Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Loop Trail

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

Nevada

September 2016

Between settling in our new home in California and summer's heat, we weren't able to explore any local trails for several months. That changed at the end of September when we hiked a nice little trail high above Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Loop Trail was the perfect trail to get back outside. It was wide and free of obstacles for Kellisa's Hippocampe. As usual, Laurel took the lead on the trail and even volunteered to push Kellisa several times. The girls were excited to have mom join us on this trail close to our home.

Kellisa had pushiked in Nevada before, but never with Laurel. With this trail complete, the girls have hiked together in 41 states. 

(More Pictures) 

The Remaining States

Brazos Bend State Park, Texas
March 2014

After my post that the girls are getting close to visiting and hiking in all 50 states, some have wondered what is left before completing the lists. I wanted to double and triple check my lists to make sure we didn't miss anything.

Kellisa still needs to visit Iowa, Hawaii, and Alaska. In addition to those three states, Laurel needs to visit New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Utah. 

The girls have visited Illinois and New Hampshire, but haven't hike a trail in these two states.

Getting Close to All 50 States

Tahoe Meadows (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Nevada)
September 2016

What started out as a promise back in May 1999 only to be forgotten for several years before being turned in to a real goal is close to being realized after several revisions. 

The promise was to take Kellisa to visit all 50 United States by her 18th birthday. The promise grew to include hiking at least one trail in each state. 

Along the path, Kellisa became an older sister to Laurel who started joining adventures to new states and without much planning, both girls are close to hiking a trail (together) in all 50 states. 

Kellisa has visited 47 states to Laurel's 43 and together they've shared a trail in 41 states. Trips are planned to visit and hike the remaining states by the end of 2016.

All Are Welcome, Except the Disabled

It's nearly impossible to find a disabled/family restroom available to use when out with Kellisa. I'm guessing we find the door locked at least 90% of the time. It is usually an able bodied person who is using the bathroom as a personal throne. Sometimes it's someone using it as the smoking lounge. Rarely is it a family with small children and almost never is it another disabled person.

To give space to "all genders", they are using the disabled bathroom which really means they are taking it away from the disabled because I'm going out on a vary short and sturdy limb by guessing this will make it absolutely impossible to ever find a bathroom available for Kellisa. I see this as theft from the disabled. At best, a public location might have one bathroom set aside. Besides privacy and sanitary reasons, we need the extra room to safely use the facilities with Kellisa. 

Since I frequently travel alone with both girls, what is my alternative? Wheel Kellisa in the men's room? If yes, what do I do with 7-year-old Laurel? Do I bring her with us? Does she curiously look around? Do I leave her outside the men's bathroom and hope for the best?  

Our picture is from the San Diego Airport and I'm afraid that it will become the new normal. The disabled have so few resources and it is disturbing to think this may start a new trend. In my opinion, we only have one option and our odds of finding a bathroom for Kellisa will go from maybe 10% to far less than 1% if "All Are Welcome, Except the Disabled" becomes public policy.

The disabled need a powerful voice and lobby!

"Enraged Father Sounds Off, but was He Heard?"

Our latest article for Abilities can be found (here).

"Mile High Miracle"

Kellisa's First Flight

It happens on almost every Southwest flight and I'm sure it's not unique to just to one airlines. I'm surprised I've never seen this phenomenon covered in the news since it's so amazing and prevalent.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             My most recent article, "Waiting for Kellisa's Mile High Miracle" was published yesterday on Abilities.com.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          You can find a direct link to the article (here).

Crescent Rock Trail

Shenandoah National Park, VAh

July 2015

Miles Pushiked: .42

When our path was blocked by a barricade on the Limberlost Trail, we saw a smaller trail off to the side. We wanted to pushike a little longer and decided to try the side trail. This path wasn't accessible, but it looked possible. We only went .21 of a mile down this trail, but we found it quite enjoyable. I was still worried about the next rain storm. The ground was a little muddy and we encountered a few rocks and roots, but the surrounding forest seemed a little more full and lush. We met an older couple hiking this trail and we talked for a few minutes. I found it odd that they reeked of smoke and was very surprised to see a burning cigarette laying in the middle of trail shortly after our encounter. Laurel looking at the half smoked cigarette, "That's disgusting". Even though everything was wet, we still stomped the cigarette out. 

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Limberlost Trail

Shenandoah National Park, VA

July 2015

Miles Pushiked: 1.02

We arrived at the trailhead in between rain showers. As soon as I had Kellisa in her Hippocampe and we were ready to start, it began to rain again. We took shelter in the Jeep and I worried about losing our chance to pushike this trail.

I had selected the Limberlost because it was accessible (rare in mountain environments), 1.3 miles long, had a bridge and boardwalk. After a long 30 minutes, the rain stopped. I had to reload Kellisa in her chair before we could start out on the trail. I had checked the weather the day before and there was a zero percent chance of rain, so I didn't pack our raincoats (rookie mistake).

Laurel did not enjoy all the bug sounds coming from the forest. She used the hood on her hiking shirt to block out some of the buzzing. The trail was in great shape and we found it to be very accessible until we reached a barricade. The trail was closed after .51 of a mile. It was a pleasant stroll through the forest with a few slight elevation changes. It would have been nice to complete the trail. Before returning to the trailhead, we did explore a little side trail that wasn't accessible.

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A Perfect Father's Day

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Father's Day 2016 started with a morning 3.35 mile walk on the trail system behind our house with Kellisa:

The morning was already hot and sunny, so Kellisa was a little tired and stayed home while Laurel got to go to Sunsplash Waterpark. It's a good thing that Kellisa stayed home because she ended up having a sun related seizure. Sunsplash is Laurel's reason for loving her new house. In the parking lot picture below left, you can see a row of houses (center right) in the distance, that's our neighborhood less than a mile away and Laurel is beyond exstatic to be living so close.

After an easy (no cook) dinner of shrimp and rolls, we enjoyed the end of our day making and eating S'mores:

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Close to Heaven

Summer 2015:

Laurel, Nana (Great-Grandma) and Kellisa (April 2011)

The windows were down as we drove through a light rain in Shenandoah National Park and Taylor Swift was playing on the iPod when Laurel asked me to be quiet and turn off the music. She was using her sad voice and before I could ask any questions, I looked back and saw her gazing up and out her window.

"One day, I'll be up there with you

It's not the same without you

It's not the same without your kisses

It's not the same without your smiles

I miss you

I miss you"

Laurel made up those lyrics as she sang to her great-grandma in heaven. I think being in a beautiful place in the clouds made Laurel think about heaven and how she still really misses her great-grandma. Some say time heals, but 18 months has passed and Laurel is still struggling with losing her great-grandma.

6.19.2016 Update- it's now been 30 months and Laurel still gets very sad at least once a week.