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North America, Travel
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April 18, 2013

Beach, Sun, and Ice Cream at Ipswich, MA

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Several summers ago, we made plans to visit our friends near Boston, MA.  We were excited to return, since we had enjoyed Boston so much last time we visited.  What we didn’t know at the time was that this weekend would be the weekend when NYC would experience its first heat wave with degrees rising past the 90s.

Now, for all the love that I have for my city, on days like those experienced in the summers here, I like to venture out-of-town, away from the hot streets and muggy subways.  With playground sprinklers unavailable to kiddos till at least after Memorial Day weekend, being in the city without any ability to cool off can been torture.

The trip to MA was a bit hectic, as it seemed that we joined the exodus of New Yorkers escaping the city heat for the weekend. But the trip to the following day was absolute heaven.

We drove to the charming town of Ipswich, MA, about an hour from Framingham, where we were staying, and past wonderful scenic views. The boys loved driving past the creeks and horse farms.  I enjoyed passing the bed and breakfasts snug in the hills and the beautiful Victorian homes.

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When we arrived to Crane Beach, the sun was glaring at us full force.  The visit to the beach was a surprise from our hosts, so we weren’t really dressed appropriately, but it didn’t matter much.  The water was ice-cold, the kind of cold where you feel your toes go numb after a few long minutes standing in it.  Nonetheless, the beach was crowded, full of families with little ones, none of which seemed to mind the cold water too much. The water was a beautiful blue, and the sand, soft to the touch was a warm, glowing tan.

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img_4621It didn’t take my boys too long to start stripping down to their underwear and diaper.  Even my then 11-year-old who had worn his sleeping short underneath his jeans, joined in on the fun.  Crazy kids even jumped into the freezing water, with my then 3.5 year quickly making a friend in the process.

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It seemed that aside from the adults, the only one that seemed to mind the chilly water was our friends’ little daughter.  She stood along the shore with her mommy, or took walks with her parents, or peacefully sat with her daddy while she watched the boys splashing around.

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The hours flew, and my 3.5 kept saying, “I love the beach!” “I love the beach!” “I love the beach!”  The boys even took a nice long walk with us (the beach stretches 8 miles and is a beautiful walk to take), watching the kites fly, the seagulls fly, and the small waves crashing in. Everyone at the beach was lovely and friendly, greeting us as we walked by and letting our children join in a game or two. We laughed so much, and had such a great time.  It felt like summer!

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mamas-boysAfter several hours at the beach, they kids all started to get a little too red and a little too tired.  So we packed up and made our way out.  No one complained that we were leaving, well except the 3.5 year old who insisted on being carried out!

We stopped at a nearby favorite in Middleton, MA,  Richardson’s Ice Cream. The lines were long, the choices were plenty, the boys were irritable and hot.  So while daddy waited in the car with them, my friends and I stood on the long line and ordered our treats.  All in all, it was worth the wait! We were hoping to do some mini golfing right next door, but decided to leave it for some other time.

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The day was amazing.

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img_4692 After an amazing dinner from our hosts, we tucked in the little ones. They were both passed out on the bed, snoring, exhausted. A clear sign that the day’s adventure was a success!

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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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Sometimes it’s like I never left. #newyork Sometimes it’s like I never left. 

#newyork
SHOUT OUT to our oldest, @davidacain_, who carries SHOUT OUT to our oldest, @davidacain_, who carries with him the entrepreneurial spirit he’s inherited from his parents. 

While successfully working in supply chain management for a global corporation based in NYC, he continues to manage and operate his own product, @getcalma, a comforting heated eye mask that is currently on the Amazon top seller list for two years in a row and has a growing consumer following! 

We are so incredibly proud of David and his growing success as an entrepreneur and in his career, and know the future will continue to be bright for him!

To learn more about Calma and make a purchase, visit his website at GetCalma.com. 

#proudmomma #getcalma #entreprenuer #smallbusiness
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.

#coffee #cafe #popupcafe
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

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