Sometimes I think the best laid plans do go astray, no matter how much we plan. But having RA has made me one tough cookie and I am use to having to adapt to make things work.
We had this mini-vacation planned for some time now. I had booked the best deal I could find months ago in the busy beach town of Myrtle Beach, NC. I was looking forward to our mini getaway and just knew that a few days away would do wonders for my soul. It did too!
When I originally looked into finding a hotel I had my regular checklist of must haves. For this particular vacation I wanted a family resort styled hotel as I was taking my daughter and her friend along for the ride and I wanted one right on the beach. I also wanted a full kitchen as it would not just save us a few dollars by eating out only for dinner but it would also allow my daughter to keep on track with her dietary needs which include gluten, soy, and dairy free.
The resort styled hotel I choose was a nice fit except for one thing...there was not one person to assist with our luggage. I was actually quite shocked by this fact as they advertise themselves as a resort. What resort has no porters to help with luggage? And of course I never thought to ask this question by phone. Who in their right mind would have thought to inquire about this accommodation. My poor daughter and her friend took on the role of porters and had to struggle to get our luggage from the lower level parking area. Yes, they had handicapped parking on the ground level but it was all taken. Ummmm....did I mention that I am disabled and would loved to have been able to have had a parking spot on the first level. The lower level required one to walk a long ramp to get to the elevators while pushing the luggage cart.
But barring the luggage fiasco, the resort was well equipped and I had a lovely swim in their inside pool. Did I mention that they had 6 swimming features at this resort? I now know I must find a pool to continue swimming in where I live. It was bliss. I felt so free in the water and I forgot this lovely feeling of weightlessness with ra. Too bad the astronaut program is now grounded. I can just envision myself floating out their in the space shuttle, orbiting earth, free of my gravitational ra pain. Oh the bliss of it all. But, swimming is close to this feeling and I highly recommend it if you have access to a pool.
I did manage a short beach walk. OK, it was a very short beach walk but I did get down close to the water's edge. And I was so proud of myself too! See my proof?
And last, I truly enjoyed the Broadway location at Myrtle Beach. It is also handicap accessible and has some very lovely restaurants as well as affordable shops to meander through. I meet some great new friends there. Even if their final destination was my stomach.
Yes, a mini-vacation is a sure energy recharger for those of us with chronic illness. I highly recommend it if you can swing it financially and if you can't...well do your own staycation and bring in a few of the resort styled amenities for your enjoyment.
8 comments:
I'm so glad you got a mini vacation in. I adore the beach. I also have a pool and I will attest to the fact that it eases so much pain when you're hurting.
Did you swim in the ocean? I find it a lot more challenging (and always makes me super hungry for some reason!) but it always feels better bobbing across the waves than just paddling in a pool. Maybe it's just me! So glad that you had a great trip!
Thanks for the escape through your post!
Thrive With Ra....we really did have a nice time.
Redefininggood...no ocean swimming for me. I didn't even make it all the way down to the water's edge as my feet can't handle the sand too well. I use to swim in the ocean earlier on in my ra but just don't feel stable enough now to venture in.
Joan...I am jealous. When is the next pool party?
Looks like you had a fun time! I always feel better swimming but need it to be close at hand - I hate travelling from the local pool after a swim, feeling cold and damp, especially in winter. I need to win the lotto and buy me a heated indoor pool! :D
Ps What is the flamingo's name by the way?
Stillslife...only if you invite me over for a swim! Oh the idea of a heated indoor pool is just lovely. I agree on the traveling part...yuk! I did that when I first got ra and it was rough. The flamingo's name is RAy :-) He was our mascot for this trip.
Deb, you are so right about it making us tougher and having to adapt. Sounds remarkably similar to the place we stayed at Fort Lauderdale last year. It was the first actual "vacation" we had ever been on where we planned to do absolutely nothing. It was great just laying on the beach and doing "nothing". Glad you got away, it does you good to take a break from the real world. We had a swimming pool at our old house and it was so much work that we opted for a hot tub when we built our new house. I miss the pool but not the upkeep on it and I love the hot tub. Great temporary relief on my bad days.
Tharr...glad to see you here :-) I love hot tubs when I can get out of them. I tend to get stuck as my legs become rubber but they are wonderful! I am still fond of pools and am determined to try and get to a community one here more often. And I hope you are planning a vacation soon.
Post a Comment