Lopez Island, Washington is Handicapped Accessible

By: Darlene Siddons
Submitted: 2008-07-25 17:49:33
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Lopez Island is the first stop made by the Washington State Ferries among the San Juan Islands. The Islands are located in the northwest corner of the state along the U.S.-Canada international border. The island is 15 miles long and eight miles wide. Lopez Island is located approximately 50 miles west of Victoria, British Columbia, and 100 miles north of Seattle, Washington.

You won't find very many cars on Lopez Island, however, if you are handicapped and have a place card and/or license plate you will have preferred treatment on the ferry. It may take some preparation ahead of time but it will be well worth your time to do this planning, this a must see and experience destination to enjoy. There are vineyards, farmlands and parks; then for water sports there is whale watching, fishing, clamming and crabbing, oh, yes don't forget kayaking.

The ferry system is in the process of upgrading and re-evaluating their service for disabled passengers. Although it is still a "work in progress," they are striving to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to conveniently access and use the ferry system. You can call ahead if that makes you feel more comfortable, but to get to the ferry terminal early will work just as well and just let them know what your requirements are.

Lopez Village, the main town, is only four miles from the ferry landing. Here, everything from art galleries and shops to restaurants and bakeries are within walking distance of one another. Lopez Island is has many natural attractions, along with clamming and crabbing.

Spencer Spit State Park is worth a visit and Shark Reef Sanctuary has 45 acres of day trails and scenic costal vistas;hundreds of seals hang out on the big rocks offshore. Even if you can't access these areas the variety of birds and wildlife on the island can be observed almost everywhere, they are plentiful and don't forget your binoculars. Hummel Lake has accessible restrooms and the rest of the area is accessible with assistance, it is gravel landscape.

The only fully handicap hotel on the island is Edenwild, it has a ramp to the back door and one room is handicap accessible which is room #3. This is a non-smoking and no pets allowed facility; also children under 12 are discouraged, there is a smoking area in the garden section of the property. This is basically a bed and breakfast type accommodation and has the theme of a county inn. It is located about five miles from the ferry dock.

Visiting the other three San Juan Islands by ferry from Lopez Island is easy as well, and can be an enjoyable way to see the communities of all the San Juan Islands. While you are visiting the other islands and are interested in a whale-watching and wildlife tours, San Juan Excursions have a handicap accessible vessel and they sail out of Friday Harbor so you can enjoy that along with your ferry trips to the other islands, unfortunately Lopez Island doesn't have this accomodation, but that will give you a good excuse to visit the other islands and the opportunity to explore. Making all of these arrangments can seem a little daunting, that is where a travelling with disabilities travel agent could be of assistance, and there isn't any reason for you to miss out on the fun of vacationing and traveling to new exciting places so make that call today. Happy vacationing!!

Darlene has been an active traveler and most of it was done as a single traveler. She was traveling alone long before it was a popular thing to do for women and to make the story even more interesting she is a Polio survivor and uses a walker and a small scooter to be mobile when she travels. She, needless to say, is a Specialist in Traveling with Disabilities and can personally assist you in all of your mobility traveling needs. She knows the right questions to ask, to get the right answers. Of course she can assist mobile and active customers with the same expertise. as she is a Personal Travel Specialist also.Darlene Siddons Travel

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