And the kids return to school, the wallet is thinner due to the economy, and many people are hesitant to spend a large amount on a vacation, it seems as though those in the mobility impaired community that are on a tight budget are particularly out of luck. Or are they?
There are many low cost, or even free, events, destinations and lodging to be had with the right research in your area. State parks are an excellent place to look. Often they have cabins for rent that are accessible. With the economy slipping in the mud again, often lodging in smaller towns or less flashy locations will have vacancies that they want to fill at a very good rate. Business centers look to fill empty rooms on the weekend at reduced rates. The key is researching and creativity! If you are single or with your significant other, but don’t have children, try looking at the Sunday through Wednesday window. Granted you might have to shuffle your schedule around to get the days off, you will find rates drop dramatically! Even if you do have small ones, the option of keeping them out on a Monday so you can do a festival on Sunday, spend the night, have a great breakfast together and then driving home might be an idea. Only you can decide that though. Always search online for a “base” price, then call the establishment direct for the rock bottom rate. Try a week ahead, and try two days before. September marks the “official” end to the summer travel season, and rates usually fall considerably. Just like in airline tickets, flexibility is the golden egg.
The late summer and early fall season also brings about the many festivals and annual events found in every community. Many of these might be close enough to take just a night or two away, and still have loads of things to do that cost little if anything in the way of entrance fees. Shopping, arts and crafts, food festivals, car shows and many more such events occur almost weekly this time of year. Finding one to your liking should not be hard. Be sure to contact the event organizers directly to ask about accessibility. Nothing ruins a great festival like a huge gravel filled hill leading into the event! It also marks the football season. I love football, but have found that trying to find a decent rate anywhere near a college town on the weekend of a game is next to impossible, so always look at the other events scheduled for the area you are interested in. Fishing is great this time of year. Many state parks and ocean side areas have great piers for the disabled sportsman. The University of Southern Mississippi’s Institute for Disability Studies (Gulf Coast Campus) has adaptive fishing gear, beach wheelchairs, and even adaptive golf carts for FREE! Jekyll Island has free beach wheelchair rentals and a great pier. The list goes on and on. I try to list as many as I can actually verify on the website’s link page, but with just myself as staff it is limited. Your input helps others as a free resource. Write us a review on your travel adventures!
So get out there! Live life and have fun. It doesn’t cost a second mortgage on your home to have a good time. Let me hear from you about your finds and excursions, either by posting here or on the website! Be safe and have a great time!
