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Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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October 2, 2013

Welcoming Autumn in The Catskill Mountains

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On the last weekend of autumn my family and I ventured to one of our favorite weekend getaway destinations, the Catskill Mountains. We had a bumpy start getting there with our car breaking down an hour into our trip, but my family are such great sports about things that for the most part we made it through the unexpected hurdle still smiling.

The next day however, we arrived to the Emerson Resort and Spa, what has become our home away from home. All week before our trip all I could do was daydream about the soft, plush beds of our favorite suite in the lodge, the sounds of the running creek in behind our bedroom window, and the views of the mountains in the background. It’s just all so very dreamy.

Catskill Mountains Catskill MountainsCatskill MountainsRip Van Winkle around the grounds of the Emerson Resort and Spa. The short story, written by Washington Irving takes place in the Catskill Mountains.

When we visited the foliage was just starting to change colors. It must be so beautiful right about now. Just driving up to the mountains provided us with great views, but the absolute best way to take in all the sights is during a foliage tour offered by the Catskill Mountain Railway.

The Catskill Mountain Railway

If you want a unique tour in the Catskills, then you should take part in a Catskill Mountain Railway tour. This 45-minute train ride along the Esopus from Mt. Temper station, right near the Emerson, takes you along a forested trail, which around this time of year is a colorful display to enjoy. The foliage tours only take place during the weekends till the end of October (check out the website for more information) and get filled fast, with seating provided on a first come, first serve basis.Catskill Mountain Catskill Mountain Catskill Mountain

This wonderful attraction is staffed by volunteers, so please do leave a tip as they offer wonderful insight into the history of the railway and trail. Your visit also helps to support a railway that is currently battling the county to stay in place. There is hope from Ulster County leaders to convert the railway into trails, for running, biking, and walking. However, after my tour and learning more about this historic railway and the fun it offers visitors to the area, it saddens me to think that an attraction such as this would be eliminated. My hope is an agreement can be reached, maybe one where both can exist in unison, as the railway really does complement the visitors’ experience in Ulster County. Check them out, hopefully during the foliage season but then also during their winter tours, and you will see what I mean.

Kaaterskills Falls

Another wonderful discovery we made during our most recent visit to the area was that of the Kaaterskills Falls hiking trail. In Greene County. This moderate hike almost 6.5 miles long round trip and leads hikers right to two cascading waterfalls, that go as high as 260 feet, making it one of the tallest waterfalls iN New York State. My adventurous little boys (and husband) couldn’t wait to scale the rocks that would take them up to the first landing, and once there they proudly display their most explorer-like pose.

Catskill MountainCatskill Mountain

Of course there are endless trails in the Catskills. A great resource in finding the right trails for you and your abilities or desired experience is the Catskill Region tourism site. We don’t miss an opportunity to visit at least one trail when we visit. Also read about our prior visit to learn more about guided hikes.

Apple and Pumpkin Picking

Of course no tour would be complete without a visit to the orchard for apple picking. Though we have enjoyed visiting New Paltz in the past, this time we went to Red Hook, ny and visited the Greig Farm. This farm is pretty basic: you drive in, pick a bag ($25 each) or pay on your way out by weight (we chose the bag) and head into the fields to pick. There is no farm store, which we usually love to visit, but they do host a farmers market and they have a cute little area where the kids can feed the goats.

The boys loved walking through the orchard and picking their favorite apples and they really enjoyed being able to pick their own pumpkins from the field as well – not something you get to do in to many places.

Catskill Mountain Catskill Mountain Catskill Mountain Catskill MountainOf course, if you would rather choose from the pre-picked pumpkins, they offer that option as well.

If you still find yourself craving some pastries and coffee, as well as other farm store treats, the Gigi Market and Cafe is not too far from the farm. It seems however that some of their items run out quickly. I was a bit sad when I got there and they had run out of apple cider doughnuts.

Apple Cider Doughnuts

I thought for sure that we were going to leave the Catskill area without having my beloved donuts. It just doesn’t feel like fall without them. We lucked out though, because in driving around downtown Red Hook led us to Terry’s Country Bake Shop.

Catskill Mountain

I was drawn by the colorful displays outside, but was immediately captivated by the scent of freshly baked goods once inside. There, in front of us, was a counter full of doughnuts with even more freshly made ones coming out. There were sugar cookies and snicker doodles and a grandma-like woman, complete with an apron and a warm smile, offering me a taste of it all. “We make the snicker doodles with lots of butter and love,” she said. And man, of man, could I taste it. Without hesitation, we purchased a dozen of the still warm apple cider donuts, with sugar and without and made our way back home feeling like finally fall had truly begun.

I want to thank the Emerson Resort and Spa, and everyone we met that weekend for sending us home with warm hearts, full stomachs, and big smiles.

Catskill Mountain Catskill Mountain

I can’t wait to go back to celebrate my birthday weekend when the pond will be frozen and opened for ice skating and the holiday tree will be up and lit in their grand parlor, and the resort will be hosting some fun winter events. If you are ever in the area and are staying at the Emerson, they are really great at helping you figure our what to do in the area as well as help you organize activities to make the most of your visit. Or you can just lay low and enjoy their awesome spa. Either way, I loved greeting fall here and am looking forward to celebrating the next season.

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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 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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