By Kristy Durso
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This issue’s theme is women in travel, and for me, that almost always comes back to motherhood.
Our Alabama trip was just Timothy, my youngest child, and me: a simple mother–son getaway. No big group. No complicated logistics. Just the two of us exploring. Everywhere we went, I kept thinking the same thing: this place gets families.
Not just parents with little kids – I mean multi-generational families. Grandparents. Teens. Wheelchair users. Sensory-sensitive kids. Big families who want to cook together. Groups of women looking for a girls’ weekend. Even bachelorette parties (which, apparently, I now have to think about).
And that’s rare.
Not just accessible… actually fun
So much of “accessible travel” still quietly translates into watching instead of doing. Alabama didn’t feel like that at all.
We rode bikes together.
We spent time in an art studio making sun catchers and painting pottery—hands covered in glaze, music playing, people laughing.
We went parasailing.
Let me repeat that, for every parent who’s ever heard, “You might want to sit this one out.” We went parasailing.
One of the most emotional moments of the whole trip was taking the powered beach wheelchairs straight down onto the sand. If you’re a wheelchair user, you already understand why that matters. The beach is one of the most symbolic places of freedom… and one of the most common places we’re blocked from fully accessing. That moment alone made this destination stand out.
Learning in the wild, not a classroom
All of our wildlife education took place inside Gulf State Park, where Timothy and I learned about the animals that live along the Alabama coast. It wasn’t stiff or overly formal—it was engaging, interactive, and genuinely interesting.
This is the kind of learning that sticks because it doesn’t feel like school. It feels like discovery.
Just for fun: sandcastles, sea turtles, and play
At Sandcastle University, we learned how to build sandcastles—including sea turtles sculpted right into the sand. It was creative, lighthearted, and surprisingly skill-based. No pressure. Just joy.
It’s one of those experiences that works beautifully for any age or group:
- Families with kids
- Multi-generational groups
- Girls’ trips
- Bachelorette weekends that want something playful and memorable
Where we stayed—and why both options matter
We stayed at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, and it was an incredible fit for us—especially from an accessibility standpoint. The biggest standout feature?
Powered beach wheelchairs available right on-site, with the beach only steps away. For families traveling with a wheelchair user, that removes one of the biggest barriers to a true beach vacation.
But I also intentionally scheduled a visit to an accessible condo called Rest Ashore, because I wanted to show families another option.
Here’s why I love that both exist:
The Lodge (Resort-Style Stay)
- Right on the beach
- Beach wheelchairs available
- Full-service feel
- Perfect for families who want ease, amenities, and support
Rest Ashore (Accessible Condo)
- Lift and elevator access
- Full kitchen
- Space for everyone to gather
- Ideal for multi-generational families who want to cook together, relax together, and stay under one roof
Accessibility isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works best for one family won’t be right for another. Having both of these options in one destination is a huge win.
Why this trip worked so well as a mother–son experience
Traveling with just one child changes everything.
You slow down.
You notice more.
You talk more.
You listen deeper.
Timothy and I learned together, tried new things together, took small risks together and rested without rushing. Every experience was designed so he could fully participate—and so could I.
Everywhere we went, I kept thinking:
This would work beautifully with grandparents.
With cousins.
With sisters and best friends.
With a group of women celebrating something big.
That’s not always true. It was here. They naturally support different types of trips without forcing anyone into a one-size-fits-all experience.
It’s not about squeezing everyone into the same box—it’s about giving everyone room to belong.
You can:
- Balance activity and rest without anyone feeling rushed
- Mix adrenaline and creativity in the same trip
- Include wheelchairs, children, elders, and sensory needs in one shared experience
Why Alabama works for families
Alabama worked not because everything was perfect—nothing ever is—but because access was part of the plan, not an afterthought.
Adventure wasn’t reserved for the strongest.
Learning wasn’t reserved for the youngest.
Rest wasn’t treated like weakness.
Mobility wasn’t treated like limitation.
And most importantly—
No one had to be left behind for the group to move forward.
A final word to the women reading this
Motherhood changes the way you travel.
It changes how you plan.
It changes what matters most.
You’re no longer just booking experiences—you’re protecting joy.
This mother–son trip to Alabama reminded me what happens when a destination actually shows up ready:
I don’t have to fight every step.
My child doesn’t have to sit on the sidelines.
And our memories are built from participation—not observation.
That’s what accessible family travel should feel like.
