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Small Towns — Greenwater, Washington

Small Towns — Greenwater, Washington

Greenwater, Washington Population 28 Greenwater is a good place to stop and spend a few nights, if you want to explore the northeast section of Mount Rainier National Park (barrierfreeolympic.com). It’s just 18 miles to the White River Entrance, and it’s an absolutely gorgeous drive. And although accessible lodging options are slim in this neck of the woods, Alta Crystal Resort (www.altacrystalresort.com) recently added an accessible cabin. Accessible parking is located in front of the cabin, with ramp access up to the front door. Inside there’s good pathway access around the great room, which is furnished with a king-sized bed and a sleeper sofa. There’s a fully equipped kitchen on one side of the great room, and barrier-free access to the bathroom, which features a large tiled roll-in shower, with two showerheads. And the back deck is the perfect place to relax, as it’s literally surrounded by the forest.

Bedroom area in the accessible cabin at Alta Crystal Resort

Greenwater, Washington

Population 28

Greenwater is a good place to stop and spend a few nights, if you want to explore the northeast section of Mount Rainier National Park (… Read More

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Small Towns — Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Small Towns — Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Santa Rosa, New Mexico Population 2,711 Located along the post-1937 incarnation of Route 66, Santa Rosa is a must-stop for car buffs on any Interstate 40 road trip. The big draw is the Route 66 Auto Museum (www.facebook.com/Route-66-Auto-Museum-584173181695140). This brainchild of Bozo and Anna Cordova — who also own Bozo’s Garage

Inside the Route 66 Auto Museum

Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Population 2,711

Located along the post-1937 incarnation of Route 66, Santa Rosa is a must-stop for car buffs on any Interstate 40 road trip. The big draw is the Route … Read More

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Small Towns — Death Valley Junction, California

Small Towns — Death Valley Junction, California

Death Valley Junction, California Population 4 Located near the East Entrance of the famed national park, Death Valley Junction has just four (and sometimes fewer) full time residents. That said, during the borax mining boom in the early 1900s there were 300 people living there. In 1960 New York City ballet dancer Marta Becket had a flat tire there and fell in love with the desert. She later transformed the former dorm and recreation hall into the Amargosa Hotel and the Amargosa Opera House (www.amargosaoperahouse.org). She painted murals throughout the hotel, and even painted an audience on the walls of the opera house. Today the murals still grace the walls of the hotel, and tours of the opera house are available. Both venues have level access so it’s a nice stop for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Unfortunately the Amargosa Café, which is located next door, has an eight-inch step up to it, but the picnic table in front of the hotel is wheelchair-accessible.

The Amargosa Opera House

Death Valley Junction, California

Population 4

Located near the East Entrance of the famed national park, Death Valley Junction has just four (and sometimes fewer) full time residents. That said, during the borax mining boom in … Read More

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Small Towns — Blue Ridge, Georgia

Small Towns — Blue Ridge, Georgia

Blue Ridge, Georgia Population 1,407 Located 90 miles north of Atlanta in the heart of the Blue Ridge foothills, this Northern Georgia town is a bit off the main tourist track, and that’s reason enough to stop there. It’s the perfect place to get away from the city, and take a relaxing ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (brscenic.com). The train features open-air cars, including one that is wheelchair-accessible. A lift that can accommodate a total weight of 750 pounds is available for boarding, and there’s also an accessible restroom on the train. The train follows the Toccoa River and travels at a very leisurely pace, so the 26—mile journey takes about an hour. It pulls into McCaysville around noon, and departs for Blue Ridge two hours later. Passengers have plenty of time to explore the town, and even walk up the street to the twin border town of Copperhill, Tennessee. All in all, it’s a very relaxing way to spend the afternoon.

Blue Ridge Railway

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Population 1,407

Located 90 miles north of Atlanta in the heart of the Blue Ridge foothills, this Northern Georgia town is a bit off the main tourist track, and that’s reason enough to stop … Read More

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Small Towns — Monte Vista, Colorado

Small Towns — Monte Vista, Colorado

Monte Vista, Colorado Population 4,175 Located in Southern Colorado, about 50 miles north of the New Mexico border, Monte Vista is named for its spectacular mountain view. And although it’s a popular road trip stopover town, the big draw is is actually located on Highway 15 just south of town — the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (www.fws.gov/refuge/monte_vista). During the spring and fall thousands of Sandhill Cranes and migrating waterfowl descend on the surrounding wetlands, while song birds, shore birds and water birds nest there in the summer. Although most of the refuge can be seen in a car on the 2.5-mile auto loop, there’s also a short accessible trail near the entrance. This wide level pathway winds alongside the marsh and continues for 100 yards, and ends at an accessible overlook. It’s a nice spot to get some fresh air, and if you’d like to dine al fresco, there’s also a picnic table located near the trailhead.

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge

Monte Vista, Colorado

Population 4,175

Located in Southern Colorado, about 50 miles north of the New Mexico border, Monte Vista is named for its spectacular mountain view. And although it’s a popular road trip stopover … Read More

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Small Towns — Terlingua, Texas

Small Towns — Terlingua, Texas

Terlingua, Texas Population 58 Located five miles west of Study Butte, near the west entrance to Big Bend National Park, Terlingua’s big claim to fame is that it’s the “Birthplace to all Chili Cookoffs”. Technically it’s a ghost town, except for four days in the fall when visitors stream in for the cookoff. That said it’s best to stop in during the non-chili days to have a look at the historic Terlingua Cemetery (www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2228459/terlingua-cemetery). Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the cemetery dates back to 1902; and although it’s fairly level there are some narrow spots and patches of uneven ground between the gravesites. Even if you can’t get past the first set of plots, it’s still worth a stop as the entrance pillars have niches filled with everything from candies and bottle caps, to photos, shells and even an odd personal item or two. Add in the graves, which are adorned with an assortment of candles, fetishes and charms, and you have an excellent photo op.

The cemetary in Terlingua, Texas

Terlingua, Texas

Population 58

Located five miles west of Study Butte, near the west entrance to Big Bend National Park, Terlingua’s big claim to fame is that it’s the “Birthplace to all Chili Cookoffs”. Technically … Read More

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Small Towns — Winslow, Arizona

Small Towns — Winslow, Arizona

Winslow, Arizona Population 9,402 You just can’t pass up the opportunity to stand on the corner in this Northeastern Arizona town. And since it’s just a few hours from the Grand Canyon, and only 50 miles from the Petrified Forest, it’s the perfect addition to a national park road trip. Standin’ on the Corner Park (standinonthecorner.org/) which is located on the corner of 2nd Street (Route 66) and Kinsley, brings the lyrics of the 1972 Eagles hit — Take it Easy — to life. It features a mural by John Pugh, which depicts the famous lyrics, behind a bronze sculpture of a musician with a guitar (known locally as “Easy”), just standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona. It’s a prime selfie spot for sure. Save some time to browse through the La Posada — a restored Harvey House — which is just down the street, before you hop back on the highway. Both attractions feature barrier-free access for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

Standin’ On A Corner in Winslow, Arizona

Winslow, Arizona

Population 9,402

You just can’t pass up the opportunity to stand on the corner in this Northeastern Arizona town. And since it’s just a few hours from the Grand Canyon, and … Read More

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Small Towns — Elbe, Washington

Small Towns — Elbe, Washington

Elbe, Washington Population 29 Elbe makes a good stop on the way to Mount Rainier National Park, as it’s just 13 miles from the Nisqually Entrance. One of the big attractions in town is the Mount Rainier Railroad (mtrainierrailroad.com), which operates excursions to the remote Logging Museum. Located next to the Little White Church — a tiny sanctuary that seats just 46 parishioners — the Elbe Depot features accessible parking with level access to the ticket office. Lift access is available to the first class railcar, which offers table and chair seating. The steam train travels through the forest and gives passengers an excellent view of Mount Rainier — if it’s not obscured by clouds. The Logging Museum is just 35 minutes away, and it includes a number of buildings that were relocated from logging camps. Accessible pathways lead through the camp, and over to a display of historic trains and equipment. And after a short stop, passengers reboard the train and head back to Elbe. It’s a fun excursion, and a must-do for train buffs.

Logging Museum

Elbe, Washington

Population 29

Elbe makes a good stop on the way to Mount Rainier National Park, as it’s just 13 miles from the Nisqually Entrance. One of the big attractions in town is the Mount Rainier Railroad … Read More

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Small Towns — California City, California

Small Towns — California City, California

California City, California Population 13,972 California City — which is smack dab in the middle of the Mojave Desert — is actually the third largest city in the state by land area. And although it spans 203 square miles, it has a population of just over 13,000 people. Compare that to San Francisco, which occupies 49 square miles, with a population of 885,000, and you begin to understand the vastness of this desert burg. And truly the big attraction — the desert tortoise — is found far outside of the populated section of the city, at the Desert Tortoise Natural Area (www.tortoise-tracks.org/wptortoisetracks). There’s a level parking area near a kiosk filled with interpretive exhibits, and barrier-free access over to the quarter-mile hard-packed dirt loop trail. Look for the tortoises near the creosote bushes that line the trail, as that’s where their burrows are located. There are also three other trails through the desert — the .4-mile Plant Trail, the .5-mile Animal Trail, and the 1.78-mile Discovery Trail — all of which are wheelchair-accessible. The best time to spot the tortoises is from March through May, in the early mornings or late afternoons.

Desert Tortoise Natural Area

California City, California

Population 13,972

California City — which is smack dab in the middle of the Mojave Desert — is actually the third largest city in the state by land area. And although it spans … Read More

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