Date of Visit: May 3, 2014
Despite living in Tucson for almost 20 years the Titan Missile Museum was one of the few places neither Mik or I had been to before. Considering Mik's fascination with military history it is rather surprising we never even thought about visiting before.
We arrived a few minutes after the noon tour began and decided to join it and miss a few minutes of the movie rather than wait for the next tour at 1 p.m. The movie is interesting about the history of the silo and launch center, but I don't feel we missed out on anything since you get some plus more info while touring the silo and the tour guides seem to be quite capable of fielding questions.
After the movie ended, the tour heads outside to go down to the launch center. Before heading down we stopped to hear them sound the siren, which was not a regular thing. It is very loud, but surprisingly Mik didn't freak out too much, although that was mainly because they gave a clear warning that it was happening.
There are 55 steps down to the entrance of the control center and for those that cannot do stairs they use what originally was more for freight use. When going up and down the tour guide made sure we knew when the bell was going to sound for the closing and opening above the elevator shaft. The sound was really nothing
after the siren, but still Mik can be sensitive to sound and really
appreciated having warning.
The rest of the tour is all on the same level and involves going through the blast doors, doing a simulated launch in the control center, and going over to see the Titan II Missile in the silo. We found the tour to be interesting. The only part Mik did not really like was the bumpy metal ground in the hallway down to the missile silo, but his comment was just that he was glad he did not have that flooring in his house.
Back up top the tour ends, but you can then wander around up top before heading back out through the museum building. Mik did not want to spend too much time wandering around in that he did not want us to stop in read every sign, which I agreed was unnecessary with the tour giving all that info already. Walking over to the top of the silo and going up the platform they have built over it to allow you to look down at the missile was worthwhile.
Destination Info:
Titan Missile Museum
1580 W Duval Mine Rd
Sahuarita, Arizona
Chronicling the personal experiences of wheelchair travel...the adventures and misadventures
Showing posts with label Arizona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arizona. Show all posts
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Navajo National Monument

We had not planned to visit the Navajo National Monument, but when we saw a sign for it on our way to Four Corners and Mesa Verde we decided to stop. It ended up being a worthwhile detour, although we only saw the visitor's center. Of course, it was also nice to add stamps to our National Park Passports, especially since they had the 25th Anniversary of the National Park Passport stamp.

The visitor's center at the Navajo National Monument has an automatic door, which Mik liked because he did not even have to push a button to open it. Inside the visitor center is a small exhibit about the Native Americans in the region. It includes a replica of the house structures that even Mik could roll into, although there was barely enough room for him to fit.

Outside the visitor's center is the Sandal Trail, which is paved and takes you to an overlook to see the cliff dwellings. The trail is accessible, but Mik was freaked how close it was to the edge of the mountain even though there appeared to at least be a railing on the edge. Also, we still had a lot of driving to do that day, so we did not go on it.
Near the trail there is a little area set up with an example hogan dwelling. The paved path ends right on the edge of this area, but it really is not much to see by getting closer. Thus you do not really miss out if you cannot go in the dirt path.
Overall Navajo National Monument impressed us. We did not do the accessible trail, but it was great that there was an option.
Photos by Kjersti
Text by Kjersti with Mik's wheelchair accessibility input
Destination Info:
Navajo National Monument
Shonto, AZ
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sunset Point Rest Area - I17 252mm

The Sunset Point Rest Area is a great scenic view rest area. It is shared by both directions of traffic. There are a good amount of handicap parking spots including 3 regular and 2 long motorhome style spots next to the main restrooms and another set of spots further down by the South facilities. The South facilities only have two single toilet restrooms and they are specifically for handicap, however they were closed and seem to be long term closed.
The main restroom building has handicap stalls in the Men's and Women's restrooms as well as one Family/Companion restroom. I noticed in the Women's restroom they had the large handicap stall as well as the style slightly larger than regular stall with grab bars on bath sides.

There is a sun dial memorial down a ramp as part of the view area.

Destination Info:
Sunset Point Rest Area
I17 252mm
Arizona
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Sentinel Rest Area Westbound – Interstate 8 Mile Marker 85

Totally, did not plan on doing any posts on stuff before we got to San Diego, but that was before we realized the very odd set up of the Sentinel Rest Area on the I-8. They have a picnic spot specifically designated specifically for wheelchairs, but for some reason there is absolutely nothing under the ramada. Seems like this would thus be a negative review, but it is not.

While the rest of the picnic table areas are not designated as accessible, they actually all seem to have concrete picnic tables that a wheelchair can rather easily and comfortably roll up to and use. It just struck us as very odd that the accessible spot had no table, yet the whole place was rather accommodating since a wheelchair could sit at any of the picnic tables.

So, that just left us wondering why even need a place designated accessible? It is not like the path to it seemed any better or anything. Sure it probably was the closest to the handicap spots, but without a table it sure is not useful for people that use handicap spots for stamina type reasons. Of course, it is very likely at one time it did have a table.

It also has an RV handicap parking spot.
Photos and Text by Kjersti with Mik’s Wheelchair Accessibility Input
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Exhibit at Arizona State Museum



Photos by Mik
Text by Kjersti with Mik's wheelchair accessibility input
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