Showing posts with label Boat Rides. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boat Rides. Show all posts

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Thanksgiving on the Bay - 2024

California Hornblower

San Francisco, CA

November 28, 2024


We've lived far from any family since December 1999 and we've never really established a Thanksgiving tradition other than it will probably be something new and unique.  


We spent a few years enjoying the holiday in The Woodlands with the Buckinghams in the early 2000s, and one each with Lisa's family in Richfield, OH and Northbrook IL. We've done a little of everything from Thanksgiving in a state park in Florida, to a ski resort in Alaska, to a vineyard in Santa Rosa, and even an oceanside hotel in Monterrey.  Lisa has gone all out at home on occasion, and we've ordered a feast from a local restaurant a few times. Oh yeah, we ate hot dogs in Las Vegas one year.

So, we had no idea what we were going to do this year, but Lisa and I knew we wanted an experience instead of figuring something out at home. After some online research, we came across a boat excursion in the San Francisco Bay serving a full traditional Thanksgiving feast. Boom, it was decided in September and we booked our table with a window view.

The boat and entire experience was fully accessible for Kellisa and we were treated like royalty. We were greeted and walked to our table. I let them know Kellisa was in a wheelchair and we had the perfect table for our family. Did I mention we boarded first? Thanks Kellisa and crew of the California Hornblower. 






We were barely at our table when like so often happens when Kellisa is extremely excited, she had a seizure. It was a rough one that lasted 3 minutes and she spent the next hour partially paralyzed. Kellisa did not let it ruin her evening, so we didn't allow it to ruin ours either. We always follow Kellisa's lead. 



We enjoyed beverages: 





Amazing food:




Spectacular views:









And of course, some excellent dessert: 





And there was plenty of time for exploring, dancing, and just having some quality family time:





















The evening ended with Kellisa taking over the DJ table and playing Miley Cyrus:


Tuesday, June 11, 2024

The Dolly Steamboat

 Sightseeing and Dinner Cruise

Tortilla Flat, AZ

February 2024


Sometimes, an excursion is perfectly accessible and a great time is had by all. Our recent visit to the Dolly Steamboat definitely qualifies for this rare event and instead of writing, we will let the pictures tell this story.


Sunday, May 19, 2024

Jackson Lake Scenic Cruise

 Grand Teton National Park

Wyoming

August 2023



We only had one full day in Grand Teton National Park and we decided to take the Jackson Lake Scenic Cruise based on how much Kellisa enjoyed the nearby Lake Yellowstone boat tour from an earlier trip to the area. The excursion wasn't exactly accessible, but with some assistance from the incredible staff, we were able to make it work. I did have to carry Kellisa up a few stairs (pictures below) and we made the decision to sit outside the main seating area. This seating arrangement meant we were exposed to the elements and on this day, it was the sun that was relentless. It was the worst time to leave my hat back in our cabin.

I could have carried Kellisa down a few more stairs, through a tight door, and then maneuver her to a seat inside the boat, but this seemed a little too risky for my liking. Maybe 20 years ago when Kellisa was smaller and I was filled with "youthful determination" but we don't have anything to prove at this point along Kellisa's Path. 

Plus, Kellisa has always enjoyed wind in her face and our views of the surrounding mountains towering high through the clouds were less obscured from our outdoor vantage point.

Kellisa made fast friends with our accommodating crew and enjoyed spending a few private moments with them as I retrieved her chair upon our return to the dock. I could have stored the chair on the boat, but that was extra lifting and I'm in a "Lift only as needed" mode in life. 

After our feet and wheels were back on the ground, we headed a short distance to enjoy a relaxing lunch which would power us through our planned afternoon hike along the shore of Jackson Lake. 




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