Category Archives: Massachusetts

Johnny Appleseed

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🍎 The Curious Legacy of Johnny Appleseed

Planting seeds of myth, nature, and kindness across early America

Who Was Johnny Appleseed?Johnny Appleseed

Johnny Appleseed wasn’t just a whimsical figure from folklore—he was a real man named John Chapman, born in 1774 in Leominster, Massachusetts. With a tin pot for a hat and bare feet toughened by miles of travel, Chapman became a symbol of simplicity, generosity, and harmony with nature. His mission? To plant apple orchards across the American frontier, offering sustenance and shade to settlers and wildlife alike.

Lancaster MA

A Life Rooted in Purpose

Chapman’s journey began in Pennsylvania and stretched westward into Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. He didn’t scatter seeds randomly—he established nurseries, fenced them in, and returned regularly to tend them. His apples weren’t the sweet varieties we snack on today; they were mostly tart and used for cider, a staple in early American households.

A devout follower of the Swedenborgian faith, Chapman believed in living gently and spiritually. He was known for his kindness to animals, his deep connection to the land, and his ability to charm both Native American tribes and pioneer families. His barefoot wanderings and eccentric dress weren’t signs of poverty—they were expressions of his values.

Myth Meets Memory

Over time, Johnny Appleseed became a folk hero. Stories of him befriending wolves, sleeping under stars, and planting trees with divine purpose captured the imagination of generations. While some tales are embellished, the heart of his legacy remains: a man who walked with nature, gave freely, and left behind a living legacy of apple trees.

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🍏 Big Apple Pancake Recipe

Perfect for crisp mornings and cozy storytelling

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup All purpose flour
  • 1/2 Cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 TBS. butter or margarine- melted
  • 2 medium  apples peeled, cored, sliced
  • 1/2 Cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
  2. Mix sugar and cinnamon, set aside
  3. Mix flout, milk and eggs together.
  4. Melt butter in a 9 inch cast iron skillet
  5. Pour mixture into skillet. Place sliced apples on top of mixture
  6. Sprinkle with Cinnamon sugar mixture
  7. Bake 20-30 minutes. Crust will rise and turn brown when done
  8. Serve from Cast Iron skillet

pancake and photo by Deb Neumann

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly love and that align with the spirit of Around Dusty Roads.

 

It’s Officially Fall

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NE Fall

New England Fall photo credit Deb Neumann

🍂 Fall in New England

It’s been building to this moment all month. The mornings have grown cooler, the air carries a crisp bite, and—what’s that I see? Alongside cheerful pumpkin displays, the leaves are beginning to change color. Today is September 22, and with the flip of a calendar page, we’re officially in fall. It’s the Fall Equinox.

Pumpkin Patch- photo credit Deb Neumann

🌞 Fall Equinox

The Fall Equinox marks the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator heading south. We’ll experience roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness—a perfect balance. Since the time of the Druids, this day has signaled the end of the harvest and the beginning of preparations for winter. This year, winter officially begins on December 21, the Winter Solstice—also known as the shortest day (or perhaps the longest night) of the year.

🍎 Fall Traditions

Fall is a favorite season for many. The heat of summer fades, and vibrant colors line the roads and byways. It’s the perfect time for apple picking and leaf peeping. Around the Equinox, fall color begins to burst forth—starting in Maine and New Hampshire, then gradually sweeping south through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island by mid to late October.

Norton colors

Along the water in Norton-,photo credit Deb Neumann

🚗 Where to View the Fall Foliage

Cycling the Kancamagus photo Deb Neumann

If you time it right, the White Mountains of New Hampshire are breathtaking. Try a drive along the Kancamagus Highway, which connects Lincoln in the south to Conway in the north. My brother and I once took his motorcycle up there—we froze in the mountain air, but those spectacular views without a car roof in the way? Worth every shiver.

Jack o Lanterns Keene NH photo Deb Neumann

🌄 Mohawk Trail

Closer to home in Massachusetts, the Mohawk Trail offers stunning foliage and sweeping vistas. The western stretch, as you approach New York State, is especially vibrant.

🏔️ Mount Greylock

I’ve heard wonderful things about the views from Mount Greylock’s summit. Nestled in the heart of the Berkshires, it’s the highest peak in Massachusetts. I haven’t made the drive yet—traffic’s rumored to be horrendous—but maybe this is the year to bite the bullet and go for it.

 

Swans in Flight Photo Deb Neumann

 

 

Forever Farm Animal Sanctuary

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Forever Farm

🐾 Forever Farm Animal Sanctuary: A Place of Peace, Purpose, and Plenty of Donkeys

Nestled in the heart of the community, Forever Farm Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers more than just shelter—it’s a haven of healing for animals and humans alike. Founded by my former supervisor at Redfin, Forever Farm is the living, breathing realization of her long-held dream. Watching her vision come to life has been a joy, and seeing the sanctuary grow feels like witnessing hope take root.

🫏 Make Way for Donkeys

The farm is home to a delightful mix of residents: chickens, goats, pigs (Peppa, Pumba, and Wilma), a tiny horse named Miracle, a big-hearted horse named Toughy, and—perhaps most notably—a growing herd of donkeys. At last count, there were eight: Prima, Gally, Kong, Trevor, Jackson, Jinx, Star, and Sedona. Each one has its own story, personality, and place in the pasture.

There’s something about Forever Farm that seems to call to donkeys in need. Whether it’s their gentle nature or the sanctuary’s open-hearted mission, more seem to arrive each season. No matter the number, each donkey is showered with love, care, and the kind of attention that turns rescue into restoration.

Toughy & Miracle

Photo: Toughy and Miracle – courtesy of Forever Farm

🌿 Events That Bring the Community Together

Forever Farm isn’t just a sanctuary—it’s a vibrant gathering place. Families can celebrate birthdays, stretch into serenity with yoga classes, or join seasonal festivities like Earth Day, Halloween, and Christmas. A recent highlight was “Senior Day,” a heartwarming event for guests over 50.

In partnership with Healing Path Care Farm, Forever Farm also hosts child-focused programs like Little Mindful Farmers and Barnyard Buddies, blending education, empathy, and animal encounters.

💛 Powered by Passion

Forever Farm runs almost entirely on volunteer energy and generous donations. It’s a testament to what can happen when a community comes together with compassion and purpose. Whether you’re looking to support, visit, or simply spread the word, this sanctuary is a place where kindness lives—and where donkeys always seem to find their way home.

Learn more about how to support the animals at The Forever Farm here

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Donkey Life at Forever Farm

 

Natural Wonders of Massachusetts

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🌲Closer Than You Think: 6 Natural Wonders Worth Exploring in Massachusetts

Here I am, living in Massachusetts, yet always chasing natural beauty elsewhere—Utah’s red rocks, Costa Rica’s coastlines, the wide-open West. But maybe it’s time to look a little closer to home. I recently stumbled across a list of the six best natural wonders in Massachusetts and couldn’t help but ask myself: how many have I actually seen?

Turns out, not as many as I’d hoped. But that’s about to change.

🏔️ Mount Greylock

The highest peak in Massachusetts towers over the Hoosic Valley, and on a clear day, you can see five states from its summit—Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The best time to visit? Late spring through early fall, when the hiking trails are alive with color and the foliage is at its fiery best. Heads up, leaf peepers—Mount Greylock deserves a spot on your seasonal bucket list.

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💦 Bash Bish Falls

Now this one I have visited—back in 2017. (You can find my post and a short video [here].) I always want to call it “Bish Bash Falls,” and I’m not sure why. There are two entrances, but I opted for the easy route from the New York side—a well-traveled dirt road that spares you the steep, rocky descent from the Massachusetts side. After a gentle walk, I was rewarded with the sight and sound of the falls. Worth every step.

Bash Bish Falls – photo credit Deb Neumann

🌳 Mohawk Trail State Forest

This one had me scratching my head. I’ve driven the Mohawk Trail many times en route to New York—it’s a scenic alternative to the highway, winding through Routes 2 and 2A. But I’d never heard of the Mohawk Trail State Forest. Turns out, it’s a 7,700-acre preserve spanning Charlemont, Hawley, and Savoy, established in 1921 to protect the area’s natural and historic beauty. If you follow the trail all the way to New York, brace yourself for some dramatic switchbacks near the state line. It’s a drive worth savoring.

Sharp Curve ahead- photo credit Deb Neumann

⛷️ Mount Wachusett

The tallest summit east of the Connecticut River, Mount Wachusett is a winter haven for skiers. I always say I’ll go photograph the slopes—but let’s be honest, I hate the cold. Maybe this year I’ll finally bundle up and make the trip. Or maybe I’ll wait for spring and hike instead.

🪨 Natural Bridge State Park

Located in North Adams, this park protects the only naturally formed white marble arch in North America. I think I’ve been here—though I may have just wandered the gorge. I remember massive holes carved into the rock by swirling whirlpools. If that’s the spot, it’s worth a second visit to confirm. Either way, it’s a geological gem.

Photo of dam

Photo Credit Viraj Naik

🌊 Halibut Point State Park

This one’s pure New England coastal charm. Located in Rockport, the park blends granite quarry history with salt air and sea breezes. You can even explore a former World War II fire control tower. It’s close to Crane Beach, one of my favorite summer destinations when I first moved to Massachusetts. The nostalgia alone makes it worth revisiting.

Photo of granite quarry

photo credit Kristy Samuels

🌿 Wrapping Up

Massachusetts may be known for its urban heartbeat—hello, Boston—but its natural soul runs deep. From mountain peaks to marble arches, scenic drives to seaside cliffs, there’s a wild beauty here that’s easy to overlook. But not anymore.

If you’re craving nature, you don’t have to travel far. Sometimes the wonder is right in your backyard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ghosts in the Dutch Room

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Ghosts in the Dutch Room: My Brush with the Gardner Museum’s Lost Masterpieces

When I first moved to Boston in the 1970s, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum felt like a secret garden tucked behind Venetian walls.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum — Museum Review | Condé Nast ...

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I wandered its hushed rooms, drawn to the Dutch Room’s moody elegance—dark wood, gilded frames, and masterpieces that seemed to whisper stories if you lingered long enough. I remember standing before Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee, mesmerized by the chaos of waves and the quiet terror on each painted face.

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Vermeer’s The Concert glowed with intimacy, a trio of musicians caught mid-note. I didn’t know then that I was witnessing something that would vanish forever.

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The Heist

On March 18, 1990, two men disguised as Boston police officers entered the museum and stole thirteen works of art worth over $500 million. They tied up the guards, spent 81 minutes plucking treasures from the walls, and disappeared into the night. No arrests. No recovered art. Just empty frames still hanging in place—silent tributes to what was lost.

Visiting the museum now feels like stepping into a mystery novel. The Dutch Room is quieter than ever, its emptiness louder than any alarm. The stolen paintings are gone, but their absence is palpable. I find myself staring at the vacant frames, remembering the brushstrokes that once lived there.

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If you’re planning a trip to Boston, don’t miss the chance to experience one of the art world’s most enduring mysteries. The Gardner isn’t just a museum—it’s a living crime scene, a place where beauty and intrigue collide. You’ll walk through rooms curated by Isabella herself, past lush courtyards and haunting gaps in the gallery walls. It’s history, heartbreak, and high drama all in one.

photo credit Deb Neumann

Banner and Balboa, my feline muses, seem intrigued by the mystery too—especially the idea of cat burglars. Maybe I’ll let them sniff around the Dutch Room in their dreams. After all, every good mystery needs a clever sidekick.

 

 

 

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Travel Tip:
If you’re planning a visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, aim for a weekday morning. The museum’s Venetian-style courtyard is especially tranquil when it’s less crowded, and the soft natural light spilling through the glass roof makes the perfect backdrop for reflection—or a moody Instagram moment. Don’t rush through the Dutch Room; linger by the empty frames and let the mystery settle in. And if you’re intrigued by the heist, consider watching the Netflix documentary This Is a Robbery before you go—it adds a thrilling layer to the experience.

 

The Five Frames Left Behind

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