Living the Could Life

Cruising the Great Lakes with Victory I

Robert and Theresa — Tue, 12 May 2026 08:14:00 +0000

Part 2 - The Ship

In this episode we share details about the ship itself. How does it work for those with disabilities? What is a typical daily schedule? Which features keep guests returning?

Living The Could Life contains affiliate links. They don’t cost you anything, but we may earn a small commission if you use them. We may have been hosted on a trip, excursion or other travel-related event. We may have received or experienced a product for review. Any opinion is our own.

Transcript

Click Here for Transcript Robert: Welcome to Living the Could Life. I'm Robert and we recently returned from a Great Lakes cruise leaving out of Toronto and ending up in Chicago. Theresa: And I'm Theresa. We sailed on Victory One. It's the first cruise of the Great Lakes for the season, so that's very exciting and we're happy to be on board. Robert: We're going to talk about the airport, the hotel, the ship, and we've discussed the itinerary already and we're going to concentrate mostly on accessibility and what it was like to move around on the ship and the rooms, the restaurants. Theresa: And that's correct. If you go and look at a previous, actually one we talked about the Great Lakes in general and there is a part one of this podcast where we mostly talked about the ports on the cruise. So we are going to start from the beginning and that includes, We left home for a short drive of about an hour to the Manistee airport and we took a flight. Robert: I believe it was 21 minutes over to Chicago and then in Chicago we picked up a flight going to Toronto. Theresa: And we arrived in Toronto and going through immigration was fairly quick and easy, but getting, well, getting an Uber was also easy. Getting to our hotel, the Westin Harbor Castle in downtown right near the islands right in the center of town, took a bit of time because a lot of the roads had been closed. The main quick arteries. Robert: The Gardner expressway. Theresa: Like the Gardner. So we had to take just, I guess I'll say not such quick streets. So it took us maybe over an hour. Robert: In what should have been probably a 20 minute drive, I think. Theresa: And then our Uber driver was not so sure of where the hotel was and you can't blame him because we got there and the entrance isn't really that easy to see. He stopped down the street, but you actually have to turn down the next block and there's a parking garage which you go through and up two levels to get to the main entrance of the hotel. Robert: So you can drive the winding driveway up to the main entrance or from the street level you can take two flights of stairs up and then there is around the corner, if you're facing the hotel on the right side, there is an accessible entrance. It's usually activated with a key card, but if you're just coming to the hotel for the first time you can hit the intercom and they will open the door for you. And then from there it's just a short walk to the elevator and you can go up two levels to the main lobby. Theresa: However, I think when you have your luggage and it's unfamiliar to you, just get dropped off right at that main entrance because you're very close to the check-in and Victory, I almost said Viking, right? Victory does have like a hospitality desk so you can go and check in there. They will give you instructions as to where to meet the bus the next morning. And what is nice is that Victory is smart. I think they know about all the delays in travel and they maybe don't want to wait for people who have been delayed. So the first day of your cruise, and which is included in the fare, is a hotel stay. So that's really nice. And on that day, well, the next day they have options of a short excursion. So I know a lot of people took one that gave them a tour of Toronto. We've been there many times so we did some things on our own. You can listen and hear all about that in the previous podcast. And they told us what time to check in for boarding because you cannot walk to the port. You need to take a bus. So they had several buses arranged and we all had a scheduled time to meet in the lobby to catch the bus and go to where the Victory One was docked. Robert: And I think there were about 150 passengers this time. The bus held like 40 something. And so they had to make several trips to get everybody from the hotel to the dock. Theresa: And we did leave our luggage out so we weren't encumbered with having to take luggage into the bus unless you were like us. We did keep a few things out because we don't want to pack our computers or meds or anything like that under the bus. But all of the luggage was transported by bus. Robert: And delivered to our room, to our cabin. Theresa: It delivered to our cabin. When we got there I think we were on a 330 bus which in a way was an awkward time. Well we had done things earlier in the day so we didn't really have time for lunch. And when we boarded the ship they did have some light snacks and drinks for us. So let's give you a tour of the ship. And one is always a good place to start. So deck one is where the coastal dining room is. And that's the main dining room. There actually is another area. The kitchen's down there or the galley I should say. The one thing we found interesting is although it's the main dining room there are no public restrooms on that floor. Toward the bow of the ship there are some state rooms and a medical center. Robert: Deck one is also where you may board the ship. The gangway was usually coming out of either deck one or deck two. Theresa: Right. It depended on the height of the lake. And what was really nice about dining on the ship is the they had the always available items like lots of ships do. And you could have dinner from 6 30 to 8. There's no assigned seating. You can just go at your leisure. Most of the tables seat four or more people. There's a couple two toppers. Robert: And there's some eight toppers. Theresa: And there are eight toppers. So it's a good way to meet new people. And we usually sat with different people every night except when we didn't feel like it. You know if we didn't feel up to socializing we could find one of the two toppers. Or if we went later we could do that. Robert: And a full breakfast is served there. Lunch is served there. And dinner is served every day. And for dinner it was very interesting. I've not really experienced this before but as you walk in the entrance is sort of a long hallway. And on the right there's a countertop like a kitchen counter that they display everything that's going to be available on the menu. And it's the real food that has actually been cooked and prepared and presented there. And it was interesting because sometimes it would get a little congested getting into the dining room because people would gather and they'd start looking at the different dishes. And so the seating was maybe a little tight. It was it was different. And you know it is a small ship. There are lots of people. So the chairs are pretty close together. And they're larger upholstered chairs. So they're very comfortable. Theresa: Right. And it's a very elegant dining room with white table cloths and white napkins and set up with two wine glasses and water. It was a very pleasant place. And all surrounded by windows so you could enjoy the scenery while you were eating. And since we are talking about that main dining room we can go into a little bit about the food. Robert: Yeah. We had different meals every day. The they had as Teresa mentioned there were certain options that were available every day. They usually had three of those options. It was like a filet, a salmon, and maybe a chicken dish. And then they usually had I think it was probably four other entrees that were that would change every day. And the sides were also included in the entree. But you could also get additional vegetables or a twice baked potato as your side. Theresa: And it was really a four course meal. You start it with appetizers. Sometimes the chef's out in a mousse bouche. And besides the appetizers the next thing was soups and salads. And Robert really likes a real Caesar salad which they had. I think he should just ask for a bowl full of anchovies. I still let him sit at the same table. Robert: It was a real treat for me. Theresa: It was a real treat for him as was having fish every night because we don't eat that much at home. One thing I really really liked is the food was always hot. So if you got soup it wasn't cool. It wasn't lukewarm. It was hot as it should be. And every meal that I had was hot. It sounds like a little thing but it was very important. Robert: They always had a red wine and a white wine that they offered. They circulated constantly with that. You could also order other drinks. I usually had iced tea with my dinners. Other people ordered different things from the bar. We did not have a bad meal on the ship. Every meal was good and I would have certainly repeated any of them. Theresa: Yes they were very good. Well prepared. And like Robert said we tried to think was there anything we really didn't like and the answer to that was no. So I definitely give their food good reviews. The service was good. I think there were some newer people though but being the first cruise on the Great Lakes, I believe the second they started on the St. Lawrence Seaway, if you go early you got to give people a little grace. But the servers were friendly, engaging, and by the end we had our favorite server. And Robert also likes iced coffee which some people don't understand what that is. It's a glass of ice with coffee poured over it. It's not like the iced coffee you get in New Zealand that's dessert. But once the server, every morning once the server knew him he got his reputation. Every morning his iced coffee was ready. Robert: And it was, sorry, and it was a real treat. Shall we move on to deck two? Deck two is the more active deck. There's a lot more happening on deck two. Theresa: Right that's where you have all your lectures. There is a lake lorien who tells everything you need to know about the Great Lakes. We also had a photojournalist as a guest who told us about his life. He did mostly sports and we happened to be there during the Kentucky Derby which was one of the events he photographed. And that's where you hear what's going on the next day. So you should go there to find out what time you disembark with an overview of the shore excursions. Our cruise director, interestingly enough, was also a musician. So there was the Victory One Band which they were fun. They played a variety of music. Lots of people dancing and people were excited to go there sometimes. That was a full house in the evening. And then behind that area is the tavern which is a smaller bar but cozy enough and a lot of people hung out there. In the morning they have pastries, muesli that everybody loves, coffee, tea. Later in the afternoon they have a popcorn machine so you could get popcorn there. They sometimes show movies there. It was just the hub of activity. It was the hub of activity. And outside of that there were two restrooms. Robert: I wanted to say something more. Say it. Okay. The coffee machines were available 24 hours a day. They had the cappuccino option. They had americano. They had a variety of choices of lattes and such. And in the morning from about 6 to 10 they offered pastries. And then at 10 o'clock it changed over to cookies. And so from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. there were always cookies and always well stocked to go along with your coffee. Theresa: But just be aware, if you're like me and not a raisin fan, some of those raisin cookies look like melted chocolate was in them. So I accidentally had one. Robert said they were still very good. I just don't like the surprise of thinking I'm having chocolate chip and I get raisins. Robert: I like raisins though. Theresa: Yeah, he likes raisins. I'm sorry for him. Robert: But Teresa was starting to explain that beyond the Compass Lounge is the purser's desk, restrooms, the spa salon, and then a very small gym. Theresa: And the elevator's there too. And the elevator goes up four decks. It does not go to the sun deck. So I never saw it, but Robert did. And what's, we found some of the crew very entertaining. We took a look in the gym and I never saw any people there, which is okay because we were busy all day. I think it probably had three machines in it. Robert: Yeah, it had three machines, a treadmill, one of the kind of skiing machines, and then a bicycle, some sort of bicycle. Theresa: But there was room there, so you had no excuse not to exercise if you weren't getting enough exercise on shore. There's also a spa there and we met some people who were on the St. Lawrence Seaway part of the cruise and they said they love the masseuse there and had gone several times. Robert: Moving up to deck three. Theresa: Three, that's an easy one. It's all cabins. And we can talk about the different cabins since it's all cabins. Robert: There's one more thing on deck three. At the rear of the ship there is a staircase that will take you up into the grill. And otherwise the entrances to the grill are out in the open. And if it's raining and such you might get a little wet, but you can simply go down the hallway for deck three and take the inside staircase up to the top. Theresa: Oh, so we were going to talk about different kinds of cabins. There are different sizes of cabins, most with queen or two single beds. They range from 146 square feet up to 185 unless you are in the owner's suite, which is 335 square feet. So that's a good size. And the cabins have a refrigerator and stocked with drinks. Victory is an all-inclusive cruise, so you can have beer and pop because it's the Midwest. It's not the soda there. And you could make requests, say you like Coke or Sprite or a certain type of beer. They will take care of that. Robert: Our cabin was on deck four and the entrance is from an open-air promenade. So we had a very private entrance and it was very pleasant. We had a couple of days of rain, but there was also a little bit of a covering over the entryway, so we really didn't get that wet. Theresa: Right, and it wasn't that far of a walk. That was one spot, and I will say as far as our our state room, you do have the outside door and I think twice we got stuck in our room. I don't know if it was because it was too cold, but they immediately came and fixed it. And there are not a lot of high thresholds, even in the room. The bathroom had a short threshold and I think if you've cruised a lot, you instinctively lift up your foot to step over the threshold, even if it doesn't exist. So the bathrooms though, if you need a wheelchair, it might be difficult. They're small and the shower has a very high lip on it, and it's round in a corner and it has the curtains that wrap you in the wetness or warmth or whatever. At least mine did. Robert: And if you're going through a door that leads to the outside, the threshold was a little bit higher to prevent water from entering. If you were on an interior hallway and going into interior rooms, there was really no significant threshold that you'd have to navigate. Theresa: And we enjoyed our room and we had blackout curtains which were nice. We did have some people thinking, oh someone was lost at the beginning staring into our window and I can't remember which. Robert: She was trying to find the hallway to get to the stairs or the elevator and she had sort of lost her bearing and wasn't sure and was thinking that our cabin door was the door into the hallway, which was actually in the middle of the ship. Theresa: Right. So clearly it was not, but she was a pleasant enough person and a little bit embarrassed. And we didn't really care because we didn't. The other two advantages of being on deck four, one is that there is a terrace at the front of the ship. So we enjoyed sitting out there sometimes. We also had two chairs and a table right outside ours, so we had our own private seating. But it was a little chilly and sometimes windy. In fact, sometimes it was so windy that the rattan sofas from the terrace flew all the way down to our room, which was interesting. The other. Robert: The rattan sofas were very nice to sit on on the bow, especially while we were sailing or we were coming into port. You had a beautiful view from there. Theresa: That was very nice. And then at the opposite end of the ship is the grill, and that's a specialty restaurant. It is included. They, and you have to make a reservation though, and they do have assigned, well, certain times you can sit wherever they put you sometimes. At the beginning of the cruise, they seemed to seat us with other people. At the end, they just said, take a seat anywhere. So that was interesting. But the grill actually has heated stones where you cook your meat or your fish or your whatever, your, I forget, the vegetarian. Robert: So it was a, they called it an interactive dining experience. And they would bring the stone out to your table, heat it to 400 degrees, and then you would order whatever meat you wanted. I believe the options were usually some sort of beef, fish of the day. They had lamb. Some days they had jumbo shrimp. And then they also had kind of a mixed grill, which was a bit of beef, a bit of ham, and I think a large shrimp. Theresa: I think it was everything, all of the above. Robert: And you cooked it yourself, and you could cut it up and sort of, or you could cook it as one sort of piece, or you could cut it up into slices and sort of cook it through that way. Theresa: And they did bring us aprons to put on. Robert: Yes, yes, that was interesting. Theresa: Which I could use one just when I'm not even cooking my food. Robert: And then when your food was done, they provided you with a plate on the side. You could just move your meat or your protein or whatever you were cooking onto the plate. And then the sides were all served in sort of family style. They had serving dishes that we had mushrooms, we had some sort of like roasted potatoes, and some vegetables, broccoli and some other things. And then I think on some days you could actually, you could order a pasta or something like that. Theresa: In the grill? Robert: In the grill, yes. I think it was the first time I ordered the pasta. Theresa: You didn't cook? Robert: I did cook, but the pasta was a side. Theresa: Oh, in addition. The pasta was a side. Robert: In addition, the pasta was a side. Theresa: Yeah, that was an addition. So there was plenty of food, and it was fun cooking. Just be careful you don't burn yourself on the stump. Robert: Now the grill, at other times, in the morning it's sort of a buffet kind of breakfast. There is an omelet station, and then there's a variety of pastries, and cereals, and the muesli, and yogurts, and other things. Theresa: Coffee tea. Robert: Coffee tea that you can pick up on your own. And then for lunch, kind of the same thing. It was a buffet, and they had kind of like a build your own hamburger, a hot dog, and then usually maybe some kind of fish or something else, a pasta or something. Theresa: But the big secret there is there's a freezer there that has individual cartons of ice cream. Robert: Not just any ice cream. They had Haagen-Dazs, and they had Blue Bunny. Theresa: And Ben and Jerry's. Robert: And Ben and Jerry's, yes. Theresa: Yeah, they had several flavors. That was interesting. And at lunch you can also have your wine or beer. I will say it said there would be local beer served, and they were all IPAs. So for the non-IPA beer drinker, that was just harsh. Robert: And above the Deck 4 was Deck 5, which included the Sun Deck that was open to passengers. Now it was only accessible on a sort of a steep stairway. Going up was not really a problem, but coming down was maybe a little bit anxiety-creating. As you went down, your toes were sticking out over the steps. So it's one of those stairways that you actually want to turn around and walk down with your toes first. And remember that toes grip and heels slip. Theresa: Right, and I know some people who they got up, but they weren't sure they could get down. And there was also a bridge tour, but you had to go up to Deck 5. There was no elevator that goes there. I did not go to the bridge tour. Show Notes

Victory Cruise Lines

Review of the Great Lakes Cruise on Victory I

Robert and Theresa — Wed, 06 May 2026 19:08:46 +0000

Part I - The Itinerary

In this episode, we share our opinions of Victory I as she plies the Great Lakes. We pay particular attention to accessibility.

Transcript

Click Here for Transcript Hi, welcome to living the good life. I'm Theresa and I'm Robert. We are sadly on the last day of our Victory One cruise along the great lakes. We started in Toronto where Victory includes the first night at a hotel, which makes a lot of sense because many people travel, a lot of our fellow cruisers are from California and areas far away areas that aren't on the great lakes. Robert: Although there are a few of us from the Midwest, we landed in Toronto and we want to focus a little bit on the accessibility needs or if there were any problems along the way. And we found navigating the Toronto airport was fairly easy. A bit of walking to finally get to the Uber pickup. Theresa: There was a lot of construction in Toronto. The Gardiner Highway was close, so it took us a little longer, but we did research the Westin Harbourfront Castle, which is where we stayed. It was a great location. We did find an accessible entrance. It's around if you're facing the front and you are on the street because it's a very strange entrance, like you go into a parking garage and there's an entrance. But if you're on the street facing the parking, you just head to the right. And there is a sign there. But unfortunately, they want you to have a room key. If you don't just hit the intercom button and somebody will let you in. Robert: The main entrance to the hotel was actually two stories up from the street level. So you had to drive up a reasonably steep driveway, I guess, up to the front doors. And that was easy enough to do. And that's where you would also pick up your Ubers or taxis or any other transportation if you needed to get down to the street level on the inside, you could take an elevator down two levels and then come out again, the accessibility door that's on the, as Theresa said, on the right side, and it takes you right out to the street. Theresa: And we had looked for it and had a little problem. It looks like a door for the staff or unaccessible, you know, do not go beyond here. So just look when you get off the elevator. You turn left and then it will be on your right. It's like double doors. It is not Walmart. Nothing says accessible. Robert: Once we got outside and the sidewalks were pretty clear, there were curb cuts at all of the intersections and all the crosswalks. The one thing is you really have to watch out for the bicyclists, because when you're going across a crosswalk, there are bicycle lanes that are also going perpendicular to the crosswalk. So you have to look both ways because the bicyclists come in both directions. And there were enough e-bikes that were moving along at a good clip. Theresa: Right. So that all worked out. There was a registration desk with some people representing Victory who gave us the plan. And there were some changes. One thing about cruising anytime is be aware that flexibility is key. And I will say on this particular sailing, and this is the first one of the year, that's always a good time for better rates. But the weather may not be perfect. I have to say that the staff has been amazing. I would say maybe 25 to 30 percent of our fellow cruisers use some kind of mobility aid and they are well accommodated. Many of them said they are living the good life. They've had hip surgery, knee surgery, health issues, and they've adapted. So that they can continue to travel. Robert: The crews provided umbrellas when we needed them, when the weather was bad. The getting onto the ship and getting off the ship required a gangway. Sometimes it was just a flat ramp. Other times it was a stairway that was adjustable to the level of the ship down to the dock. And so and there were often an additional step or something at the bottom. The crew was extremely alert to anyone who was who had some difficulty getting on and off the ship. And we even saw wheelchairs being carried down the ramp. So it was it was just amazing how helpful they were. Theresa: Yes. And there's even wheelchairs on board the ship for your use. But it is very nice. They have this. But never assume that you will have the same experience as we did. I mean, crews change, fellow passengers change, and fellow passengers were very helpful as well. But always remember, it's up to you to research. Come with the right equipment. One woman we spoke with said she usually travels with a regular rolling wheeler, the rectangular shape for traveling on a ship. She has a foldable triangular that has a little place for her to put her things and she can fold it. So it's very narrow. So it doesn't take up room. I think I wish that all cruise ships would have maybe a mobility aid that way or something, because it's a little scary for someone like me who doesn't see well if people leave their walker or wheelchair right in the main aisle or highway. It's also difficult for servers like in the dining room. Robert: On the excursions, one thing that I noticed was that the buses, we had newer buses that followed the ship along to each port. They followed along the highways as the ship cruised to the next port and met us at each port. But the buses were kneeling buses, so the front could be lowered to adjust to like curb height and all. They often had a stepstool at the bottom of the entry. The steps going up were reasonably steep and you had to be pretty careful going up and down in the bus. And I noticed that some of the passengers would get on the bus and actually did not get off at some of the places you could get off and sightsee and such, and that they just preferred to remain on the bus because it did take quite some effort for them to go up and down those steps. Theresa: And that's a perfect alternative because on the bus, you can still look out the window and see where you are and get an idea. So you never are forced to, you know, get off the bus. The driver always stayed with the bus. And, you know, it's a great place just to look, enjoy the area, you know, and be reasonable and don't think, oh, my gosh, I have to get off the bus, because you don't. Robert: Our first stop after Toronto was Niagara. Theresa: Which actually is from Port Colborne. You don't stop right in Niagara Falls because it's not like you can dock a boat there. So that was really nice. And we've been to Niagara many times and we never took a tour of a power station. So we did a power station tour, which took us down a hundred and eighty five feet. Was it something like that? Robert: It was just under 200 feet, I believe. Theresa: There was a half mile walk each way, but the path was clear. There's an elevator. So if you had a wheelchair or a walker, you could do it. The only problem was the time you had to do it, because I felt we were a little bit rushed doing that, but came out right on the bottom of the falls. And they do provide ponchos and the spray wasn't too bad when we were there, but it was an excellent excursion and has a daily included excursion. And that was one of the included excursions. And it was great. Robert: And the elevator ride was actually quite interesting because they had glass panels on one side and you could see all the inner workings of how they control the water flow through the power plant. Theresa: Right. So I highly recommend that. So after Port Colburn, we left and our next stop was Cleveland. The included excursion there was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As a person with low vision, I found it very difficult. It's very dark. If you have any kind of sensory issues, there was, I believe, a QR code on the door, but we really didn't see an information place that told you what exactly you should do because the music goes on and on and on. Some people thought it was too loud. Others thought the music's not interesting, which they're lucky they're still on the ship. But some people did a lot, others did a little. It took us three hours just to do the first floor. And that's because we went to the Soul Train. I grew up in Toledo, Soul Train almost seemed like a local show and we watched it and people got to dance there. And we also went through the 13 Beatles albums, which was very interesting. You know, they talked about every album and that took a long time to get through. Robert: There was a video that accompanied each album and the Beatles were actually talking about what they were doing and their progress from their earliest albums to their latest ones. It was, yeah, we were, we stayed there for quite a while and went through each of the albums. There was the accompanying videos. There are six levels in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And we stayed just on the first level. There are elevators and then each, each floor does change a little bit in elevation. There might be ramps that go up and down in certain areas, but I think it was, you know, it was all clear. There were no real obstacles. Theresa: No, it was good to have the elevator. So that way it was very accessible. But if you have any problems with a lot of noise or getting around when it's dark, it can be a little difficult. They also had an excellent Saturday night live display of all the musicians who performed and that could take an entire day. So if you do this, be sure to sign up for the earliest in the day so you can stay all day. Robert: Our next stop was Detroit. Um, the, we got off the ship, the people mover was not in operation. So we walked a little ways. We got on the queue line and that was very easy. I think, I think it accommodated wheelchairs and we, it's free and we took it and it dropped us off right at the, uh, Detroit museum of art. Theresa: And we had wanted to go to the Detroit Institute of art, which is also accessible. There's elevators and you get a map. We had never seen the Diego Rivera murals, which we wanted to do. So instead of going on the included excursion, which was the wonderful Henry Ford museum, it is not just about cars. It's about manufacturing Americana. It's really a nice museum. And it was also another good choice of what to do in that port. And we had been to it and I shamefully admit, it's probably been 50 years or more, it's been a long time since we've been there, but we knew that Detroit has really good Greek because of Greek town and Mid Eastern food, because a lot of Arabs live in the area. So we went to a Greek restaurant instead of going to Henry Ford and it was well worth it for us. Robert: The restaurant was Pegasus and I think it was the best Greek food I have ever eaten. Theresa: And after Detroit, we had it North. We sailed along like here and it was a sea day. It was our only sea day. Robert: Lake day. Sea day? Theresa: Well, if you call it a lake day, I guess it's a lake day, although the Great Lakes are inland seas, so you can call it what you want, right? Robert: All right. Theresa: But so we did that. It was interesting to learn that we don't take the quickest route because it's more technically difficult. And we did have a pilot on board, like the pilots change for every section that they're in charge of. So we got a little bit delayed. So when we got to Sault Ste. Marie, our next stop, the timing was not right to go through the locks, which is always a fun thing to watch. But as part of that included short excursion, we went to the Valley Camp a freighter, which I worried about because of my vision and I thought it'd be crawling over a lot of thresholds and infrastructure. But, and we did see some people with walkers in there, there is a ramp so you can get up and down to the different levels of the ship. Robert: There were two main levels. Theresa: So that was really good. And it actually snowed when we were there that we weren't expecting that, but it all worked out. Robert: Part of the excursion also included going to the viewing area for the locks where you had two levels that you could see the freighters going through the locks and one of the reasons we couldn't go through the locks was apparently there was some congestion and there were too many freighters around that needed to pass through, but it was amazing to watch them go through the locks. Theresa: As it always is. I did it many times as a kid. There was a third option included in that free excursion. That was to go to a Great Lakes water quality station, but we were on the later tour, so I'd recommend going on the earlier tour so that you can see all three. After Sault Ste. Marie, we went to what was a high point for many passengers and that's Mackinac Island. Robert: And on Mackinac Island, the probably the most popular excursion was, which was included, was the horse carriage rides. And there are some carriages that are actually accessible that you can ask for, you can order, I guess, and they can accommodate a wheelchair. The standard carriages are designed to carry a driver and then 20 passengers in five rows, and so you're kind of tucked in four people to each row. Theresa: And they are not that easy to get into. We might ask if any were accessible. I'm not sure. Robert: I don't remember seeing. Theresa: Because they're not easy to get into, even if you, you know, you're perfectly able to climb up. It's, but it's a wonderful way to see more than just the main street of the island, it takes you to the interior. You can see the fort, you see Arch Rock, which has a great overlook, although you don't get a lot of time there, but it gives you a really good overview of the island. And then we did one of the premium excursions and I think they said 50 people signed up for it, which is almost half. Well, I guess it's a third, a third of our ship, you know, it was lunching at the Grand Hotel, which is the iconic Mackinac Island building. I mean, it's a huge Greek revival as the longest porch in the world of any building. And it's just magnificent. It was also chilly there. Remember we are on the first cruise of the season, just be sure to layer, pack the right things, but it was just a fantastic experience. It is a buffet, which is never my favorite thing, but just to be in the thousand seat dining room in the wonderful decor and to explore the hotel itself was wonderful. We could go, we went up to the cupola to get photos. That's another place. That's not really accessible. You can go up and then you have to walk up two sets of staircases. So that is something to consider, but there are plenty of great views from the porch. Robert: The Grand Hotel does sit up on a hill so that the road going up is a, is a good incline and the horse carriages slow down when they go through there. It's walkable. There's a nice sidewalk. It's beautiful. Once you get to the hotel, there are ramps. The front of the hotel has quite an imposing staircase that takes you up to the main entrance. But on the end, facing the hotel on the right end, there's Sadie's ice cream parlor, and there's a nice winding ramp that you can walk up and it will take you into the entrance for the lower level. Theresa: Part of what we're doing here today is point out what you can do. And if things aren't totally accessible, let you know how to prepare. So next we went to Escanaba in the upper peninsula, but on the North shore of Lake Michigan. We had a wonderful excursion. I do not, I do not recall what the included excursion was. Robert: I think it was walking through the town. It was a walking tour through the town. Theresa: The town was all torn up. So we opted for an excursion that was a premium excursion that took us to a maple research facility that's part of Michigan State University's forestry department, and that was fascinating. We went through several plantations. Not only do they do maple trees, they do white and red pine, willow, pumpkin, squash. They're looking at the soil and the future of the growth of pines. Robert: And maple and Christmas trees, one of the more interesting research projects that they're partnering with is looking at maple syrup that is produced both from sugar maple and from red maple. It turns out that the red maple syrup that's produced doesn't support microbes and the sugar maple does. And so the red maple doesn't require the pasteurization and it has this ability to not support microbes. It's of interest to some cancer researchers who are looking to boost rehydration in cancer patients undergoing different kinds of therapies. Theresa: Great, whoever would have thought. And they do sell products and they also have an online shop. We did get, because we like pure maple syrup, as one of the other guests said, you know, they grew up in log cabin. I think we grew up with some generic thing. They mentioned that then it was like maybe 10% real syrup and it's just dropped down to no real maple syrup. So it's a treat if you can find it. And then after Escanaba, oh boy, there are some people who say, oh, if you cruise the great lakes, you don't have to worry about seasickness. Well, they never heard of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the shipwreck graveyard, or any accidents like that. These are inland seas. They're not little tiny lakes. I mean, there can be humongous waves and we got to experience them last night. We were pitching from front to back and it went on for a long time. Many people needed some medication. Robert: No, it didn't bother you. And it seldom bothers you. No, I did get queasy. Oh, we're sitting on the top deck of Victory One and there's a rainbow. Theresa: Where? Right up there. Get a picture. Robert: There's a rainbow. You see? That's kind of cool. It's right over the lighthouse. Theresa: So after a bit of a rough night with all of that pitching, it did calm down closer to morning in Milwaukee to a nice warm and sunny day. And here we selected the included excursion, which was a tour of Milwaukee. We haven't been to Milwaukee since 2007 when we did a transcontinental bicycling tour. And honestly, we just drove through to make the car ferry that went to Muskegon, Michigan. And so we don't really know much about Milwaukee. So we boarded the bus. And right near here is an art museum that was designed by Calatrava. And it does have the potential of putting a sail up, but I don't know if you hear this. We are, you know, at a remote office on the deck of the ship. We'll say the wind has picked up immensely and I'm a little concerned about what the cruise will be like today. But Robert can tell you a bit about what we did. Robert: The entrance to the museum, as Theresa said, is actually in the shape of a sailing boat. And the sails are these long metal tubes that will fold out. They say it looks kind of like it's too windy today to actually unfold them. But they said when the wind is less than about 20 miles an hour, they can unfold, they can raise these tubes. And they said it has the wingspan of about a 747. So we saw some photographs of it and it's amazing. It's a shame we couldn't see it today. Our first stop was at the lighthouse. We got off the bus. We were able to walk around, take some nice photographs. And back on the bus. Theresa: But you could go if you were out of the bus first. And I will say the typical guess is somebody over 50 might have some physical disruptors, as I like to call them, but still wants to travel. So getting out of the bus and I'm one of the slow ones is why I don't want to trip up or down the steps. But you could have gone up to the tower, the lighthouse is up there. The lighthouse itself to the very top. And there was a gift shop there and a light keepers house that you could explore. This is the included excursion. Robert: Our next stop was the Pabst Mansion. Theresa: They told us here there was Pabst, Schlitz, Blatts, Old Milwaukee. I hope that's all. PBR obviously still around and they offered us some as we walked into the mansion and as we left, we both politely declined. The mansion is amazing. Robert: It's one of the few mansions that are still left in this particular region. The captains of industry or the people who were helping build Milwaukee up in the late 1800s built enormous mansions. And I think they said there were like three or four of them left that. Theresa: Very few left, which is unfortunate, but progress, urban renewal and the like. And it was only saved because the archdiocese of Milwaukee, Uruguay, said the archbishop and others living there. So they live there 67 years. Robert: I think they said from 1905, after Captain Pabst and his wife died, they sold the property and the archdiocese purchased it and it became a residence for the bishops there. And I believe in 1978, it was up for sale again. And a group of women put together a historical preservation society to renovate it and to bring it back to its original splendor. Supposedly the walls had all been painted white. They had put shag carpeting in. One of the docents there said that they use very cheap paint, the white paint. And so it was very easy to remove from all the woodwork. And that the carpeting rolled up very easily and it actually protected the floors. Theresa: And it is going through some renovation, especially to the exterior. We maybe didn't look hard enough to see if there was a ramp somewhere, because a lot of it was taped off, so you couldn't go there, but there is an elevator in the mansion, which we use, back of the kitchen. But we weren't sure if there's any kind of ramp. Otherwise you have to walk up stairs. Robert: We're looking out now and there's a freighter moving in front of us. It was being pulled by a tugboat. Do you see it? Theresa: We are on the fourth deck of the Victory One, and there's a spot here. We're the only ones here. Like we said, the wind picked up, but now it looks like we have a clear, it seems like a front one through. It's very nice up here. It's like we said, our first warmer day on the whole trip. Although it was in the fifties in Toronto, which for us was warm. Robert: I got distracted by the freighter moving out in front of us. Our third stop was at the St. Joan of Arc Chapel that was disassembled and then reassembled on the property of Marquette University. Theresa: The chapel, and I didn't really get the whole story. It first came from somewhere near Lyon, France, and it went to Long Island, and then it was rebuilt, and then it was disassembled again and moved to Milwaukee. And actually it's only maybe the Alcove, I would call it. That's the original and the rest has been added onto, but it's very pleasant. It's more a place for meditation. They said weddings can't happen there because it's not a church, which I'm not up to Catholicism and what they do, but I know Catholics who get married outside. So it was a little confusing, but it's very, very interesting. Robert: It was built in 1412, I believe. And then it was added on in the 1600s and it was moved in the early 1900s, I believe the first time, and then the second time was in 1960, I believe. Theresa: We were told that because of this, somebody moved it, that France does not allow anybody to move anything from France anymore, brick by brick. Well, we did just drive around. We drove by the Potawatomi Casino and some of the sports venues for Marquette. I think the Brewers. Robert: And we drove over several bridges, so it was actually a nice sightseeing bus ride, too, because we kept driving over these rivers and it's lots of interesting things to see. Theresa: And I believe they told us there are three rivers? Robert: Three rivers, yes. Theresa: We are in a nice area, a little harbor. There's a couple of lighthouses, a really nice itinerary to showcase the Midwest. And as we maybe mentioned before, a lot of people are surprised because they have misconceptions about the Midwest or what's here or if it's still like the rust belt or hasn't grown or changed since rust belt times, especially in Milwaukee, a lot of things are gone, a lot of factories, manufacturing. Robert: And tomorrow we're on our way to Chicago and we'll get there in the morning and we'll have breakfast, we'll then take a river cruise, an architectural river cruise where we go up and down the river looking at the different architecture. And then we take a flight later in the day. Theresa: After what we considered a good cruise, one of our episodes will be about the ship itself, you know, our stateroom, the food, the itinerary, the other passengers, what's included, what's not, positives, negatives, anything that you might need to know. So thank you for listening to Living the Qud Life. We'll be back next week. Show Notes

Music

Mentioned in Living the Could Life

Victory Cruise Lines

The Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto

Toronto to Chicago, Cruising on Victory

Robert and Theresa — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:04:03 +0000

Alternatives to Ocean Cruising.

In this episode we focus on a voyage that visits all five Great Lakes. For some the idea is curious and unusual. Others understand the draw of these great lakes.

Transcript

Click Here for Transcript Theresa: We are currently in Toronto and about ready or getting ready to board the Victory One. Robert: We're on Ward's Island on a dock that's actually facing the Victory One, the ship that we're going to be on. It's docked next to the Viking Octantis. Theresa: And I don't know if you can hear in the background, there are a lot of birds. And I don't know if this is on any flyway. I do know that, well, I guess south of here is Rochester, New York, but when you go west in Ontario, there is a flyway that I believe goes across Pelee Island and then to the south shore of Lake Erie, where there is a very large birding and migratory area. They have a big birding event every year near, well, it's not Fort Clinton, but it's very close to one of Ohio's nice state parks with lodges called the Maumee Bay State Park. Robert: I remember coming here during the 1960s when we would come up for the summers to visit relatives in Toronto. And we're standing on the dock that we often visited and we'll be going back, back into the center part of Ward's Island to the cafe, the Island Cafe. Theresa: Which supposedly now sells beer, which wasn't allowed before. There's Ward's Center and those two connect. And Hanlan's Point. And then Hanlan's Point. We took a ferry right from near the Weston Harbourfront Castle, where we stayed last night. And on Victory, your cruise starts the night before. And that makes a lot of sense, especially if you're flying in, because we know how flights work. And we talked to a few fellow guests at registration. It seems some have come from Central California and they're surprised at how cold it is here. I think it's 50 today and we're thinking that is warm. Robert: It's a nice blue sky. Yeah, nice blue sky, 50 degrees, a very light breeze. Theresa: We've seen one of my favorite birds, but didn't hear it. That is the common loon. And maybe mallard duck, but I don't own my birds so well, especially my ducks. Looks to be that this part of the island is a wetland. So I think if you were a birder, this might be, or a ducker, I don't know. But I think this could be good for birding. Are there a lot of cottages here? Robert: And they've been here for a very long time. I remember when I was 8, 9, 10 years old, we'd come here. This was always a high point of our summer vacation when we visited relatives to come to the islands and the cottages were always there. Robert: We're on Ward's Island on a dock that's actually facing the Victory 1, the ship that we're going to be on. It's docked next to the Viking Octantis. Theresa: And I don't know if you can hear in the background, there are a lot of birds. And I don't know if this is on any flyway. I do know that, well, I guess south of here is Rochester, New York, but when you go west in Ontario, there is a flyway that I believe goes across Pelee Island and then to the south shore of Lake Erie, where there is a very large birding and migratory area. They have a big birding event every year near, well, it's not Port Clinton, but it's very close to one of Ohio's nice state parks with lodges called the Maumee Bay State Park. Robert: I remember coming here during the 1960s when we would come up for the summers to visit relatives in Toronto. And we're standing on the dock that we often visited. And we'll be going back, back into the center part of Ward's Island to the cafe, the Island Cafe. Theresa: Which supposedly now sells beer, which wasn't allowed before. There's Ward's Center and those two connect. And Hanlan's Point. And then Hanlan's Point. We took a ferry right from near the Westin Harbourfront Castle, where we stayed last night. And on Victory, your cruise starts the night before. And that makes a lot of sense, especially if you're flying in because we know how flights work. And we talked to a few fellow guests at registration. It seems some have come from Central California, and they're surprised at how cold it is here. I think it's 50 today, and we are thinking that is warm. Robert: It's a nice blue sky. Yeah, nice blue sky, 50 degrees, a very light breeze. Theresa: We've seen one of my favorite birds, but didn't hear it. That is the common loon. And maybe mallard duck, but I don't own my birds so well, especially my ducks. Looks to be that this part of the island is a wetland. So I think if you were a birder, this might be a, or a ducker, I don't know. But I think this could be good for birding. Are there a lot of cottages here? Robert: And they've been here for a very long time. I remember when I was 8, 9, 10 years old, we'd come here. This was always a high point of our summer vacation, when we visited relatives to come to the islands. And the cottages were always there. It's a tight-knit cottage community. Theresa: Victory does offer tours today of different spots in Toronto. So if you haven't been to Toronto, you could do that. We kind of like being outdoors and we have been to Toronto before. Robert: And the birds are flying in and out of this wetland. We're watching them. I wish I knew my birds. Theresa: Oh, there's the app. There's eBird and there's another one that you can listen to their song and identify the bird like that. Merlin, maybe? Something like Merlin. I don't know. So today we're doing this instead of being in the studio, we're out in the world's best studio, the great outdoors. Robert: On the great lakes. Theresa: On the great lakes in the great city of Toronto, which has grown immensely in the past decades. On Ward's Island still looks like it gets the fewest visitors, which is perfect for us because we don't like crowds. But there is a small amusement park on Center Island and an airport on Hanlan's Point. Robert: You can see turboprop planes taking off and landing there. Theresa: So we're at the farthest point we could get to on this pier across from us, like Robert said. We have the Viking Octantis, which I have had the privilege of sailing the Victory One. This will be our first time on this ship. Tomorrow, our port will be Port Colborne. We'll go to the Niagara Falls area and our excursion then will be the power plant, which looks, I mean, you see power plants all over there, all the electrical wires. So that will be really interesting. Robert: We've seen the building on opposite Niagara Falls when we've always visited the falls, but have never actually been inside or really close to it. So that's just going to be exciting to see. Theresa: Right. And I think we'll go through the Welland Canal. I always forget how to pronounce that. And that will be interesting as well. I mean, we have to get to Lake Erie, so we don't have a lot of options. And we will be boarding later and we'll be back then. We're here on our first shore excursion. We are on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. And if you ever visit Niagara Falls, that is the best place to go to. I'm not saying anything bad about the American side, but you get a better view on the Canadian side. And we're at the top we are where the Niagara River drops into the falls. We just came back from a tour of the power tunnel, which I highly recommend. I've been to the falls many times and never realized there is a tour you go from the power station down an elevator and you walk through a tunnel that's about half a mile long and you come out right at the lower level of the river. It was a little hazy today, so we didn't get a lot of good photos, but I hope they turn out. Robert: The walkway to the overlook was very gently inclined and paved. It was smooth. It was very easy to walk. And the view was spectacular once we got outside. Theresa: And if you do have to use a wheelchair or anything else, it was smooth concrete. And like Robert said, there were some small inclines, but they even had the automatic door openers and you take an elevator down. So it's quite the nice place. We highly recommend it. Robert: We're here on a beautiful day. It's a blue sky. The mist is coming up over the falls. We can look back at the river. It's just a magnificent place to be. I remember coming here many, many years ago. We celebrated our 25th anniversary here in the winter, and it was amazing to see the falls, parts of it frozen. I would certainly recommend seeing it any time of year. Theresa: And actually most of the ice just left the river. Lake Erie pretty much entirely froze over. I think they said 95 percent, which lately has been unusual. That used to happen all the time. So there was plenty of ice coming down the river. And they do put up a metal gate so that all of the ice isn't dropping over the falls, but some still gets away. Robert: And it supposedly just cleared of ice just a couple of days ago. And we did see one of the boats that sail underneath the falls, sail into the falls, and all the passengers are wearing ponchos. And I don't know if that was the maid of the mist, or I believe there's another one. Hornblower. Hornblower, right. Theresa: I hope you can hear the river. Okay, so we are not following the usual plan. We are off on the road and out of the studio. So just actually kind of winging it with our dead cats. We will stop here, but we will try to add something in a few days. We just are leaving. We've planned our trip today for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is one of the included, or the only included, shore excursion, which is absolutely fabulous. We're going back to Lake Erie. Our stop tomorrow is Detroit. And the included excursion there is the Henry Ford Museum, which is also a very good choice. However, even though it's been probably at least 20 years since we've been there, we have never been to the Detroit Institute of Art, and we are Mexicophiles and really want to see the Diego Rivera murals there. So we will do that. Thanks for joining Living the Could Life. Coming Soon! Show Notes

Music

Opening Theme “Carpe Diem” by Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: incompetech.com Interlude: "Ascending the Vale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Closing Theme “Bloom” via Pixabay CC0 License (No attribution required) Source: pixabay.com/musicOpening Theme “Carpe Diem” by Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: incompetech.com Interlude: "Ascending the Vale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Closing Theme “Bloom” via Pixabay CC0 License (No attribution required) Source: pixabay.com/music

Cruising The Great Lakes

Robert and Theresa — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:17:42 +0000

Freshwater Adventures

In this episode we focus on cruising the large inland lakes of the US - the Great Lakes. The ports are fascinating and the ships are smaller and ideal for those whose bodies have been disrupted. You may be surprised by what there is to discover while Cruising the Great Lakes!

Transcript

Click Here for Transcript Theresa: Welcome back to Living the Good Life, where we explore real world travel for real bodies. Adventures that are meaningful, doable, and full of wonder. Today, we're heading somewhere unexpected, the Great Lakes. Not the ocean, not the Caribbean, but a freshwater cruising region that's older than the pyramids and bigger than many countries. Robert: And if you're thinking, wait, cruises? On the Great Lakes? Oh yes, not only do they exist, they've been around for over a century and now they're having a major renaissance. Theresa: And I have always lived in a state with the Great Lakes, so we're fairly familiar with them and have visited all five. So today, we're diving into the history, the ships, the cruise lines, the ports, and the surprising magic of these inland seas. Robert: Let's start with the basics. The Great Lakes, Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. They hold 20% of the world's fresh surface water. That's wild. Theresa: And when I was in school, to remember the names of them, we remembered the word homes. Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior. So we could get them all. And some people are really surprised when they see the Great Lakes, but we'll go into that a bit later. And they are enormous. Lake Superior is the size of Austria. Lake Michigan is bigger than Croatia. These are not ponds. You can look at them and think you're on the ocean. The lakes, these are inland seas with their own weather systems. And we can tell you up in our part of Michigan all about lake effect weather. They have their own weather systems, their own tides, even their own maritime culture. Robert: And their own shipwrecks, thousands of them. The lakes have been major shipping routes since the 1800s, and storms here can be brutal. The most famous wreck is the Edmund Fitzgerald, lost in 1975 on Lake Superior. Theresa: Which is why lighthouses in this area are such a big part of the Great Lakes identity. In fact, Michigan, and this may be surprising to some people, it has more lighthouses than any other state. Robert: And that sense of maritime history is part of what makes Great Lakes cruising so different. You're not just island hopping, you're time traveling. Theresa: Right, and there are so many interesting maritime museums along the coast of the lakes. Most of them have a different focus. Some focus on shipwrecks, others focus on trade, some on sports, and some on cargo, ferries, car ferries, moving railroads, etc. Cruising the Great Lakes actually goes back to the late 1800s when steamships carried wealthy travelers between Chicago, Mackinac Island, and Canadian ports. Robert: By the early 1900s, the lakes had full-on floating hotels. Think chandeliers, ballrooms, and multi-day itineraries. Theresa: Then came the decline because highways, air travel, and even railways ended the big steamship era. For decades, Great Lakes cruising was mostly ferries and day boats. Robert: But around 2015, everything changed. Expedition cruise lines realized the lakes were perfect for small ship, high-touch travel, and suddenly the region exploded. Theresa: I will say that it was the Germans, Popeye Bloyd, who have been cruising the Great Lakes for 30 years. The Germans are still intrigued by these lakes. Today, the Great Lakes are one of the fastest-growing cruise regions in North America. Robert: Let's talk cruise lines because this surprises people. Theresa: And right now, there are several players here. Viking has expedition-style ships, the Octantis and the Viking Polaris. Pearl Sea's cruises, they've been coming here a long time. We often see the Pearl Miss dock in Mackinac Island. Victory Cruise Lines, they are a small ship classic cruising company. Of course, Popeye Bloyd, the German cruise ship, still comes, and we have seen that in port several times. Also new to the Great Lakes is American Cruise Line, which we have sailed with them before and totally enjoyed it. We did a Cape Cod cruise and that was fascinating, lots of history, water, sand, so some similarities, really, to the Great Lakes. And we are looking forward to sailing with them in the future, as well as with Victory, so we can do a comparison because each cruise line is different, and the itineraries are also different. And there are some that don't cruise here regularly, but do make appearances. Robert: These are not megaships. We're talking 200 to 400 passengers tops. Some are under 200. Theresa: And that means the experience is intimate, quiet, and deeply destination. You're not going for the watersides. You're not going for the big shoals. You're going for history, culture, and definitely scenery. Robert: And accessibility is often better than people expect. Many of these ships are newer, with modern elevators, wider corridors, and accessible staterooms. Theresa: Plus, the ports are real towns. There aren't any giant cruise ship terminals, and that can make the experience easier for getting around and for travelers who want less chaos and more connection to the area. Let's start with the Crown Jewel, one of our favorite places. We try to go there, I'd say, every year, and that is Mackinac Island. Cars are not allowed. You get around by horse-drawn carriage or bicycles. Robert: Or walking. Theresa: Or walking. And there are Victorian hotels. And one of the most popular things on the island is fudge. There's a fudge shop just about on every single corner of the island. Robert: It's charming, but it's also historically important. The island was a strategic military post in the War of 1812. Theresa: And if you visit the fort, you will learn all about that. The Americans, the British, the French, the indigenous people. It's very interesting. They also claim the first state park in Michigan, although that's debatable. Some say the first state park's in Interlochen. Robert: It also depends on the locals. Talk to the people here around Interlochen, and they're proud of their state park. And talk to people on Mackinac Island, and the same. Theresa: But that first state park was actually, at one point, the second national park in the country after Yellowstone. So, it's all very interesting and worth exploring at the fort. Besides being a strategic military post, it also has a lot of scenery. You can bicycle around the island. You can visit Arch Rock. There are three different cemeteries. There's a lot of different things off of Main Street, which people often miss because they just stick to the one section in town, the commercial section, where you do find all those fudge shops. Robert: If you do bicycle around the island, there's a road that goes right along the lake shore, and it's just a tad over eight miles. Theresa: And you, of course, if you're a fan of the movie Somewhere in Time, you can find different sites where they filmed. And of course, there's things like coffee, tennis, nice hotels. Robert: Especially the Grand Hotel. Theresa: Especially the Grand Hotel, which everyone knows. It has the largest porch. Robert: In the world. Theresa: In the world. So, definitely worth a visit. Robert: Let's go to Sault Ste. Marie, home of the Sulox. One of the engineering wonders of the world. You can watch thousand-foot freighters rise and fall between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Theresa: It's surprisingly mesmerizing. I remember as a child that we would just go there and watch the ships, or they called them boats. We were informed the freighters go through the locks. And you could just watch them rise up, fall down, rise up. Fall down. Robert: And the visitor center is accessible and well-designed. Let's move on to Detroit. Right now, Detroit is having a moment. The Riverwalk, the Motown Museum, the Revitalize Downtown. It's a fantastic cruise stop. Theresa: And the Detroit Institute of Arts is a world-class museum. And surprisingly, if you don't know Detroit, many guests there are shocked by how amazing Detroit is because they think of it from the 1960s. Robert: Cleveland is another sleeper hit. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Westside Market, and a waterfront that's finally getting the love it deserves. Theresa: And a lot of Clevelanders don't really want to advertise how great the area is. But that's right. Unlike Erie, it also has a world-class art museum and a lot of history as well. And it's easy to get around Cleveland. I think it has every type of sports team possible there. And it also has great food. Robert: A major turnaround port and a cosmopolitan powerhouse is Toronto. Museums, neighborhoods, food. It's a perfect start. Museums, neighborhoods, food. It's a perfect start or end point. And the skyline from the water is gorgeous. Theresa: My grandmother came by boat to Toronto from England. And Robert's relatives immigrated to Toronto. Robert: And we visited every summer while I was growing up. We stayed two, three months. And it was always something we looked forward to. And especially visiting the islands. Hanlon's Point, Centre Island, Ward's Point, Ward's Island. You could walk from one island to another. And it was something we always looked forward to doing. We'd usually go there on the weekends. And we really liked going to Ward's Island. It tended to be less crowded. Centre Island was very, very popular. And I loved the rest of Toronto too. I liked walking up and down Yonge Street. The Toronto Museum was something that every summer I would visit. Theresa: And there's so much to do there. In fact, I grew up in Toledo. And Toronto was a major honeymoon destination because you could just drive up to Windsor, which was across the river from Detroit. Hop on the train and go to Toronto. And those were all the hotels, like the Seahorse and the little, you know, non-fancy motels, which have now been torn down. And I think they've been replaced by condos. And Toronto has grown immensely. It has the second largest Italian population outside of Rome. And it also has, I believe, the second largest Portuguese population outside of Portugal. Robert: My grandmother loved shopping in the Italian area. And I was always her packed meal. She would always go there once a week and load up on all kinds of good food. Theresa: It's definitely worthy of a visit. We'll be right back. Robert: Another major term port is Chicago. Architecture cruises, deep dish pizza, Millennium Park. Chicago is a destination all on its own. Theresa: That's for sure. And there are lots of museums there as well. The Aquarium, the Field Museum, which is a Natural History Museum, the Lakeshore. Robert: Navy Pier. Theresa: Navy Pier, which is where some of the Great Lakes cruises begin or end. And when you see the lakefront in Chicago or Toronto, you forget that you're not on the ocean. Robert: Thunder Bay is a gateway to Indigenous culture. Rugged landscapes and the sleeping giant Provincial Park. Theresa: It's one of the most expedition-y type stops on the lakes. It's very far north on Lake Superior. Robert: Somewhere that I've wanted to go for a long time and I haven't been is Georgian Bay and the North Channel. This is where the lakes feel like the Canadian wilderness. Pink granite, pine forests, and water so clear it looks tropical. Theresa: Yeah, I understand it's often compared to the fjords of Norway. It's also on my list to visit as well. Robert: What makes Great Lakes cruising unique? Well, let's talk about the vibe, because this is not a Caribbean cruise. Theresa: Oh, it's so much quieter, more cultural, more nature-driven. You get historians, naturalists, and Great Lakes experts on board. Robert: And the wildlife is underrated. Bald eagles, black bears, moose, sturgeon. Some of the clearest freshwater ecosystems in the world. Theresa: Yeah, it's amazing how clear the water is. And it's a really good place because it's so clear to see shipwrecks, especially those that are close to the shore. You don't have to go far out to see them. Robert: And for travelers who want a big adventure without long flights, this is perfect. Theresa: Interestingly enough, most of the people who cruise the Midwest are not necessarily from the Midwest. And for me, the Midwest is synonymous with the Great Lakes. And I know some people call things that I call West or the Plain States, the Midwest, but I call them the Great Lakes States. We think of those waterways, the Great Lakes, as being something in our backyard, maybe not as exotic as going to the Caribbean or Europe. But many of the guests do come from Europe because it's something very unusual for them or from coastal areas of the U.S. Before we wrap up, we want to talk about something that matters deeply to a lot of our listeners, accessibility. Robert: The Great Lakes region is surprisingly well-suited for travelers with disabilities, mobility limitations, chronic illness, or anyone who needs just a gentler pace. Theresa: Yes, and I want to say this clearly, you don't need to be adventure-ready to enjoy the Great Lakes, although there is plenty of adventure in the area. These cruises are built around smaller ships, shorter walking distances, sometimes calmer waters, and don't just assume because it's not the ocean that the waters will be calmer, remember what we said about shipwrecks, but don't worry about that either, things have changed. There are real small towns instead of giant chaotic cruise terminals with lots of traffic and people. In fact, one advantage of the Great Lakes cruises are they can go to places that the bigger ships never make it to. Robert: Let's start with the ships. Most of the vessels sailing the Great Lakes are newer expedition ships. Which means they were designed with accessibility in mind. Elevators that reach all passenger decks, wider corridors, accessible staterooms, and public spaces that aren't overwhelming. Theresa: And because they are smaller, you're not dealing with the half-mile walk from your cabin to the dining room, everything is relatively close and everything's manageable. And if you're a cruiser who suffers fatigue, pain, or mobility challenges, that makes the difference between, I can't do this, and I can absolutely do this. Robert: The ports are another one. Many stops like Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto, and Chicago have flat, paved waterfronts, accessible museums, and easy transportation options. Theresa: Yeah, it's far different than going to Europe, for example, with its cobblestone streets, a lot even smaller towns. Even the more nature-focused stops like Mackinac Island or Georgia Bay usually offer multiple excursion levels. One of the fun things to do on Mackinac Island, and a very popular option, is to take the horse-drawn carriage tour, and they do have some carriages that are accessible. You can choose that carriage ride, which will go to a scenic overlook or a short, accessible walking tour instead of a long hike. It's also very popular to go take a look at the Grand Hotel, maybe have tea there, or lunch, or a tour with the historian there. Robert: Plus, the pace is slower. You're not rushing to beat crowds or sprinting to catch tenders. Most ships dock right at the pier, and disembarkation is calm and organized. Theresa: And I'll add this, for travelers who are newly disabled or navigating, a body with disruptions like the Great Lakes can be a confidence-building region. You get the beauty and the adventure without the physical overwhelm, and you often have more time in port than you would on an ocean-going vessel. Robert: It's travel that meets you where you are, and still gives you something extraordinary. Theresa: So, who is this cruise perfect for? I would say they're good for travelers who love history, travelers who love maritime history, people who prefer small ships, travelers who might want cooler weather, but don't be fooled, it can get very hot in the Midwest, disabled travelers who want easier port days, people who want culture over crowds, and anyone who loves lakes, forests, maritime stories, lighthouses. Robert: It's also a great multi-generational option. Grandparents, adult kids, teens, there's something for everyone. Theresa: The Great Lakes are a real gem, and probably, for some people, a very surprising cruise destination. It's full of history, beauty, and stories that need to be told. And there's good food, very friendly people. Robert: And if you've never considered cruising them, maybe this is your sign. Theresa: Thanks for joining Living the Good Life. We will actually be sailing on the Victory One very soon, so when we return, and actually from the ship, we'll be doing some live reports to share the experience with you. We'll especially be checking out how accessible the ship is, and it's good news to me that in a photo of the interior of the ship, I did see a folded wheelchair there, so that's good news. And I already know we'll have a great time because of all the wonderful ports we're visiting. A few we didn't discuss were Escanaba in the Upper Peninsula, and Milwaukee, which everybody knows Milwaukee, right? Beer and Harleys. So, we'll see you next time. Until then, stay curious, stay adventurous, and stay open to what you could do. Thanks for joining Living the Good Life. Free audio post-production. Robert: biophonic.com Show Notes

Music

Traveling With Your Special Needs Person

Robert and Theresa — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:56:12 +0000

HAVE A BACKUP PLAN FOR WHENEVER YOU TRAVEL!

In this episode, we share our Plan Z strategy for traveling with a person with special needs. Making a few adjustments helps your travel go smoother. Remember that it is the smiles that count.

Transcript

Click Here for Transcript : Robert: Show Notes

Music

Mentioned in Living the Could Life

Cambria Suites

Amsterdam and Muiderslot

Robert and Theresa — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:38:48 +0000

Exploring the Low Country With Ease

In this episode, we share tips and tales for exploring Amsterdam and Muiderslot. Amsterdam recently celebrated its 750th anniversary. And that connects nicely with Muiderslot. Do you know the connection?

Transcript

Click Here for Transcript : Robert: Welcome back to Living the Could Life, the podcast where we explore the world at a pace that honors your body, your energy, and your curiosity. I'm glad you're here. I'm Robert and I'm Theresa. Theresa: Today we are taking you to one of Europe's most enchanting cities, Amsterdam, and then on a slow scenic day trip to one of the best preserved medieval castles in the Netherlands, Muiderslot, and I don't speak Dutch, so... Robert: This episode is especially for travelers with disabilities, chronic illness, mobility limitations, or anyone who prefers a gentler, more accessible way to explore. We're talking public transportation, accessibility, highlights of the city, and how to reach Muiderslot by train, bus, or ferry. Theresa: And we'll get into the castle's history as well. It's surprisingly dramatic, plus we'll also talk about what's accessible and what's not at the castle, and where to eat in the charming little town of Muiden. Robert: So, settle in. Let's start in Amsterdam. Theresa: Picture this. You're crossing a 17th century cobblestone bridge while simultaneously eating a cone of hot fries and dodging speeding bicycles. You're not in a museum. You're standing inside an open-air museum. A 750-year-old experiment that's still unfolding. Robert: That's Amsterdam. Living history with momentum. Theresa: You aren't just observing the past. You're actively trying not to get run over by it. Robert: The city is ancient, but wildly forward-thinking. To understand it, you have to start with the ground, or really the water, it's built on. Theresa: Right, and we want to understand how a city built entirely on water mastered its incredibly challenging environment, created world-class art, and and just threw a massive year-long birthday party just to celebrate its own survival. Robert: This isn't just a travel itinerary. It's a look at urban evolution. How does a place go from a muddy swamp to a global powerhouse without losing its soul along the way? Theresa: And it's a fundamental rule of urban design. Geography is destiny, and Amsterdam's geography is its most defining feature. Robert: You get this immediate sensory picture when stepping into the city. It's the narrow cobblestone streets and the trams rumbling by. Theresa: And the bicycles. That's how people get around. Many people do not own cars. There's limited parking, and when there is, it's expensive. So bicycles are everywhere, whether parked in large structures or whizzing past pedestrians. Exercise extreme caution when crossing roads, as most have dedicated bicycle lanes. The locals know the rules, and they know the hazards. We're both experienced cyclists. We would never bike in the central area. If you want to do a bike ride, maybe ride out to Muiderslot or into the suburbs, but the locals will be cussing you out if you're stopping every two seconds to look at a map to see where you're going. And if you step into that bike lane, you'll hear their bells ringing. Listen for the bells. By doing something like stepping in front of a bike, you are disrupting their perfectly calibrated journey and the flow of traffic that has been literally negotiated over the decades. Robert: Let's get back to the water. The canal system is iconic. Theresa: Exactly. From above, it looks like the top half, depending where you are, of a spider's web. Concentric rings radiate outward, and those are the four main waterways in the web. And again, excuse my pronunciation, the Singel, the Herengracht, Kaisersgracht, and Prinzengracht. You're literally reading the city's age and development in its rings. Robert: As the population swelled over the centuries, they essentially just dug new layers outward to accommodate the growth. And within those rings, you have this incredibly complex infrastructure, where canal boats navigate smaller connecting waterways and nearly 3,000 houseboats are docked. Theresa: They even have a dedicated houseboat museum so that you can see what living on the water actually entails. Robert: And the bridges. There are 160 of them crisscrossing the water, including the famous Skinny Bridge, which was originally built so narrow that it barely allowed two pedestrians to squeeze past each other. Theresa: Amsterdam is built on water after all, so let's talk about those famous leaning houses. Robert: Since Amsterdam sits on a swampy peat, the Dutch drove thousands of massive wooden pilings through the peat into the solid sand layer below. The wood lasts for centuries, but only if it stays underwater in an oxygen-free environment. When groundwater drops and oxygen hits the pilings, rot begins and the houses start to sink. Theresa: Oh, and that kind of sounds like what happens to our cars here with oxidation. With all the snow and everything here in Michigan, it's kind of the same as those houses, although we have no leaning cars here. Water management isn't optional. It's survival. Robert: Exactly. If your neighbor mismanages their water levels, your house can sink too. That's why Amsterdam developed a culture of deep, highly organized cooperation and pragmatic problem solving. Theresa: And some of their water management systems are part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The beating heart of Amsterdam is the Dam Square, which sometimes when there are many tourists there, I think some of the locals call it the Dam Square. Dam Square is the heart, and it is full of everything that tourists should see. It's quite impressive. Robert: Exactly. It's where centuries of commerce, culture, and daily life collide. The Royal Palace, the New Church, the National Monument, and the Beurs van Berlage, excuse my pronunciation, a former stock exchange that was turned into a modern concert hall. Theresa: And surrounding all this history is the commercial area anchored by the Centraal Station, which is the main train station in Amsterdam. Beyond the station there are major shopping areas and you're surrounded by the smells of Dutch street food. You can find those fries everywhere. Robert: We're talking about grabbing a hot piece of Dutch apple pie, pancakes, or bitterballen. Theresa: And of course that iconic cone of Dutch fries. Robert: Often smothered in mayo or peanut sauce. Theresa: A little bit different than what we have here. Definitely worth trying. So one other section of the city is Museumplein. It's a nice walkable area, a good place for picnic. We were there in the winter. We saw kids learning to ice skate, which was fun to watch. But you can also travel through history. If you look at the map you will notice, and if you visit the different sections of the city, you'll see that all the sections are different. The pinnacle of cultural preservation is the Museumplein. Not only are there world-class museums, but the anchor museum is the Rijksmuseum, where you'll find Rembrandt's Night Watch, Vermeer's The Milkmaid, and on the top floor there's even a World War I plane. Just because some of the artwork is famous, that does not mean that there aren't other pieces of work that you may enjoy even more. Robert: Then from the Rijksmuseum you can move on to Van Gogh's Impressionism, and then to the Stedelijk wild Fauvecolors. Theresa: And finally Bansky and Warhol are also found in that section of town. At the Modern Contemporary Museum it's centuries of art all in one very walkable place. Robert: That density reflects Amsterdam's history as a global trading hub and a sanctuary for ideas. Theresa: Let's talk about Amsterdam's 750th birthday. The city just ended the celebration of that birthday after a year-long celebration that ended in October of 2025. They had special things like manhole covers, banners, the light of Amsterdam, which I don't think is working anymore, but we were lucky to see it with its eight vertical blue beams that represented the seven districts in Amsterdam plus Weesp. And they were projected into the night sky throughout that celebration and we were lucky to see them when we took a nighttime canal cruise. Robert: And 10 miles of the ring road A10 highway were closed for art, music, sports, and even 400 weddings. Theresa: Yes, it's modern reclamation. Just like the Dutch once bent water to their will, they're now bending infrastructure to prioritize community and joy. And community was very important. They had mostly for locals tours of the different districts of town. Robert: And it all traces back to one mundane document from 1275, granting toll privileges to the people living near the dam on the river Amstel. Theresa: And that simple piece of bureaucratic paperwork is, and of all in the city hall, it became the spark of a global cultural powerhouse known as Amsterdam. Amsterdam is one of the most disability aware cities in Europe. And that's relative. Part of it's because it's flat, it's compact, and it has a public transportation system that's genuinely designed with accessibility in mind. Robert: But it's also a historic city. Narrow sidewalks, cobblestones, and bikes everywhere mean you'll want to plan ahead. It's a mix of very doable and take your time. Theresa: So taking your time is important. When we were there, we are usually the FOMO kind of people fear missing out, so we do a hundred things in one day. But we've changed that strategy. It's a good place to slow down, take your time, and just enjoy the cities and have a coffee or tea or a piece of apple pie or just people watch. So let's start with what Amsterdam does very well. First, the transportation. Most of the trams, buses, metro, and the ferries are accessible. Many trams have the low floor entry, the buses have fold-out ramps, and the metro is fully accessible with elevators at every station, although we found some difficulties finding the elevators. Robert: And English is widely spoken, which makes asking for help easier. Museums are also excellent with accessibility. The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum are great examples. Theresa: In fact, there is an accessibility coordinator at the Rijksmuseum. But the challenges, cobblestones, those are always a problem. But it is a historic city, so they're rough for wheelchairs or scooters or even people with mobility issues because they're not all nice and flat. They can be trip hazards. The sidewalks can be narrow with higher curbs. And some of the older buildings, especially the canal houses, they have steps going both up and down into a stairwell, which for me was a big hazard. Robert: But Amsterdam rewards a slower pace. It's a city that invites you to wander, rest, and take in the beauty around you. Theresa: Let's talk about how to get around using Amsterdam's public transportation. It is run by GVB and it's one of the easiest systems in Europe for travelers with disabilities. And when you arrive at Centraal, there is a nice tourism information center right in the station. They're very helpful. And now at the airport, you will find information as well, especially for trains. Robert: Starting with trams, the newer ones have wide doors, level boarding, and designated wheelchair spaces. Older trams still exist, but the middle door is usually the lowest. Theresa: And as we've said before, the metro is fully accessible as long as you find that elevator. They also have ramps and wide gates. If you want predictability, the metro is your friend, but there are plenty of trams and buses throughout town. Robert: Buses are also low floor and have fold-out ramps. And ferries, which are free, are fully accessible and a fun way to cross the Eye River. Theresa: As for passes, the GVB day pass is great for unlimited travel. The Amsterdam travel ticket includes the airport train and that is a huge bonus. And the Eye Amsterdam card includes museums plus the GVB transport, but not trains from the airport or outside of town. Robert: Let's talk about highlights. The Rijksmuseum is fully accessible with elevators and wheelchair loans. Theresa: And the Van Gogh Museum is also fully accessible, though you'll need timed entries for both of these museums and be sure to check that out for any museum that you're visiting. Robert: Canal cruises are a classic Amsterdam experience, both during the day and during the night. Some companies offer wheelchair accessible boats, but not all docks are accessible, so check before booking. Theresa: And there is a free canal cruise offered with, I think it was the Eye Amsterdam, it'll be in the show notes. Vondelpark is a nice great accessible outdoor space with smooth white paths. That's a good place for strolling. Robert: And the Anne Frank House, this is important, is not accessible due to steep narrow stairs. They do offer a virtual tour, which is a good alternative. Theresa: So outside of the city, we actually recently acquired a website focusing on visiting castles. It's called Castle Tourist and I'll put the link into the show notes. I don't like crowds and they're hard for me to navigate, so we decided let's visit castles in the Netherlands. I think when people think of castles, they probably think of Germany, France, the UK, but who thinks of the Netherlands as a castle spot? We decided to head to Muiderslot and it happened to be open if you go off-season. Many of the castles are closed once it gets cold, but others are open all the time and some are open certain days of the week, so always check that. Muidersloot, or sloot, which also means castle, is also known as Muiden Castle or the Amsterdam Castle. It's a 13th century fortress. It has towers, settlements and beautifully maintained gardens, even in the winter. Robert: It sits right on the water in the town of Muiden and it's one of the best preserved medieval castles in the Netherlands. Theresa: And definitely worth seeing. Not too difficult to get to from downtown Amsterdam, but before we talk about accessibility, let's talk about the castle's history because it's very fascinating. It goes back to Floris V, who was the person with the toll privilege. Robert: Muidersloot wasn't built to be pretty, it was built to be powerful. Theresa: Around 1285, Count Flovis V built the original stone castle at the mouth of the river Vught. It was a strategic location. The river connected Holland, as it was then known, to the wealthy city of Utrecht. Robert: And Floris wanted control. Control of the river, control of the money, and control of the politics. Theresa: One of the castle's main purposes was to collect tolls from merchant ships. A heavy chain could be across the river to block vessels until they paid their toll. Robert: So yes, it was a toll castle, but it was also a defensive fortress with thick walls, a moat, and later corner towers designed for surveillance. Theresa: This combination of money and military power made the castle a target. In 1296, Floris V was kidnapped and murdered nearby. Shortly after, the bishop of Utrecht seized the castle and ordered it demolished. Robert: It sat in ruins for about 70 years. Then around 1370, Count Albrecht of Bavaria rebuilt it on the original foundations. That's the version we see today. Theresa: And we saw many castles that had a similar story, destroyed, rebuilt, and now a little, some are a little bit different than originally. Others are restored to what they would have looked like. In the 17th century, the castle had a cultural glow-up. Poet and statesman Peter Corneliuszoon Hooft lived there and turned it into a center of art and literature, the Muiderskring. Robert: Later, Muiderslot became part of the Dutch Water Defense Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage System that used controlled flooding to slow invading armies. Theresa: Then by the 19th century, the castle was nearly demolished again for the bricks. In Robert's family, they have a castle in northern England, which the same thing happened. It was destroyed and used for bricks and it still is there in ruins, but you can't take any of the bricks. Although we should attempt to do that, right? Robert: Right. Theresa: A souvenir. Robert: Yep. That's interesting because the castle that was in my family, just about the same, same years, was when, when my ancestor was forced into exile and the castle was taken apart. Theresa: Right, I guess it's like stealing the copper out of abandoned houses. Not much difference, right? But Moederschlacht was rebuilt bC King William I. He and the architect Pierre Huypers, who also designed the Rijksmuseum, restored it. Robert: And since 1878, Muiderslot has been a state museum. Theresa: So let's talk about the accessibility there. I had read that it wasn't very accessible, and that's the truth, but went anyway. And even if I read something, I like to find out things for myself. So I went to the entry gate. We asked how accessible it was and they were pretty honest. So I just kind of hung out in the cafe while Robert climbed steep steps and explored. The courtyard is accessible and the cafe there was a very pleasant place to sit for a few hours. The exterior was very nice. It was cold when we were there, so I chose to sit inside where it was a bit warmer. And Robert went to explore and he found the stairs were steep, narrow, and necessary. Robert: But the good news is that the grounds are accessible. And this includes the gardens, the orchard, the outer grounds, and the tournament field. Theresa: And like I said, that courtyard was accessible too, but it also has stone floors, so they're not necessarily even, so it could be hazardous. They also have, for people with visual impairments, a bronze tactile model of the castle. So you can get a real feel for the castle. Robert: There's also an accessible restroom in DeTuinkamer, which is the cafe on the grounds. And wheelchair users, plus one companion, can get free entry to the grounds. Theresa: And that seemed to be fairly typical throughout the country, that if you have a disability that required a wheelchair, and I think, or if you had some kind of pass, but that was mostly for locals or nationals, I should say, you could get that same consideration. But they didn't seem to think that if you have a visual impairment and need a seeing eye guy to help you around, they had no such accommodations. Let's talk about how we got there. Robert: One of the most accessible ways is to take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Weesp about 15 minutes, then take bus 110 to Muiden Centrum. From there, it's a 10 to 15 minute walk to the castle. The walk is flat, but includes some cobblestones. Theresa: And it was a very pleasant walk. It was a sunny day, if I recall right. I have to look at the picture again. And I'll post one of those on the website. If you buy the extended pass that takes you outside of the city, they have day trips to visit castles. So there were some other castles you could visit. I think you get to Utrecht, I think De Haar, which is another castle that was destroyed and rebuilt for the rich and famous. It was popular with Hollywood stars. And there are a few others. And they have pretty good directions. But still, we weren't quite sure about the transfer to the bus. And there are other buses, but some of them had a very long walk, like I believe half an hour, 45 minutes. So we took the easiest. Robert: Door to door accessible taxis are also available in Amsterdam and can drop you right at the entrance. Theresa: There are some accessible tour operators. I believe one is called Bad Ass Tours. You would have to contact them to see if they can transport wheelchairs or things like that. Other tours go to Muiderslot. So if you join something, just if you want to go just to be with your traveling companions, it still may be worth it. Because as we said, the outside is very nice. Of course, I don't know if I'd recommend that in the winter. Would you? Robert: It might be a little difficult in the winter. But it's the walk around the outside is just incredible, because it has a wide moat all the way around. And it's a very, very pleasant walk. And it's flat. Theresa: Right. It's right on the river, which is why it collected tolls. So it's a very scenic area. There's also a ferry, but that only runs between April and October. Robert: The ferry leaves from Amsterdam IJsberg, which you can reach by tram number 26. The ride takes about 45 minutes and is absolutely beautiful. Theresa: But the thing about the ferry, it is not wheelchair accessible. There are steps required for boarding. Robert: If you use a mobility device full time, the train plus bus route is probably the best option. Theresa: And another option, we all have different body changes, is to ride a bicycle. That could be a fun way to see it as well. If you're capable, if you can see where you're going, if you don't have to make a lot of bathroom stops, if you just want to experience riding a bicycle in Amsterdam, that would be a good alternative. Like we said, we were there in January. So that was an option. And then there's a little problem that I don't see so well. I didn't want to be in a canal somewhere. Robert: You'll find heirloom vegetable and herb gardens, a historic plum orchard, and beautiful views over the harbor of Muiden. Theresa: And even when we were there in January, there were some picnic tables, because we found the weather and the temperature to be much higher than here where we live. However, the winds off the water can make it feel a lot colder than it is. But in the summer, bring some snacks or a lunch to enjoy the outdoors. Robert: And the on-site cafe, de Tuin Kammer, serves drinks, pastries, and light meals. Theresa: They make really good hot chocolate. So Moyden is small, but does have some food options. Robert: Cafe Omco is a classic Dutch food with waterfront seating. Theresa: And the Brasserie Herengracht has a great terrace and a French Dutch menu. Robert: And Fort H is stylish, historic, and well-reviewed. Theresa: And we will say these were just recommendations. We did not find anything open, maybe because it was around New Years when we were there. And we had other plans. I mentioned before about the organized tour. They're not usually wheelchair accessible. If you're not comfortable going out on your own, you can sign up for one of these tours. Robert: Amsterdam does have companies offering accessible vans and private guided tours. Just ask about vehicle accessibility, walking requirements, and whether they can drop you at the entrance. Theresa: After we returned from visiting Muiderslot, we thought it would be very appropriate to go eat at a cafe restaurant in a medieval castle. And it is called Café in De Waag. I'll put the name of that in the show. We've been to Amsterdam many times and I get reminded when the tulips I got from there come up. Even though squirrels really like them too. Robert: And the deer. Theresa: And the deer. So there's fewer of them every year, but they're a great reminder. Even though Amsterdam is one of the easiest European cities to explore with mobility issues. It's not perfect, but the locals are friendly unless you jump in front of their bicycle. Very helpful. It has so much to do. You could spend a week there and it's a perfect place to enjoy at a slower pace. Robert: And Muiderslot is a perfect day trip. A medieval castle surrounded by gardens, water, and history. Whether you explore the grounds, enjoy the cafe, take the ferry, or wander the town of Muiden, this is a day that invites you to slow down and savor. Theresa: Thanks for traveling to Amsterdam and Muiderslot with us today. And as always, keep living the good life. The life that meets you where you are and invites you to imagine what's still possible. Next time we will talk about being the caretaker of someone with special needs. Caretaker for us also translates into parents. See you next time. Show Notes

Music

Mentioned in Living the Could Life

Iamsterdam

GVB Transport

MUIDERSLOT

Restaurant-Cafe In De Waag

Cruising in Alaska

Robert and Theresa — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:58:02 +0000

Getting Ready to Travel

In this episode, we share tips and tales for cruising in Alaska. There are many options for those of us with body changes. This is the foundation of the Living the Could Life approach.

Transcript

Click Here for Transcript : Theresa: Welcome back to Living the Good Life, where we talk about travel, change, and what it means to build a life that fits the body you have today, not the one you used to have or the one you wish you had. I'm Teresa. Robert: And I'm Robert. Today we're diving into a bucket list giant, Alaska, but we're doing it through a lens that doesn't get talked about often enough. What it's like to cruise the last frontier when you're navigating mobility challenges, low vision, chronic illness, or other challenges. Theresa: We often talk about the two meanings of could. There's the polite permission, could I sit here? And then there's the possibility I still could see the world. Alaska is just the perfect could destination. Robert: Exactly. It's about the science of the could. We've talked about the McGill University studies on neuroplasticity, how our brains can rewire to find new ways to navigate the world. Alaska cruises are built for that. The scenery comes to you. You can sit on a balcony or in a lounge with floor to ceiling windows and have a front view seat to a glacier without taking a single step. Theresa: People often ask, can I really do Alaska with a disability? Robert: And the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, Alaska is arguably the best accessible wild destination on earth because the cruise ships act as mobile base camps. You get the glaciers and the grizzly bears without the vertical hikes. Theresa: Use the 70-day workbook or calendar that is listed in the show notes to practice before your cruise. If you aren't used to a scooter, practice in a local grocery store. If you have low vision, practice using your assistive tech in new environments. Maybe you're on a new med or digestive schedule. See how that works best for you before hopping on a cruise ship. By the time you hit the gangway in Alaska, your brain has already done the could work. Robert: Just a bit of housekeeping before we start. Mainstream cruises in Alaska start at four different ports. Seattle, Vancouver, Seward, and Whittier. The last two are near Anchorage and are usually one way. The others can be either one way or round trip. We will be focusing on round trip Seattle for today. Seattle has many daily flights. It's a great city to visit and the port is convenient to access from downtown. Actually, there are two ports there. Be sure you know which one you're going to. Theresa: What we like to do when in Seattle is grab a city pass and explore Seattle either before or after the cruise. Another thing I really like about the port of Seattle is that when your ship returns to Seattle, you can send your luggage for free from the ship to the airport. All ships do not seem to advertise that, so be sure to ask. That way you are left unencumbered with luggage, so it's perfect for exploring Seattle. Many flights leave late at night on disembarkation day, so there's often plenty of time to discover more of Seattle rather than more of Seattle's airport. Who wants to sit the airport for hours? We use their city pass at the end of cruises. Robert: The city pass is great. It was so easy to go and explore the aquarium after we had checked into the ship. Of course, we always recommend arriving in port at least a day prior to departure. It's more relaxing and if you're coming from the east, it gives some time to adjust to the three hour difference in time. You want to be well rested for your cruise. Theresa: That is so true. You know, just talking about this Alaska cruise and prop brings back so many memories. I'm ready to go right now, but before we get started, let's talk about a few considerations before booking the cruise. Robert: Like which ship to sail? Theresa: Not yet. You're getting ahead of yourself. Even before that, there are a few things to think about, like your ability to do this. Of course, we'll add a reminder about that 70 day change workbook and calendar again. With a few adjustments, the good news is that Alaska has many options to fit your travel needs. Robert: But first, you need to honestly consider a few things before embarking on an Alaska or any other cruise for that matter. And if there are a few things that you think that might provide some challenges, look for alternatives like excluding an activity or excursion and substituting or finding assistance. This will help you determine if Alaska is right for you. Theresa: And I should mention right here, regardless of your body changes, if you don't enjoy nature and are looking for shopping museums and big cities, Alaska may not be for you. If you're a beach bum, you will find a beach in Juneau, but that probably isn't what you are used to. No palm trees, no beach cabins, no warm water. Of course, you will find shopping museums and great food throughout Alaska. The big city vibe is definitely not there and that's what draws so many people, especially in a stressed out world. Robert: So is Alaska right for you? Consider the following. What kind of energy do I realistically have for changing weather, for crowds, and for long days? Do I want a trip that's mostly scenery, mostly active, or a mix? How much walking or moving can I comfortably do in a day? How does my body respond to weather, wind, and uneven terrain? Do I prefer sea days or port days? What are my non-negotiables for comfort and accessibility? Do I need a caregiver? Does the potential caregiver truly know how to assist me? Do I need a regular routine? Do I need a fridge for my meds? Do I need anything charged? Will my condition put others in danger or interfere with their cruise? Theresa: And there are also packing suggestions and physical preparations to consider. Do I have enough layers for cold, wind, and rain? Do I need special shoes or boots? Which comfort items will help me manage fatigue? Do I need a mobility device for long port days? Do I have a day pack that fits meds, snacks, and layers? Again, use that 70 days before your cruise to practice. We've said before, if you're not used to a scooter, practice in a local grocery store. If you want to wander in parks, go to a local park and see how that works out. If you have low vision, practice using your assistive tech in new environments. Figure out a rest schedule or notice your digestive schedule. By timing the gangway in Alaska, you've already done all of the good work. Robert: Here are some health and safety questions. How does my body respond to weather and long days? Do I need to adjust medications for time zones or activities? Do I have a plan for flare-ups or fatigue spikes? Has my health care provider cleared me for taking a cruise? Will I bring my own equipment or rent it? Theresa: What is my big energy activity for the day? What is my recovery window? Do I need a midday break on board? What can I skip without losing the experience? Robert: And don't forget your caregiver. What signs show that I'm hitting my limit? What adjustments can we make to minimize stress? What's our plan if weather or fatigue changes everything? Theresa: These are just a few examples of some of the questions you should ask and you will need to decide which daily needs you should consider. Remember to be honest. After you evaluate your needs, see what needs to change and make adjustments to see what you could do. Eventually you may be able to say, I am going to Alaska. Remember that no Alaska experience is the same for everyone. Robert: Earlier we mentioned that we are focusing on a round-trip Seattle cruise and mentioned a bit about Seattle like arriving a day early, getting to the port. Remember that there are two. Be sure you have the correct port address if you're using public transportation, a taxi, or ride sharing. We also mentioned CityPass if you have time to explore some of the key attractions in Seattle. Of course you may just want to rest and chill before boarding your ship. Remember it's your trip. Theresa: That's so true. You don't have to do what everybody else does. After long and possibly exhausting travel, be sure to do what works best for you. You don't want to wear yourself out before the cruise. Personally, I have found that just looking at things when I don't do it instinctively, that exhausts me. My C&I guy aka Robert probably feels some of that himself, having to watch out for obstructions and dangers and keeping me safe. Robert: We've adjusted our travel style. We need to prioritize. Fatigue, it's top priority. We want to have energy for the next day or the next outing. We think we went through that 70-day change without noticing it and we continue to change our old habits so that we now have a new could available to use. Theresa: I remember thinking that hiking sticks were for the elderly until I tried them and found how great they were for steep descents and rugged terrain. And I had my complete vision then. I now have a very nice photovoltaic cane that I carry. It packs nicely even in a carry-on. I was considering getting one I saw. Somebody in a group trip had. It had a dagger at the end. In the end, I decided that I wouldn't need it, but maybe it would be useful in bear country. Robert: Okay, let's get back to Seattle. If one of your ports is Skagway, and even if it's not, we highly recommend visiting the Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park in Seattle right on Pioneer Square. Seattle was the starting point for many seeking gold. What they did because of a rumor of gold is unbelievable. This museum cleverly describes the experience and puts you right in the era of those gold rushers and the could spirit. Theresa: It is a hidden gem and probably not the first thing that comes up when you think about Seattle attractions, but it's very accessible and very interesting. They do have elevators to the exhibits and they even offer wheelchairs for loan. When you stand there and see the list of what those 1897 stampeters had to carry, literally a ton of supplies, it reframes your own challenges. They didn't know if they could make it, but they went anyway. That's the energy we're bringing onto the ship, but without the delusion. Robert: Clearly, they did not have the 70 days to make a change. Gold fever infected them. They left their families, their jobs to pursue wealth without considering the adventure ahead. The exhibits describe so much about the experience from Seattle. This is the first unit of the park. The second is in Skagway. Be sure to take some time when in Skagway to get the rest of the story. Theresa: Robert's the math guy, but tangents play a big part in our lives. Maybe I should have been born a rabbit, since I occasionally go down so many rabbit holes that I often forget what led me there in the first place. Robert: Back to planning your Alaska cruise. After you've assessed your abilities and your budget, of course, the next step we recommend is finding a travel advisor who specializes in Alaska, and as a bonus, one who might specialize in accessible travel. Do a Google search or ask your favorite travel advisor for help or a referral. Theresa: Yes, there are some elements of the cruise that a good Alaska specialist can help you with in your planning. Not just in selecting a ship, a cabin, or itinerary, but also helping you with excursions, special meals, rentals, and anything else that you need. Here are some questions to ask your travel advisor. Which Alaska itineraries are easiest to modify for travelers with mobility or fatigue issues? Are there any ships that are easier for cruisers with accessibility needs? Are there any itineraries with tender ports? Is there a time of year that's better for low energy travelers? Robert: What to ask when choosing the ship and itinerary. Are there elevators near accessible rooms? Are accessible cabins available and what features do they include? Can I book an accessible cabin that is close to dining and lounges? Are there quiet spaces for sensory breaks? Does the ship offer accessible seating in theaters and lounges? Theresa: All of these will be put into the show notes so that you can easily access them. So which ports are easiest for mobility devices? How far is the pier from town? Which itineraries include Glacier Bay versus Hubbard Glacier? And I will say they are both fabulous. Be aware too that if the conditions aren't right, ships may not be permitted to reach a glacier. For example, if there's too much ice as the mainstream ships are not ice breakers. And then will I find time for rest and recovery? And now let's talk about the ports. In ports like Juneau and Ketchikan, the tides can vary greatly. Sometimes that gangway ramp that was nice and flat when you disembarked, sometimes turns into a black diamond ski slope when you return. Robert: Now Juneau is quite walkable. There's plenty to do there. There are some hills in town. Some piers in Juneau might feel like a marathon. There's usually a shuttle at the distant piers. This is where the McGill study on neuroplasticity comes in. Your brain has to adapt to a changing environment. Don't be afraid to ask for a pier shuttle or help from the crew. Using a tool like a scooter or a wheelchair isn't giving up. It's a could strategy. It's what allows you to save your energy for the things that matter, like viewing the Mendenhall Glacier or going whale watching. Theresa: Okay, let's move to Ketchikan. Ketchikan, it is the rain capital. After all, it's part of the Tongass National Forest, which is the largest temperate rainforest in the United States. Another port is Ketchikan. Ketchikan is the rain capital. That's no surprise since it's part of the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in the United States. And actually a lot of the area you'll be cruising in is part of that wonderful forest. Remember that saying, there's no bad weather, just bad gear. So in Ketchikan you can go to a lumberjack show. You can go around Creek Street. It's a nice walk. And you can stop by the creek and watch salmon if you like. There are also totems and totem parks. And those are the highlights there. Robert: On to Sitka. There may be multiple docks in use there. They may have a free shuttle that takes you right into the heart of town. And once you're there, the Sitka National Historical Park has beautiful, flat, crushed gravel paths throughout the totem poles. Theresa: And don't miss the raptor center. It's fully accessible. The ranger brings in a boughed ego that you see up close. And feeling the air from its wings, it's something that stays with you. Robert: And of course, there's plenty of Russian history and influence there. Theresa: And on to Skagway, which we've mentioned before. It's finally your chance to visit the second unit of the Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park. And if you want to see the rugged terrain those Klondikers covered, take a trip on the White Pass and Yukon Route. The good news is that the train does have cars with lifts. Just be sure that your excursion does have one of these cars. Robert: And for Glacier Cruising Day, find your spot early. Ask, where can I sit comfortably for long viewing periods? Standing on a windy deck for three hours may not fit your needs. Find a lounge with a view, grab a cup of coffee, and let the ice come to you. Theresa: Once you're on the ship, the ports come by fast. AC Straight Point is a favorite because it was designed with accessibility in mind. And we've seen a change over the years. Now, near the shore, it's flat, paved, and has accessible trams. The pier is quite long. And you notice that right from the ship. I recall a cruise where I heard some people say that it was too long to walk for them. Unfortunately, they did not realize that there were shuttles available from the gangway right to the end of the pier, where they could then jump on to another shuttle to explore AC Straight Point. What's really special about AC Straight Point is it's 100% Alaskan owned. And it's operated by the Hoonah Totem Corporation. Robert: From an accessible perspective, it's a dream. There are accessible trams. You can do the Tribal Connections tour, which is fully wheelchair accessible. And see the indigenous dances without ever leaving your seat. It's a great place to learn about the Tlingit culture. Theresa: And often the dancers either greet the ship or say farewell to the ship right on the pier. So be sure to watch for that. Here's a tip for everybody. The sounds here are incredible. You're right on the beach. And if you sit near the shore, you can hear and often see the blow of humpback whales in the distance. It's a sensory experience that doesn't require a mountain climb. We've been there many times and there are always people on the beach strolling, rock hounding, or looking for shells. There are restaurants and a museum of the history of the former cannery there. The port is being developed all of the time. It's been different every time I visit it. And of course there are plenty of thrilling excursions like a zipline and whale watching. On one of our tours, the whale watching boat pulled right up to the same pier that a cruise ship used. So that made it very convenient to board. Robert: Here are a few general port questions to help with planning. What's the distance from the ship to the town? Is it improved or is it along an unkempt road or actually in the road? Are there accessible shuttles at the pier? What are the safest, least crowded ways to explore? Are sidewalks even, sloped, or slippery? What's the weather pattern for this port? Theresa: So let's talk now about excursions in the ports. Your first look should be to go to your booking page with your cruise line. And even if you haven't booked, you can still find details about excursions there. The cruise lines, they often list excursions for your particular date and itinerary. The degree of difficulty is explained. For example, say I'm looking for an excursion in Juneau. I immediately roll out the strenuous difficult category and consider what my body can do when selecting an excursion. And that's even if it says it's easy. The access help desk with the cruise line and your travel advisor are good resources for you to ask questions. There are also many online forums where you can pose a question to members. For example, Cruise Critic. It seems that on Facebook every cruise line has a fans of whatever cruise line it is. Sign up for those or just do a search with whatever question you have. For example, did you do the Mendenhall Glacier Tour with the mobility device? And I'm going to add in the show notes the descriptions of the different levels of shore excursion that NCL offers and it gives a lot of details of what to expect if you're doing an accessible cruise. Once you are on board the ship there is a shore excursion desk. They can also help you with any questions you may have. Robert: Let's talk about excursion accessibility questions. What are some that you should ask? What is the actual walking distance for this excursion? Are there stairs, steep ramps, or uneven surfaces? Can mobility devices be brought on board buses or boats? Are there seated viewing options for wildlife or glaciers? How long will I be standing at a time? Is there shelter from wind, rain, cold? Are bathroom breaks available and accessible? Are there any special items that I need to pack? Am I able to coordinate the times with my daily routines? Theresa: And a few more. How long is the excursion? Will the length interfere with my schedule? Will it exhaust me? Have I prepared for a long excursion? Can I comfortably carry any items that I might need during the excursion? Do I need a caregiver to assist? Robert: Here are some questions about excursion operators. Has the excursion operator worked with disabled travelers before? Can they store mobility devices during the excursion? Do they offer private or small group accessible options? What happens if weather cancels the excursion? Theresa: And you should know there is also an option for private excursions as well. Some cruise lines like Royal Caribbean will organize them for you. They will be offered on the shore excursion page and it is possible to do a private excursion that is curated to your needs. It's not just a private excursion of a different excursion that's already offered, although that could be possible too. But you may also contact a tour organizer yourself in port or find one prior to the cruise. Just remember if you don't get back to port by the all aboard time, you may find yourself waving goodbye to the ship and all of the passengers on the decks waving back at you. Robert: Throughout the cruise you might consider taking notes of how your day went. Did you find yourself exhausted after certain events? Did you find a course through the ship that did or did not work for you? Did you need to rest at a certain time of the day? Did you find one type of shore excursion worked better than another? Did you attempt something that was beyond your capability? Theresa: And when you get home or even on your way home, think about your Alaska cruise. Ask yourself, what worked better than expected? What was harder than expected? What would I do differently the next time? Robert: And my favorite, what did this trip teach me about my capacity? Because Alaska changes you in the best way. Theresa: If you take nothing else from this episode, take this. Alaska is doable. It just requires the right questions and answers that work for you. That may even be staying on your balcony in the observation lounge or on an open air deck and never leaving the ship. The scenery is waiting for you and sometimes it's really wonderful to have the whole ship to yourself. Robert: Just being in Alaska is special and when you get it right, it's magic. Theresa: Remember that first question, can I really do Alaska with a disability? The above info should show you why the answer remains a resounding yes. In fact, Alaska offers an accessible wild destination because the ship takes you there and you can see glaciers and grizzly bears from the comfort of the ship. Robert: Be sure to check the show notes on the website livingthecouldlife.com. Thanks for joining us. Next time we explore a castle near Amsterdam. Theresa: Keep on living the good life in the United States. Remember that saying, there's no bad weather, just bad gear. Once you, once you are on board the ship, there is a shore excursion, yes, they can also help you with any questions you may have. Show Notes

Music

Mentioned in Living the Could Life

70-Day Change Calendar

70-Day Change Workbook

NCL Accessibility

Questions to Ask Before Booking a Cruise

Cruise Critic

CityPASS

70-Days to Change

Robert and Theresa — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 03:35:39 +0000

Getting Ready to Travel

In this episode, we walk through the 70‑Day Change Plan — why it works, how it supports slow, sustainable change, and what it looks like to rebuild your life one honest day at a time. This is the foundation of the Living the Could Life approach.

Transcript

Click Here for Transcript Disclaimer: Before we dive into today's episode, a quick but important note. The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. We love sharing our insights, but please remember, this content does not constitute medical, health, or professional advice. Every body and every situation is unique. You should always consult with a qualified medical specialist or healthcare professional before starting any new program, making lifestyle changes, or acting on any information you hear today. Your health is your responsibility, so let's keep it safe. Theresa: Welcome back to Living the Good Life, the podcast where we talk about rebuilding a life after change, the kind of change that shifts your energy, your identity, your body, or your sense of what's possible. Today, we're diving into something that sits at the center of this entire project, the language of good, the science of neuroplasticity, and a 70-day rhythm that helps your brain adapt to a new reality. Be sure you listen to the disclaimer. At the beginning, everything here that we say is just for education and entertainment. We're not doctors, lawyers, medical professionals. Oh, and by the way, I'm Teresa. Robert: And I'm Robert. This isn't just theory. This is lived experience, neuroscience, aging research, and the kind of gentle, sustainable change that actually works, especially for people navigating body changes, chronic illness, or later life transitions. We're going to talk about Helmstetter, McGill, Yale, habit formation, and the two very different meanings of could. Theresa: And this is a bit of a review. We did talk about the meanings of could last week, but they fit in again with the 70-day change plan. There's probably a point that we all had where we realized we weren't going back to who we were and how our body was before it changed. Your energy changed, your capacity changed, and you kept waiting for the old version of yourself to come back online, kind of like a system reboot that just needed one more time. But it didn't. And eventually, we all have to face the truth. We weren't going back. We had to learn to build a new life from where we were and where we are now in this body with this energy and with this reality. And that's where this whole 70-day idea started to take shape. For example, we recently built a house and are still building it. And my vision changed during that period. So although we were already building a house for aging in place. Robert: And that included things like 36-inch-wide doors to accommodate a wheelchair if that was ever necessary, lighting so that there were no dark areas in the house. Theresa: Walk-in shower, vanities where a wheelchair could fit under, and extra handrails, like double railings on any stairs. I found the basement stairs created a lot of psychological friction, like it was a magnet pulling me into the space. So we just extended a wall or a half wall so that I didn't feel like I was being pulled down the steps. Robert: And we also made the surfaces between the entryway and the basement steps, we made them very different so that they're visually distinctive. Theresa: That's right, and that helps me a lot. We also put tape on every other step because stairs for me look like they could be flat. And I am aware those are going to the basement. Robert: And this is what we're talking about today, neuroplasticity. If you've never heard that word before, it simply means this, your brain is capable of change, real change, structural change, even after illness, even after trauma, even after years of feeling stuck or slowed down or shut down. Theresa: Neuroplasticity is a science that proves your brain can form new pathways, not through force, not through willpower, but through small, repeated signals. Signals like noticing what felt easier today and signals like paying attention to what surprised you, what's given your body a moment of awareness instead of judgment. Robert: And here's the hopeful part. Your brain doesn't need perfection to rewire itself. It needs consistency, it needs gentleness, it needs repetition. Theresa: Think about somebody recovering after a stroke. In the beginning, they might only be able to move a finger or lift a spoon and with help, but with repeated tiny movements, the same motion, practice again and again, the brain starts building new pathways around the damaged ones. Over weeks and months, those small signals add up. A hand that couldn't grip begins to hold, a leg that couldn't step begins to walk. Robert: Not because the person tried harder, but because the brain responded to repetition. That's neuroplasticity in action. And the same principle applies to emotional recovery, identity shifts, chronic illness, and rebuilding your life after change. This brings us to Dr. Shad Helmstetter's research on self-talk, which is foundational to this whole conversation. In his What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, he outlines the five levels of self-talk and his core finding is simple but profound. The brain is a literal processor. It doesn't distinguish between a wish and a command. It follows the strongest program it's given. This is important and worth repeating. The brain is a literal processor. It doesn't distinguish between a wish and a command. It follows the strongest program it's given. Now back to the levels. Level one is the I can't level, the level of negative acceptance, the most harmful, the least beneficial. You need to get rid of the I can'ts. Theresa: And when you analyze should versus could, Helmstetter places them in very different psychological tiers. Should is level two, recognition and disbelief. It sounds positive, but it's almost always followed by an unspoken, but. Robert: I should get more exercise, but I'm exhausted. I should eat better, but I don't have the energy. I should be more positive, but I'm overwhelmed. Theresa: Your subconscious hears should and registers guilt-based pressure. It triggers a defense mechanism. The brain justifies why you aren't doing the thing. Action potential, low. Robert: But could is different. Could is level three, the decision to change. It moves you away from obligation and towards choice. Theresa: Should is external. Could is internal. Robert: Instead of I should eat better, you say I could choose a piece of fruit right now. It's concrete, it's low stakes, it's doable. Theresa: And it removes the all or nothing, thinking that kills most goals. Robert: Helmstetter also reminds us that while could is a powerful starter, the ultimate action trigger is level four, I am. Theresa: Oh, that sounds familiar, like Rene Descartes. So here are some examples of I am. I am an organized person who meets my duties with ease. I am someone who honors my body's current pace. I'm becoming more confident every day. Robert: When you say I am, you give your brain a direct command. It works to resolve the cognitive dissonance between your words and your current reality. Your brain tries to make your actions match the identity you've claimed. Theresa: And then there's the pink elephant rule. Helmstetter points out that the brain doesn't process not. If you say I should not be nervous, the brain focuses on nervous. Robert: But if you say I could be calm or I am prepared, you give the brain a positive image to move forward. In the second episode, we discussed some linguistics where there were two very different meanings of could and they matter, especially in later life. Theresa: The first is the possibility could. The suggestion, it's a low affordance modal. It highlights that an option exists, but doesn't link to your internal drive. Robert: We could try this. It could work. It could be an option. Theresa: This lowers the threat response. It's great for brainstorming. Robert: But the second meaning is the ability could, the action trigger. It focuses on capability. It activates self-efficacy. Theresa: You have the skills. You could finish this today. You could take a 10-minute walk. You could try a modified version. Robert: This version of could shifts the brain from possibility to identity. It says I am capable. Theresa: And now we get to the emotional heart of could. There are two coulds that show up in later life. Robert: The grief could is past tense ability. I could run faster 10 years ago. I could read without glasses. I could do more before my diagnosis. Theresa: This anchors you in loss. It reinforces negative self-talk. It's a form of old talk. The internalized ageism that tells you youth is the only standard of value. Robert: But the agency could is the present tense possibility. I could take a short walk today. I could try a new modification. I could listen to what my body needs. Theresa: This is the bridge to level three. It shifts the focus from appearance to function. Research shows older adults who focus on what their bodies can do report significantly higher well-being. Robert: Let's shift into the neuroscience of habit formation, especially in later life. There's a myth that older adults struggle more with forming new habits, but the research actually shows something different. Theresa: And this is really interesting. Dr. Filippa Lally's work found that it takes an average of 66 days, roughly nine to 10 weeks, for a new behavior to become automatic. That's true across all ages. But here's the twist. Older adults often stick to habits better once they're formed. Robert: This is called the age-perspective memory paradox. Older adults may process new information more slowly, but they're better at routines, consistency, and meaning-based learning. Theresa: And that's where Daly's research for meow comes in. Dr. Emily Daly found that older adults often adapt better than younger adults because they rely on pattern recognition, emotional regulation, meaning-based learning, and internal motivation. These are strategies, not deficits. Robert: A 2025 study from McGill University showed that 10 weeks of consistent cognitive practice rejuvenated the cholinergic system, the brain network responsible for learning, attention, and readiness to change in adults over 65. Theresa: 10 weeks, not a weekend, not a burst of motivation, not a 30-day challenge. Robert: 10 weeks is where the brain stops trying to think differently and simply starts thinking differently. Theresa: And this lines up with cognitive behavioral therapy research too. It's the core skill-building phase usually ends around week eight, with weeks nine and 10 serving as the integration phase. Robert: This is why your 70-day rhythm works. It's not motivational, it's biological. Theresa: So there are three phases of change in the 10-week model. The first weeks, one to three, are catch and release, kind of like fishing, right? This is where you simply notice your thoughts, especially the grief codes. I could once do more. I could walk faster before. I could handle more 10 years ago. You don't fight them. You don't fix them. You just say, I see you, and let them pass. Robert: Weeks four through seven, the micro-coulds. This is the agency phase, one tiny could a day. I could stretch for 30 seconds. I could drink a glass of water. I could step outside for fresh air. These aren't fitness goals. They're neural signals. Theresa: In phase three, which is weeks eight to 10, that's the I am integration phase. By week eight, the path is paved. Now you shift from I could to I am. I am becoming more patient with my body. I am someone who notices my energy. I am rebuilding at my own pace. Robert: This is Helmstetter's level four, identity-driven change. This is where the brain rewires. Theresa: And here are some practical examples. I should lose weight. That feels like a burden. I could enjoy a swim. That feels like a gift. Robert: Should is an external judge. Could is an internal explorer. You move from I could be active to I am a person who honors my body's current pace. Theresa: Identity rewires faster than suggestion. What are three things that your body could do today? Breathe deeply, hold a grandchild, or feel the sun on your face? Robert: This reframes the body from ornament to instrument. Now let's bring in the workbook, the heart of this whole journey. It's not about fixing your life. It's about noticing it. Theresa: We'll be right back. And we have put together a 70-day workbook along with a 70-day calendar. The calendar has 70 different prompts. The workbook has the same questions for 10 days. And at the end of 10 days, there's a reflection over what has changed. Both of these are available for a free download on the website, but I'm going to explain how they work. So the workbook, each day you answer, like I said, the same five questions. Number one, what did I notice in my body today? Number two, what felt easier, even if only by 1%? Number three, what felt harder or heavier? Number four, what surprised me? And number five, what do I want to remember from today? Robert: And that's it, five questions, a few minutes, no pressure, no performance. Theresa: And because of neuroplasticity, these tiny moments of noticing start to shift things. You begin to see patterns. You begin to understand your body differently. You begin to trust yourself again. Robert: 70 days gives your brain enough time to build new pathways, reinforce new patterns, soften old ones, adapt to your current reality, and create safety around change. Theresa: It's long enough to matter, but short enough to feel doable. And you don't have to be perfect. You don't have to catch up. Your brain will accept whichever signals you give it. And here's some examples of some real life reinvention and micro adaptations for travel. So we've covered the science, the language, the aging research, the neural pathways. Let's talk about what it looks like in real life. For me, the 70 day shift showed up in travel. And after my vision changed, I had to relearn how to move through the world. Airports, walking distances, sensory overload, everything felt different. But I kept thinking I should be able to do this. Robert: But the truth was you could, not just instantly, your brain needed time to adapt. Theresa: Exactly. And as time went on, something softened. My body wasn't fighting me as much. My brain wasn't panicking at every new variable. It wasn't perfect, but it was possible. Robert: For me, the 70 day shift showed up in reinvention. As a new caregiver, I had to rebuild routines, identity, even confidence. But the real shift happened slowly. Tiny adjustments, tiny wins, tiny recalibrations. Theresa: And all of that is leading to that seeing eye guy vest. Change doesn't announce itself, it accumulates. It sneaks up on you. One day you realize, oh, this doesn't feel so impossible anymore. Robert: That's the 70 day shift. Not a transformation, a quiet recalibration. Let's talk about how this applies to travel because travel is one of the biggest stressors for people whose bodies or brains have changed. Theresa: And that's why we built both the 70 day workbook and the 70 day calendar. They're a gentle, structured way to prepare your brain and your body for a trip. On days one to 20, it's all about identifying your travel fears. They're about honesty, not positivity, not pretending, just naming the fears. Things like, I'll be a burden to the group or I'll be too tired. I won't keep up. What if I need help? What if I slow everyone down? Robert: Naming the fear reduces the threat. It tells your brain, this is known, this is manageable. And that alone begins the adaptation process. The next 30 days are about building what we call the destination script. A simple, repeatable phrase that trains your brain for the experience you want. Theresa: And this is where the McGill University research comes in. The part about improving speed and focus through repeated cognitive signals. You're literally building travel pathways in your brain. Robert: Your destination script might sound like, I navigate the world at my own pace and the view is just as beautiful or I travel differently now and that's okay. Or I move slowly, but I still move. Theresa: And you repeat this daily, not to hype yourself up, but to give your brain a consistent signal. Days 51 to 70 are all about visualization and softening. It's not the Pinterest perfect kind or the Instagram shot, but it's grounded, realistic, and kind. Picture yourself using the elevator without shame, taking breaks without apology, enjoying a short excursion with a walking stick or just sitting on a bench, enjoying a beautiful fiesta. Robert: This is where the brain starts to soften, where the panic response lowers, where the new pattern begins to feel familiar. Theresa: And that's the whole point. Not perfection, but familiarity. So here's how the workbook and the calendar work. You need to notice it as a daily practice. So now that we've talked about the science and the real life application, let's talk about the tool that ties all of this together, the workbook and the calendar. Neither are homework. It's not a performance. It's not a test of discipline. It's a noticing practice. And noticing is the mechanism of neuroplasticity. Okay, so there is some research by Becca Levy of Yale dealing with aging. So if you do want a reason to believe this matters, look at Dr. Becca Levy's work at Yale. There is a link in the show notes on the website. She found that your beliefs about aging are a better predictor of your lifespan than your cholesterol or blood pressure. Robert: Changing your codes isn't fluffy talk. It's a longevity strategy. Theresa: If you're in a season of rebuilding or redefining or simply trying to understand yourself again, the 70 day journey is for you. It's gentle, it's grounded, it's accessible, and it's built on real science and real lived experience. Robert: Your brain is still capable of change. Your life is still capable of change. And you don't have to do it all at once. Theresa: Just one day at a time, one moment of noticing at a time, one tiny signal at a time. Next time, we will be talking about cruising in Alaska. So start doing your workbooks and calendars and getting ready to travel. We have been to Alaska many, many times, have lots of tips, been there pre and post. Robert: It's one of our favorite destinations. Theresa: Definitely. And there are options there for people with body changes. Robert: Thanks for being here. Let's begin. Show Notes

Music

Mentioned in Living the Could Life

Dr. Shad Helmstetter's What to Say When You Talk to Yourself

70-Day Change Calendar 70-Day Change Workbook

Effects of Computerized Cognitive Training on Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter Levels Effects of Computerized Cognitive Training on Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter Levels

Longevity Increased by Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging

Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and Well You Live

Could Has Two Meanings

Robert and Theresa — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 23:54:08 +0000

The active could helps us travel with body changes

Living the Could Life focuses on the meanings of "could". One is polite or passive while the other "could"results in action. Learning to travel with a compromised or changed body takes some adjustments, but with small steps, there is still the possibility of being able to travel in an acceptable manner. Traveling with body changes will become the new norm.

Transcript

Click Here for Transcript one selected Robert: Welcome to Living the Could Life. Today we are discussing the two definitions of could and how it applies to adaptation. I'm Robert. Theresa: And I'm Theresa. In linguistics and behavioral psychology, there's a well-documented distinction between the two ways could is used. It essentially comes down to modal strength, which we will call possibility, and the direction of the focus, which we will call agency. This takes me back to many years ago when I studied linguistics and actually Robert and I were in the same class. Robert also continued on with linguistics. Robert: Yes, I did. I actually minored in linguistics with a specialty in algebraic linguistics. But back to the topic at hand. There's a moment in every reinvention when you realize you're not trying to go back anymore. You're trying to go forward. And that shift doesn't happen all at once. It happens in small, meaningful increments. Theresa: Today we're talking about how all those pieces come together. Through the way our brains store meaning, through the way we adapt over time, and through the power of one small word, could. Robert: We're bringing in some ideas that help explain why could works so well. That's the fuzzy trace theory. How we remember the meaning of things, not the details. We'll get to that a little bit later. Theresa: Okay, so we are now going to discuss the two different coulds. And we'll be talking a lot about the two different versions of could. There's the polite, hesitant could. The one that avoids commitment. And then there's the possibility could. The one that opens a door. Robert: The possibility could is the one that helps us rebuild after life changes. It's the one that says, I could try this, instead of I should be able to do this. Research, particularly in the fields of neurolinguistics and cognitive psychology, categorizes these coulds as follows. First, the possibility could. The suggestion. It highlights that an option exists in the external world, but doesn't necessarily link it to the person's internal drive. The research on linguistic hedging shows that this type of could creates a mental safety net, because it implies something might not happen as much as it might. The brain processes it as a hypothetical or a gist. The effect is excellent for brainstorming or reducing pressure. If you tell someone, we could try this, it lowers their threat response, because it feels like a low stakes choice, rather than a command. This polite, past, softened could is the could people already know. What it does, it softens a request. Could you pass the salt? Makes a suggestion without pressure. You could try this route. Describes past ability. I could run five miles when I was younger. It frames a hypothetical. We could go if the weather clears. Its emotional tone is gentle, noncommittal, optional, often used to avoid imposing. This is a could that feels small, polite, nostalgic. The one that makes people think could is passive or uncertain. Theresa: Then there is the forward-looking, agency-restoring could. This is the could that is reclaiming. The one that describes a present or future possibility. What does this could do? It opens the door to what's still possible. You could rebuild. You could try again. It signals potential, not pressure. Life could look different from here. And it creates space for adaptation. You could become someone new. It also acknowledges limits while still offering direction. You could do this at your own pace. Its emotional tone is expansive. It's future-facing. It's permission-giving. And it's grounded in reality, not fantasy. This is the could that aligns with disability, adaptation, reinvention, and emotional honesty. It's not about politeness. It's about possibility. Robert: Let's compare the suggestion versus the action. The could, as suggestion, implies hedging or possibility. Theresa: Whereas, the action could implies ability or agency. Robert: As suggestion, I'm thinking this is one option among many. Theresa: And as action, I can say I am capable of this. Robert: The psychological state of suggestion is curiosity or exploration. Theresa: And the action could, its psychological state is competence and mastery. Robert: So, the best usage of suggestion is pitching ideas and brainstorming. Theresa: Whereas, the best usage of action is motivating a team or building confidence. Okay, let's talk about fuzzy trace theory. Something new that we learned for this episode is the fuzzy trace theory, not to be confused with the fuzzy face theory. Robert: Like my fuzzy face. Theresa: Exactly. I guess we took psychology far too long ago. But what fuzzy trace theory is, and it's also known as FTT, it's a dual-process model suggesting that we form two parallel types of mental representations for any given event. There are verbatim traces, which correlates to exact details, and then there are gist traces, which correlate to the bottom line meeting. Robert: And here's the part that matters for adaptation. We make decisions based on the gist, not the details. You don't need to remember every step of a past experience. You remember what it meant, and that meaning shapes what you believe you could do next. Theresa: Let's explore that. Research shows that as we age, our brains naturally move away from verbatim details and more towards gist. That type of reasoning isn't a decline, it's an upgrade to wisdom. And maybe that's why they say, you know, the wise old woman, and you get wiser as you get older. When you stop worrying about verbatim shoulds of your challenges and start living in the gist coulds of your spirit and of the future, you're literally using your brain the way it was designed to be used in this season of life. Robert: As Theresa mentioned, humans store two kinds of memory, verbatim, the exact details, the gist, the meaning, the emotional truth, the takeaway. Why does this matter for adaptation? Gist drives decisions, not details. People change when the meaning of something shifts, not when they memorize steps. Could is a gist word. It signals possibility, permission, and identity. The could life is a gist-level life. I could be someone who travels differently now. I could rebuild at my own pace and in a way that is safe for me. Theresa: And here's an example of fuzzy trace theory. I keep wanting to say fuzzy face. Consider a medical scenario where a patient is told that they have a 22.2% risk of a complication after surgery. The verbatim trace is the exact number of 22.2%, and the specific conditions mentioned by the doctor. In the gist trace, the patient's interpretation of that number, such as the risk is high, or it's unlikely to happen to me, or it's low. For the outcome, even if the patient remembers the exact number, the verbatim trace, their actual decision, which is whether to have surgery or not, is typically driven by the fuzzy gist that they extract at the bottom line meaning, rather than the precise statistic. Robert: In the context of fuzzy trace theory, the word could often signifies a categorical gist. Representation regarding risk. As categorical thinking, FTT suggests that mature decision makers often simplify complex probabilities into a yes, no, or presence, absence, categorical gist. In risk evaluation, phrases like, I could get shingles, or this could save my life, represent the extraction of a bottom line possibility from precise data. What's the decision impact? By focusing on the categorical possibility, the fact that a bad outcome could happen, people are more likely to adopt protective behaviors, like getting vaccinated or wearing masks. Then if they focus on the verbatim low percentage, there's only a 0.5% chance of this happening, which might lead them to take the risk. Theresa: So how can we rewrite the gist? When you use could, you're not just changing your behavior, you're changing the meaning of the behavior. You are shifting the gist from a threat to possibility. From I can't do what I used to, to maybe I could do this differently now. Robert: And that's where identity starts to soften and open. You're not forcing yourself back into the old version of you, you're letting a new version emerge. Theresa: Don't laugh, or you may if you want, but I subscribed to the Arnold Schwarzenegger Pump Club newsletter. When I saw a promotion for it, saying that it was the positive corner of the internet, I thought it would be a great alternative to, uh, well, my doom scrolling. So I was researching the two definitions of could. I got the newsletter with an article. It really complimented what I had found doing the other research. This one, written by Adam Bornstein, who's a contributor to the Pump Club newsletter, wrote, fall in love with what if. And that grabbed my attention because to me, what if and could are pretty much the same word. He addressed how what if can be a weapon against ourselves. What if I didn't have this condition? What if I were more disciplined? He states that those questions don't create possibility, but rather they create paralysis. And we're all familiar with that term paralysis by analysis that can just get us stuck. He suggests that these questions anchor you in the past. And the past no longer exists for you or your current state. He posits that people who reinvent themselves don't work harder than anybody else, but they just ask different questions. For them, the future is a blank canvas that they themselves can manipulate. And that certainly is not ignoring your past and where you've been. You just can't change that because it's the past. He made several suggestions starting with what if, which I have changed to could. Could I build in more support this time? Could I design for hard days instead of just hoping that those hard days don't come? And that's when I really liked. Could the version of me that succeeds look different than the version that I've been trying to recreate? All of this applies to the two types of could. Next episode, we will have ideas for making changes that will help you travel more confidently and safely. Oddly enough, the newsletter I read today just addressed this misconception that it will take 21 days to make a change. Our next episode will cover a 70-day plan for change. I'll add some show notes so you can have a link to the Pump Club newsletter. It does have some informational topics that can apply to more than weightlifting or bodybuilding. We'll be right back. Robert: This is where we bring it home. Travel, routines, energy, capacity, all the places where life changes and we have to adapt if we still wish to travel.

About Living the Could Life

Robert and Theresa — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:07:32 +0000

About this Episode:

This episode introduces who we are, why we created Living the Could Life, and why we are here. If you’ve suddenly found that your body's performance doesn't sync with your mental attitude, you have come to the right place. Navigating disability, chronic illness, aging, or any kind of life change was not in your plans? Join us.

This is basically an introduction to us and what we hope to share in upcoming episodes.

Transcript

Click Here for Transcript Theresa: Welcome to the very first episode of Living the Could Life. I'm Theresa. If you're here, you're probably someone who's had to adapt your life several times, maybe by choice, maybe not, or maybe you're still figuring out what the next chapter looks like.Either way, you are in the right place. Robert: And I'm Robert, your co-host, the guy who scopes out the area, takes photos of inaccessible places, and who's trying hard to earn his seeing-eye guy vest. Yep, you sure are. Theresa: You should have your vest really soon. You're getting really good at this. The show isn't about pretending everything is fine, easy, or trivial. It's all about adaptation. It's about the difference between what travel should look like, no pun intended, and what it could look like now. Don't expect any toxic positivity from us. We are here to support each other, be realistic, and share ideas. And since this is our first full episode, we want to start with the heart of the brand, where this idea came from, what it means, and why we're choosing to tell these stories now. By the way, we should tell you a bit more about ourselves. I'm Theresa, a travel writer who, in later life, suffered NAION, also known as Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optical Neuropathy. Basically, it's a stroke of the eye, and I started with that happening in my right eye. But did you know you can still be fairly independent with one well-functioning eye? It took a bit of adaptation, but I did okay for several years, until one day, the vision in the other eye rebelled. Maybe it thought it was being overworked. There was just a 20% chance of the same thing happening in my good eye, the left eye, and I never expected it to happen twice. I had no pre-existing condition that made me a candidate for it in the first place. But that second eye has a blurred tiny crescent moon area. So now, what was my good eye is now my bad eye, and vice versa. I didn't see that coming. Although I lost my independence, my ability to drive, and the ability to do many things that I took for granted, my condition is considered an impairment rather than a disability. Not sure who decides on that classification. It's obviously somebody without this impairment. Robert: I'm Robert, a former high school math teacher, now enrolled in the Seeing Eye Guy certification program. I even have a business card for proof of that. I never expected to be a caregiver so soon after my early retirement due to how COVID had changed teaching. We both enjoy travel, and now I have suddenly started noticing things that I never really paid attention to before. Like finding escalators and elevators, looking for trip hazards, and such. Theresa: Likewise. The idea of this podcast started spinning in our brains when we realized that we really hadn't seen much information about dealing with body changes that affect us later in life. For me, travel, something that always had meant freedom, joy, escape, independence, escape, and independence, suddenly became complicated. I often traveled solo in the past. I was accountable only to myself. I didn't have to do a lot of planning, and I wasn't the default tour guide. I was independent. And I was there thinking, okay, so what now? What could this look like? Not what it should look like. Not what it used to look like. Just what's possible from here. I was definitely not ready to give up travel, even though for a brief moment, a very brief moment, I considered lying on the couch with Robert waving palm fronds above me, and me drinking wine while eating bonbons. I don't think you would really do that. Robert: It's not really in your nature. Theresa: Well, nature's changed. Travel memories flashed before me. We had bicycled several times around New Zealand, in Mexico, and even did a transcontinental tour from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. We hiked the Inca Trail. We took many adventurous trips. We camped. We did day trips. And now, my big adventurous trip is walking from the front door down the staircase to the car. And this was another incentive that made us think that Living the Could Life was important to not only us, but to many others. Giving up travel by somebody like me with a dominant gene and wanderlust would be incredibly harsh. There had to be alternatives. Robert: And that's something we're to talk about a lot here. Alternatives, adaptations, possibilities, grief, loss, and more. One of the themes you'll hear again and again on this show is adaptation, especially when it happens later in life. Theresa: Because it's one thing to have lived and adapted to challenges from birth, but when they come on later in life, it's far more difficult to teach an old dog new tricks. Robert: And earning points towards my Seeing Eye Guy accreditation isn't easy either. And we do want to include caregivers in this conversation, whoever thought they would spend their golden years as a golden retriever. Theresa: But seriously, without help, it would be extremely difficult to adapt. I know there would be fewer things that I could do. I also don't want to become a burden. I'm lucky to have help. And I realize not all people are so fortunate. Robert: And the people we'll talk to on this show vary from people who share their stories to experts and helping folks regain their independence by making adjustments. There are definitely resources out there and we'll help you navigate them. And the truth is, reinvention isn't glamorous. It's slow. It's emotional. It's practical. It's annoying. Theresa: It's scary. It's messy. And messy definitely describes me. Knocking things over. Tripping and knocking other people's things over. Spilling. Miscalculating where things are. It's a bit of an embarrassment. We'll be right back. Theresa: I think everyone has a moment when they surprise themselves. When they do something they didn't think they could do anymore. Robert: For you, it was that first trip after everything changed. Theresa: Oh, that's for sure. I had planned a trip to Alaska prior to having lost the vision and the second eye. But Alaska is one of my favorite destinations. And I just assumed, sure, I can do this. No big deal. I've traveled before. I've been to Alaska before. I've flown before. I've navigated airports. Well, when I arrived at Chicago O'Hare and looked at the departure flight board, there was so much glare. It was a bright sunny day that I couldn't even see what I was looking for. But fortunately, I had the app on my phone. So I just looked at that and headed down the concourse, bumping into lost people and almost tripping over those little teeny tiny roll-aboards that are trip hazards for anybody. Robert: And I didn't expect to become a caretaker. I didn't expect to be the person who notices curbs, lighting, seating, and pacing. But I did it. And I found a meaning in it and the importance of doing it. Theresa: And that's the thing about this process. It doesn't just happen to one person. It happens to everyone around them. And that is where feeling like a burden comes into play, but also why we are including caretakers. Robert: Let's talk about the difference between could and should, because that's the crux of this whole thing. Theresa: Should is heavy. It's judgment. It's obligation. It's expectation. It's the voice that says you are failing. It's also regret. Robert: Could is possibility, curiosity, permission. It's the voice that says let's see what's still available. Theresa: And when you're navigating body changes, aging, grief, or any other major life shift, should becomes a trap that sets you up for failure. But could becomes a way out. Robert: A path that might look different than you expected, but still leads somewhere meaningful. Theresa: And that's what we're exploring here. Not the life you should have, but the life you could have. When your life changes, your world changes with it, and you see things differently. You move differently. You plan differently. You notice things you never noticed before. Robert: And sometimes that's scary. And sometimes it's clarifying. Sometimes it's both. Theresa: We'll talk about both of those on this show. The emotional side of adaptation. The grief. The humor. The awkwardness. The messiness. The unexpected joy in accomplishing small tasks. Robert:And the way travel becomes a mirror. When you slow down, you see more. When you ask for help, you connect more. When you adapt, you learn more. Theresa: And sometimes you see the world differently because you are walking with somebody who also sees it differently. Robert: And that's us. Two vantage points. One shared journey. Theresa: And that's what we'd like our listeners to feel. That we're walking with them, and you are walking with us. Seeing the world through two sets of eyes and two different experiences. Travel's a big part of this podcast. Not in a glossy influencer way. We're not here to sell perfection. Robert: We're here to talk about real travel. Adaptive travel. Imperfect travel. Travel that requires planning and patience and understanding limitations. Theresa: And speaking of limitations, that's one of the hardest parts of having a new disability. Being overconfident always, well, maybe not always, but often gets me into trouble. Robert: Definitely! Theresa: But here's the truth. Limitations don't necessarily close off your world. They just send you through a different door. They force you to travel with intention and mindfulness. It's a different type of intention and mindfulness. We've always traveled that way, but now it's a very basic type of intention and mindfulness. Like mind the gap. Find a hotel with elevators. Find a hotel with showers instead of a bathtub. Robert: And for you, doing it with new eyes. Others may do it with new hips or new balance, digestive issues, or a variety of other changes to their bodies. Theresa: Travel becomes more exact. It requires a lot more planning, but it still exists just in a different way. I still could. Robert: And that's what we want this show to be. A reminder that movement is still possible, even if it looks different now. Theresa: So what can you expect from this podcast? Stories, conversations, honest reflections, moments of humor, moments of vulnerability, and a talk about what life could look like now. Robert: We'll talk about travel, yes, but also identity, aging, disability, caregiving, reinvention, relationships, and the small surprising moments that make life feel possible again. Theresa: This is not a show about pretending everything is fine. It's a show about finding possibility in the middle of the mess. Living the Could Life is unposed, unscripted, and unedited. Robert: And we're glad you're here with us. Theresa: Next time, we'll be discussing the two definitions of could. There have been some studies done. There's a lot of information that we'd like to share. And until next time, keep traveling in whatever way your life allows. Be sure to visit our website at www.livingthecouldlife.com. You can find show notes there and other stories on the website. Robert and Theresa: This is Living the Could Life. Show Notes