other days I use a cane and most days I use a walker. I say this to preface my recommendations with a realistic expectation of what I can and cannot do, as I know each persons abilities are unique to them. It is my hope to inspire people either living in chronic pain or with limited mobility, to not give up on travel. With the right plan, attitude and a good friend, travel is still possible and is even more important. Traveling as a disabled person gives us a sense of freedom, independence and joy that is crucial to our mental health.
Why I Choose Colorful and Low Impact Destinations
As a photographer I love going to places that are fun to photograph. Whether it’s a beautiful landscape, quirky hotel or charming old town, photogenic locations are important when planning travel for us. As someone who uses a walker 90% of the time, accessibility is the other determining factor, when the two come together it’s a match made in heaven. I know that when a destination is also accessible, I am less anxious, my body feels better and everything just seems to flow. It is important to do you research, make calls, ask questions and have realistic expectations. Be honest with yourself, and with the people you are traveling with. Please be sure your travel companion is patient, kind and understands how important this is. It is better to go somewhere alone than to travel with someone who makes you feel like you’re holding them back, or might put you in dangerous situations.
Salvation Mountain: A Healing Adventure
I first learned about Salvation Mountain from an episode of California’s Gold on PBS. I was instantly obsessed and determined to go there myself one day. For 8 years “Salvation Mountain” was just two words living in my notes app. Just before Covid my life changed dramatically, and although it felt devastating at the time, these changes also came with much needed freedom and adventure. I happened to have a close friend and fellow travel lover that was going through similar trials in life, and we both agreed we needed a little escape. We entertained several destinations, but I was still thinking about Salvation Mountain. After telling Charlotte about my secret obsession she replied “Let’s do it”.
We set up child care, planned our route and loaded up her 90’s camper van, Jolene. We were on our way, two moms starting over, navigating distance learning, co parenting and online dating amidst a pandemic. Irresponsible distraction? Much needed self care? I choose the latter, and all I could think about was what photos I might be taking. I am eternally grateful to Charlotte for making this dream a reality, and after this trip and the other trips I have been on with our female friends I just cannot believe how bad ass the women in my life are. You know who you are! On the way there we spent a night at the Wigwam Motel on Route 66, partially as a photo op and partially as a last opportunity for running water and a real shower. It was so much fun to take photos here, it is seriously such an adorable property! I will say if you plan to stay, the cute aesthetic does not extend to the inside of the rooms, at all. The interior of the rooms are very basic and overlooked, but serve a purpose. We also stopped along the way at the Cabazon Dinosaurs for another fun photo op before reaching Salvation Mountain.
Salvation Mountain is a great accessible destination because it is basically flat and the terrain is sand over cement slabs, so very smooth, flat and stable terrain. A wheelchair, walker or cane can easily explore the area, and get up close and personal to the mountain itself, as well as all the the other installations through this mysterious land. Known as the “last lawless place”, Salvation Mountain is an unincorporated community of seasonal snowbirds, nomads and runaways looking to live an alternative lifestyle. There is no infrastructure or resources, so no electricity, running water or places to purchase supplies for hours. But, if you can make it work, you can live for free-claim your own spot of land and build whatever you want on it and live there for free. You have to be tough, resourceful and creative. We got to meet a few of these colorful individuals on our visit and I can tell you with confidence, we will never forget them! If you do not have access to a van or camper or don’t like the idea of roughing it, Palm Springs is a short drive and has many fabulous hotels for every budget.
Salvation Mountain itself is like something from Star Wars and Dr Suess all at once. This bleak desert landscape with a randomly placed rainbow colored mountain covered in bible verses is wonderfully weird and beautiful. It was an absolute dream to take photos here, and as the light changes the whole feel of the places becomes a post-apocalyptic landscape. As someone with limited mobility, it was extremely special to feel like I was having this once in a lifetime wild adventure, off grid-and still be able to easily move around the land. To have an experience that is accessible while also feeling wild and rugged is unique, and important for people with disabilities. On our way back we did camp one night at Bombay Beach, and stopped at a date farm for a date shake, highly recommend!
Field of Lights: A Calming & Colorful Escape
Another great accessible and colorful spot is Field of Lights in Paso Robles. I brought my son here for his birthday, another small victory in my life. As a woman and mother with a disability, it felt very significant to be the facilitator of a trip for my son and his friend. To pay for, plan, pack, navigate and manage a trip for two preteen boys, and maybe influence their ideas about moms, women or any persons with disabilities did feel like a great opportunity. Field of Lights is smooth and flat trail that winds through 58 acres of magical lights under the stars. With ambient music, benches and rolling hills of mesmerizing lights, it is easy to see why this accessible destination is so popular.
Playful Destinations: Your Inner Child Dream Trip
If it was not painfully obvious by now, I love a colorful, weird and playful destination. As an artist and photographer, unique and kitsch places are my love language, so I’m sharing a few other fun stops I have been to. Sadly I do not believe these places are still available-though I know many immersive experiences like this still exist, including Meow Wolf, which I have not made it to yet. Below are some cheerful images from our visits to the Museum of Ice Cream and Color Factory, both in San Francisco, CA. Both experiences felt like a real life tour of Willy Wanka’s Chocolate Factory. They come with curated treats as you move through the installment that compliment the colors of the space. While themed pop up’s might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I feel they are a fun reminder to not take yourself so seriously and appreciate set design.
Keep it movin’
I hope these words and images have you thinking about planning your own little adventure, and considering how important accessible travel really is. Take the time to do some research, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask questions-anything you can do to feel prepared and confident. Start small if you need to, visit local spots in you area and treat them like a tourist seeing them for the first time. Take your camera and snap a few photos, you might discover a new love for your home town. Eventually you will be ready to plan something new and exciting, and I hope it makes you feel nervous, then capable, then proud of yourself.
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