As our trip to Lake Tahoe approached, the Hubs finally clued in! ‘So, I hear that Lake Tahoe is quite the tourist destination’, he said. ‘Oh really? That’s quite a lucky coincidence’, I replied (NOT). Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and straddles the borders of California and Nevada in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Also, IT’S GORGEOUS you guys!
As usual, we’d taken the easy way out of traveling with our tube-fed, special needs toddler and arranged this trip to include my brother, his wife, my sister and my niece, who is the same age as the Bean. Extended family trips have been a great way for us to get everyone together from the far-flung cities and in one case, remote island, where each sib and their fam has landed. This type of trip also ensures lots of friendly faces, helping hands, FREE babysitters and a playmate for the Bean, an only kiddo. To be honest, I may have wanted to see the sibs & co. as well, just don’t tell them that ; )
Pro Travelling with a Kiddo with Autism Tip:
1) Build some support/babysitting/Kids Club/respite into your vacay.
Can’t afford it? Travel with others for whom you can return the favour and offer that person/couple some time off in return.
Can afford it? Bring a trusted sitter from home in exchange for a free vacation and some extra $$$.
Can afford it easily? Book an autism-certified (or well-reviewed by folks with kiddos with similar diagnoses) resort that has babysitting/nannying or Kids Club services built-in.
Even vacations leading up to which, I didn’t especially feel like I needed a break, I was always glad to get one when I had the opportunity.
So, first thing’s first: accommodation. If you plan to stay at the top of the mountain in Incline Village, Nevada (we stayed at Geo Holiday at Tahoe Summit Village) first you’re in for an awesome view! Second, MAKE SURE that your car can climb steep hills! Baby Bro’s car couldn’t, which is how Hubs got out of trouble for the expensive rental car! The Ford Explorer did accommodate 5 adults and 2 toddlers in car seats plus luggage/gear, comfortably as we were forced to find out.
Our two-bedroom suite at Tahoe Summit Village was really nice. The master bedroom had an ensuite bathroom, a separate and large kitchen and an open-plan living-dining area. We’d requested an end unit as I’d read that those were brighter due to extra windows on the external wall. I did regret not having requested a ground-level unit, as I may have slightly overestimated my fitness level. Going up and down the stairs, at high altitude, with a two-year old, luggage, groceries or the crazy amounts of stuff that we require just to get through the day away from our accommodations, in my arms, like the pack-mule I am, took more out of me than I’d anticipated!
One of the first places we checked out was Sugar Pine Point State Park. The park has level walking trails throughout the hiking area, perfect for a stroller, wheelchair or a toddler still somewhat unsteady on her feet. The park is forested with 2,000 acres of pine, fir, aspen and juniper trees which makes for a lovely backdrop for a hike. It also has a small beach area and 2 miles of lake frontage. The Bean had a great time running along the trails and it’s always a big relief when we can let her walk or run safely, without holding her hand (because she still refuses to hold our hands)!
Another of the park’s attractions is the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, a gorgeous mansion, built in 1903. I was hoping to go inside and look around, but one peek inside was all I needed to know that it seemed like the kind of place that wouldn’t appreciate a toddler running around or a major meltdown. Now, we do take the Bean all over the place: restaurants, malls, libraries, aquariums, museums, community events, concerts, parades, she’s been to three other provinces in Canada, three states in the U.S. and Cuba. However, I am increasingly selective about where we go and how long we stay. You know, depending on how Bean’s coping that day, her general frustration level, my mood and how much I care at the time about what other people think.
Pro Travelling with a Kiddo with Autism Tip:
2) I often choose a kid-friendly location or outing and increasingly, I try to select autism or sensory-friendly or attractions and accompanying dates/times to visit. I intentionally do not do this all the time, because a) mommy is a person too and b) the Bean needs to learn to cope and adapt to circumstances that are less than ideal for her. However, almost her whole world outside of our home is one big circumstance not geared towards her so, when we have these opportunities, we do our best to take them.
This sets the Bean up for success much as possible, before we’ve even set foot outside our front door. Now of course, this is not always possible and when it’s not, I look at it as a good opportunity for the Bean to practice staying close to mommy, being patient, holding my hand and stopping. She has also developed some amazing coping skills to deal with crowds, like hanging out on the periphery of the crowd, requesting to be placed in a confined space (a stroller, backpack or in our arms) or focusing in on a specific activity within the larger event or environment. All to say that the Hellman-Ehrman mansion got a pass from us.
If you would like to take the tour, tickets for guided tours are available for a fee at the Nature Centre. We walked by the mansion and checked out the beach, a much better fit for us, as you can see:
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