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Touring
Alaska
Harriet
and I flew Northwest Airlines to Anchorage.
We used our "air miles," and as a result we had to change
planes three times, but it went like clock work. I designed a large sign
(protected with a plastic sleeve) telling the ground crew that the
wheelchair had to be returned to the cabin upon landing. We
decided to go two days before the ship departed to see Anchorage and the
surrounding area. We stayed in the Hanpton Inn.
We always try to stay with this chain because there are no surprises and
the staff there is exceptional. They helped me in and out of the van
(which was not accessible) and did a great job. When
we travel, I use a manual chair, so I searched the Internet for bus
tours of Anchorage with wheelchair accessibility. After contacting a few
companies, disappointment started to set in as response after response
came back negative. Then, one day I received an e-mail from one of the
companies that did not a wheelchair tour bus, but knew of a firm that did. They
gave me the number because it is a small operation that is not on the
‘net’.
Mr.
Stone, or Jim as we soon knew him, was the best tour guide we had
throughout our vacation. I must mention that we did take accessible
tours in our other ports of calls, Juneau and
Ketchikan, but Jim was outstanding. Besides
being extremely knowledgeable, of all the sights we went to, he
personally had inspected each stop, in advance, to ensure that access
would be available. He knew which staff members to contact, at each
location, so that we did not have to wait to enter. Our tour began in
the city of Anchorage itself. We were impressed with the modern
buildings and all the facilities that were available. Jim told us that
half the city is relatively new because of the earthquake that the city
had in the late 60s. He then drove us out of the city to Portage
Glacier. On the way he pointed out the areas were wildlife
may be spotted and we did see some Dall sheep, way up high on the side
of the mountain. How those sheep don’t slip and fall is amazing to
see. Arriving
at Potage Glacier, we boarded a
sightseeing boat, which had a very smooth ramp so getting on and off was
a breeze. A park ranger explained how a glacier is formed and we were
able to get very close and got some great pictures. And as an extra bit
of excitement we witnessed a huge ice burg “flip.” You should have
heard the thunderous noise that it made. Then
we were off to the Alyeska Ski Resort
for lunch. There we took an accessible cable car to the top of one of
the surrounding mountains, took in the fabulous view and enjoyed lunch.
From there we visited a small group of cabins that sold souvenirs. Since
I collect small sculptures of dogs, there was one I just had to have. It
was of an Indian boy with his husky. Then we drove through the
mountains, all the while Jim was telling us about the area, people and
changes in the glaciers that he has seen, since living in Anchorage. He
then took as to another lookout vantage point to get a close up view of
one of the older glaciers in the area. Then on to a stream where there
was an accessible bridge, This bridge, extended over a stream with the
clearest water you ever saw. The Salmon were swimming up stream and you
could grab one, if you were so inclined. What a sight to see all the
different kinds, red ones, gray ones and so on. Jim informed us how the
salmon know which stream to swim back to for spawning and ending their
life cycle. It’s by smell. When the salmon are born, each stream has
it’s own distinct smell which the fish use as a means of finding their
way back to where they were born. Towards
the end of the tour, Jim had brochures on different restaurants for
those who wanted to go out to eat. Each one was, again, personally
inspected for access and quality. If you wanted to go to one, instead of
taking you back to you hotel, he gave you the option of being taken by
him, so you didn’t have to make additional arrangements. All
during the tour, Jim’s narration was informative, enjoyable and just
the right amount. He made sure at each stop that I was accommodated to
be able to participate in each venue. His attention to detail was most
impressive. Most of all he was a delight to have as a tour guide. After
taking many tours, over the year’s my wife, Harriet and I, know that
the tour guide can make or break the enjoyment factor of your vacation. Alaska
Snail Trail Tours
also offers tour of our cities in Alaska. To
contact Jim Stone : Alaska
Snail Trails Holland America – Statendam Cruise Fortunately,
we booked our cruise early and reserved the larger sized accessible
cabins. The bathroom was great and the drains in the shower caught all
the water, so none leaked into the room. All the wall light switches
could also be controlled from the headboard of the bed.
As
a result, good old-fashioned man-power was put into play. I, as well as
all the other persons in wheelchairs, was
carried up and down (see photo, I took of another passenger) by
four crewmembers. They did an admirable job under the circumstances.
Upon returning to the ship, almost half way up, one of the crew (on the
front left) lost his grip and I was dropped. Fortunately, not very far
and with no ill effects. This could have been a much worse scenario. I
wrote the CEO of the cruise company describing the above situation and
the loss of the individuals dignity
and made the following suggestions. Check
to assure that the batteries of the stair climbing wheelchair are
charged up at least 24 hours before anticipated use and ascertain that
it functions. Check
that the gangway can accommodate this type of device. Third,
Have an alternative system available for the disabled.
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This
September, Eddie and Harriet Rice took a seven-day cruise from Anchorage
(Seward), Alaska to Vancouver, B.C.
on the Holland America – Statendam.
Eddie, who uses a power scooter due to Post-Polio Syndrome, reports on
the access to Anchorage hotel and tour accommodations, as well as the
ship’s facilities.
I
contacted Mr. Jim Stone, owner/operator of Alaska
Snail Trails. He told me that he has a new wheelchair tour bus that
holds six people and 2-3 wheelchairs. The tour, ($76 each.) description
was what we were looking for, so we made reservations way in advance, to
avoid disappointment. It was a full (and turned out to be a very sunny)
day, from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
We,
and a few other wheelchair users, had
At
Juneau. I noticed that on the pier, there was a large fork lift with a
three-sided container attached, which if feasible, safety-wise, could be
used as an elevator. Or some similar devise could be more quickly and
easily used, with dignity. My wife and I realize that we’re all just
human and things happen. Again the crew was superb and we realize there
are limitations.