Category Archives: Vacation

A Miracle Comeback Nine Years in the Making

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Rustic log cabin in Rangeley, Maine surrounded by trees and summer greenery, the lakeside vacation rental where I stayed during my 2017 moose‑spotting trip.

A Quiet Cabin, an Empty Town, and a Mountain Waiting for a Miracle

A Moose heading for the treesIn 2017 I chose Rangeley for my summer vacation because I wanted to see Maine moose. And I did — moose, deer, and more quiet forest roads than I could count. But I also found a town on a beautiful lake that was struggling.

Saddleback, their ski mountain, was closed. Talk of a sale floated around like fog over the lake, but I can’t say the atmosphere was hopeful. Most people didn’t expect anything to come of it. Rangeley has plenty to offer if you love the outdoors — hiking, camping, nature photography — but in town the restaurants were either closed or empty. My cabin was beautiful, but I didn’t see many other vacationers around. It felt like a place waiting for something that might never come- a town holding its breath for a miracle.

So I’ve always wondered: What happened to Rangeley in the nine years since that visit?

Well, COVID didn’t stop the little town that could. In 2020, the sale of Saddleback finally went through — and everything changed.

The mountain woke up again

After years of false starts, Saddleback was purchased by Arctaris Impact Investors, a Boston‑based firm focused on revitalizing rural communities. And they didn’t just buy the mountain. They revived it.

More than $42 million has been invested since 2020. New lifts, new snowmaking, lodge improvements, a new T‑bar, a high‑elevation restaurant, and even a 7.5‑megawatt solar farm that produces twice the electricity the mountain uses.

It’s the kind of transformation you expect from a mega‑resort, not a once‑shuttered independent ski hill in western Maine.

Rangeley’s winter heartbeat returned

The reopening didn’t just bring skiers back — it brought life back.

Saddleback created 240+ jobs, built workforce housing, and restored the winter economy that had been fading when I visited. Restaurants filled up again. Lodges booked out. Seasonal workers could count on steady income. The town’s identity — which felt fragile in 2017 — snapped back into place.

It’s hard to overstate how much a single ski mountain can mean to a rural town. In Rangeley’s case, it meant everything.

From shuttered to #1 in the East

This is the part that still amazes me.

In 2025, SKI Magazine’s readers ranked Saddleback #1 ski resort in the East.

Number one. In the entire East. After being closed for five years.

If you wrote that in fiction, people would say it was unrealistic.

A different kind of ski mountain

What makes Saddleback’s comeback special isn’t just the money or the lifts — it’s the philosophy behind it.

They’re leaning into:

  • Independence — no mega‑pass, no corporate sameness
  • Sustainability — that solar farm is a game‑changer
  • Community — housing, childcare support, year‑round jobs
  • Authenticity — the “real ski mountain” vibe people crave

In a world where so many ski areas feel interchangeable, Saddleback is intentionally not trying to be anything but itself.

Weather still rules the game

Of course, skiing is still skiing. Warm spells still happen. Rain still happens. Gas prices still matter. Travel budgets still matter.

But Saddleback is far more resilient now than it was in 2017. Better snowmaking, better infrastructure, and a broader year‑round recreation economy give Rangeley a buffer it didn’t have before.

Looking back at that 2017 trip

When I think about that quiet summer week — empty restaurants, shuttered lifts, locals who didn’t dare hope — it makes Saddleback’s comeback feel even more remarkable. Rangeley didn’t just survive. It reinvented itself.

A comeback nine years in the making — and absolutely worth celebrating. I can honestly say that I love a happy ending! Rangely, Maine got it’s miracle. 

The Red Onion

 

America the Beautiful- Unique and Wonderful

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America’s One‑of‑a‑Kind Wonders

Every country has its own personality — its language, its customs, its landscapes, its quirks. The United States is no different. We just forget that sometimes because we live here. We stop noticing and we stop looking. So I thought it might be fun to highlight a few things that make the USA truly unique — places and experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Let’s see how many you’ve done.

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Did you know the world’s longest cave system is right here in the USA? Mammoth Cave National Park stretches for more than 400 miles beneath Kentucky’s bluegrass hills. It’s not just big — it’s ancient. You can wander through massive underground chambers, squeeze through narrow passages, and walk routes first explored centuries ago. It feels like stepping into another world.

Route 66

The Mother Road turns 100 years old this year. Maybe this is the perfect time to drive the whole thing from Chicago to Santa Monica. Route 66 is pure Americana — neon signs, retro diners, roadside oddities, and nostalgia for a simpler time. Expect celebrations and events all along the way for its centennial.

 

Old Faithful, Yellowstone

If nature is more your style, Yellowstone is unmatched. The park has over 10,000 hydrothermal features — hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles, terraces, and of course Old Faithful. It’s the most predictable geyser on earth, erupting roughly every 90 minutes and shooting boiling water up to 184 feet into the air. It’s a natural wonder worth seeing at least once.

 

Four Corners Monument

This is the only place in America where you can stand in four states at once — Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. There’s not much to do except take the classic selfie, but it’s still fun to say you’ve been in all four at the same time.

Below Sea Level… Without Getting Wet

New Orleans offers more than Mardi Gras. Parts of the city sit below sea level, protected by levees and pumps — a precarious setup made painfully clear during Hurricane Katrina. Only a few places in the world build this boldly against the water. The Netherlands comes to mind — think of the little Dutch boy with his finger in the dike.

Bayou Bridge , City Park, New Orleans

Space Launches in Florida

Head to sunny Florida and watch rockets roar into space. Feel the ground shake, hear the thunder, and witness the sheer power of a launch. It’s one of those experiences that reminds you what humans are capable of.

The Redwood Forests of California

These giants are the tallest trees on earth — some reaching 350 feet. Many are between 500 and 2,000 years old. Imagine that. Two thousand years. They were already ancient when the first European explorers arrived.

Yes, It’s Corny

In Mitchell, South Dakota, you’ll find the Corn Palace — redesigned every year with new murals made entirely of corn. It’s quirky, it’s colorful, and yes… it’s corny. But it’s also wonderfully American.

Visit with Bison

While you’re at Yellowstone, take a moment to appreciate the wildlife — especially the bison. They roam freely and can do serious damage if you get too close, so admire from a safe distance. You can also see them in Custer State Park in South Dakota.

Getting ready to pass by

There are so many uniquely American things to do in this great country — watch a rodeo, tour an aircraft carrier, feed a wild burro a carrot, ride an airboat, marvel at Mount Rushmore, stand in the mist at Niagara Falls, or gaze into the Grand Canyon. There’s nothing quite like the Grand Canyon.

It’s our 250th anniversary. A perfect time to celebrate the sights, scenes, and culture that make America special.

Where have you been? What makes America special for you?

 

When the Map Stops Changing: Saying Goodbye to Thunderbunny Labs’ Travel Maps

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This is the map that caught my eye and strated my 50 state challenge btu now it's time to say goodbye

A sample of a Thunderbunnylab USA Travel Map

Seeing Change More Clearly

Everything changes. I know that’s not exactly breaking news, but the shifts feel sharper as I get older. When I was young, I was too busy moving forward to notice how nothing stays the same. Now I see the changes more clearly — and I don’t always love them. Call it being set in my ways, but a recent email from Thunderbunny Labs stirred up a mix of nostalgia, regret, and reflection.

My Thunderbunny Map Story

Thunderbunny Labs is the company behind my beloved travel map — not a road map, but a framed blank map you fill with your own photos as you explore the country. I bought my USA map in 2021, and you can practically hear my excitement in my original post from May 17, 2021.

My only regret is that I didn’t get farther with it.

 

How the Maps Worked

Print and Cut

There were two ways to fill the map:

  • The DIY way: scissors, glue, and a lot of patience.
  • The Thunderbunny way: upload your photos to their website and order perfectly sized, state‑shaped stickers printed on sticky paper. I picked mine up at my local Walgreens — clean, easy, and oddly satisfying.

But 2021 was right before COVID, and between the lockdowns and then retiring, I haven’t traveled much since. My map is still only about halfway filled.

The Announcement I Didn’t Want

Just getting started

And now Thunderbunny is discontinuing their travel maps.

They wrote:

“After much consideration, we are permanently discontinuing production of our photo maps on May 15th, 2026… If you or someone you know wishes to purchase a USA Photo Map, please do so by May 15th.”

Honestly, it makes sense. The pandemic froze travel. Even now, I’m not convinced it has fully bounced back. Every day there’s another story about flight delays, diversions, rising costs, or fuel prices impacted by the war. RV travel isn’t much better with gas prices climbing. And then there were the government funding battles that left TSA agents unpaid or calling out sick. Long lines, long waits — travel just isn’t the carefree adventure it once was.

A Bit of Good News

Thunderbunny isn’t abandoning those of us who already have maps. They reassured us:

“Please know that while map production is coming to a close, our commitment to our existing customers remains as strong as ever. We will maintain our website and photo printing services indefinitely so you can continue to update your existing photo maps as your own adventures unfold.”

I hope they can keep that going. My local Walgreens closed, so I’d have to find another one if I ever get back on the road.

 

A Farewell Worth Reading

I love how Thunderbunny wrapped up their email — it felt like a curtain call and a thank‑you note all at once:

“What started as a fun way to document our travels ended up taking us on a much different adventure… We grew from a weekend craft project, to a hobbyist Etsy store, to a full‑time business employing dozens of wonderful people… More recently, it has spawned a thriving custom printing business which will be the next destination on our journey.”

Looking Ahead (and Back)

I hope I can add a few more states to my map and keep my connection with Thunderbunny Labs going. That map has been a joyful visual record of my travels. But change is inevitable, isn’t it. I suppose I’d better get used to it.

 

 

Dreaming in Railcars

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Revisiting Train Travel on Around Dusty Roads

Returning to My Travel Roots

Let’s harken back to the early days of Around Dusty Roads. When I first launched this blog, it was meant to be a place to share my trips, vacations, and travel experiences—my little corner of the internet where I could relive adventures and maybe inspire a few of you along the way. Over time, as life shifted and travel slowed, the blog naturally evolved into a “bit of everything” space. That’s what happens when you stop hopping on planes and start navigating retirement budgets instead.

I’ve certainly slowed down, and while I adjust to new spending habits, travel has taken a back seat. But as my recent posts have shown, I can still wander in my mind. And who knows—maybe someday I’ll get back to exploring in person.

Let’s Talk Train Vacations

Today, I want to toss the ball back to you, my friendly readers. What do you think of train vacations?

My sister and I once took a 7‑day Amtrak trip to San Antonio, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana. It was interesting—quirky in places, scenic in others—and I’d absolutely try something like that again. I’ve also long dreamed of riding the Coast Starlight down California’s coastline between Seattle and Los Angeles. Then again, I’d be just as happy driving it so I could stop and explore every overlook and beach town along the way.

The Rocky Mountaineer: A Bucket‑List Ride

Another rail adventure that has lived rent‑free in my imagination is a journey across the Canadian Rockies. There are several trains that make the trip, but the one I hear about most often is the Rocky Mountaineer.

Their ads paint quite a picture:
“With routes to Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise, the Rocky Mountaineer train winds through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, showcasing untouched terrain you can only see by rail.”

From what I’ve learned, the Rocky Mountaineer offers two levels of service. GoldLeaf features a full double‑dome glass car with an outdoor viewing platform, while SilverLeaf offers oversized panoramic windows and gourmet meals served at your seat. Both are daylight‑only journeys, which means you never miss the scenery—towering peaks, turquoise rivers, and valleys that look like they were sketched by an artist with a very generous imagination.

The downside? The price tag. It looks every bit as expensive as an Alaska cruise, maybe more. And I’m curious about the comfort level. When we took the train in Alaska, they packed us in so tightly it felt like strangers were practically sitting in our laps. Our Texas trip was more comfortable—we even had a tiny sleeping car, but at least it was ours.

Sugar Cane Field- View Form the train 2015

Your Turn, Readers

So, dear readers, have any of you taken the Rocky Mountaineer? Was it worth the splurge? How crowded did it feel? Did the scenery live up to the hype?

I’d love to hear your experiences and thoughts. After all, even if I’m not traveling much these days, your stories help keep the wanderlust alive.

 

Autumn’s Whisper

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Norton Reservoir

Norton Reservoir

Autumn’s Whisper: A Chilly Prelude

The nights are growing longer, and the air carries a crisp edge that wasn’t there just a few weeks ago. Each morning greets me with brisk temperatures and a sky that seems to hint at the season’s shift. It’s the kind of cool that nudges you to reach for a sweater, maybe even a second cup of coffee. I know what’s coming. The blustery winds will soon sweep in, ushering winter’s icy grip and—yes—snow.

photo credit Deb Neumann

The Snowy Illusion

Don’t get me wrong, snow has its charm. That first snowfall is magical—soft, white, and pristine. It blankets the world in quiet beauty, turning even the most mundane street into a postcard scene. But the enchantment fades quickly. Within days, the snow turns brown and slushy, the skies grow heavy and gray, and the daylight seems to vanish before you’ve even had lunch. It’s a slow descent into the season of dreariness.

photo credit Deb Neumann

A Digital Dose of Nostalgia

As if the cold weren’t enough, my phone has developed a new habit since its last update. It now sends me daily “memories that made this day special.” Sweet, right? Except today’s memory was a sun-drenched snapshot from Hawaii. There I was, standing on a beach with a massive sea turtle nearby, the ocean stretching out in endless shades of blue. The air looked warm, smelled like salt and flowers, and felt like freedom.

snuba at Turtletown 2020

Hawaiian Dreams and Winter Realities

I miss those Hawaiian escapes—the balmy breezes, the golden sunsets, the way even the air seemed to hum with life. Sure, the flight is long and exhausting, but once you arrive, it’s like stepping into another world. Today’s photo hit me hard. It was a reminder of warmth, of adventure, of days when the only chill came from a tropical drink.

Brace Yourselves

So here we are. The leaves are falling, the wind is picking up, and the forecast is inching toward frost. Buckle down, folks. Winter is coming fast—and my phone won’t let me forget what I’m missing.

Parasailing off Kona

photo credit Deb Neumann