This day, this moment in Ireland is arguably my very favorite. It was one of those days where everything, the weather, the area, my mood, and the company collided into perfection. No matter what your level of mobility, you can enjoy everything that the Gleniff Horseshoe has to offer.
We drove the 14 km loop and pulled over whenever the beauty would overwhelm us, which was often. The day was overcast and misty, which gave us the gift of the horseshoe all to ourselves. It let us feel as if we had discovered this magical place for the very first time. The wind whistled through the air, the gates, the cave at the top of Ben Bulben. I cannot even describe it in words. We did not want to leave.
I will let the photographs speak the rest.
All photographs taken by Ed Lyons, Gleniff Horseshoe, County Leitrim, Ireland.
If you are going, we came out of Drumcliff on the N15 and followed the signs to the Horseshoe. If you have limited mobility, I suggest driving to various pull off spots, and getting out to walk or roll along the paved road. The road has gentle hills in various places and is flat in others. I recommend Davis’ Restaurant/Yeats Tavern in Drumcliffe for a wonderful meal and good accessibility.
A few months ago, I decided that I was tired of living in fear. After going through years of injuries, surgeries and recoveries, I was exhausted and fearful. The Covid shutdown did not help matters. My sense of adventure had shrunk along with my muscles. A constant dread of more injury hung over me like a dark cloud, preventing me from trying new things.
A series of life events has recently shaken me out of this fear-induced freeze. I want to do, to try, to live, to move my body and my mind in new directions. Instead of automatically saying or thinking, “I can’t do that,” I am trying to say, “I’d like to try!”
It has been exhilarating. Yes, there are still some things I cannot do (yet!!), and there are still moments of fear that creep in. But trying new things is showing me that I can do much more than I thought I could. My muscles can still strengthen and learn new physical things. Life is good, and beautiful, and far from over.
Just wanted to encourage any of you out there who may be struggling with similar issues. Just try. Know your body well, know what it can and cannot do, and then just push the limits of what you can do.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”-2 Timothy 1:7
Love, Lisa
My trusty trekking poles help so much in regaining mobility, trust and stability. Super light and comfortable to hold.
I am an ocean girl. The sound of the waves, the feel of the wind coming off the water, the salty smells, the sun. Therefore, the search for stable, firm sand access is an ongoing passion and challenge for me. The soft, giving sand that used to feel so good underfoot now can cause an inaccessible quagmire.
On the beach at Thanksgiving a few years ago. Nice hard packed sand, beautiful clean ocean.
If you don’t need a wheelchair, but do need easy access and firm sand, I recommend St. Tropez condominiums, on 81st street. https://sainttropezoc.com/ They have wonderful 2- and 3-bedroom condos for rent, oceanfront with balconies. The building has a reliable elevator, a bathroom with shower only (no tub to scramble over), and a flat access path to the beach. We drive from the condo parking lot to the handicapped parking space, 30 seconds drive, as the condo parking lot has a steep hill.
View from the condo balcony
The sand is usually firm enough for me to get down to a beach chair and enjoy the ocean close up, but full disclosure, sometimes the tides change the consistency and access available on the sand. If that happens, I just enjoy the ocean from the lovely balcony. Peaceful and private.
Ocean City has many wonderful restaurants, shops, and a lovely and entertaining boardwalk.
If you decide to try this beautiful beach, make sure to check carefully based on your individual needs and requirements for mobility. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that I may be able to address for you.
“Life is about accepting the challenges along the way, choosing to keep moving forward, and savoring the journey.” ―Roy T. Bennett
This led to….
This!
We just got back from a very needed trip to Maine. It was only a week, but in my spirit, it has revitalized me as if it were a month. We stayed at a wondrous Airbnb log cabin right on the water, listened to the waves hitting the rocks as we fell asleep, visited the local lighthouse every morning, and took hikes on the well-crafted and well-designed accessible trails that the area had to offer.
I am going to review the area in detail in the next few blogs, but today, I wanted to talk about challenges, the unexpected, pain, triumphs, and beauty. This trip contained all of these for me. The Airbnb that I thought was a fairly flat entrance to access had a steep set of rock stairs with no handrail. The 16-hour car trip was long and tiring. The harbor towns had many hills, and a steep descent down to the water and the boats.
But……God gave me the strength and the stubbornness to want to face these challenges, to try and conquer them the best I could. He gave me wonderful family to help me down and up the stairs, the hills, to drive me to an access point. Together, as a unit, we conquered them.
And there was such beauty, beauty that takes your breath away in a very peaceful and settling way. And victories, like the beach that was so wondrously flat and hard packed that I could walk on it. And being able to make 0.8 miles on a hike. And conquering that steep ramp that led to the harbor, even if you had to walk it backwards. That lets you know that there is life past injury and disability. That you can continue to grow and heal and change continually, as you challenge yourself.
So I want to encourage you today. Take the time to heal, to savor, to be inspired, and yes, to be challenged. Growth in your body and your spirit will ensue.
If I could live anywhere in the world besides Virginia, it would be Ireland. The beauty, magic, history, friendliness, and accommodation of this island are unmatched. My family and I have been there three times, during various stages of my mobility journey.
The last trip we had was in the Summer of 2015. I was awaiting major surgery for a ruptured tendon and an ankle fusion revision in January. So, my mobility was painful and extremely limited. I was very hesitant to go on this trip, but my husband and I knew that I needed it for peace of mind, for hope, for a change.
So, off we went. By wheelchair, cane, hobbling, driving. And the miracle happened. It was fun. It was awesome. I could do so much more than I thought I could, and I could see so many more sites than I imagined.
First moments back in Ireland, the feel of the wind, the smell of the Irish air, happy tears in my eyes. I forgot about the pain, and just breathed. Our trusty rental car in the background. On the Antrim coastline.Seconds later, no walking required, we were rewarded with this magnificent view of Dunluce Castle, and more of the Antrim coastline.
Some keys for a successful Ireland trip if you have mobility challenges:
-If you or your travel partner can drive, rent a car…a higher-seating car, if possible, for comfort. Make sure it is large enough for your wheelchair if you are traveling with one. Driving is an adventure in Ireland; just take it easy until you get the hang of it. By driving, we could hand-tailor our itinerary to include many pull over overlooks and accessible destinations. Sometimes I would get out of the car and take a few ginger steps, find a beautiful spot to sit and soak it all in. If my ankle was very bad, I would just roll down the window, and the beauty was still there. The smells, the wind, the sheep, the green.
-If you have a handicapped placard, bring it with you. You can use it to find the closest available parking. If you have a travel partner, have them drop you off as close as possible to the site, and then they can park. Sometimes, I would find a bench with an amazing view while my husband would take the camera and scout out remote photographs for me. Very peaceful.
-Driving along the coastal areas will provide countless amazing hours and scenic opportunities. The beauty will take your breath away. The local people, pubs, and small towns will welcome you. You will not want to leave.
-We stayed at various B&B’s, rental cottages, and hotels if necessary. I did many hours of research and booking before leaving home to make sure they were all accessible. I would reach out to the proprietor/owner if necessary to clarify and confirm, so there were no unwelcome surprises when we arrived. Please reach out to me for details if you are planning a trip. I can let you know where we stayed and give you my impressions on the accommodation.
-I used a combination of wheelchair and cane for the trip. I would wheel it on the longer distances, and then use the cane for the tiny walks, or standing times. Towns in Ireland have sidewalks, but the wheelchair ramps are hit or miss. But things are improving in that regard. Just scout it out visually from the car before stopping.
This friendly, talkative sheep and I had a lengthy conversation from my car window. She was a gracious welcomer to Glencolmcille, County Donegal.
-If you cannot rent a car, or don’t feel comfortable with driving, consider an accessible tour. They will have accessible vans, and knowledgeable tour guides that will know the perfect spots for an accessible and beautiful vacation.
-Take all the photographs you can, and then take some more. When you get home, they will provide countless hours of joy.
In the coming days, I will share detailed descriptions of some of the more accessible destinations in Ireland I have found. Subscribe to Travel Level so that you don’t miss any of the fun.
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