Travels wit Mom: The A-B-C's of Traveling with a Senior Companion, 2016 Edition

My mother sometimes believes that in a former life she was Native American, probably Navajo, perhaps Hopi. The Four Corners area of the United States has resonated with her since her first trip "Out West" when she was 19 years old. It feels like home, and she often yearns to be there. She has always wished one of her five children would fall in love with it, as well. So in 2002 she took me to the "American West". Mom and I have traveled other places, but the west is our go-to trip (we’re planning one now), and traveling by car is our favorite method. Most of the examples in this guide will be attractions in the Western United States and will refer specifically to car travel, although I will touch on flying. Rather than try to be a detailed travel guide to specific locations, I’ve focused on the issues inherent in traveling with or as a senior citizen. Please Note: Age is not a disability! You are, in fact, as young as you feel. But as we age, we all experience changes to some degree in our bodies, minds and spirits. Over the 14 years Mom and I have been traveling, both of us have faced changing abilities, and I try to address each of those in this book. Traveling with a parent or other senior companion is more than worth any inconvenience. I hope this book can help you navigate the challenges and that it motivates you to go!