Tag Archives: change

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.

 

 

Change is Good

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Change is often hard. This coming from the person who packed up and moved to a new state where they knew no one and knew nothing about  the state.

pioneer

 

I was young and restless and fearless. Now I still get itchy feet. It comes out in my travels but I also have a stronger sense of home. I like my adopted state, maybe not the cold winters but there’s a lot of other good stuff to recommend it. (No digs about “Taxachusetts”).

Looks like change is once again headed my way. If it happens I guess you can say I went reluctantly  which is surprising because I really want it to happen. It all boils down to change.

Rumor has it that there’s a position with another department  opening up. The powers that be have brought the opportunity to my attention and it would be a fun job. Off the record I have been told I can keep working from home (once I’m trained). I’d be eligible for bonuses. Bonuses are very good. My budget has been quite tight without the overtime I used to get at my old company. So what am I hesitating for? The schedule change required.

I feel like I will have to mourn my old schedule.

sad

I know that’s funny but for 10 years I worked weekends at my old company and I have continued as a Night and Weekend worker in my new job. I’m used to having weekdays to go to the doctor, dentist, bank, vet and all those other errands that can’t be done easily on the weekend. I am  used to having quiet hiking spaces and deserted attractions. The crowds show up on weekends.

The new position requires Monday – Friday. The opportunity is too good not to try for it so I’ve been trying to get myself thinking positive about the schedule. Many events and activities are only on the weekends and I miss out unless I take a day off. Some examples are AAA Travel Expo… usually Thurs- Sun; Riverquest boat rides on the Connecticut River, again usually weekends; The Spring Flower Shows.. always weekends; summer Fairs, Autumn Harvest Festivals and so on.

philadelphia-flower-show-2011-060

 

So I guess there’s a lot to be said for being conforming and working like the rest of the world. Now if I can only get the job. 🙂

 

Change

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When one door closes another one opens…or so the saying goes. No matter what, change is hard and sometimes scary. These last 3 months have been a roller coaster of emotions; sometimes exhilarating, sometimes sad, sometimes nearly panic only to swing back to excited.

I have worked many places with many people but no other work situation has fostered such close ties. From the dispatchers I shared the office with to the techs in the field it was like a big family. Things didn’t always go smooth. There were disagreements and arguments but there was also laughter, kind words, support and fun and over the years we began to feel like family. This made for great working conditions but now that it’s over there is a lot more emotion than just leaving a job.

This last week has been a concentrated version of the past three months. Everyone seemed to be wearing their feelings on their sleeves, one moment laughing, the next crying and the work demands never let up to give us a chance to come to terms with the “Last Day”.

Babybithday 005 copy

This week the  management team ordered pizza, the HR manager brought pizza, even one of the techs spent his own money to bring us pizza. Then the last morning we all brought breakfast food; juice, coffee, sweet rolls, coffee cake, apple fritters, fruit, bagels, muffins…enough food for an army. I couldn’t help thinking it was like a wake or funeral as more food poured in and visitors came by to say their good byes.

At a particularly loud moment it hit me hard. Yes like an Irish Wake without the whiskey and like a funeral after the burial those of us that remained would be…alone.

For all the complaining and groaning that goes on in a normal  day-to-day  give and take, when it was over those of use not going on to Malden would be alone with no place to go on Monday morning. No co-workers to chat with, fight with, laugh with…no work family.

Babybithday 006 copy

But then the emotional swing went the other way arching back up to optimism. Look at all the opportunity, a clean slate . This is different because of the bonds made over the last 10 years but the job changing is not. Everything will be fine, not the same but it will be fine.

Balloon festival 054 copy

It will all work out and the adventure of finding where this path will go is still ahead.

End of a Cycle…New Beginnings

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If you are a Myan fan or were wondering why the end of the world didn’t end on 12/21/2012 you now know that the new theory is that the Myan’s weren’t predicting the end of the world but merely the end of a cycle in their long count calendar. The end of one era and the beginning of a new one. The keyword being change. Sounds a bit like our annual ritual at this time of year.

mayan-calendar-c20db2

I was thinking about this the other day when I was feeling particularly restless. 2012 is on it’s way out and it’s about time for a year in review. The new slate is right around the corner with 2013. What do the fates have in store for me? There are always surprises, things that no amount of planning can prepare for. I wonder what 2013 will bring.

I can’t shake the feeling that 2013 is going to bring some things to a close in my life. I can’t explain it and I don’t think I can control it. But when one door closes another opens so I guess I’ll just have to hang on and see where this energy stream takes me. I know this sounds very “woo woo” superstitious. I just can’t explain what I’m feeling but it’s quite unsettling… Like being on super alert or on the edge of “flight or flight”.

One thing I do promise is that you’ll share my journey, what ever it is, right here on aroundustyroads.