Blogs

On August 26, I attended the Grand Opening of Le Spa Foret at the French Manor Inn and Spa. The fabulous day in South Sterling began with a garden party on the back patio of the Inn. If you have never seen this spectacular sight nestled atop Huckleberry Mountain, you are deprived and must go! I would classify the view as a natural wonder.

After socializing with the other guests, we made our way to the spa entrance. The day's speakers included Genevieve Logan Reese, French Manor Inn and Spa General Manager; Alicia Quinn, Director of Public Relations for the Pocono Mountains' Visitors Bureau; and Craig Smith, Director of Public Relations and Spokesmen for NEPA AAA office. Each speaker made eloquent statements about the Inn and its long time history, which transitioned into the ribbon cutting.

Once the spa was officially open, guests were allowed to tour the stunning facilities. The ambiance and décor matches the French Chateau look of the Inn perfectly. From the tile work in the pool to the fireplace in the couples massage treatment room, the attention to detail is magnificent. The spa radiates a welcoming and comforting sensation.

If seeing the spa wasn't enough of a treat, representatives of the spa and Danielle and Company, the spa's official product line, were on hand to provide an array of heavenly relaxation treatments. The hand massage was to die for.

After thinking this spectacular day couldn't get any better, it did. The icing on the cake is the five brand new spa suites. Each one-of-a-kind suite is decorated with precision and sophistication including king size beds, fireplaces, Jacuzzis, private balconies and more. The problem is picking one out of the five suites to stay in!

In the midst of building these amazing facilities, the Logan family ensured the facility would be Green. From the site work down to the bed linens, Green products were used, reducing their carbon footprint on the destination.

I commend the Logan family for all of their hard work and continued success. We are proud to say their property is part of the Pocono Mountains and I encourage everyone to experience the French Manor Inn and Spa for themselves.

On a cool summer's day, I decide to pack the little one up and head up to a state park. Now picking the state park was a little difficult, seeing as though we have nine state parks and two national parks in the Pocono Mountains. All of our state parks are unique and have different qualities that separate them all from each other. So after much debate we packed up the car, got our lunch together and headed to Big Pocono State Park in Tannersville.

If you're looking to enjoy a magnificent view, Big Pocono State Park located at the top of Camelback Mountain is the place. The park consists of 1,306 acres of rugged terrain with plenty of hiking trails, picnic areas and wonderful views of the region. The view took our breaths away and we were able to see Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. It was an amazing day spent out enjoying lunch and taking in the magnificent view!

Get out there and enjoy the views and let me know what places you think are simply amazing! Want more info on Big Pocono State Park? Check them out online!

So you want to take up fishing do you?  Good choice.  But you can't put the cart before the horse.  You need to take it one step at a time.

The rod, reel and line (and license) are the essentials to the sport.  Get them all at a place like Dunkelberger's, but remember, you don't need the most expensive one right off the bat.  In fact, I'd start at the least expensive and go from there.  Sometimes you can knock off two birds with one stone and get a combo package.  Once you've got the big three, the rest is gravy.  Now, where to go to break in your new equipment?  Hmmm….

I would suggest learning the ropes from an experienced angler as it's a great way to get your feet wet.  Shawnee, Skytop and Pocono Manor all have fishing programs designed to put beginners on fish.  The certified instructors will teach you the basics as you fish both public and private waters.  The knowledge you gain from just a few hours with an instructor is invaluable to a beginner.  But don't count your chickens yet, it'll still take a while to become the cream of the crop.

Summer's winding down but anglers can fish well into the fall and early winter in our area with success.  Just try it once and I bet you'll be hooked.  Hey, what's with all these puns?  Something's fishy around here. 

Tight Lines!

 

 

This past Saturday I decided to meet a few friends for dinner and drinks at Shiro in Swiftwater. Shiro, which means "castle" in Japanese, reflects the beauty of the building and all it has to offer. The restaurant offers you a front row seat for the ultimate hibachi dining.  Hibachi is always entertaining and at Shiro it was no different.  Our chef was humorous and really got everyone involved in the dining experience. For those that don't desire hibachi, Shiro also has a large sushi and Asian fare menu.  I ordered the hand cut, juicy, tender and filling Sirloin Steak. The portions are large and I had enough food left over to take home.  After dinner we decided we wanted to stay and have a few drinks at the bar.  Shiro has multiple bars stocked with plenty of bartenders; I never waited long for a drink. The dance club start opens at 9:30pm and plays great dancing music. Overall, the night was a success! We had a great dinner and a great night. If you're looking for somewhere to go this weekend I recommend Shiro in Swiftwater.

Check out Shiro's Martinis & Manicures Mixer tomorrow, August 27 from 5pm - 7pm!

The West End Fair is finally here. Homemade soups, delicious London broil hoagies and elephant ears are just some of my favorites. What do you mean, gross, elephant ears? No, I do not eat elephant's ears! Do you really think people would really sell elephants ears? Do you really think I would eat an actual elephant's ear. Wait…don't answer that. Elephant ears are a PA Dutch treat which consists of fried dough, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar or plain with fruit toppings. I always end my day at the West End Fair with an elephant ear and nice hot cup of coffee. Aside from the great food, I always stop by the Country Roots stand and pick up some adorable primitive country pieces for my home. Needless to say I never leave the West End Fair empty handed or on an empty stomach. Be sure to check out the fair which runs all this week until August 29.

After you had your "fair" share of food, fun and games; continue on Route 209 south to Jim Thorpe to Pocono Whitewater for Moonlight Rafting. Enjoy rafting under the stars on the beautiful Lehigh River. Après, wine and cheese and a bonfire are included with this trip. Now that is what I call a perfect evening to a fun day.

What are your plans for this weekend? I would really like to hear from you. Still undecided? Be sure to check out our calendar of events. There is always something to do no matter what you are in to. Get out there and enjoy. Hope to see you around the mountains!

During a break at the Bushkill Visitors Center, I stepped outside and couldn't help but stare at this huge tree. I laid my back to the tree and stared at the soil beneath my feet. Then, I began to think about the natives who once called this area home. So, I decided to go and educate myself on the original natives of the Pocono Mountains.

Our day started out at the Pocono Indian Museum located along Route 209. Once we purchased our tickets, we were off on a self guided tour through the museum. As I pushed Troy along he seemed to be intrigued by the life size exhibits. We walked through the tour we learned about the Lenape Indians that once called this land home. The tour was only 30 minutes, but had lots of interesting information and life size as well as smaller size exhibits.

I decided to take a quick look around there gift shop and managed to leave with three books and a pair of little baby moccasins for Troy. Overall, the Pocono Indian Museum was a great way to learn about the natives of this area. If you're in the area, stop by the Pocono Indian Museum and learn about the natives that once called this beautiful area home.

If you want some information on what to expect at the Museum check them out online at:  

www.poconoindianmuseumonline.com

In these uncertain economic times, you need to closely evaluate who your market is and how to best reach them.  However, a very large and growing market is often overlooked and initially dismissed…the international market.

In recent months, our destination has played host to numerous international journalists, most of which were from Germany and Spain. While here, they experienced a myriad of activities whether it be our outdoor adventure, attractions, dining or shopping. However, we made sure to try and incorporate a little piece of home with each guest. Remember, most journalists are traveling with their young families for weeks at a time and really appreciate a small familiarity of home. Overall, we have had a great response from all of our international guests we are continuing to receive an increasing number of requests.

With the Euro valued higher than the dollar, European travelers to the United States are increasing at astronomical rates. If you are struggling to attract this market, play your strengths. If you're a small destination, rely on the surrounding major cities to pull them in and then simply offer them a day trip. Either way its coverage and you never know, they may decide to stay longer or take another trip.

The international market is expanding at an ever increasing rate and I do not foresee it slowing anytime soon. They have to be targeted, not forgotten.

Everyone knows about skiing in the Pocono Mountains. Fishing and golf are also just as recognized. But if think outside the box, you'll notice a few more sports that are a bit less "mainstream." These lesser-known sports are often just as enjoyable as their more popular counterparts.   

Shooting sports, for example, certainly have a nice home in the Pocono Mountains. The Pocono Pistol Club of Dunkelberger's is a great place to try small arms target practice.  If you like moving targets, try shooting clays at Pocono Manor. Clay shooting is not only fun, it's also great practice for the real thing. I shoot clays to warm up for grouse and pheasant season although, I still come home empty-handed come November.

Disc golf, now there's one you've probably never tried.  The Pocono Mountains has several courses set up for this unique sport, including one at Hickory Run State Park and the other at Francis E. Walter Dam. This game will test your hand-eye coordination and has a satisfaction/frustration rate equal to conventional golf. 

So if you're looking for a new hobby, try one of these activities. It's time to branch out and experience the many different sports available in our four-county region. Have fun and let me know what you think!  

Have you ever been to Barley Creek? If you're in the Tannersville area Barley Creek is the perfect place to stop and eat.  Last weekend, I was at Camelbeach Waterpark with a few of my friends, I suggested for dinner we stop by Barley Creek.  Barley Creek has a fun atmosphere and a large outdoor pavilion area where they host all different types of events.  My favorite is always Summerfest!  My friends and I decided this was exactly the place we wanted to go.  We jumped in the car and took the short drive down the mountain. 

Once we were seated, our server came to us promptly and asked us for our drink order.  Did you know Barley Creek is also a brewing company and creates their own variety of beers and wines? I decided to try the Rescue IPA, India Pale Ale which is Barley Creek's mug club's favorite.  Aside from drinks I also ordered a cheese steak which was delicious! Once we finished dinner we headed over to Pub 715 to check out the live entertainment.  Pub 715 is a local bar where you can go to hangout with friends and listen to great local bands.  On this particular night, Valley of the Giants was playing on the main stage.  I had a great time, drinks were fairly priced and the entertainment was free.  Can it get any better?  I will definitely be back for their famous wing nights every Monday!

With summer finally making an appearance, it's time to get out and enjoy the sunshine. I have been taking advantage of the sun by lounging and swimming while enjoying one of my favorite ice-cold beverages, all while I'm greased up with about 10 layers of SPF 50. Yes, I burn easy. 

This weekend, I'm hoping for more sunshine as I'll be visiting the Pocono State Crafts Festival at the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm. I love to collect primitive pieces for my home and this festival will be offering everything I could want. Some of the items on display include fine jewelry, woodworking, clothing, metal work, stained glass, furniture, leather, basketry and pottery. You can also watch craft demonstrations, enjoy some delicious festival foods and listen to the best in Bluegrass. Hours are 10am-6pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday. I'm definitely looking forward to adding more pieces to my collection.

Looking to beat the heat with more adventure? Go white water rafting with the Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers. It's a dam release weekend and it is a must-do river trip. Enjoy exciting rapids and beautiful scenery inside the Lehigh Gorge State Park. Rafting trips are held from 9am-6pm. The price for the trip starts at $54.95 per person. 

Feeling brave? Try some paintball at Skirmish and play Castle Nights. This themed game will be held from 5-9pm.  Free CO2/N2.  Only $24.95 per person. 

There is so much to do this weekend, be sure you get out there and enjoy it! In my opinion it's all about having fun and that is exactly what I intend to do. Hope to see you around the mountains!