Consequently, for the first time in the history of Access Tours, some tours were cancelled. One such, the Yosemite tour, was cancelled and then several people decided to sign up shortly before the tour. Unfortunately, the reservations at Yosemite Lodge had been let go, and could not be recovered. Maybe it would be helpful if some of you understand at least a little about our behind-the-scenes work. This is how our reservations in high-demand places, especially national parks, are made:

Mesa Verde, New Mexico

Because of limited accommodations in several parks, we must make our reservations 6 to 10 months prior to the tours. As example, Yosemite has 5 accessible rooms and Zion only has 4. Even then, we usually need to play with dates to get all the rooms we need. We may find dates that will work in one park, but when we check on the next locations, one may not have availability for the date required and it’s back to the drawing board.
 

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, Yellowstone

Usually, we must pay room deposits, sometimes the full price of the first nights lodging, up front. 30 or more days prior to the tour date, we need to let surplus rooms go or there will be no refund. Often, the refund is only partial.

Our problems are compounded by the fact that our small groups are sometimes not even considered as 'groups' by the hotels.
 

Bryce Canyon, Utah

In the past, on average, we had enough guests to make it all work out. Not last year though, and it may not be much better this year.

So, we're being cautious in committing resources to specific tour dates yet and we need your responses.

Based on inquiries from both previous and new guests so far, here is the tentative order of tours:

• April: Southern Arizona. An interesting region and the desert is beautiful in the spring
• May: Land of Enchantment. Includes Carlsbad Caverns, Mesa Verde, and Arches National Parks
• May: Western Canyons. Includes Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks
• June: Yellowstone. Includes Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks plus Jackson Hole and Cody, WY
• September: Yosemite. Includes San Francisco, Muir Woods and Monterey
   
  

Grand Canyon

I hope that this hasn't been more information than you can bear, but you need to help us help you, and we really do need your responses asap.

For those who are new, you might like to know that our guests come from all over the United States, as well as from distant countries. Group sizes are small, usually limited to 10 people, the pace relaxed, the company friendly. We are knowledgeable, experienced, and considerate of all the various mobility impairments you might have. It is easy to take a tour with us — you are picked up at the airport when you arrive and taken to the airport at departure.

 
We try hard and spend much time in finding the most suitable hotels for your special needs, and in selecting activities for you to enjoy. Accessibility still isn't ideal — far from it. But we pave the way, so that your journey will be full of terrific memories.

Our tours are educational and enlightening and you will return home with new knowledge and wonderful experiences from this Western country.

If you are one of the 85% of our guests who return, we very much appreciate your trust. If you are new to Access, we invite you to discover for yourself the experiences and camaraderie of traveling with us.

If you find a tour that appeals to you, don't delay in calling to make your reservation. We look forward to the pleasure of your company.

Access Tours is a service of Access Institute, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, and we are always most appreciative of the tax-deductible contributions that many people make, both in-kind (vehicles or stocks, etc.) and money. They have helped greatly to keep Access going. There are always needs, whether to help someone be able to take a tour who might not be able to otherwise, to acquire equipment, or attempting to raise funds for a new bus for next year.