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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. 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

Contact

  • caincarol@gmail.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

When I recorded this video…in the start of Septe When I recorded this video…in the start of September 2024…I was still too afraid to say what I wanted out loud, which was to open my own little cafe. In fact, I would only admit that I wanted to simply learn the craft, and @travisjcain would kick start that journey for me (seen here), that would eventually give me the courage to pursue more formal training, which eventually gave me the confidence to start my own little café pop-up, @cafecomodony, 9 months later. 

This version of me couldn’t fully see it being more than a silly little thing (she’s been wanting for decades), and could never have dreamed of being where she is now.

I have worked very hard and have committed many long hours to training and learning, with very little sleep, and all of my savings, to realize this moment. 

But, I am living a literal dream come true.☕️✨I am doing it y’all! ✨

Please follow Café Cómodo, and once there, sign up for our newsletter for updates on where we will pop-up next, please consider us for your next wedding, gathering, and private event…and thank you to everyone who has showered us with support and friendship throughout this journey. 🥰 If you have experienced us already and liked what you’ve seen and tasted, please spread the word! Thank you! 🙌🏾

#cafe #cafecomodo #flxcafe #coffeelover #barista #cafepopup #coffee #fingerlakes
I started the day sitting in the sun sipping on a I started the day sitting in the sun sipping on a cafecito, then spent time with my guys while planning our summer vacation over brunch. I later took a nap, and as this amazing rain falls, I am making my family a hearty Dominican meal.

My life is kinder, easier, and softer because of the immigration choices my family made before me. Because at some point, they sewed someone’s clothes (my abuela as a seamstress in the Fashion District), or fixed someone’s electrical appliances (my grandfather in Brooklyn), or cleaned someone’s house or office, or cooked someone’s food (my tias and tios). 

Because of their labor and sacrifices, I get to work for myself, with experience I gained from a college education all the way to a Master’s degree. I get to dream bigger, and bolder, with more courage and confidence. My children get to as well. 

But make no mistake, I am the daughter of immigrants, very proudly so. My language is Spanish first, the core of my culture is Latinx. 

I was born here, but I am not so far removed from my culture to be from here. And so anything I bring to others, through my work or my friendship is born from there…and if it benefits you, then you are benefiting from what an immigrant can bring when given the freedom, respect, safety, and opportunity to exist and thrive. 

My heart goes out to all in my community and beyond suffering through the abuse, racism, and discrimination. This is shameful to this country and all its people. And we should all unite against it.
Life has been a LOT lately, and I am indulging in Life has been a LOT lately, and I am indulging in it. 

Especially enjoyed this recent walk through town as a storm slowly brewed. 

It felt lovely. 

#fingerlakes #corningny #newyork
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! @travisjcain will be painting MARK YOUR CALENDAR! @travisjcain will be painting a beautiful new mural at Elmira’s Mural Fest this year (weather permitting on Saturday, if not on a less rainy day)! Last year he painted this board which was recently on display still at @communityartselmira. 

Hopefully we have a sunny day and you can come out to support Travis and all the muralists that day! See you there!

#elmirany #painter #artist #communityarts
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

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