Kellisa Returns to Adventure Traveling

 Kellisa lost so much due to everything closing for the pandemic: her last 18 months of school, dances, proms, graduation, and the most costly, hundreds of rides on her school bus. While it was difficult to find a consensus during the pandemic, everyone seemed to agree that the elderly and those with medical conditions would be at high risk to develop severe COVID. We decided early on to play it extra safe with Kellisa and she remained in her room long after the rest of the family slowly returned to their normal activities.

Kellisa did attend a few events and on occasion went to the movies or out to eat, but travel always seemed too risky. Kellisa had rarely gone more than a few months without a flight since her very first back in May 2000. We even lost track of her flights sometime after she reached 400 years ago. 

We took a quick weekend trip to see family in Peoria, IL in January 2023, just short of three years since Kellisa's last flight before lockdowns (PDX-SMF February 2020). Everything went well and Kellisa had a great time. She felt some anxiety after so much time trapped at home, but it was clear that she still loved to travel.

I didn't want to let too much time pass before another trip, so I planned a little trip down to Palm Springs, CA in early April 2023. I was a little nervous about how Kellisa would respond, but it was like the three pandemic years never happened. Kellisa couldn't stop smiling, giggling, and asking for "more" adventures.

Our travel day was filled with many highlights (see below) that were very enjoyable to Kellisa. 

I can say that Adventurous Kellisa is back!

Getting safe for a parking shuttle bus ride.

Riding a glass wall elevator in the terminal.

Airport tram ride.

Our gate.

Anxiously waiting to board.

It's really happening!

Excited to be in the sky.

Yosemite National Park far below.

Good father-daughter times.

Kellisa was happy with our rental vehicle.

Our accessible room for a few days.

Adventure awaits!

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Wyler Aerial Tramway

 El Paso, Texas

March 27, 2009

Our day in El Paso actually started out in Houston. We had a connecting flight in Houston that we missed because our plane circled Houston for almost two hours. It was very late, Kellisa was passed out in her wheelchair and we learned that the next flight was in the morning. After a short night at a hotel, we were on our way to El Paso.

We arrived around noon and enjoyed some authentic Mexican food. Then it was off to the Wyler Aerial Tramway in Franklin Mountains State Park. We learned a couple of years ago while on vacation in Gatlinburg, TN that Kellisa loves trams and ski lifts.

The tramway is a four minute, 2,600 foot ride up Ranger Peak (5,632 feet above sea level) on a 1 3/8 inch diameter steel cable suspended 240 feet above the mountain walls.

Kellisa enjoyed the ride as it was bumpy, which to her, is more important than the views. The tram was small and driven by a Park Ranger who narrates the ride.

Below is the view from the summit looking out over El Paso, the Rio Grande River and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. 

Kellisa wheeling around the cold, windy, accessible summit platform. 

As one tram goes up, the other heads down the mountain. They slow as they pass to limit the bumps.

GONDOLAS, LIFTS, & TRAMS

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Memphis Zoo

 Memphis, Tennessee

September 2013

We have three stories from our father-daughter trip to the Memphis Zoo. First, Egypt and I have a thing were I sometimes respond with, "Daughter" when she calls me dad. This happened when we were at a gas station and a random man overheard and he started questioning the fact because in his words, "I don't see it."

Egypt was barely 4 years old and kinda knew she was adopted, but didn't fully understand what it all meant. I assured the man that I was her father and he just wouldn't let it go. It made for a very uncomfortable situation and I didn't want to really get into it in front of Egypt. I did my best to remain calm and we couldn't get out of there fast enough. I felt horrible for Egypt as this was the first time she had to endure a rude stranger.

Our second story is about the giant purse Egypt is holding in the picture below. Her grandmother was in the middle of staying with us for a few weeks when we took this trip. Egypt was most insistent on bringing her large zebra print purse on this trip and her grandmother tried to talk her out of it. When Egypt wouldn't budge, she told me that I would end up carrying it because it was too big for Egypt. I didn't care enough either way and if Egypt wanted it for all her "things," I was fine with it. I figured I would end up carrying her stuff no matter what it was in and to Egypt's credit, she held on to it the entire trip.

The last story still breaks my heart even after all these years. Egypt's favorite animal is the polar bear and the Memphis Zoo is the closest zoo to Jacksonville, FL with polar bears. They were the main attraction and reason why we were in Memphis. Egypt was so excited as we approached the polar bear exhibit and they were walking around and even swimming a little. We couldn't ask for a better show, it was almost like they knew their favorite fan was there to see them. 

After some time passed observing the polar bears, Egypt asked, "When do I get to pet them?"

I had to tell her that she wouldn't be able to pet the polar bears and she started crying with disappointment. A zoo worker overheard what was going on and he asked us to wait a minute because he had something for Egypt. I was thinking a small polar bear stuffed animal or something similar. I couldn't have been more wrong.

We came back with a 4' by 6' piece of polar bear fur for Egypt to pet and she was so excited to feel it, but it was short lived when she asked if it was real. When he responded, "Yes," she started to really cry because she realized that the polar bear had to die for her to be able to pet it.

It took some time to calm down and some deep conversations with a 4 year old before she was able to enjoy the polar bears again.

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Oregon Zoo

 Portland, Oregon

August 2009

Oregon Zoo

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BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

December 2010

Many of our adventures happen without much drama. Our visit to BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo was not one of those as we got into a situation with staff because our "Mobility Chair" looked like a jog stroller.

Kellisa and I had a few hours to kill in Baton Rogue, so we decided to check out the zoo. As soon as we paid our entry fee and entered the zoo, Kellisa say it...the train. Kellisa immediately asked to ride the train. I bought the tickets and noticed that the last seat faced backwards and thought Kellisa would enjoy that perspective. The train probably holds 100+ riders and we were the 6th and 7th to get on the train as it was about to leave. Therefore, most of the train was empty on a cold December afternoon in the bayou. 

In the picture below, notice a wheel just to the left of Kellisa's head, that no other riders can be seen in the picture, and the conductor in the distance on the left side near the front of the train:

As I'm snapping the above picture, the conductor starts yelling, "you can't put the stroller there" and "you need to leave the stroller behind". 

I yelled back, "it's NOT a stroller and I'm not leaving it"!

The conductor came to the back of the train and explained that strollers are not allowed on the train. I explained that it was not a stroller and that it was a $1,200.00 special needs chair for a disabled 11 year old kid. I wasn't about to budge and the conductor finally offered to put the Independence Push Chair in the front in an area for wheelchairs. I accepted.

We were finally able to enjoy the train ride through the surrounding forest, bayou, and around the zoo's perimeter:

After the train ride, Kellisa enjoyed seeing the animal:

Of course, the snakes were Kellisa's favorite exhibit:

The noisy birds would be a close 2nd:

It was time to leave after a few hours enjoying the zoo and there it was, near the exit...the train. Kellisa wanted to ride one more time and we were in luck, we were just in time to catch the final ride for the day. I purchased our tickets before loading Kellisa on the train and the chair in the wheelchair area as we agreed to do earlier in our visit. This time we were the 4th and 5th riders and the rest of the train was empty.

Kellisa enjoying her 2nd ride of the day:

However, the story does not end here. As I'm unfolding the chair and getting ready to transfer Kellisa off the train, the conductor comes up to explain that she did us a favor since we bought the tickets before she saw us the 2nd time. She talked to her supervisor and was instructed not to let us put the mobility device in the wheelchair area. I was to leave the chair behind or not ride.

I asked if she had the capacity to understand that Kellisa could not walk and even though the chair did not look like a wheelchair, it was absolutely necessary for Kellisa. I explained that it was not a $10 umbrella stroller from Wal-Mart. We went back and forth and I tried to remain calm. 

I asked what would happen if I left the chair and it was stolen? How would I get Kellisa to the car? Back to the hotel? Through the airport? 

"I'm just explaining the policy", said the conductor.

That is not an answer!

I explained that it sounded like discrimination to me. She still did not understand. I told her to let it go, knowing that we would never be back to this zoo. She kept pushing and pushing. Finally, as I was walking away, I told her that I would be back tomorrow bright and early to ride the train 14 times (the number of trips in a day).

We left the zoo and as I was putting Kellisa and the chair in the car, what do I see out of the corner of my eye? The train backing down the tracks on the other side of the fence and it comes to a stop. I hear, "sir".

I responded,  "Please, leave it alone".

The conductor responded, "Please don't do anything, I understand your situation and will explain that it's not a stroller to my boss".

My last response was, "See you tomorrow"!

If we weren't flying back to Jacksonville, I would have gone back to play this out and probably will push it if we are ever in the area again. I just wanted to give the conductor a sleepless night and my guess is she probably called in sick the next day. I also understand it's not her policy, but since she is the front line, she needs to understand so she can communicate our position to her superiors.

How hard is it to see a guy lifting a 75# child out of a chair and struggling to put her on a train is not the same as a baby or toddler in a stroller? Not to mention the gigantic size of Kellisa's chair.

I never ask for anything special, just a fair chance and I get so tired of fighting for Kellisa's rights. It's not like the chair took a row of seats from paying customers. It's no wonder you rarely see kids in wheelchairs out enjoying themselves. It's a struggle, but if I don't fight for Kellisa, who will?

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El Paso Zoo

 El Paso, Texas

March 2009

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