Welcome note

When my husband and I set out to find and take pictures of wheelchair accessible waterfalls in every U.S. state, we were excited about the challenge. We gave ourselves no time limit to accomplish our feat; however, we had one mutually agreed upon rule that dictated how long we would stay in any given area. That rule was to never shiver again. Needless to say, adhering to this rule presented a new challenge. The new challenge was to find a waterfall that was actually flowing. Visiting mid-west and eastern states during months that prevented us from shivering are the same months that are hot enough to dry up streams; hence, little or no water flow for waterfalls. The natural scenery and picturesque landscapes warrant a second visit in the early spring right after the snow melts.

Bob and Jan

Bob and Jan
Christmas Eve

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Thursday, July 14, 2016

BOND FALLS - Paulding, Michigan



DESCRIPTION:  Bond Falls, western U.P. Michigan, is in southern Ontonagon County. It falls over a thick formation of fractured rock. The total fall is approximately 50 feet; located in the middle branch of Ontonagon River.











ACCESSIBILITY:  Paved paths lead directly from the parking lot to a large boardwalk that raps from one side of the falls to the opposite side in a half moon shape.  Incorporated at six points on the horseshoe, three special viewing areas allow for seating or clear views. Able-bodied people can take steps to the top of the falls.






TYPE:  Cascade: Water descends a series of rock steps.

DIRECTIONS: In the town of Paulding, Michigan (unincorporated), turn off the main road (45) onto Bond Falls Road. Drive four miles to the Bond Falls sign located on the left side of the road.  A $9.00 day fee is required for out of state vehicles upon entrance: payable at the ranger's booth.

Bond Falls Road
Paulding Michigan  49912
906-353-6558

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Tahquamenon Falls - Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Michigan


Tahquamenon (pronounced like phenomenon) Falls is located in the eastern upper peninsula of Michigan. Tahquamenon River flows into a bay on Lake Superior. It's copper color is caused by tannin from cedar swamps draining into the river.



Accessibility: Paved pathways lead to several viewing areas of the upper falls. Steps lead to the lower falls.
Fall Type: Plunge: Water descends vertically, losing contact with the bedrock surface. The fall is 200 feet across with a drop of 48 feet. The Fall is one of the most voluminous waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, with Niagara Falls being the most.

Directions: Follow M-123 north of Newberry, Michigan for approximately 22 miles. The Upper Fall Tahquamenon State Park sign is on the left. The park is located on the right. Out of state vehicles pay a $9.00 day-pass fee or $31.00 year-pass.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

THUNDER BAY FALLS GALENA, ILLINOIS

Very little information can be found about this Thunder Bay Falls in Galena, Illinois. Thank goodness for my talkative husband.  I have always called him Mayor Bob because he talks to everyone. We were ready to give up on finding a wheelchair accessible waterfall in Illinois until a fellow camper told us about this small town in the northwest corner of Illinois named Galena. We found one person in the town that knew of the waterfall. It is a gorgeous secret.


ACCESSIBILITY: A gravel path leads directly from the parking area. Without help from my husband, the gravel would make maneuvering a wheelchair difficult, but not impossible. Two paths to the front of the Falls; one directly in front of the Fall and one at a higher level in front of the Fall.


TYPE: The Falls is a cascading spillway from Lake Galena.

DIRECTIONS: 7998 W Glen Hollow Rd Galena, IL 61036 Turn off of US 20 onto Glen Hollow Road. Follow that winding road to the parking area. The Falls is located approximately 2 miles on Glen Hollow Road on the right hand side of the road.

Monday, January 18, 2016

LEWIS FALLS - YELLOWSTONE, WYOMING

Lewis Falls is one of hundreds of waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park, yellowstone.net. 700,000 visitors enter the south entrance gate of Yellowstone. Yellowstone National Park is the oldest USA national park covering 3,472 square miles. We camped at Lewis Lake campground.
ACCESSIBILITY-Sidewalks lead from roadside parking lots on each side of the Lewis River bridge.

TYPE-Cascade: Water descends a series of rock steps. The falls height is approximately 30 feet.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Willow Falls - Willow River State Park, Wisconsin


DESCRIPTION:  Willow Falls is a 45 foot cascading waterfall located in Willow River State Park northeast of Hudson, Wisconsin.

ACCESSIBILITY:  The falls are reachable by several different trails. The trails are accessible; however, they aren't easily accessible. The  shortest trail is on a 1/4 mile paved walking path; however, it is a steep trail.  The trail we took to the waterfalls was grassy in spots, deep gravel in other spots, then other spots had gouged out muddy areas. My husband and step-son took turns pushing my wheelchair over this terrain.  I could have never successfully mastered the feat alone.  When leaving the falls, we took the third trail.  This trail was about two miles, but, a bit smoother.  It was a dirt path, but well-worn because this path was used more frequently by the many people who visited the fall each day. Even though the trails left little-to-be-desired, the nature was worth the travel.

A sturdy bridge traversed the 100-foot wide waterfall. A parking fee is payable upon entering the park.

TYPE:  Cascading - follows along a series of rock steps

Sunday, September 20, 2015

BRIDAL VEIL FALLS - PROVO, UTAH

DESCRIPTION - Bridal Veil Falls is a 607 foot tall, double cataract fall in Provo Canyon, Utah. Until 2008 the tramway was heralded as the steepest aerial tramway in the world, but the cables were cut. The falls can be seen in several scenes in the 1982 movie Savannah Smiles. A year-round stream of water surges from a narrow point at the top from several springs.





 ACCESSIBILITY - Picnic tables are available in the park under shade trees and close to the falls. Paved paths make the short trek to the falls easy and casual. Bikers and skateboarders of all ages use the wide path for exercise as well.





 
  FALL TYPE - Cateract - A descent of water over a steep surface

 

DIRECTIONS -
  • Located up Provo Canyon (Hwy. 189) Provo, UT 84604
  • Phone: (801) 852-660