The Grand Canyon

We stayed at...

Grand Canyon Railway RV Park
601 W. Franklin Ave.
Williams, AZ 86046
1-800-843-8724

The amenities include…

Full hookups

Wide spacious sites

Wi-Fi (could not stay connected)

Laundry

Large clean showers

Large barbecue area

Basketball

Volleyball

Horse shoes

Playground

(The office and playground are across the street)

The RV park is walking distance to downtown Williams Arizona. You'll be able to find restaurants, bars and gift shops with a cowboy feel.

The main attraction in Williams Arizona is the Grand Canyon. One of the options for getting there is the Grand Canyon Train. The other is to drive. Both have their advantages. The Grand Canyon Railway RV Park is across the street from the train station. It is expensive but looks like fun and I was told that they do have accommodations for wheelchair users. Taking the train allows you to sight see and enjoy. The train will take you on a scenic tour up to the South Rim. You will then be able to wander and explore on your own. The main area is accessible to wheelchairs with plenty of scenic view points. Beyond that the trail would be difficult for wheelchair users. The other option is to drive, which is what we chose, because we did not think our 15 year old dog would enjoy having to stay in the RV Parks kennel. It's an easy drive from the RV park to The Grand Canyon. The trip is less than an hour. If you have a disabled placard you will be given an access code and will be able to drive through an area that is otherwise only accessible by hiking or taking the bus. The bus is free but I am not sure if it is wheelchair accessible. Along the way you will find plenty of handicap accessible spots to pullover and easy walking trails to check out. Don't be surprised if you end up with 2000 pictures before you're done. The main visitor center is very accessible. The area is completely paved and relatively flat. You can learn the history, do souvenir shopping and have lunch.  Arrive early, especially when school is out or on the weekend. There is a lot to see!

However you choose to get to the Grand Canyon, make sure you catch The Wild West show. The show is early in the morning before the train leaves the station.

When you get to the park entrance ask the Ranger about the AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL - ACCESS PASS. It is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. A pass covers entrance and standard amenity fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free. The cost of the annual pass is $80 but it is $10 for US seniors and free for military and US citizens with permanent disabilities.

On our way out we were stopped by one of the residents.

Memphis, Tennessee

ELVIS
 

We stayed at:

The Graceland RV park

3691 Elvis Presley Blvd

Memphis, Tennessee 38116  

(901) 396-7125

The amenities include:

Full hookups

Wi-Fi

Cabins w/ AC and Heat

Tent area

Convenience store

Bath and laundry facilities

Picnic tables

Playground

Large area to walk your dog

24 hour security

The park is well maintained and the spots are wide. It is mostly hard packed gravel and grass. It's mostly flat and relatively easy for wheelchairs to maneuver. However, to get to the playground and dog area you must cross a bridge which is not very wheelchair friendly.

The very best thing about this park is its convenience to Graceland. A walk-through gate connects to the Graceland parking lot. 

 

GRACELAND

Living Room

Jungle Room

 

Pink Cadillac

Whether you are a fan of Elvis Presley or not, you should visit Graceland. You will see exactly why he was and still is an international superstar.

I recommend buying the Graceland Platinum Tour.  It's a very cool self-guided iPad tour, narrated by John Stamos. This package is about $50 but definitely worth it. You will want to see it all.

** Note to wheelchair users

- The shuttle van to the museum has a wheelchair lift but I think only one van has that set up, so be patient.

- The mansion will be completely accessible except for the lower level music room.

- You will not be able to get into the airplanes. But without buying the extra airplane ticket, they will let you in to the area. You will be close and can take pictures from the outside.

Everything will take you about four hours. Arrive early because it does get very crowded. Also, eat a meal before you get there. The food at Graceland is very expensive and not very good. I would recommend that you avoid eating at The Chrome Grill. The food SUCKED.

At the end of my experience at Graceland, I could feel the deep love that Elvis had for life, his family, his friends and his fans!!  In my opinion he was definitely deserving of the title… 

THE KIND OF ROCK 'n ROLL

When you are in the area you will also want to visit Beale Street. On Beale Street you will find funky gift shops, back-ally BBQ joints and the music scene. A shuttle is available, however I'm not sure about its handicap accessibility.

If you're in the mood for the Royal experience, a pink Cadillac will pick you up for free and take you to Marlow's barbecue. Again, not sure about wheelchair accessibility.

This area of Memphis is old and very run down. The streets are in poor condition. Our GPS had us a little turned around but luckily I had read someone else's review. It said to look for a pink Heartbreak Hotel sign and the driveway for the RV Park would be right behind it. This is definitely NOT A great area to be in, but once you're in the RV park with 24 hour security all is good.

"Thank you. Thank you very much" for reading my blog.