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For those of you who carry on the Halloween spirit a little longer than Oct. 31, you are in luck! Visit the historic town of Jim Thorpe for the Rotary Club GhostWalks. Walk along historic Broadway and learn about the chilling stories and ghostly occurrences at the different properties. The walk begins at the Inn at Jim Thorpe, and eventually travels to the ever so haunted Old Jail Museum. This family-friendly walk is about a mile long and lasts for approximately one hour. Tours will be held on weekends until Sat., Dec. 17, 2011. Tickets are $10/adults, $5/children 7-12. This walk is not recommended for children 6 and under. Reservations are strongly recommended.

So when you feel that icy chill, it just might be a ghostly thrill. Have a safe and happy Halloween! Until next time... celebrate family, friends, and traditions.

Zombies, witches, ghosts, and gruesome monsters are a staple of Halloween. Being "scared" is not one of my favorite things in the world; actually, I am the biggest scaredy-cat there is! So how does someone take part in the Halloween festivities with their families in the Pocono Mountains, without having the daylights scared out of them? Easy! The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) and Monroe County Environmental Education Center (MCEEC)  have created non-scary Halloween fun.

PEEC-A-Boo: On Saturday, October 29, PEEC will be offering non-scary, family-oriented Halloween festivities. The non-scary Halloween trail is not only fun, but educational too! The cost is $5 per child and refreshments will be available. PEEC-A-Boo will be held from 4-7 p.m.; the rain date is scheduled for October 30.

Halloween Night Hikes:  On Saturday, October 29, MCEEC will be offering a non-scary, educational nighttime hike at Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. Visitors will learn about bats, owls, worms, and the eerie noises that you hear in the night. The cost is $8/non-members, $5/EE members and children under 12. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with 1-hour tours every 15 minutes. Pre-registration is required for a time slot. The last tour will leave the building at 8:30 p.m.

So come on out for some Halloween family fun. Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions.

Recently, my wife, daughter and I headed to Kittatinny to experience the longest zipline east of the Mississippi.

This 3,000 foot zipline tracks along the Delaware River with spectacular views! At one point you are 150 feet above the ground traveling up to 50 miles per hour - that's right - 50mph!!! But if you choose, like I did, to go slower.. you just throw out your arms and legs and catch the wind...an adrenaline rush all the way down. The ride is available for ages 8 years old and up and between 60 and 250 pounds. After getting your safety instructions, harness and helmet, Kittatinny staff drive you to the top of the mountain where you are then prepared to be released from the tower. The ½ mile plus ride is very easy, you don't even worry about braking - they have that all worked out at the end of the cable. You just hang-out and take in all the great views as you glide to the bottom. My ONLY recommendation... go at least twice!!

The Pocono Mountains also has zip-lining opportunities at CBK Adventures and more are planned in the region in the near future.

Because Nicholas is already a train enthusiast at age two, we will definitely be visiting Miller Park for this event. Not only will there be tours of the historic Depot and railroad switch tower; guests will also be able to catch a view of the Delaware - Lackawanna train that will be pulling into town.

In addition to the Re-Dedication, the ECA will also be hosting Octoberfest! Visitors can enjoy live music and entertainment, craft vendors, family activities, local and railroad history, and so much more. The Dansbury Depot Re-Dedication and Octoberfest, located on the corner of Analomink and S. Kistler St. in East Stroudsburg, will be held on October 15, from noon- 6 p.m. The event is free of charge and all are welcome!

With that said, please be sure to get out and visit the Dansbury Depot to show your support for the amazing accomplishments of the ECA and to take a tour back in time. I will be sure to make this a family affair and invite my Uncle Allen who is one of the biggest train enthusiasts I have ever met! When I told him that Nicholas loves trains, his face was filled with pure delight. So, for my family and I, this will definitely be a great memory that we will cherish forever! Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions.

Picture this, nearly 2,000 athletes, representing 40 states and 15 international countries coming to the Pocono Mountains, all with one goal in mind: complete the first Pocono Mountains Ironman 70.3.

This challenging race began at the Delaware Water Gap and finished on Main Street in downtown Stroudsburg. Planning required hundreds of dedicated staff and volunteers. It was so refreshing to see the faces of the local community swell with pride as the contestants ran toward the finish line and Ironman glory. After biking 56 miles through Cherry Valley and a 13.1 mile run through our rolling hills, these athletes have a Pocono Mountains experience to remember.

Yes, the course was challenging for the participants, but logistics for an event of this magnitude are another story. What I did see was an impressive display of street smarts. Erin Woodward, Branch Manager for Highway Technologies of Berlin, New Jersey, has to be commended for the yeoman's work in getting the roads, highways and side streets secured and race ready.

Beginning at Smithfield Beach and throughout the region road closures and detours had to be conducted with pin point accuracy to secure the safety of the athletes and all pedestrians in the area. This type of service often goes unnoticed and overlooked. Perhaps, that's just the way they planned it. Great job! 

Our sales team is looking forward to next year's Pocono Mountains Ironman 70.3! So, make your plans now. 

Asti and I love to travel around the Pocono Mountains finding pet-friendly establishments! Last month we took a road trip to the northern region, looking for a pet-friendly campground to stay at this fall.

Our first visit was at Ponderosa Pines in Honesdale. Nestled beneath the pine trees, Ponderosa Pines offers large wooded and open campsites, tent sites, and rustic and full service cabins. Asti and I walked along the lake and watched a family trying to paddle their boat. Being the spoiled pooch she is, she was treated to a doggie ice cream and a bone from Fran, the owner. Unfortunately, I did not get a treat, grrrr!

The next stop was Valley View Farm & Campground in Waymart. After meeting with Bill, the owner, we took a walk, and let me tell you, the view from the campsite was incredible! Valley View is a friendly, family place where the campsites are spacious and are available in the shade or open field (where Asti took off on me).

We met Debby and Tim at the Countryside Family Campground where they are more than happy to have your pets join you while you're camping, as long as you follow their pet guidelines. You may want to visit the Countryside Family Campground website periodically as we hear they have fantastic deals you don't want to miss. This past summer they posted a weekend deal and were booked up the same day it was posted!

Our final destination was the Keen Lake Camping & Cottage Resort. This campground has been family owned and operated since 1954 and has a "Pet Swimming Area Only" beach (both photos taken at Keen Lake). The day we were visiting they were getting ready for their "Wild Thing" event which consisted of fun and games for pets and pet owners. Jan, one of the owners, told us they were having a Pet Fashion Parade and a Canine Musial Chairs game.  All donations from the weekend benefitted the Dessin Animal Shelter and Pocono Wildlife Rehab Center. Wow, can't get any more pet-friendly than that! Asti wants me to book a site for next year's "Wild Thing" weekend.  Better get her a lift jacket and a start on playing musical chairs!

With fall here, there is no better time to pack up the pets and head to a pet-friendly campground in the Pocono Mountains!

Slowly but surely, the temperatures start to drop, the sun sets a little earlier each day and the leaves on the trees start to fade from  fresh green to the effervescent colors of gold and red. I am particularly fond of this time of year; I enjoy the seasonal decorating, cuddling up with my family under cozy blankets and enjoying the autumn celebrations.

Currently, my husband and I are mapping out our weekend activities where Nicholas can enjoy some autumn merriment. During the weekends of October, the town of Jim Thorpe will be celebrating the autumn season with the Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Days. Visitors can enjoy scenic train rides aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, rent a bike and ride along the newly opened rail-trail or simply enjoy the beautiful historic architecture and fall foliage in the town of Jim Thorpe. The Fall Foliage Days will also feature entertainment at different venues throughout the town, a farmers market, vendors and crafters and so much more. Whether you are looking to take a leisurely stroll with your family around town or do some outdoor activities, you definitely need to check out the town of Jim Thorpe during the Fall Foliage Days.