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North America, Travel
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August 12, 2009

Journey to Missoula, MT

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The morning after our second night camping was beautiful…and it was a perfect day.  We packed up the Routan and started making our way out of Yellowstone.  But not before making a few stops at some amazing places.

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We first  stopped at the Mammoth Hot Springs.  We had heard about the hot springs and how wonderful they were, but like everything else up to this point, it’s one of those places you just have to experience for yourself to really appreciate.  It’s a place where the powerful shifts always taking place on Earth are so evident that you feel small and completely powerless just standing there watching what these changes have created and continue to create. I will say, it was a little nerving going with the two little ones, who were constantly wanting to run free, and though we managed to contain them pretty well, I would tell other parents that depending on your own child this may, or may not be, a good place to take little ones, especially if you have more than one to worry about.  We did ok, but it’s worth the mention.

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After taking in the wonders of the hot springs we made our way towards the North exit of Yellowstone National Park. It was sad to be leaving this beautiful place, though I will admit, I had my fill of camping for the next year or two (or three).

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IMG_1097We soon reached Gardiner, MT when we started feeling hungry. As we drove through town we saw a sign for the “Home of the Hateful Hamburger” that really intrigued us and drew us in.  Helen’s Corral Dive-Inn is pretty unassuming, a simple Drive-In, not much to look at, with a few seats on a covered deck outside, and a small shack where you order your burgers through a small window and then prepare yourself for a bit of a wait while they make them. But, despite the warning of the longer wait for our burgers, we stayed.  It has been my experience that often times it is exactly these small, little places that hold the biggest surprises.

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IMG_1110Now the burgers aren’t cheap, we’re talking about an average of $10.00 per burger meal, but they also aren’t your average burger.  When my husband brought out his order of buffalo bacon cheeseburger my jaw almost dropped!  And then the tag line “Home of the Hateful Hamburger” made total sense to me.  This thing was HUGE, and man was it delicious.  Caution to the wind and pleasure to the palate with this one!

IMG_1105It may be a very good thing Gardiner is so far away!  But if you ever find yourself in town, Helen’s Corral Drive-Inn is a must-try.

After that incredible, unexpected, and very filling surprise lunch, we rolled into the Routan and continued on to Missoula.

In Missoula we had an awesome time.  My husband celebrated his 20 year high school reunion, I got to meet some great friends, and a few ex-girlfriends, and had a wonderful time as well.  Even the big city girl in me loved Missoula.  Such a cute town, that offered us tons to do.  In this video I share with you a bit of what our two days there were like.  The song I chose for the video is one that the Missoula radio stations played over and over, and so now, when I hear it, it brings back happy memories of our lovely time there.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, close to home or farther away. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and CEO of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications management, and brand development agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She splits her time between her homes in New Jersey and Finger Lakes.

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3 Comments
  • The Walds
    August 12, 2009

    Sure looks like you guys are enjoying your Western Adventure! Thanks for sharing all your pics and continue safe travels!

    Reply
  • Country Inn and Suites, Billings, MT |
    August 18, 2009

    […] Missoula was a wonderful experience.  We had a great time all around.  As we made our way to Billings, MT, I wondered what we could find to do there.  I asked a couple of people who lived there.  I went online and reviewed the Billings city site. However, I was also on my way to *review the Country Inn and Suites in Billings, MT and in checking their website I found that they had several itineraries on their site for those visiting any of the locations.  For Billings, MT, I found an itinerary for the area, called Peaks and Valley Country. It had a list of activities that we were eager to try out once we got there. […]

    Reply
  • Daydreaming of Summer and Road Trips! | NYCity Mama
    June 28, 2010

    […] The first official day of Summer is Monday, June 21, but we have been planning Summer for months! Most of our planning involves our 2010 Road Trip Adventure!  Last year we packed up the kids in a Volkswagon Routan and made our way from NYC to Missoula, MT. […]

    Reply

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Yellowstone National Park: Camping
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A Beautiful Day in Billings, Montana

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am a communications professional, an award-winning travel blogger, a public speaker, CEO of a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency, a wife, and a mom of 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!

Carol Cain

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Mother Nature sent us some dusting. She must be Sp Mother Nature sent us some dusting. She must be Spring cleaning.

I know. I know. Snow 😖 But we’re almost there...I just feel it. Just not today!
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#myflx #fingerlakes #snowinspring #snowday #lakelife #iloveny #senecalake
Crack of dawn wake ups to check in with electricia Crack of dawn wake ups to check in with electricians at @theflxcottage, followed by mornings full of meetings.

Not complaining though because I also got to hit up one of my fave coffee spots (@amitycoffeeco), in one of the prettiest main streets in Penn Yan, NY. And I got to do it with this handsome dude, @travisjcain.

Also, being in this place just makes me so dang happy all around.
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#myflx #fingerlakes #pennyan #favoritecoffeeshop #smalltown @flxwinecountry
Perks of life in wine country: membership to our f Perks of life in wine country: membership to our favorite wineries. Where as in some places farm-to-table is a trend, here it is a way of life. This made it easy for us to pick up a slew of winery top picks from @hectorwineco and we can’t wait to pair them with some awesome dishes I plan on cooking this week. 
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#myflx #fingerlakes #winecountry #farmtotable #countryliving
Home life has become less tense as the end of scho Home life has become less tense as the end of school days get closer and closer. Work has been fulfilling and gratifying. I’ve started putting more time into my fitness, which is making me feel really good. I’m slowly booking my calendar to see my dearest, and nearest friends. And though long distance travel is still not in the works for us, we are gifted with the Finger Lakes nearby and are not taking any of it for granted.

So while @theflxcottage is still being worked on, we decided to take a weeklong workcation along the beautiful Seneca Lake.

The air is still a bit too chilly for swims or BBQs but I plan on spending as many sunsets as possible right in this spot.

I hope this inspires a road trip close to home for you. Because don’t we all deserve a bit more serene beauty in our lives? Go get yours! @flxwinecountry @flpplake 
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#myflx #fingerlakeswinecountry #fingerlakesny #senecalake #workcation #staycation
We were in Jamaica when I realized I had never tak We were in Jamaica when I realized I had never taken my kids snorkeling. They were 10 and 11. So we booked a snorkeling excursion and the boys were fine until we got to the reef and they could see all the ocean wildlife, clear as day, that would be swimming among them.

My youngest hesitated. Saying he didn’t want to go.

In my heart I felt his fear. I understood it. I’ve spent many years playing in the ocean. I’ve had many encounters with sharks, jellyfish, sea urchins, and even had a near drowning experience. The ocean both thrills and terrifies me. But I venture into it often because fear is such a debilitating drug. And that was my biggest fear for my kids. So I made him sit on the edge of the boat as he teared up, and I nudged him into the water. 

As I prepped to jump in after him, I saw our Jamaican guide give me a thumbs up, and the other tourists give me a look of disapproving judgement.

I jumped in the water and held my boy’s hand, tears were coming down his cheeks, past his goggles. 

“Baby, it’s OK to be scared. It’s normal. But I will not leave your side. I will hold your hand and nothing will hurt you, I won’t allow it.” I never felt a promise so deeply.

We started swimming. Fish of every size and color passing us by and gliding beneath us. He would look at me, nod his head, give me a thumbs up.

After awhile he signals wanting to go up, so we do.

“You Ok?”, I ask. “Yes,” he responded, “You can let go of me now. You don’t need to hold my hand anymore. I’m not afraid.” Then he let me go and started swimming away.

I swam along side him. Never leaving his side. The warmth of my tears fogging my goggles as I realized that it was me who needed his hand holding far more than he did, and bursting with pride at the newfound courage in him, at the beauty of watching my son grow up before my eyes.
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#travelstory #parenting #travel #oceanfun #Jamaica
How I started today. Sending love to all those who How I started today. Sending love to all those who need it most. To the mamas worried sick about their babies living out in the world right now. To those having the conversation right now with their boys about what it is be Black in America.

I texted my boy last night. And he didn’t respond. And I fell asleep fighting off all thoughts of potential harm that could come his way. I think of the tall, beautifully brown-skinned, big smiled man he has become. How bright his present and his future are. How much he is loved and all the dreams he has. I think about how he is still learning, still growing, still making mistakes, things that shouldn’t be held against him much less cost him his life. I think about how he is my heart and my soul and I can’t imagine it - what these mothers and fathers are going through.

I woke up to his reply. He had been out bowling with his small niche of friends. His happiness pulsing through the text. And I felt grateful that I alone carried the weight of the fear and sadness of these repetitive moments of violence against our Black and brown babies. He and they all deserve the bliss so easily enjoyed by others. But maybe so do we in knowing they are safe too.

The violence isn’t just physical. It is emotional and psychological, and it reaches far and wide, beyond the latest crime. And maybe that’s the point? Maybe that’s the goal? But it is also why we should and will fight harder. Because, Black Lives Matter too. And our families and our children deserve peace.
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#blacklivesmatter #bipoclivesmatter #protectourchildren

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