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Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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January 1, 2009

Family Road Trip to Boston, MA

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I had been to Boston only once before, in my single days, for a New Year’s Eve house party late at night.  But I never saw the city, and for whatever reason never cared to go despite friends insisting I should.  But now, my husband had school friends who had recently moved there and we were both very excited to see them.

The drive was pleasant. With only one stop during the less then 3 hour drive, I got a sense that this was going to be a great visit. It also helped that we were traveling the day after Christmas, when most people were sleeping in or had already arrived to their destinations days before.

BOSTON HARBOR

We spent our first night at our friends’ beautiful suburban home in Framingham, MA before heading to the Boston Harbor where we were staying. The weather was somewhat cloudy, but temperatures was great. Our room at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf was great.  Comfortable, spacious, clean, very nice. Staff was helpful and very friendly, at one point promptly assisting in getting the sheets of one of the beds changed when the youngest made a mess on them.  Our hotel package included free meals for all kids under 12 , a package only offered through the Marriott website. I found that even after looking at other hotel websites, which often promise the best rates for hotel, it was actually the Marriott website which, for the same nightly rate, offered them more.

We were also happy to see that the hotel came through with our guarantee of a room with a view to the harbor.  Our room also had a view of the New England Aquarium, which they headed to once they dropped off their bags.  Right across the street from the hotel, the aquarium was something the kids were excited about right away. It was a bit crowded on this snowy New England day and the wait to buy tickets, from a booth located outside of the building was 30 minutes. One can purchase advanced tickets online, but only 48 hours before the visit. I laughed at this notion for I couldn’t remember the last time I planned a visit like this that far in advance. “How does one do that with babies?” I thought.

While our friend’s husband stood on line for tickets, she, my husband, the boys, and I headed to the Fanuil Hall, also referred to as Quincy Market.  This was definitely a tourist destination.  It reminded me of South Street Seaport in NYC with all the shops, restaurants, the tree, and the entertainment. We were able to get a bite to eat from a huge selection of food vendors, and though we weren’t able to have drinks in the local Cheers Pub, I made note to stop there the next time we visited with a sitter in tow.

Once all the tickets were purchased and we entered the aquarium, we were immediately greeted by penguins who were very busy swimming around, calling out to each other, and in full entertaining mode.  The boys ran to one of the many plexiglass walls and stared with glee as they watched them move around.  The aquarium is designed so that the visitors’ walkway spirals around a huge fish tank about 5 stories high.  In this tank you will see all sorts of tropical fish, including sharks, stingrays, barracuda, clown fish, etc. Our arrival coincided with feeding time, so we were able to witness a scuba diver as he fed the various fish and smiled for cameras.

My absolute favorite was the jellyfish exhibit. The backdrop of soft colorful lights, and the clarity of huge glass tanks made for an easy view of these wonderful creatures as they smoothly floated and swam from one end to another.

The kids really enjoyed the “petting zoo”, where children were able to touch stingrays and shell fish of various kinds.

If I lived in Boston, or had the flexibility to travel there often, I would purchase a membership pass because though the space is exciting and tons of fun, the crowds and warmth of the location, in addition to the tremendous amount of things to see, can lead to overly stimulated and irritable kids.  So, after a good hour and half, with all adults exhausted and babies wailing for freedom to run around, we all headed out, greeting the crisp air as it cooled them off and helped to calm the kids down.

After a short rest at the hotel, we all ventured back out, only a half a block away to Legal Sea Foods, where I ate some of the best clam chowder I’ve had in a long time and hubby feasted on a dish called “Everything Tuna“, which I can’t describe as other than simply a “plate load of deliciousness”.

After dinner, with bellies full, palates satisfied, and sleepy children, we bid farewell to our friends and headed back to our hotel room where a peaceful, quiet night, in an incredibly cushioned, soft bed awaited us.

BOSTON COMMON

The kids woke up early.  I was looking forward to my third and last day in Boston. The past two days had been wonderful. I wanted to see more of this wonderful city.  The road trip had already been so great.  We started our morning feasting at the generous breakfast served at the hotel restaurant before heading out to Boston Common, a 30-minute walk from our hotel.  It was another cloudy day, but not too cold to walk around.

The hotel is located in the Financial District, so this being a Sunday, the streets were empty. We had the streets to ourselves as we strolled down the small, narrow streets, admiring the architecture as we walked by. We stopped to browse through books at a sidewalk book sale, take pictures of the Park Street Church, and art exhibits. We arrived to Boston Common, and even the cloudy weather couldn’t mask the beauty of this local park. We lingered here, walking around, taking pictures as the kids played and watched others fly their kites. Dusk came upon us unexpectedly. No tantrums, no fits…one bathroom accident and a few bouts of hunger, both which were quickly and easily resolved.

We all walked back slowly, admiring the beautiful evening sky and the wonderful holiday lights as they lit the streets and glistened off the wet cobble stone streets close to our hotel.  We walked along the harbor, looked at the yachts docked along the way and breathing in the moist bay air.

Everyone, tired and smiling, loved this trip.  Though there are tons we didn’t do, like visit the Science Museum or several of the other things there are to do with kids in Boston, we weren’t disappointed, because this is a city we wouldn’t mind visiting many, many times again.  Next time in the summer, when I have been promised there will be sun.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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4 Comments
  • Our2Boys
    January 4, 2009

    Ahh Boston. Like NYC, one of my favorite places in this whole country! The quaint streets, the heavily accented natives and the cleanliness! What a great trip to take. I hope to get back there one day! I'm so glad you are writing about all of these great experiences. I love to live vicariously(sp?) through you! 🙂

    Reply
  • Mrs_Fire
    January 8, 2009

    Oh-That does sound like a nice trip! Nothing like remembering the nightmares of traveling with kids to make someone not try it again-But glad it all went well this time. BTW I love the pics! We also enjoy going to the aquarium here when we can make it.

    Reply
  • Natalie Malmin
    May 13, 2010

    I have only just read your blog, but I can already say that I love it! Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    May 15, 2010

    Thanks Natalie!

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. As the oldest of all my many, many siblings, caring for littles started very early in my life. I have cared for, changed diapers for, fed, rocked to sleep, booboo-kissed, advised, reprimanded, worried for, been frustrated and given anxiety by more kids than I care to count. Because I started caring for children so young, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any of my own. But I had my three beautiful boys.

I miss the little babies they were, sometimes to the point where it aches, but I love seeing the men they are becoming. I am most grateful to them for the ways in which they continue to help me discover more about myself both as a mom and beyond motherhood. My identity was never fully in being a mom, I never wanted that for myself and they all have respected, accepted, and given me space for that. And I love them unconditionally for it. Because as they start to find their own paths in life, I am not left with an empty anything, instead I find myself with a life fulfilled. Of which being their mom has been the greatest adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mother figures, caregivers, and humans who have provided for another in loving, maternal ways regardless of biology and traditional roles and societal expectations. ♥️ May you find fulfillment, love, and joy in the ways you have tried to give to others who needed it most.
The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS Route 17 (future I-86), mid-way between New York City and Binghamton. It is also the largest community of the Sullivan County Catskills. Like many rural downtowns across the U.S., Monticello has experienced some hardships. However, what I found especially lovely was how there is a vibrant BIPOC community, especially Latino, thriving with their small businesses and eateries keeping Downtown Monticello alive.

Imagine my delight to have seen several Dominican- Puerto Rican eateries serving and sounding like a slice of home. Last night’s treat was had at @nellys_latin_restaurant. 

Roasted pernil, grilled chicken, rice and peas, yuca, sweet plantains, ox tail, goat….the list goes on and on. Right here in Monticello, NY. I ate and washed it all down with a cool papaya shake, just like from the islands.

So, if driving through, be sure to check out downtown Monticello for some good Caribbean eats…and wait till I tell you about breakfast!!! Thanks @nickfingdavis for the find! 🇩🇴🇵🇷

#monticellony #catskills #goodeats @sullivancatskills
Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwine Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwinecountry.🌞

#myflx
These days you will find me walking in the rain, c These days you will find me walking in the rain, chasing waterfalls, and anything nature filled. Such is spring in the Finger Lakes 🌷

#fingerlakes #lifeinthefingerlakes #cascadillagorge #ithacany
I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in l I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in love with this life.

There was a time when my DREAM was to be one of those old NYC ladies living in a 4 story walk-up, and who people would often see pulling around her shopping cart from market to market. And while I long for a NYC that barely exists anymore, I do have to say I am still often surprised at how dramatically that dream has changed.

Now I dream of uninterrupted days spent tending to my garden and growing food and other pretty greenery I never knew I could. Or figuring out new recipes and sitting by the fire with my puppies on my lap.

I crave mornings made foggy by the adjacent lake, and early wake-ups by the sound of the passing horse and buggy on Sunday mornings.

Yeah. The world is big and there is so much I want to see still but I also love this place where it feels like nothing else matters, not even the mud on my hands and boots.

📸 Gardening bliss on a rainy day at @theflxcottage.
Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center to scout a photography location. The focus was work. But as we took the 3 mile hike to the overlook, through the mud, in the rain…and the sun, because spring, and as the birds sung, the woodpeckers pecked, and the deer strutted, I felt myself feel lighter, happier, and at ease. With just a walk, in this beautiful place. Alongside my beautiful partner.

If you call the Finger Lakes home, I hope you can also appreciate it and the gifts it offers, even when we least expect it. And if you need a reminder, just go outside.

#tanglewoodnaturecenter #fingerlakes

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