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Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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May 23, 2011

Helicopter Over NYC

The other day my husband and I were talking about the most fun things we have ever done in this beloved city of ours. We both agreed that at the very top of our list is the helicopter ride we took over New York City. I had planned it for his birthday and I wanted to celebrate in a way that would be both romantic and fun, but that would also appeal to our adventurous spirits.  I didn't[...]

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North America, Travel
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May 3, 2011

Tips for Your Family Trip to Disney

I have said it once, and I'll say it again; Disney is a wonderful place for anyone who visits, but for kids it is magical! I have been to Disney quite often but I have never been to Disney with my family and my husband and two little ones had never visited before at all. I was hoping to share some cute video footage of the moment when I gave the news to the kids, or any video footage that[...]

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Public Relations & Branding
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April 15, 2011

Who do you write for?

As a freelance writer one of the best advice you will ever receive is to stay connected with your industry peers and leaders through the vast networking opportunities provided. Often times in doing so, you will inevitably be asked one simple question that will, in some people's mind, determine where they can fit you in their value spectrum. The categories often are that of  a 1) serious/l[...]

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Caribbean, Travel
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April 1, 2011

The Heart of Curtain Bluff, Antigua

As the rain drips off the fire escape outside my NYC window, I can't help but feel a bit sad at the fact that a week ago, on this very day, I was sitting on a balcony listening to the ocean water crash against the sandy shore of Antigua as the sun softly warmed up the morning air. I was in Curtain Bluff, traveling with my dear friend Heather, and I was loving it. Even before we arrived to[...]

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Public Relations & Branding
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March 29, 2011

Waste that is an Ignorant Writer

Recently a friend passed a review of one of my favorite musicals, In The Heights. The review was written by Nashville magazine theater critic, Martin Brady. Well, at least the first draft was. The one that wasn't supposed to see the light of day. The one that so blatantly demonstrates his distaste for not only the musical, but the culture it represents. And though I see distaste and racis[...]

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North America, Travel
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March 18, 2011

Late Winter in Lake Placid, NY

Oh, how we love Lake Placid. Last time we ventured out there was in June, when we stayed at Whiteface Lodge, and I believe my husband and I decided we were going to leave city life forever and move to a room there. Well, real life has this way of sucking you back in and making you forget the dreams you have set for yourself, which is why we thought it a perfect time to go back to this favo[...]

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North America, Travel
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March 15, 2011

The Inn at Keystone, CO

While visiting Keystone, CO for their Winter Culinary Festival (more on that soon), I had a chance to check out one of the many different lodging experiences on the resort. What I appreciate about Keystone Resorts is that guests can choose the lodging that best fits their needs and their budgets without sacrificing the amenities and services. Last time I visited the resort, I went with m[...]

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North America, Travel
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March 2, 2011

Solo with kids at Universal Studios, Orlando? No problem!

I'm sure you have heard it all before. Universal Studios is one of the most fun places in Orlando, FL for families. Last time I was at Universal Studios was to check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There I was, no children in tow, Butterbeer in hand, getting teary-eyed at the sight of the village of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts castle. You can see pics and read a full review of tha[...]

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Caribbean, Travel
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February 27, 2011

Experiencing the Nickelodeon All Access Cruise on Norwegian Jewel

UPDATE: Since this review, Norwegian Cruise announced a revamp of their Nickelodeon fleets to include updated family/state rooms and kids club amenities. I have not experienced the new ships, nor have seen them beyond images provided, but Go Big or Go Home toured the new Norwegian Breakaway and provided info and images of the new ship, which looks way more kid-friendly and kid-focused. ---[...]

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North America, Travel
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February 15, 2011

Getting Happy in New York City

I have been feeling a bit gloomy lately. When I start feeling a little blue I like to grab my camera, put on my comfy sneakers, and walk the city, especially on sunny days like today. Granted it was cold, but man was it pretty. I took my time and pacing myself throughout my long walk. In doing so I was able to visit the parts of New York City that make me most happy.read more[...]

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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

My recent post inspired many people who kindly rea My recent post inspired many people who kindly reached out to me for words of wisdom and guidance on how “they, too,” can get their lives more together.

Here’s what I will say: for more than a year now, I have experienced disappointment with work I was committed to and the overall devaluation of what so many of us creatives do, and it started impacting the passion I had for my work, which, as a creative, can be a massive death sentence. I found myself soft quitting, quitting-quitting, having contracts end that I was eager to let go of, and others that I didn’t think I wanted to let go - but that in the end resulted in an incredible boost to my emotional and mental health. 

For so many, our prof success has so long defined us. It defines how ppl receive us, esp as Black and brown ppl, especially as women, how society values us, and, to some extent, how we view ourselves. But that was breaking me. I was working harder, longer, and more intensely without significant reward or recognition. Not just in one job, but in so much.

To overcome this, I sought something completely disconnected from my current work but still requiring focus, commitment, and skill. 

And slowly, I started finding myself again. Being selective means fewer selections, which means less money. It is, in the end, a choice. One that comes with its struggles. 

I absolutely admire the people with whom I partner today. My family is figuring out the money thing; we found the loss of joy too great to ever sacrifice again. Today, I am proud to work with some real kick-ass people. It’s reinvigorated my creativity. And I absolutely LOVE owning a mobile cafe. Not because it’s a massive money maker (it’s not), but because of the people I meet every time we serve. Running two businesses is not for the faint of heart, but I am so incredibly fulfilled.

I don’t do sad well. But I have experienced it all. And very much so recently. And my recent post is me on the other side of it. And I wanted all of you inspired by it to know I have been going through it. So if you are still where I was, let the glimpse behind my curtain be what keeps you going. Even the night ends at sunrise.
Sunset glow in the nooks of our little home. I lov Sunset glow in the nooks of our little home. I love it here so much. 🥰

I’m embracing new life experiences and opportunities with excitement and anticipation. I was stuck for so long, convinced it’s where I needed to be, but change, it turns out, has been exactly what I have needed…though I will admit I have been nervous about it. 

All this to say, sometimes we get stuck in situations that have long stopped making us happy, maybe because it’s easier to stay, or you’ve convinced yourself it’s where you should be, and it can be hard to walk away, especially if you’ve invested so much of yourself in the process. Ugh. The shit we tolerate when we stop listening to the little voice yelling at us that it’s time to MOVE ON. And sometimes, we don’t. Sometimes we have to be pushed. 

But, if the opportunity to break free comes, even if inconvenient, TAKE IT.  RUN. Because, as a wise teenager once said, YOLO. 

Trust in the fact that you’re pretty f❤️cking awesome, and things have a way of working themselves out. Trust that life is more interesting with the bumps along the way and that your final destination isn’t at the bottom, even if you might find yourself there for a moment. 

It’s a fun ride not because it’s always easy, but because of how much cooler things are when you’ve overcome the hard bits.
My wildflower field is reminding me of an importan My wildflower field is reminding me of an important trait: patience. So much in my life right now feels out of my control. I am experiencing a massive shift and uneasiness, and things I want to happen are so slow and feel like they are not happening at all. It is very unsettling and frustrating. 

But this was also my garden. The blooms weren’t blooming. It felt like they were never going to come. Like it would skip us this year. And I was sad at the thought that for reasons outside of my control, regardless of everything we did to tend to this garden, we would just not get the results we’d hope for. 

But this morning, I woke up, and there they were. The first few flowers. Colorful and bright, with bumblebees dancing around them. And when I looked closer, I saw so many more buds waiting to burst open. 

It all needed time. Not the time I gave them, or expected, but what was necessary. 

And so things may not happen as we wish they would, when we wish they could, but they will. We just have to be patient and trust the process. Easier said than done, I know. But, at least I have a beautiful flowering garden to admire while I wait.
Today was about beautiful baby niece, family, and Today was about beautiful baby niece, family, and cute ducks all named “Ducky”. 👧🏻🐣🍨

📍The Spotted Duck, Penn Yan, NY
Life gets so busy and stressful sometimes that I f Life gets so busy and stressful sometimes that I forget I have so much to heal my soul and relax me right at my finger tips…

I get what it is to be from the big city and not being able to imagine a life so beautiful anywhere else. It certainly was me. 

And then, I came to the Finger Lakes…and the rest is history. 

#fingerlakesregion #newyork
Sometimes you just gotta walk it off. Lucky me, I Sometimes you just gotta walk it off. Lucky me, I get to do so here. 

#fingerlakes #newyork

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