Vacation Spots: Thumbs up or Thumbs down? - accessibility for handicapped people in Golden, Colorado and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Brief Article

Accent on Living, Spring, 2000

Many readers are finding this information to be very helpful. It saves spending money going places where you might find accessibility (or other types of) problems. We invite you to send your experiences to ACCENT Vacations, PO Box 700, Bloomington, IL 61702-0700, fax to 309-378-4420 or e-mail to acntlvng@aol.com.

El Rancho Restaurant Golden, CO

A physically disabled person traveling with a service dog finds challenges and opportunities. Challenges are minimized and an opportunity to dine in an atmosphere of the old west amid the beauty of the Rocky Mountains awaits one at the El Rancho. One of the "most photographed views in Colorado" includes a herd of buffalo, possible sightings of deer, elk, bald eagles, rabbits, and spectacular mountain scenery at 7,686 feet. A ponderosa wooded area north of the restaurant provides a place for a dog to exercise, walk/run, and take a break. A handicap accessible ramp a few feet from the parking lot provides wheelchair access to the restaurant. Delectable food may include linguini with rattlesnake sausage, rabbit, sundried tomatoes, sweet basil, olive oil, garlic and a hint of heavy cream covered with deep-fried leeks or wild game meatloaf with elk, buffalo and venison. A favorite place and highly recommended. (contact Mark McKenna, info@historicelrancho.com

B. J. Pearson

Wyoming

Pittsburgh, PA

The Pittsburgh airport is a delight with a mall and various shops. The Doubletree Inn is also a pleasure. The staff was extremely accommodating and willing to make our stay a pleasure. My only complaint is the transportation in Pittsburgh. When we called ahead for an accessible van to take us to the airport, we were told they needed 48 hours notice. We were also quoted a three-hour, $20 per hour minimum even though the airport was less than 30 miles away. There were air transport buses that were wheelchair accessible but they weren't running the day we left. Amazing that such a great city couldn't do better in the transportation department.

Dr. Gayle Twiname

Texas