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I have decided to break the tradition of the back yard barbecue and head to Cherry Valley Vineyards in Saylorsburg for their Red, White and Blue Sangria Fourth of July Picnic Weekend! You will be able to celebrate this sizzling holiday event on Saturday, July 2 and again on Sunday, July 3 between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

I'm looking forward to spending a picture perfect afternoon on the gorgeous grounds of the vineyard. If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting Cherry Valley Vineyard you will be in for a real treat as the people are terrific and the wines are heavenly!

Just imagine sipping sangria, your patriotic choice of red, white or blue in a peaceful country setting. I'm actually planning to sip on a little of each; after all it is a holiday weekend celebration! You may also want to purchase one of the vineyard's freshly prepared picnic baskets for only $8.99 to accompany the wine.

In addition to the sensational sangria and picnic basket lunch you will also be able to enjoy the live musical entertainment. I'm sure that if you share my taste for fine wine and music you won't want to miss this event!

While I'm there, I'm going to do a little shopping and grab a few bottles to take home for my private stock, and perhaps a bottle or two to give as gifts. I'm sure that you will also want to take some of your favorite wines home with you for your summer sipping pleasure!

There are so many fantastic fun things to do to celebrate the 4^th of July weekend in the Pocono Mountains! No matter what you plan to do this holiday weekend, the Pocono Mountains has it all! Enjoy everything from A to Zip Lines!

As always, don't forget to let me know what you have in store for a fabulous 4^th in the Pocono Mountains. I hope to see you at Cherry Valley Vineyards!

Located East of Hamlin, Claws ‘N' Paws offers guests a chance to get up close to some of the world's most exotic and fierce animals. I had the opportunity to visit Claws ‘N' Paws in May and it was a great experience. I never thought I would see such beautiful, exotic and rare animals up close and personal right here in Pennsylvania.  

Throughout 30 acres of forest, I had the opportunity to view over 120 different kinds of wildlife.  From bears, otters, reptiles, and more; it was really impressive. Aside from the animals, kids can enjoy live animal shows, a petting zoo, and gemstone mining. To top it all off, a picnic area and snack bar are available for your hungry wildlife explorers.  This is a great attraction for children of all ages. I was thoroughly impressed with the quality maintenance of the property, and how happy and well cared for the animals are.

Claws ‘N' Paws is opened May 1 through Mid October; I highly recommend that you put this on your list of summer activities.  Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions.

As you can see by the picture of the train station, the flowers are hung, and we are ready to begin our summer season.

My son came home for a visit this past week so we took the opportunity to tour the Asa Packer Mansion. I have toured the mansion many times but I always enjoy seeing it again. The mansion was built in 1861 and it is not a restoration, it exists essentially as the Packers lived in it from 1861-1912. The furnishings are of Victorian rosewood construction and gothic is used throughout with 1,500 rosettes, each crafted a bit differently.

A copy of the crystal chandelier that hangs in the dining room was used in the film Gone With the Wind. If you have ever just wanted to know what it was like to live in the 1800s, take a tour of the Asa Packer Mansion and you will be amazed. Of course, you have to understand this was not your ordinary home, it was a mansion owned on by the fourth richest man in the United States at that time. At his death in 1879 the Packer estate was valued at over $54 million. Could you imagine how much that would be today?

In July, Jim Thorpe will be holding its 5^th Annual Merchant and Sidewalk Sale. If you are looking for a great bargain or just finding hidden treasures then this is the place to be. The sale will be in the downtown historic district Saturday July 9^th and Sunday July 10^th from 12-5 p.m. Parking is always available behind the train station. Besides the neighborhood sales, the merchants will also have special inventory reductions just for this event. Come for the day and stay for the weekend. All of our attractions, galleries and shops will be open.

Next month, I am planning on touring the Old Jail Museum. Unlike the Asa Packer, I am able to take pictures inside. Maybe in the dungeon I will have a ghostly encounter! Over the years, I have heard hundreds of stories from visitors, anything from floating orbs when they take pictures to strange odors and even a few ghostly figures. I, of course, have never encountered that, but you never know what might happen. In two weeks my family is coming from Virginia and Maryland and we are going to do a rafting trip. As of now I am planning on being on that raft. I keep telling myself every day "you can do it." Therefore, I will be eager to share my experiences with you.

Representatives from Split Rock Resort, Woodloch Resort, Skytop Lodge, and The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort joined the PMCVB at 6 a.m. at the Stroudsburg office to get the word out to New York planners that truly "Life is Greater in the Pocono Mountains."

Right from the start we could see that New Yorkers were excited to hear about the many fun and exciting things you can do when you bring a meeting or special event to the Pocono Mountains.

The sales team that consisted of Ann Pilcher of the PMCVB, Dawn Perry of Woodloch Resort, Kristin Bernstiel of Skytop Lodge, and Molly Burnside of Shawnee Inn were broken into teams of two. In all, 14 companies were visited. The Pocono Mountains story was shared in the offices of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, and Planned Parenthood just to name a few.

Plans are in effect to stage a special evening reception in mid-October at an exciting rooftop venue in New York City. More New York area planners will be invited to come share some time and network with additional Pocono Mountains resort properties and attractions. This will be a good way to break the ice, build relationships, and eventually invite these same planners to spend a few days touring the Pocono Mountains in the spring of 2012.  A slice of the Big Apple just got sweeter when mixed with the fresh air of the Pocono Mountains.

After relaxing at the Roots and Rhythm Festival in Honesdale, we headed over to the other side of the Lake Region for my first visit. Driving along the shoreline, I was amazed! It was near sunset on the lake, as couples strolled and lounged on benches to await the breathtaking scenery. Although food was our mission at the time, I would have loved to sit on the bank and watch the sun gleaming on the lake. Luckily, Gresham's Chop House allowed us to witness the majesty of the lake while dining!

Like I've said before, as a recent graduate I have rather limited funds. However, while glancing over the delicious menu consisting of steaks, Italian dishes, seafood and plenty more, I was happily surprised to find a "Lite Fare" section. I selected the Chicken Bruschetta Sandwich for under $10!

In less than 15 minutes from ordering, our party of four had already been served and it was evident that my sandwich was made with the utmost quality and freshness. The chicken was tenderly grilled to perfection and marinated with a house dressing. Pesto mayonnaise covered the Ciabatta roll piled high with lettuce, tomato, red onion and mouthwatering, fresh mozzarella.  My uncle, who had also ordered the sandwich, looked at me in agreement; we were spot on with our dinner choices!

Following dinner, I couldn't leave without a photo overlooking the lake from Gresham's outdoor deck, where seating is also available. If you're out on the water and are looking for a bite to eat at Gresham's, ‘Dock and Dine' is also available, for an even closer lakeside dining experience.

Gresham's Chop House

Atmosphere: Exciting! Dining across from the shoreline of Lake Wallenpaupack is unlike most other dining in the Pocono Mountains.

Food: Scrumptious, quality, fresh. My lite fare dinner option was heavy in deliciousness!

Service: Probably the fastest I've ever received my food, especially for a Saturday night! The staff continued to check on us frequently throughout our dinner.

It was beautiful scenery for dining in the Pocono Mountains. I look forward to this summer, when I have a chance to take to the water adventures on Lake Wallenpaupack.

As usual, I am looking forward to another weekend filled with fun, sun and music in the Pocono Mountains! There is something about the summer time that rejuvenates me and takes me back to the days of my youth. As a teenager, my summer days consisted of lounging around the pool and my evenings were occupied with friends and fun summer activities. Most of all, my friends and I made a practice of attending as many concerts as we possibly could!

Apparently, I have never outgrown the excitement of attending live concerts. As you know, I still love to rock out and attend as many awesome concerts as I can. On Friday, you will find me doing just that at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg as they present New Riders of the Purple Sage (NRPS)!

If you were a child of the 70s, or if you just appreciate the magical music of the time, you won't want to miss this show! Although I never considered myself to be a Dead Head, I have always loved the music of the Grateful Dead as well as the tunes of NRPS, and I can't wait to hear them perform Panama Red, which happens to be one of my all time favorites. I have never had the pleasure of seeing this awesome band live; so, naturally I am already getting psyched!

I have had the pleasure of experiencing the sounds the evening's opening act, Professor Louie and the Crowmatix. If you like the blues with a dash of rock-n-roll, this amazing band from Woodstock, NY, will not disappoint you!

I suggest purchasing your tickets in advance online. You will also be able to purchase tickets at the door. Show begins at 8 pm, but you may want to do the town before heading to the theater. May I suggest some dinner and a few cocktails at one of Stroudsburg's awesome pubs? If you care to join me, I will be dining on some delectable wings and sipping a martini at the Siamsa Irish Pub!

As always, I'm up for suggestions and ideas for planning a wonderful weekend in the Pocono Mountains. I hope to see you Friday evening at the Sherman Theater!

It's that time of year again, when road trips and weekend getaways are part of the norm.  For me, there is nothing more exciting than planning and packing for trips. I love waking up early to set out for adventure and new experiences. I absolutely love all of the excitement leading up to the big day with my two favorite boys!

Train rides, festivals, hiking, and historic sightseeing are all on my family's summer agenda. You can find such things easily within the 2,400 square-mile area of the Pocono Mountains. To re-energize yourselves after all those outdoor activities, you can fill up those empty bellies from a great selection of family restaurants.  It's a tasty way to get back out and enjoy the beautiful summer weather.

Perhaps you want to make a weekend out of it, or maybe you're just too tired to drive home after your action packed adventure. No worries! There are many family friendly lodging accommodations to meet your needs and your budget. From hotels, motels, and resorts; to cabins, house rentals, and villas; the possibilities are endless.

If you have a young family like I do, here are a few tips to help make your trip run smoothly:

• Pack plenty of sun block
• Drink plenty of water during your outdoor adventure in the hot summer sun
• Plan ahead with maps, brochures, and other literature

So pack up the kids, put the car in drive, and head out! It's a wonderful time of year in the Pocono Mountains, so get out and experience it with your family. Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions.

School is OUT for summer, (well most schools are, sorry if yours isn't)! Have your children come to you stating they are "bored" already? Have you had someone tell you there is "NOTHING to do around here"? Growing up with four rambunctious boys meant both of these phrases were quite popular in our household. My, my, how things have changed. I can't seem to catch my breath lately with everything that is going on in the Pocono Mountains. Everyone needs to get outside and go, go, go!

Last weekend several of my high school classmates strapped on their sneakers, shorts, sports bras and tank tops to become "Warriors" for the day. Skirmish USA played host to the Warrior Dash where nearly 20,000 participants traversed through tires, climbed over cars, crawled in a foot of mud and jumped over fire all for the fun of it!! Plus, they gave you beer to drink and hats adorned with horns to take home!

I can't imagine anyone NOT wanting to do this, but if your thirst for adventure is a little less extreme, we are still the place for you and your friends to soak up all the best nature has to offer. May I suggest you grab your besties (aka BFF's) along with your siblings and plan on partaking in one, or two, or all of the following outdoor escapades?

• Hike, Bike and Whitewater raft during Pocono Whitewater's Big Day Out
• Climb and fly through the trees at CBK's Mountain Adventure Park
• Strap on Ski's at Pocono Water Ski and glide around Lake Wallenpaupack
• Dust off your cowboy hat and hop on a horse at Triple W Riding Stables

Oh, and don't forget the largest paintball game in the world will be here next month. The Invasion of Normandy slams in to the Pocono Mountains on July 16-17. Register right away and be part of history in the making. 

Now get off your bum and do something!  Ciao...

Having only visited Floods for their pleasurable nightlife atmosphere, I was surprised to have heard their food was also delicious. My uncle insisted I try the "Stroudsburger" for my first visit to Floods. Despite this less than attractive photo of me, it truly depicts the all around goodness of the "Stroudsburger." Oozing Swiss cheese, sweet peppers and fried onions all topped on an inch thick beef patty, was much more than I had expected. Luckily, I managed!

After nearly a half hour's time to devour the burger, I decided that would be the only thing I needed to eat for the day! Washing the burger down with a cold beverage I felt more than satisfied.

Floods

Atmosphere: Pub-like dining experience relaxed and care-free. Finishing my whole burger was only a part of the dining experience, no need to feel bad!

Food:  Burger heaven! The" Stroudsburger" truly lived up to its name. I will be attempting to try the entire burger menu.  

Service: Quick service! It took much longer for me to finish the burger than to make! Our waitress was very attentive, noticing as soon as we took the last sip of each drink and were ready for another.

Attention burger lovers, be sure to satisfy your temptations at Floods!

If you're like me, you have settled into the transition from spring into summer with ease. I love the warm weather, the bright sunshine and everything else that accompanies the season. The days just seem to fly by during the summer months and it's hard to believe that another wonderful weekend is on its way, as well as another fabulous festival in the Pocono Mountains!

The 6^th Annual Honesdale Roots and Rhythm Music and Arts Festival will be taking place on Saturday, June 18. I'm looking forward to a beautiful day wandering through the lovely streets of Honesdale, while listening to the various genres of music that will be drifting through the summer air.

The Roots and Rhythm Festival is sure to be an enjoyable day for your entire family. The fun will begin at 10:30 a.m. as the Main Street Bands set the mood for the day with a musical atmosphere in four locations along Main Street in Honesdale, and will continue through 1:30 p.m.

For those of us that like to shop for unique trinkets and fabulous handmade crafts, I suggest taking a stroll along Artist's Row as there will be a wide array of artisans displaying their wonderful works of art. It's never too early to start your holiday shopping; so I'm planning to pick up a few gifts, as well as do a little shopping for myself.

It wouldn't be a festival without food! All you will need to do is follow your nose and it will lead you to the many food vendors that will be tempting your taste buds with all sorts of fine cuisine and tasty treats.

You will find me in Honesdale's Central Park at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday as the main stage will come alive with music. If you think like I do, you are planning to find a shady spot to lounge in the grass and enjoy the live entertainment! I'm especially looking forward to seeing Dave Alvin perform! If you enjoy the sound of bluesy folk music with a hint of old-time rock-n-roll, you definitely won't want to miss his performance!

The music will continue to fill the air from Central Park's Main Stage until 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. So, bring your dancin' shoes and enjoy! You may also want to bring your camera and capture the day for your album of memories.

In addition, you may want to check out the festival's kick-off party on Friday evening, June 17 at Rusty Palmer's from 8:00PM-11:00PM. There will be awesome musical entertainment as well as food and a limited cash bar. A cover charge of $10 will benefit the Roots and Rhythm Festival.

As always, I want to hear about your lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer and your weekends in the Pocono Mountains! I hope to see you at the Honesdale Roots and Rhythm Music and Arts Festival!