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Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

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family activities

North America, Travel
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June 16, 2011

Favorite NYC Parks

We talk so much about NYC being a concrete jungle. So much so that even Alicia Keys sings about it. Truth is, and what most people don't expect, is that New York City has a lot of green area that we can enjoy. There are truly countless of parks, from small to larg[...]

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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 i[...]

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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 fi[...]

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North America, Travel
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January 24, 2011

Exploring Inwood Hill Park, a piece of Old New York

Yes, it's cold and it's tempting to stay home and warm. However, when you have kids bouncing off the walls and a desire to stretch those legs yourself, it's necessary to bundle up and head outside. We were eager to go for a walk, but didn't want to venture to far t[...]

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North America, Travel
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January 20, 2011

New Victory Workshops: Where kids bring art to life

I often praise the New Victory Theater on my site. I am not employed by them, or under contract with them at any capacity. However, I do like to give them a lot of mention because they are among few great non-profit organizations in the city dedicated not only to t[...]

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North America, Travel
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November 26, 2010

Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square

Every year in late November, Lincoln Center celebrates Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square. Celebrities and performers come out in numbers to witness the lighting of the Christmas Tree. This is one of my favorite areas of NYC, and seeing it lit up with holiday lights ju[...]

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North America, Travel
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October 12, 2010

A NYC Moment: The best of nothing much in Riverside Park

A lot of what I love about living in New York City is that you don't ever really have to plan anything to end up doing something truly great. Such was the case for us one recent Sunday. The crew and I (minus one pre-teen at the time) headed over to Riverside Park w[...]

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North America, Travel
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September 13, 2010

Kicking off Fall at Jenkins-Leuken Orchards, New Paltz

The new Fall season has not officially started, but it is safe to say that with all the festivities of the New York Fashion Week and kids going back to school, NY folks have really started to live it up. read more[...]

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North America, Travel
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May 29, 2010

Summer Fun at Luna Park and Coney Island

As I sit and write this post, my skin aches a bit from the hours under the sun, my feet are tired, and my heart is filled with joy, for we chose to spend this day in Coney Island. We met up with our darling friend Raven and her beautiful daughter M., and headed[...]

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North America, Travel
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April 26, 2010

All About Family Fun at Woodloch Pines Resort

This past weekend the family and I ventured two hours out of NYC to Woodloch Pines Resort, a family destination located in Hawley, PA owned by the Kiesandahl family for 52 years. John Kiesandahl took over the business from his mother and father, Mary and the late H[...]

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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
As we daydream of cozy winery settings sipping on As we daydream of cozy winery settings sipping on the best of harvest past, the work is already ongoing to prep for future success that elevates us among the best wine region in the country. So grateful for our community of immigrant laborers and farmers.
Twenty two years seems WILD. I still remember our Twenty two years seems WILD. I still remember our first date, and here we are a gazillion adventures and so many kids later, and over two decades together. 

I am the luckiest girl in the world to have met the most patient and kindest human around, and that he would end up being my person and best friend just feels, still, surreal and lucky. 

Happy anniversary, @travisjcain. I will try my hardest to make this year less chaotic and a bit more chill….but then again, you did decide to marry a Sagittarius, so it’s kind of on you. 🤣 Love you to infinity.

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