Family Travel and Autism

I am taking a break right from preparing for a trip of a lifetime.  We are planning a month long RV trip through the Canyonlands in the Southwest.  Yes, one month with an autistic son, two teenage daughters in a small RV.  Not too mention my own physical issues with missing part of a leg and only one lung.  Trip of a lifetime you mock?! 

Yes, I believe it will be a great trip.  I have been preparing for this trip for several months.  A trip of this size and length requires a great deal of preparation.  Routes, reservations, research, accomodations, etc.  On top of the tradiditonal planning, I have been preparing my son for the trip.

We will be mostly visiting national parks.  A great of hiking and camping.  I have wanted prepare my son for the trip.  Over the past month, I excitedly looked at maps with him.  Tracing the highways and naming states.  I listed the games and movies he wants to watch on the long trip out west (26 hours!)  We visited the national park website daily playing games, viewing short videos and looking at pictures.  We also signed up for the online Webranger program.  In addition, I started counting down the days to build the excitement.

Beyond the preparation for my son, I have had to prepare for my own physical challenges.  It has been a little less than six monthes since my last chemotherapy treatment.  And only a year since the open heart surgery.  Added to my missing half left leg and only one lung.  I have planned on the right camping sites that are level and closer to the bathroom.  But not all handicapped compliant.  I have my canes and pain medications.  I have also been training for the hills and hiking.

All in all, yes it does sound like the trip of a lifetime!