Visited States

Laurel: 26

2014 Additions: Oregon - Arizona - Colorado - Louisiana - Connecticut - Rhode Island

Kellisa: 39

Muir Woods National Monument

California

 

July 2014

 

Our last hike of the trip was at Muir Woods National Monument. Even though it was well over 100 degrees and early on a Friday afternoon, the road leading to the park had cars parked on both shoulders for miles. I knew I couldn't walk a great distance with both girls on such a narrow road with so many cars coming and going. With doubt that we could visit the park, we pressed on hoping for a disabled spot close to the visitor center. As we approached, I realized that there was an entire parking lot for disabled parking. Of course it was full, but we got lucky, a car was backing out as we arrived. I know all about hidden disabilities, but Kellisa was the only wheelchair we saw. For every one hidden disability, I bet there's 10 people abusing the disabled parking card...if not more.

 

Anyway, we found the trail to be fully accessible and easy as we hiked through our last redwood forest for the trip. Laurel again insisted on pushing Kellisa for most of the trail. We saw more people on this trail than all of our other hikes on this trip combined. The count wouldn't even be close, but the golden rule of hiking definitely applied to this trail. As soon as we were about a mile from the trailhead, we almost had the trail to ourselves. At 1.5 miles away, we were by ourselves. I dreaded turning back and fighting the crowds. But, an ice cream awaited us at the park café on this hot summer afternoon making the return trek tolerable.

 

(More pictures from Muir Woods)

 



Earthquake Trail

Point Reyes National Seashore

CA

July 2014

 

 

We were disappointed to only have a half day at the end of our trip to spend exploring Point Reyes National Seashore. It ended up working out OK because it was blazing hot. Even though we were there in the morning, the temperature reading in our car said it was 105 degrees outside. The kids enjoyed the displays and movie at the visitor center. With limited time and the heat to consider, we hiked the short (.6 mile) fully accessible Earthquake Trail. Nothing too exciting about the required short, paved trail next to the visitor center. We look forward to returning to this oceanside park to spend a couple of days hiking the unpaved trails deep into the wilderness.

 



TRAILS

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Confusion Hill

Leggett, CA

 

July 2014

 

 

 

 

We stopped at the roadside attraction, Confusion Hill to ride the mountain train. It was disappointing to learn that the entire attraction was not at all accessible, including the gift store. The girls could hear the train in the distance and were excited to be there. The only way to ride the train was to ascend steep, narrow and twisting steps up a hillside. We were determined to figure out a way to make it work...

 

(More pictures, plus videos and a detailed trip report)

 



Rockefeller Loop Trail

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

CA

 

July 2014

 

 

The Rockefeller Loop Trail in Humboldt Redwoods State Park was accessible, short and beautiful beyond words. We had the entire trail to ourselves. Laurel insisted on pushing Kellisa the entire length of the trail which allowed me to play full time photographer while watching my girls enjoy themselves in another magical forest.

 

(More Rockefeller Loop Trail Pictures)