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Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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September 26, 2012

Searching for Waterfalls in New Jersey

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One of things that I have enjoyed the most about blogging since I started was sharing what I discovered in my everyday life with my kids. Somehow, I lost a little bit of this – the joy of the everyday discoveries. Granted, it has been because we’ve traveled to places further away, but there is something so nice still for me in the adventures closer to home because these are the ones we can do over and over without too much demand on our time or budget.

Today was such a day, with the kids home from school I needed to get them outside. Lucky for us we live less than 5 minutes from the beautiful South Mountain Reservation and often go there for walks. But till now, we’ve discovered but a small tidbit of this over 2,000 acre wooded area. Today, I decided we would find Hemlock Falls, the often talked about waterfall of the reservation.

Everyone knows about it, but few know how to get to it – well, few who have lived here for such a short time as we have. So I looked up the map, got the boys ready, and out we went.

The entrance was way easier to find than I expected, and I had driven past it several times, but because it is next to an underpass along South Orange Avenue, and not really marked with any signs, it’s easy to miss.

It’s a perfect time to go hiking in the reservation. The leaves are falling and changing colors, the weather is not too hot, nor too cold, and on a weekday, there weren’t too many hikers around.

The boys delighted in walking into the heavily wooded area, their imaginations immediately running wild. We stopped to read the sign with it indicating that the falls were only a few steps away.

It was easy to follow because alongside the trail is a rocky creek, low from the lack of rain in the area. At one point the boys decided to cross it. The 5-year-old hesitated, unsure of how to do it. “You can do it!” I reassured him. He thought for awhile, than started walking stating, “We can walk on the rocks, just like in Costa Rica.” It made me proud to see how the last time we searched for waterfalls – while in the rainforest in Costa Rica – has stayed with them and works as a moment of reference when needing confidence to move forward in other challenges. Such is the beauty of travel.

We continued to walk, coming upon a family of squirrels hiding in their nest, poking their heads out to the delight of my children who had never seen such a thing. Another first was seeing several Daddy Long-Legs walking around a log. “I can’t wait to tell daddy I saw a Daddy Long-Leg! Get it? Get it?” said the 7-year-old cracking himself up.

We came upon the falls – a very short and easy hike from the main parking area, but yet seemingly a world away, and though it wasn’t raging like most waterfalls we’ve seen thus far, the rock formations were pretty cool to look at and the kids loved throwing rocks and jumping puddles.

You can continue your hike up some rocky stairs to get a better view of the surrounding area, benches readily available for those wanting to sit and take it all in…or steal a kiss or two.

We continued our a hike picking up leaves, throwing more rocks, looking at bugs, listening and trying to find birds, at one point sitting on the edge of a small boulder to watch a family of deer nearby.

It reminded me of how much I love these moments with my kids, these discoveries so close to home – all the reasons why I started this blog in the first place.

Searching, and finding, waterfalls in Costa Rica with my children was amazing. But, I have to say, going on a hunt for waterfalls here in New Jersey with them was pretty awesome too, and the smile on their faces when we found it was priceless. And to me, those are adventures of the best kind.

NJ Family has a nice list of waterfalls in NJ, and I have made it my mission to check each of them out and report back to you about our experiences here.

In the meantime, make sure to head out and discover what your hood has to offer and never miss an opportunity to create a memory of your own.

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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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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. 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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The time has come to move on from my role as a bar The time has come to move on from my role as a barista at @the_garage_at_rye and towards my next adventure. 

I started this journey with a curiosity for a craft I admired and wanted to learn more about. It turned into a job. Then a serious passion. And now here I am, launching Café Cómodo (KOH-moh-doh), which means “Comfortable/cozy” in Spanish, a pop-up café serving espresso and seasonal drinks at local farmers markets and private events! (@cafecomodony)

Starting yet another business was never my intent…and yet, I fell further in love with the craft, the industry, and the culture.

I owe so much of what I have learned to @seschieber, who took me under her wings and taught me so much (and still does) and who embraced my nerdiness and eagerness with patience and kindness….and in the process became one of my dearest friends. Working alongside her has felt like winning the golden ticket. She further instilled in me a respect for the craft, the industry, and a commitment to always strive for a quality product, even in a world of Dunkins and Starbucks. 

Grateful for @abbdawes, @hannahmariee93, and Amanda who tolerated my clumsiness at the start while I fumbled my way through the register and the various drink recipes!

I wasn’t sure where this journey would lead, and as I look back at these clips I realize how much I have changed in the process. It’s not always a place that impacts you, but rather the people in it.

I will miss the regulars I’ve gotten to know whose names and drink orders I memorized and who I looked forward to serving. 

I’m so grateful for everything I learned, beyond just making coffee, because I know it will help me to further grow as a leader, an entrepreneur, and a team member wherever I go and in everything I do next.

I won’t miss the dark morning wake ups and long drives before sunrise though! 

I’m proudest of myself for wanting to develop a new skill and ✨DOING IT✨ even when it felt awkward, nerving, and impossible. I hope you will follow me on this next chapter and come say hi at the market (and hire me for your next event)!

Thank you to Charlie Hunter, owner of The Garage for this opportunity.

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Recently took a moment to slow down and enjoy the Recently took a moment to slow down and enjoy the sounds of this beautiful place I call home. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #upstateny
Barista training = Trial by fire. 🔥 This is the Barista training = Trial by fire. 🔥 This is the way. 

@shellyk_025

#baristalife #barista #coffeeislife
Woke up feeling rested after going, going, going f Woke up feeling rested after going, going, going for over a week…and grateful for the privilege that is living in such a beautiful region. There are so many points of access for relaxation and stillness here, including right outside my door. So before delving into the work day, I took a peaceful walk, stopped for brekkie (thanks, @ellasacreshomestead), and continued the day refreshed.

If 10 years ago…or even 5 years ago…you had told THIS Brooklyn girl that she would find joy living full time in rural NY, I would’ve laughed in your face. And while NYC will always be home and #1 in my heart, as I live through my 3rd year here, I have to say…yeah. I get it. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #citygirlinthecountry
When your bestie is also your boss and you share s When your bestie is also your boss and you share shifts at your barista jobs it’s easy to forget it’s WORK…☕️😅❤️ 

@seschieber @the_garage_at_rye 

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A moment of zen, Finger Lakes edition. #citygirl A moment of zen, Finger Lakes edition. 

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