Yesterday my daughter and I took advantage of a glorious end of summer day to visit a community event called Art by the River. This event consists of a large collection of tents and booths filled with the art, crafts and hand made jewelry from local artists. I enjoyed browsing the booths but walking for an hour or two on the park's uneven ground was difficult and painful for me. Level ground would have been much better, however I have to acknowledge the fact that now, any activity that includes a long period of walking is going to be painful for me. Going forward I must make a conscious effort to plan short bursts of walking with lots of rests.
These revelations affect the planning of my Vegas trips in every way. No longer will I accept rooms at the far end of the Strip; no Mandalay Bay or Stratosphere for me. It is imperative that I stay mid Strip and plan my activities in a manner that radiates out in short jaunts from my home base hotel. Also staying downtown is an excellent option for me because everything is close together. Changing casinos involves a 5 minute walk, not an hour one.
Also I will never again take anything but a non stop flight. There is no point to subjecting myself to wandering around more than one airport. It just makes travel days more exhausting than they already are. I am always extremely early for everything, but it is particularly important for flights when it takes you longer to get from place to place. I suggest that if you have mobility issues you make sure to arrive at the airport at least two or three hours early. I usually request wheelchair assistance to my gate and pre-boarding too if it is possible.
My level of disability is changing all the time and what is possible for me this year, may not be next year. While I have considered scooters I have not tried one out yet. There are laws that state that everything should be accessible but the reality seems to be quite different. I look at various places and puzzle how I would ever get in the door or how I would get down the Vegas strip with all the ups and downs, broken elevators, multiple obstacles and throngs of humanity.
I discovered quite by accident on my last trip that something you usually plan for pleasure, such as massages and whirlpool baths, can also have health enhancing and pain lessening effects while you are traveling.
As I age I realize I must take my health more seriously. I have a Medic Alert necklace that I have not worn in 30 years. If nothing else I should be wearing that when I am traveling. While I always have my medications in a separate bag in my purse that never leaves my side, it would also be a good idea to have a list of my meds written down along with my doctor's name and phone number in case of emergencies. I also should educate myself on what medical facilities will be nearby to where I am staying.
Planning ahead for unforeseen problems could be the difference between a pleasurable or not so pleasurable trip.
Gone are the days of traveling with no forethought.
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