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Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

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Carol Cain

Travel
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September 30, 2009

Greatest Accomplishment Achieved, Unexpectedly

I wanted to take a break from my regular posts, to write one focused on my children, my role as a mother, and how that makes me feel.  It's important to do this sometimes, because if I am great at anything, it is due to the surge of love and support I get from the[...]

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North America, Travel
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September 21, 2009

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum New York

Sunday in NYC.  After a night hanging out with some friends till late, one would think that the last thing I would want to do would be to go out today.  However, Sunday's in NYC are possibly my favorite day in the weekend to do stuff outside, weather permitting.[...]

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North America, Travel
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September 19, 2009

Apple Picking at Pennings Orchard, Warwick, NY

Last weekend the family and I wanted to take advantage of a beautiful just-beginning-of-Fall Sunday, so we headed about an hour North of New York City to go apple picking. Normally we would wait till much later, but this year I think I actually am a bit more organ[...]

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North America, Travel
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September 16, 2009

Niagara Falls State Park, NY

The day after we spent hours eating buffalo wings and walking around Buffalo, NY, my family decided to do something different to end our weekend trip. We started our day by heading over to Lake Effect Diner.  Most of the reviews that I read said over and over how[...]

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North America, Travel
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September 8, 2009

Buffalo Wing Festival 2009

We woke up this morning feeling excited to head out.  I had been talking about eating Buffalo Wings for days and days, and thus had managed to build up an appetite for it as well.  Aside from my 11 year old son, my younger children had no idea, nor did they care,[...]

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North America, Travel
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September 5, 2009

Buffalo Wing Festival, The Adventure Begins in Buffalo, NY!

Family and I are in Buffalo, NY this weekend.  We are attending the Buffalo Wing Festival!  We are staying at the Holiday Inn in Downtown Buffalo. Who did we see entering the room next to us?  No other than The Wing King himself! Stay tuned for updates about our[...]

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North America, Travel
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August 16, 2009

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND

We left Billings, MT and were slowly starting to make our way home.  We now had to drive through North Dakota.  I had never driven through this state, but everyone I spoke to said it wasn't much to look at.  The the scenery was flat and boring. So you can imagin[...]

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Travel
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August 15, 2009

“Where are you from?”

"Where are you from?" "Brooklyn, NY!", I respond with the pride of any New Yorker aware that they come traveling from the best city in the whole fricken world. But as I stared into the eyes of the inquisitor I saw a look of dissatisfaction from my response.  Not[...]

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North America, Travel
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August 14, 2009

A Beautiful Day in Billings, Montana

After wonderful night at the Country Inn and Suites, we packed our bags and decided to do some of the things listed on their Peaks and Valleys Country itinerary. First stop that morning before getting on the road was at Dehler Park, the Billings Mustangs ballpark.[...]

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North America, Travel
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August 12, 2009

Journey to Missoula, MT

The morning after our second night camping was beautiful...and it was a perfect day.  We packed up the Routan and started making our way out of Yellowstone.  But not before making a few stops at some amazing places.read more[...]

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Snow day and the art of doing nothing even when th Snow day and the art of doing nothing even when the world demands we do so much. 

It’s ok to breathe. Process in silence. Seek comfort in yourself. Laugh. 

REST IS RESISTANCE. 

They want us scared. Broken. Isolated. Hopeless. Joyless. Exhausted. We are not. This moment is not how our story ends. 

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.” - Audre Lorde
A wintery day with coffee and books was had in Syr A wintery day with coffee and books was had in Syracuse, NY. For our coffee cart (@cafecomodony ) we headed over to @peakscoffeeco roasting site and were treated to a tour and cupping experience of their beautiful coffee selections which we are excited to serve at market this summer. 

We then headed to Books and Melodies to browse through their large selection of used books and vintage vinyls, while the cozy vibey tunes filled the space. 

Followed that with a stop at @kelseyscoffeeandfriends for a warm matcha and delicious breakfast burrito. And while a visit to Peaks Coffee roasters is not a public affair, you can still pick up a bag or two or more at Kelsey’s - trust us, it’s worth it!

Stay warm and safe out there everyone!

#syracuseny #newyork #winterday #thingstodoinsyracuse #booklover
People are sharing memories from 2016 but I think People are sharing memories from 2016 but I think this is my favorite one: going to Jamaica for work with my family. We went on a family adventure and it was the first time the boys were trying snorkeling. 

My youngest was so so scared but I made him get in the water still promising him I would hold his hand, be with him the entire time, and never leave his side. 

When I made him get in the water the other tourists on the boat gave me nasty looks and made comments making it clear they thought I was a shit mom for “ignoring” my son’s fears. I jumped into the water and he was crying tears coming down from behind his snorkel mask. I held his hand as promised and we started swimming.

The coral reef was bustling with life. Fish of all colors, eel, sand sharks, starfish. I wasn’t sure if it would terrify him or excite him. 

I would occasionally check on him with a thumbs up sign and he would confirm with a thumbs up back. After a while he signaled to come up and said “It’s ok mom. I can go on my own from here.” And let go of my hand and off he went. 

I watched him swim away from me and then it was me who started crying feeling both pride in him and that bittersweetness in seeing him not need me anymore. This memory still makes me cry. Today the little boy is pursuing a career in environmental science and forestry and photography (see his work at @liamlcc).

The second best memory of 2016 was Elle King renewing our vows at the Beacon Theater during one of her NYC concerts. Travis had arranged the entire thing…a blur as I was in shock the whole time! We just celebrated 23 years together❤️
@sagra_italia, a newly opened “Brooklyn-style” @sagra_italia, a newly opened “Brooklyn-style” Italian cafe has opened in Rochester, and though I am always skeptical of anything claimed to be “Brooklyn”, I have to say, it was really pretty close. 

We started at the bar for drinks and light bites, where the bartender was friendly and made some pretty kick-ass drinks. We then moved to an open table (no reservations here - walk in and grab an open spot) before ordering from the counter (food is brought to you) You bus your own table, which I think contributes significantly to the affordable menu, and which I honestly didn’t mind. 

The food was solid. I ordered the funghi pasta and we shared a Caesar and fried burrata, which was 😘👌🏾❤️!

The whole vibe was exactly what I needed and the perfect spot to catch up with Rochester friends on a snowy night. 

Kitchen closes at 9PM, bar closes at 10. 

And if you’ve ever been to @tapas177 next door and loved it (if you haven’t, you should go), it’s by the same family. 

Highly recommend and excited to go back. Another Rochester win!

#fingerlakes #rochesterny #rochestereats #newyork #italianfood @visitrochester
The world feels heavy, so here’s some light I no The world feels heavy, so here’s some light I noticed today: this dormant field of wildflowers we planted has been nesting bunny rabbits, birds, and little insect ecosystems this cold season. So even though on the surface it just looks like a field of dead and dried stems, when you look deeper, you’ll notice that it’s also a reprieve, a safe space, a comfort, and a resting place. 

I guess, maybe, that’s a lot of us right now. A little worn out. Tired. Sad. Drained. Overwhelmed. But we can also be someone’s comfort, safe space, peace, shoulder, friend…a little light for those who need it. And maybe that’s what we should remember to keep us going.
I get asked often if I miss the city, and the answ I get asked often if I miss the city, and the answer is all the time, but not really, but also yes, but kinda…depends. 

I think living in a slower paced environment has been good for me. Healthy and challenging in different ways. I sometimes get restless, but often need rest too. I love the space both environmently and in time to be creative. And I love that if I ever do get too restless, I am not far from Rochester (a city I’ve grown to love) or NYC. 

But I also love that when I feel any sense of anxiety, I can step outside, be surrounded by nature, and come back home a little more healed. Life is unpredictable, but during my era of slow living, I want to make sure to appreciate and enjoy all it offers.

#fingerlakes #newyork #slowliving #citygirlinthecountry

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