Visit Mountain Maryland Destination Guide 2025 - Flipbook - Page 81
Mountain Maryland's
Moving History
Discover the stories of early American
transportation milestones woven into
our rivers, rails, mountains, and towns—
awaiting you in the Passages of the
Western Potomac Heritage Area.
PassagesofthePotomac.org
Stunning Beauty and
Accessible Adventure
Rosa Garcia’s first visit to Allegany
County was a winter trip to meet
her husband’s family back in 2005.
A Baltimore native, she was used to
the hustle of city life and had never
traveled beyond Frederick County, MD.
“I remember the first time we drove west,”
she recalls. “I had no idea what to expect.
But when we passed through Sideling
Hill, I was mesmerized. The landscape—
it was like nothing I had ever seen.”
Her husband, a Frostburg native,
introduced her to the region’s charm, but
it was the fall foliage that made such an
impression. “Driving up I-68 in autumn is
like traveling through a painting—rolling
amber hills, bursts of red and gold, and
that soft golden light breaking through
the trees. It’s unreal.” Over the years, each
visit deepened her connection to the
area. She loved wandering downtown,
Rosa Garcia
sipping coffee from local cafés, and
immersing herself in the county’s nonstop
celebrations. But it wasn’t until the
pandemic shifted her work to remote
that she realized—this could be home.
Finding the right home took patience.
As a mother of two, ensuring accessibility
for her oldest son, who uses a power
wheelchair, was a top priority. “We
wanted him to experience everything
that makes this place special—without
barriers.” The family initially lived in
Hotel Gunter, where they learned how
businesses used ramps and how parks
could be navigated. She connected
with local groups advocating for
improved accessibility and is now
working on a website to guide others.
“The great outdoors is for everyone,” she
says. And within a year, they were able
to find the home that suited their needs.
HIDDEN GEMS:
Café Oasis for incredible Asian cuisine,
Fort Cumberland’s underground tunnels,
and the Gunter Hotel’s speakeasy.
MUST-TRY EXPERIENCE:
Rail-biking on Tracks and Yaks through
the mountains.
ADVICE FOR NEWCOMERS:
“Be ready to slow down and seek
adventure—this is a place where both
can thrive.”
MDMOUNTAINSIDE.COM
79
