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North America, Travel
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January 12, 2009

Central Park on a Winter Day

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“Scrap!” “Scrap!” “Srcaaaap!”  This was the sound that woke up me up this morning. Not even 8AM and already building superintendents and business owners were busy clearing sidewalks and walkways, while others chipped through the thin sheet of ice they found on their cars.

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I slowly climbed out of bed and looked out my window. It was a sunny Sunday and my husband and 11-year-old were getting ready to head out to the weekly flag football practice and game. I was going to stay home.

 

Despite having warmer weather than the day before and the sun’s brightness promising to melt all the snow away by the end of the day, I knew there was still enough on the ground to allow the younger boys to play in, especially if we wandered into one of the city parks further downtown.

So once my husband and son came home we immediately headed downtown to walk around and take pictures in Central Park. We drove and quickly found parking on 85th St and Central Park West. There is an entrance to the park there, and a decent size playground to the right a few feet in. However, due to the snow, and now ice, all the playgrounds were locked, something my little ones were not at all happy about.

Though we tried to explain, they would not move on without first trying to climb the gate and pick the lock securing the chain around the entrance. It was actually quite funny watching them try to break in to the playground and I knew that this was only a glimpse of what the future had in store for me with these two working together causing trouble.

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Once they realized their efforts were in vain, they joined us and walked away feeling a bit defeated, but still hopeful that there was some fun in store for them.

The park looked beautiful. The naked branches were covered in ice, causing them to glisten like precious diamonds every time the sun peeped out from behind the clouds. People were out walking their dogs or taking a stroll with their significant others and families. Because the streets are closed to traffic on weekends,and there were sporadic layers of ice along the trails there was a very limited number of joggers and no bikers to fear would run us over, thus allowing us to let the little ones run freely down the paths.

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We stopped frequently as the kids tried to climb the frozen rocks or played with the icicles hanging off benches and bushes.

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We ventured in Belvedere Castle which the boys were excited about the second they saw exclaiming, “Look Mama!  A dragon’s castle!!” Despite my best efforts to explain there wasn’t a dragon, my 3-year-old walked in and immediately approached one of the employees sitting behind the desk at the entrance and asked her, “Please, where’s the dragon?” to which the lady smiled and replied, “Oh sweety, we don’t have any dragons here today.” But her boys were undeterred and eagerly climbed the narrow, spiral stairs to the tower in search of the dragon that was not to be found. They did, however, enjoy the views and enjoyed taking it all in.

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We walked past the snow covered Delacorte Theater, where during warmer weather we come to enjoy the various “Shakespeare in the Park” performances. We passed the frozen Turtle Pond, the majestic Metropolitan Museum, and the playgrounds that we frequented often when we lived on the Upper East Side.

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It amazes me how quickly the hours fly every time we visit the park and though I come here often, I can never get enough of it. I enjoy visiting in all seasons, but especially on days like today when it is covered in snow and beautifully frozen.

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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
  • Freedom
    January 11, 2009

    Mama, loved this! And your right who cares about the stankin' Giants and Eli Manning LOL my boys won=) I enjoyed the pictures. Keep them coming!!

    Reply
  • Momtoon
    January 12, 2009

    Beautiful pictures, Mama!

    Reply
  • TheresaG
    January 13, 2009

    Central Park did look like a lot of fun- wish my husband and I hadn't had family obligations, or we might have taken a walk there ourselves.

    My favorite part from this post was when the worker said there were no dragons "today"
    So cute. Being non-native to NYC, I am always surprised at these friendly gestures.

    Reply
  • nancyjrab
    January 13, 2009

    Love the photos. I sometimes think we forget how gorgeous our city can be.

    Reply

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Washington Heights, NY on a cold Thursday/Carrot Top Pastries

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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