We hope that this information will help you make the best decisions for your circumstances regarding your travel to Gatalop. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Event Steward.
Mobility
Fort Gaines was built 150 years before the Americans with Disabilities Act; although some areas have been brought into compliance (such as the bathrooms, which have a ramp and wheelchair-accessible stalls), others are less easy to access. The ground level inside the fort itself is flat with paved paths, some of which are concrete and some of which, including the path through the front gate, are cobblestone. A couple of rooms have a small step at the door, but most have had small ramps added by the fort to ensure access. Activities in the rooms include the Athanor A&S Faire, any classes that will be offered, and some of the crash space. We will do our best to ensure that all activities are accessible to all of our attendees; please contact the Event Steward with questions or comments regarding accessibility.
The fort walls are accessed by stairs or by long brick-paved ramps at approximately a 15 degree angle. Once accessed, the top of the walls are a mixture of brick, concrete, and sandy soil. Note that it is not required to access the top of the walls for any part of the event; several of the heavy combat battles can be viewed from the top of the walls, but all of them also have viewing vantage points at ground level.
Some camping areas might be difficult to manage for people with mobility disabilities. Please contact the Land Steward and Reservations Steward if you need a site that is more accessible. If enough people are interested, we may set aside space for a disability-accessible camp. Note that said space would be outside the fort unless all tents were period – this is a rule set by the fort, not the event.
Parking is located directly next to the fort and across the (flat, level) street. Some handicapped-accessible parking will be available for those with hangtags or plates.
Power
Fort Gaines is a primitive site and there is extremely limited access to power for CPAP machines, etc. There is no access to refrigeration for insulin or other medication. If you require power for your medical (e.g. CPAP) device, please contact the Reservations Steward early. You may need a light socket power adapter and an extension cord to plug in your device. Other options include bringing a battery pack or staying at the nearby Dauphin Island Campground, which offers 30/50 amp service at all of its sites.
Service Animals
Leashed dogs are welcome at Fort Gaines. Be sure to consult the rules regarding service animals and bring the appropriate paperwork. Please see the What’s Nearby page for local veterinarian information if needed.
Bathrooms and Shower Houses
Flush toilets are available inside the fort. They are wheelchair (and other mobility device)-accessible.
There are no showers available within the fort, but the nearby Dauphin Island Campground offers showers to our attendees for $3. You may purchase a shower token at Troll. Be advised that the shower house is approximately a 1/3 mile walk from the fort gate. During regular daytime hours, driving to the bathrooms has always been allowed before and we have no reason to believe it will not be this year. However, after-hours driving to the shower house may not be allowed due to campground regulations.
Special Diets
Gatalop serves Travelers Fare (Friday dinner) and breakfasts. Lunches are fundraiser lunches served by varying groups; Saturday dinner is potluck. Attendees with special dietary needs are encouraged to bring their own food as local restaurant options are limited.
Other Concerns
Quiet space: We are not, unfortunately, able to set aside quiet space for those with sensory issues. Space is at a premium for sleeping arrangements. If you will need a quiet space during the event, we encourage you to bring a tent and/or reserve space in the lodging on the Island.
Claustrophobia: Claustrophobic individuals may be uncomfortable in some of the rooms, since some do not have windows and/or may have low ceilings. If you are claustrophobic, you may wish to plan to camp instead. If you have concerns to this end, please alert the Event Steward well in advance of the event and we will send photos of the rooms.
Temperature control: There is no air conditioning or heating in the fort rooms. In general, air conditioning shouldn’t be a concern in late October on the island; in terms of heating, if you plan to camp or use crash space, bring warm nightclothes, bedding, etc.
Privacy: The fort rooms vary in size and we may need to combine groups/households if you wish to use the room space and your group is small in numbers. Some of the rooms have bunkbeds for which you are welcome to bring curtains (request a lower bunk in your prereservation – treaty households only). If you require a private space, camping may be your best option. Please contact the Reservations Steward with questions or requests regarding crash space.
Access to medical services: Please keep in mind that there are no medical services available on Dauphin Island; the nearest clinics and ERs are 45-60 minutes away. The island does have a firemedic/EMT service (dial 911 or 251-861-5523) but no other primary or emergency care.