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North America, Travel
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March 29, 2014

Planning Our 2014 Summer Road Trip

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Those of you who have followed me for years know that every summer my family tries (keyword “tries”) to take an epic road trip.

While our first road trip came out of necessity (we didn’t have the money to fly all 5 of us to Missoula, MT for my husband’s high school reunion), that trip was enough to transform us into adventurous explorers. It’s funny when I think about it. Our biggest trip, and the one that would effectively serve to change our lives and how we viewed travel with our kids, came about because we were strapped for cash. Just a reminder that it’s not about the money as much as it is about the want and willingness…and yes, even courage, to take on the journey.

Since our road trip from New York City to Missoula in 2009, we have ventured from NYC to Texas in 2010. We took a break in 2011 to move from NYC to New Jersey, an adventure of a different kind. We packed our bags again in 2012 and went to Costa Rica, and in 2013 we did our West Coast road trip! This year, we are taking our road trip adventure to the next level: we are renting a car and road tripping across France’s Midi-Pyrenees region.

During my travels through the Bordeaux region last year, I felt an urge to share this experience with my family. So, as we do every year, we started heavily investing in our vacation fund and daydreamed away. With guidance from my friends from Atout France, we are slowly putting the trip together and cannot wait to share yet another fun experience with you all.

I will also be sharing my journey on Expedia Viewfinder, to help inspire travelers to find their own Storybook adventure. This, my friends, is certainly one of ours! We head out end of June 2014, so stay tuned!

saint_jacques_conques_1280x413Photo courtesy of Midi-Pyrenees website.

To read our collection of stories from our very first family road trip, when I was still NYCity Mama and my blog was nice and new, check out the following links!

The road trip that changed everything (2009):

Day One: On The Road To Madison, WI

Dane County Farmer’s Market, Madison, WI

From the Zoo to Downtown Madison, WI

From Sioux Falls to The Badlands, SD

Mt. Rushmore and Beyond

Yellowstone National Park: Camping

Journey to Missoula, MT/Helen’s Corral Drive-Inn

Discovering Billings, MT

Country Inn & Suites, Billings, MT

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND

Country Inn and Suites, Middleton, WI

What destination will you choose to discover for your own Storybook?[subscribe2]

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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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6 Comments
  • Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.)
    March 29, 2014

    I’ll be in France this summer too (“next door” in Lot-et-Garonne and Dordogne)! Meetup maybe?

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.)
      March 29, 2014

      @Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.): Oooh! That would be nice!

      Reply
  • Torsten
    April 19, 2014

    Gotta love a summer road trip! I’ll keep an eye out for your adventures!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Torsten
      April 19, 2014

      @Torsten: Thank you!

      Reply
  • Real Family Trips - Family to Family Travel Tips
    May 12, 2014

    Thanks for sharing your adventures! And I completely agree that it’s not about money but more about how much you want the experience. Glad you really enjoyed the road trip!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Real Family Trips – Family to Family Travel Tips
      May 14, 2014

      Thank you!!

      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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