I know that you are all looking at the title and saying to yourselves has he gone nuts? One month away from his blog and all he has for us is "The Day Trip"? Well yes, that is exactly what I have for you.
I know that we all love the expansive, costly trip that comes around once or twice a year (if we are fortunate). However the real sanity saver is the weekend getaway to Port Angeles, or the day trip to Seattle or Portland to visit the art museum or to catch a show (or shopping for those who tend to hit the department store flagships). These can be the little holidays that we need to keep our relationships healthy, and us from having to be on anti depressants (when we really don't need them).
My wife and I recently had 2 such weekends where we let our inner geeks out to play. You see she is a bit of a book nut and I am a HUGE comic book and movie freak. So one weekend we went "movie hunting" and the next week we went to every bookstore and comic shop in a 75 mile radius. For those who don't know what I mean, "movie hunting" is when you make a list of movies that you're looking for, and the price you want to pay for them. Then you hit every big chain video store previously viewed rack (and anywhere else that you can find a decent copy of the movie for a discount) until your list is mostly crossed out. It's only partly about the movies, and is more about the drive to Lynden, or Anacortes (we live in NW Washington state these are my examples) and the great ice cream that you got at the farmers market, or that yummy lunch you had at that quaint drive-in restaurant, and it might be that you found some great bargains too.
What does this have to do with accessible travel? Here it is, every now and then folks with a disability crave to do what EVERYONE ELSE is doing. Something crazy, and maybe not average but silly. I love movies and books and comics. Let's make a real memory out of finding them. If your mobility impared person happens to be a kid this will give him or her a great story to share with their friends (and kids when they get older). Travel (even accessible travel) is not always about getting from point A to point B, or can I get into the bathroom. It is about the memories that you share with friends and loved ones (and even a little doughnut muncher canine). Sometimes family time needs to be on 4 wheels in search of every place that gives the dog a treat.
This is what I have learned on my month away from the PC. After all it was the great philosopher Ferris Bueller who said "life moves fast, if you don't look around you might miss something". Truer words were never spoken.
Back soon with more good vibes.
