Blogs

Let's begin at the Visitors Center.  The Dingmans Falls Visitors Center is 100% kid friendly.  Kids and adults alike can get a hands on approach by visiting one (or all) of the many exhibits.  After you are finished examining the different displays, kids can pick up a Junior Ranger Activity Booklet and/or a Junior Naturalist Activity Booklet.  The booklets allow children to explore and learn about the natural areas of the park.  As they hike, children can fill in the answers to a series of questions from the booklet.  Once the hike and the questions are completed, the children can return to the Visitors Center to receive a Junior Naturalist badge.  The park offers many different programs for you and your family to participate in.

In addition to the gorgeous waterfalls, one of my favorite features is the boardwalk style trail.  This makes it "stroller accessible" and easy for toddlers who want to walk but need a flat and smooth surface to do so.  I already know that Nicholas would have a blast walking through the shady trees of the forest.

Not sure what to do? How about a midweek getaway to the Pocono Mountains! The timing is perfect and so are the rates. Many resorts, hotels, and motels offer great midweek special offers, which include excellent amenities. One of the perks of saving money on your midweek lodging is you have more cash in your wallet to go school shopping so your kids can have the hottest outfits to impress their friends with on the first day of school. 

Aside from school shopping, be sure to get that much needed relaxation before the "insanity" begins. Treat your family to a relaxing day of canoeing down the Delaware River, hiking in one of the state parks, or horseback riding at one of the many stables. No matter what you decide to do the most important thing is to spend these last few days of summer together without being on a time schedule. Stay up as late as you can and sleep in as late as you want because before you know it, the alarm will be going off and the school bus will be waiting at the end of your drive way.

 

On both sides of my family, tradition is huge, whether we realize it or not. From Christmas Eve dinner at Mom Trubiano's house or saying grace before meals at Mom Jones' house; it's something we do all the time, and we wouldn't have it any other way. 

Every year my family has the tradition of going to the West End Fair. And within that tradition...well, I guess you can say there is another tradition. Our night at the West End Fair goes a little something like this:

   1. London Broil Sandwiches with cheese, a root beer, and extra napkins.
   2. A walk through the rows of vendors to browse their goods.
   3. Share a sausage hoagie with my husband.
   4. Shop for country home décor in the craft tents.
   5. Play carnival games and bingo.
   6. Eat an Elephant Ear (PA Dutch dessert which is thick fried dough).
   7. Get food to go.
   8. Haul all of our game winnings, purchases, and doggy bags to the car.

This year our "schedule" might be a bit altered since Nicholas is old enough to participate in many of the children's activities. In addition to great food, games, and vendors; guests can enjoy live musical entertainment, demolish derbies, truck pulls, live stock exhibits, and much more. The West End Fair will be held August 22-28, 2010 at the West End Fair Grounds in Gilbert, PA. 

Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions.

Why do the majority of us like the summer so much? Is it the sunshine, the blue skies, the warm breeze?  Or maybe it's all the incredibly awesome stuff you can do outdoors. During these wonderfully warm months, I enjoy swimming and hiking with Nicholas and Carl. Besides from swimming and hiking, I enjoy laying in the front yard with Nicholas where we can watch the airplanes fly over us, and the skydivers float down from the sky. You can hear the parachutes flap in the wind and the people scream with excitement. 

Recently, I asked a few residents what they love to do in the Pocono Mountains during the summer.  Here is what they had to say...

"I like to spend a day at Beltzville State Park where you can picnic, hike, and swim; and then go to the Casino Theatre for an old-fashioned ice cream and a bargain priced first run movie. While at Beltzville maybe I'll be lucky enough to catch a glider plane catching the air currents above the lake." -Michelle, McMichaels

"I like to go hiking with my son Troy and take him to scenic views. I take him to fairs and waterparks, such as Camelbeach. We also take him to the beach on the Delaware River." -Jayna, Stroudsburg

"I like trying new restaurants. I enjoy Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm and the Water Gap Trolley, which we do once a year. My favorite state park is Promised Land." -Theresa, East Stroudsburg

"I like exploring the woods with my son." -C.F.T., Smithfield Township

Whether you are a visitor or resident, I am sure you have a favorite summer activity. Let me hear all about them! I'm always up for new activities. Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions.

Hello readers! Every week I always talk about why I love the Pocono Mountains. So this week I wanted to SHOW you why I love the Pocono Mountains. Enjoy!

Fortunately, for us, the festival will be going on until the weekend, and I am HOPING to take him. The family fun carnival offers yummy festival food, traditional carnival games, and rides for both children and adults. One of my favorite features about the carnival is free admission! I'm totally excited to pick on cotton candy, play carnival games, and take Nicholas on the children's rides. Seriously, who doesn't love a carnival?

The Fernwood Carnival will be held until August 1, 2010. Carnival hours are 6-10pm during the week and 2-10pm on the weekends. Like I mentioned previously, admission is free and the rides are ‘pay as go'. Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions. 

The No. 9 Mine and Museum is a local landmark that has been preserved so that the public can experience the heritage of Anthracite Coal Mining.  When visiting No. 9 you can tour the museum, which displays many coal mining artifacts such as tools, gear, and employee record books.  The museum also shows examples of a typical coal miner's kitchen.  The museum is actually located in the original "wash shanty" of the mine!

After visiting the museum, be sure to get your ticket for the guided mine tour.  Guests can experience a ride into the mine and get a firsthand look as to what the everyday work environment looked like for a miner.  Be sure to wear your sneakers and bring a light sweater; temperatures range from 52-54 degrees year round.  To learn more about the PA Coal Region, visit http://www.stonecoalway.com/ or http://www.pacoalhistory.com/.

The Coal Miners Heritage Festival was a success.  We listened to old time miner's music, toured the museum, checked out all the exhibitions, took a ton of pictures, and had a lunch that warmed the soul.  I felt like I was back in my mom's kitchen with every bite I took.  Since Nicholas and Carl ate up every bit of their lunch, I knew I had to learn all the secrets of cooking the way they do in the coal region.  We are definitely looking forward to next years festival.  Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions. 

The Sherman Theater was jam packed with wound up concert goers.  There was electricity in the air that you can only experience at a concert such as the Furthur Festival.  I've been going to see Bob, Phil, and the rest of the band since I was 16 years old, and every time I go, I get the same chills as if it was my first concert. 

As the band started up, so did the crowd as they cheered, danced, and sang along.  In between calling home to check on Nicholas, Carl and I danced and sang our hearts out.  We really had a great time.  I must mention that the staff of the Sherman Theater was on point.  Waiters, security, and bartenders alike moved like the speed of light to accommodate the large crowd.  The Sherman Theater has a great team, and it shows, especially when you are dealing with over a 1,000 people at one time.

The Sherman Theater does not only host concerts for adults, they also present children's shows.  In addition, if you are interested in hosting an event at the Sherman Theater, or you want to know what's on their calendar; be sure to check them out on the web at http://www.shermantheater.com/.  Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions.

Smithfield Beach is located off of River Road in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Sun, sand, and water made this a perfect recreation area, especially when you are surrounded in the magnificent National Recreation Area. You can swim, scuba, snorkel, or just simply lay out in the sun. Since Nicholas was quite the little ‘fish', I was in the water more than out. 

Be sure to pack your picnic lunch, sunscreen, life vest, and camera. Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions.

Every year, our family celebrates the 4^th of July with an all day party.  We cook out on the grill, swim in the pool, and treat ourselves to a few frozen cocktails. In addition to the family party, Carl and I will continue celebrating our nation's 234^rd birthday, by taking Nicholas to the Freedom Festival at Dansbury Park in East Stroudsburg.  The festival will include live entertainment, a variety of food, carnival rides for children, and of course a firework spectacular at night.  The festival will be held from 2-9pm and is FREE of charge.  The Freedom Festival is just another example of why I love the good ‘ol USA so much. 

This year, after you are finished with your picnic, be sure to head on down to Dansbury Park and celebrate the 4^th of July with your fellow patriotic friends and neighbors.  Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions. 

(Photo credit: Russ Schleipman)