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February 15, 2011

Getting Happy in New York City

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I have been feeling a bit gloomy lately. When I start feeling a little blue I like to grab my camera, put on my comfy sneakers, and walk the city, especially on sunny days like today. Granted it was cold, but man was it pretty.

I took my time and pacing myself throughout my long walk. In doing so I was able to visit the parts of New York City that make me most happy.

SOHO

The streets are always crowded and thus this is a great place to walk around while window shopping and people watching. Celebrity sightings are frequent and discount shopping, despite the high-end stores found there, can always be found. Stopping to eat at Balthazar is a special treat, and on cold days like these a creamy serving of their macaroni and cheese with bacon is sure to lift my spirits and make you smile.

Goat cheese and grilled vegetable salad

Macaroni & cheese with bacon

CENTRAL PARK

No matter what the weather, walking through the winding paths of this park helps to reflect and de-stress, especially on weekdays when most of the city is in the office. During the cold weather it becomes a Winter Wonderland, providing endless opportunities to take great pictures and have fun in the snow. Stopping for a hot chocolate break while watching skaters at Wollman Rink is also a lot of fun and a great to look out into the beautiful city skyline. If looking for a more solitary walk to gather your thoughts, the path along the Reservoir offers icy views, and somewhat of an icy path, but it’s incredibly peaceful and wonderfully quiet.

MUSEUM MILE

Strolling along Fifth Avenue, between 82nd St. and 105th St., is most encouraged during warmer weather, and especially during The Museum Mile Festival, but the walk is a great one any time of the year and if you take advantage of Free or Discounted Museum Days (NewYorkology.com offers a great list on when those are), it makes for a pleasant day spent doing something really low-key as well as inexpensive.

RIVER PATHS along Hudson River (West Side) and East River (East Side)

Dog walkers, bikers, and joggers all know what I am talking about. For miles and miles, these paths are my immediate go to when I just need to get away from it all. The views of the water never fail to give me that “I’m so lucky to live here” feeling and if I need to just sit down and read a book or reflect on my day or my life, I am always able to find a nice bench with no one to disturb me for hours if needed.

Other wise, if time is a concern, I just make sure to get out and walk. It’s easy to get caught up in all hustle and bustle of the city rush, and though finding a rose to smell may be hard to come by, it is enough to slow down and look around to help remind me there is a lot to smile about.

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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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12 Comments
  • Michelle
    February 15, 2011

    Those are great pictures! Makes me miss Manhattan-yet again. I loved to walk around City College and Hamilton Heights. Those little winding streets in the West Village are great too.

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    February 15, 2011

    Thanks Michelle! Oh yeah, the Village on an early Fall or Spring AM…divine!

    Reply
  • cassie
    February 17, 2011

    the mac and cheese and goat cheese veggie salad look amazing… walking through nyc is always amazing, you always discover something new…and it reminds you of the beauty of our city

    Reply
  • Kirsten
    February 26, 2011

    I find myself hard pressed to be unhappy in NYC. BUT – I can still understand the motivation and usually find if I am unhappy anywhere that photo walks always help uplift my mood! Sounds like a great way to make a positive outcome from a downer situation 🙂

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    February 27, 2011

    Thanks Kirsten : ) I'm not typically sad in NYC, but it's been a looooooong winter!! lol!

    Reply
  • adal
    March 7, 2011

    Well, winter has been too long if you ask me but, I think I see the light coming 🙂 Saludos, Adal

    Reply
  • Veronica
    March 11, 2011

    loved seeing your voyage! thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Veronica
      March 11, 2011

      Thank you Veronia!

      Reply
  • Patrick
    March 26, 2011

    Oh I love this post! Isn't it just so amazing to walk cities and discover them by foot with your camera? Thanks! Patrick

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Patrick
      March 26, 2011

      Yes, Patrick! It really is : )

      Reply
  • Neil Nanda
    May 3, 2011

    Finally a restaurant I recognize! Have been to Balthazar twice and both times had goat cheese salad. Very good place to hide out while the wife is shopping down Broadway.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Neil Nanda
      May 3, 2011

      OMGosh Neil, that goat cheese salad is to die for! Glad you enjoy it : )

      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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