Tag Archives: Travel Map

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.

 

 

Some This and That and a Map

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This and That

We finally had a week of nice weather. Temps in the 70’s & even 80’s. Low humidity. Sunshine and a breeze. Prefect days And I was on vacation! How did I get so lucky? So how did I spend my vacation? Did I take an exotic vacation? Did I bust out my camera and go adventuring? Nope. I sorted and cleaned and still didn’t get everything done. But I made a dent. At least now I don’t look quite so much like a participant on an episode of Hoarders.

With the nice weather I wasn’t afraid to re-pot my Thanksgiving Cactus and move it outside.

That may save it’s life. Balboa was fixated on it and pruned (chewed on it)  it every day. I started some cat grass for him and hope that by fall when I bring the cactus back inside that he’ll be over it. 

 

Boxes – Gone

I crushed up the Chewy boxes and dragged them out to the recycle bin. There will be more but at least for the week I got my Livingroom back. I don’t mind stepping over the boxes as long as the cats are playing with  them but when they stop – out go the boxes.

 

And speaking of boxes. I cleaned out my file cabinet and packed up my taxes and bank statements so I can start filing all the paper that’s piled on my desk. Hey folks, we’re in the age of digital! What ever happened to a paperless society?

Travel

I follow several consumer and travel websites. I’m still not convinced that this is a good year to travel. Restrictions are being lifted all over. Next week Massachusetts is removing all COVID restrictions. The most recent advisory that I’ve seen on domestic travel  says we’ll still need  to mask up to fly but if you are fully vaccinated that’s about the only time you’ll need a mask. You won’t need a negative COVID test either.  The exception might be Hawaii. I haven’t seen an update on their restrictions yet. 

One issue that I’m still seeing in the news is the rental car shortage. In fact I recently heard a car dealership advertising that even new car purchases are being affected by the car shortage! I’ve been hearing of rental prices of over $1000 for a 1 week rental and that wasn’t a high end luxury vehicle either. That rental was from Fort Lauderdale airport. Rental car charges are one of my biggest expenses when I travel so I’m watching that closely. As rental companies restock their inventories I’m sure those fees will come down.  Until then I’ll wait.

The Map

I finished adding photos of the states I’ve visited to the map.

 

There are 4 states that I’m debating about.  Years ago I went to a drum and bugle corp. competition in Allentown PA. I remember it rained and our tent leaked. It wasn’t a fun trip but still I was there. I don’t have any pictures and I don’t feel like I really got a feel for the state.  

South Carolina is another one. My brother got married in South Carolina. My sister-in-law is from Charleston  and I attended their wedding. I bet I could get a wedding picture from them to mark off South Carolina but there’s so much about that state that I want to explore that I’m reluctant to take it off the list.

#3 is Illinois. Again it’s a really old trip and it was for work. I had a week long training in Chicago. It was my first ever work trip and one of my first times on a plane.  There wasn’t much sight seeing. I was too introverted at the time and remember being kind of overwhelmed.  No pictures of that trip either.

Last but not least was my brother’s retirement from the Navy in Kenosha Wisconsin. I think I have a few pictures of my brother in his dress whites in a photo album. 

Although technically these 4 states meet my criteria I didn’t really get much sight seeing done. What do you think? Should I add a picture (google has plenty) or leave them as “still to be visited”?