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As quickly as the Outdoorsian moniker came, it is leaving.  Unfortunately, this will be my last post under the title I've come to love.  Not to get all nostalgic on you here, but I recall some great memories as I look back on my little corner of the blogosphere. 

There was the time I saw a trout that size of a football in Tom's Creek - my unicorn.  And it lived up to its name, as I never saw it again.  Then, as winter fell, I remember sliding down Fernwood's Winter Fun Center on a slipper snow tube, shouting all the way down.  Snowmobiling through Hickory Run State Park was also a blast.  And I most certainly recall the time, at Delaware Water Gap Country Club, when the wheels fell off our near perfect round.  There were many other experiences of course, 76 to be exact.  I am grateful for every single one of them.  

 It's been a quick two years for me here at the PMVB.  I've been jubilant, stressed, excited, frustrated, and every other emotion in the book.  However, throughout all my journeys, adventures, and mishaps, one thing remained constant - I was in the Pocono Mountains, and I was loving life.  I truly enjoyed my time here, and no matter where I end up in the future, it will be hard to top the one, the only, Pocono Mountains. 

Until we meet again, farewell from the Outdoorsian.  I'll leave you with the four most important words I've ever written in this space, "Thank you for reading." 

Kayaking on the glass surface of Keen Lake was not how I envisioned it.  It was better.  I went out around 8 AM as the fog was just lifting off the lake.  It took me a few minutes to get settled in.  But once, I did, I made great time cruising around the quiet surface of the lake.

Launching a kayak by yourself, when you're not trying to get wet, is a difficult task.  I managed to bring a little water into the craft but it didn't matter.  Once I got out there, everything else faded away.  The sound of my paddle hitting the water and the water streaming off the front of the kayak was all I could hear.  Once I got my paddling rhythm down, there was no catching me.   It felt like I was going 15 mph when I really got going. 

My only regret is that I didn't bring a fishing rod.  I saw plenty of fish swimming around underneath me.  Next time, I'll come prepared.

People have been riding horses for thousands of years. I got the chance to ride one at Triple W Riding Stables recently, and it was very clear why horseback riding is still around today. Meant for both work and casual riding, the horse I climbed on was obedient and friendly. All the employees at Triple W went to great lengths to make sure I had an authentic experience.

Named Kizmit, my veteran horse listened to everything I told him, which was a lot. The really great thing about Triple W is that you can take your horse wherever you want. It's real riding and not a follow-the-leader format. I loved that! Being able to take the horse off by myself was a thrill. I was channeling my inner Rocky Mountain rancher. Of course, he snuck in a few bites as we trotted along, but I was more than happy to let him enjoy a snack.

We rode up into a big open field with a view for miles. My horse and I stood at the top of the hill, overlooking the countryside, just me and him. For that moment I felt like I was a real rider and Kizmit was my own personal horse. It was EXACTLY what I wanted. Check out Triple W's website for more information, and if you want some advice, ask for Kizmit. Just make sure he grabs a quick bite before you head out.

A quick glance at the schedule shows women's volleyball and soccer in action on Friday, September 3.  The football team, ranked 16^th in the country, opens at home on the 11^th of September against Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I expect the stadium to be bustling for that one as the warriors look toward another great season.  Women's field hockey, ranked 5^th in the country, plays at home on September  12 against Adelphi at 1pm.  Check out the athletic department homepage for all the scheduling and stats for the season.  

The dropping temperatures are a harbinger for college athletics. The games are so close, only one more week. I've never been more excited to say, "I'll see you in the stands."

Fishing waterfalls offers a chance to combine two of the most popular outdoor activities in the Pocono Mountains. Well, technically you're fishing below the waterfall, but still. It offers a chance to catch big fish amongst beautiful scenery. You will definitely want to take a camera.

Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from in the area. How many? Buttermilk, Shohola, Resica, Hackers, Bushkill, Tumbling Waters, Indian Ladder, Raymondskill, Childs, Dingmans and Silverthread come to mind. In reality, you may not be able to fish each of these however, as regulations may dictate a certain distance be maintained from the falls. But for those you can fish, the chances of catching a prize are good.

As water tumbles over a fall, it scours the streambed underneath. This creates a deep hole directly beneath the waterfall. Ideally, this will stretch out for several feet downstream. These areas are ideal for big fish. The fish here have food that washes over the fall, cover in the form of depth and broken water, and oxygen as the falling water literally oxygenates the pool. Plus, you can get close to these areas due to all the surface disturbance.

After you take some pictures of a waterfall as an onlooker, get close and start thinking like an angler.  Try fishing both sides if possible. The result could be the fish/picture of a lifetime.

I attended last weekend's Wine and Beer Fest event at Blue Mountain, and I thoroughly enjoyed the samplings. On the fringe of the adult beverage goers were some other passionate people. These people, however, were looking more for high-risk adventure than hops. A quick glance up the mountain showed me exactly what they were doing. They were mountain bikers, and they were flying down Blue Mountain.

Every Saturday and Sunday, from 9am to 5pm, you'll see riders on the lifts at Blue, only it won't be skis and snowboards they're clinging to... It is instead their customized bikes that share the seat. Racing down Pennsylvania's highest vertical lift access for mountain biking requires practice, strength and the right gear. Blue Mountain Sports will get you geared up with everything you need. Or you can always rent bikes at Blue Mountain. The experience is all about adrenaline. And like most extreme sports, it requires the usual safety gear - helmets, pads, et cetera.

If you're looking for adventure and something a little more daring, give mountain biking at Blue Mountain a try. Just remember what one wine aficionado told me as we watched the bikers last weekend, "It aint like drinking beer."

Fantasy football season is in full-swing, and the Pocono Mountains Destination Draft packages are ripe for the picking.  With an aggressive marketing and PR campaign, the PMVB is "all in" with fantasy football groups.  Leagues from Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York have inquired about the promotion and we expect many more in the coming weeks.

Even ESPN is interested in our Destination Draft packages, which include a room completely set up for a draft, including wifi, tables, food, and beverage and anything else that is requested.  However, what really sets these draft packages apart is the ability to add on activities, such as golf, paintball, and casino gambling.  Plus, every player in the league receives a free Destination Draft tee shirt.  The response grows with each day, but our resorts are eager for more. 

Check out 800poconos.com/fantasyfootball for all information regarding our Destination Draft packages.  Then, give me a call at 570-421-5791 to get started on yours.

This sport is quickly gaining popularity among the young and old adventure crowd.  It's kind of like skateboarders using a half-pipe.  The tour is becoming bigger by the day.  In total, over the course of the 2010 Tour, over $25,000 will be given out.  It's exciting to watch and tons of fun to try.  So when the events are over this weekend, get yourself some passes at Camelbeach and H20ooohh and try it for yourself.  

A lot, and I mean, a lot has been written about golf in the Pocono Mountains. I, myself, have waxed somewhat poetically about the maddeningly addicting sport. By contrast, very little has been written about disc golf. You know, that sport where you throw Frisbees towards the little stands. It's time to give disc golf its due.

First, a little bit about the rules of the game. The "hole," as it were, is actually a stand featuring chains and a basket. The goal, just like in conventional golf, is to get the ball in the hole (disc in the basket) in the smallest amount of strokes possible. The challenges come in the terrain and distance of the particular hole. Of course, accuracy is the greatest skill a disc golfer can possess. So, where can you play?

Five courses immediately come to mind - one at Blue Mountain, one at River's Edge Park in Shawnee on Delaware, another at Yetter Park in East Stroudsburg, one in Hickory Run State Park and the newest one at Camelback Mountain Adventures. So no matter where you live, there's a course nearby. 

The best thing about this sport is that it's open to all ages and competitors. As a result, the sport is growing rapidly. Expect more writers to jump on the disc golf bandwagon in the near future. For more information about the sport, or to see a list of courses across the state, check out the website of the Professional Disc Golf Association. To join a Pocono Mountains disc golf association, visit bearclaws.org. All that's left is a little bit of practice time... then maybe I'll see you at Blue Mountain for their professional disc golf tournament on August 27-29.

I woke up this morning and went through my usual routine, the details of which resemble 99% of other American's I'm sure. More often than not, I'll remember to glance out my window, which overlooks my unassuming and incredibly unmaintained backyard. This morning, 10 deer of various genders and sizes were rummaging about. The fawns danced around with one another while their parents foraged on the grass just waiting to be weed whacked. Then, as I pulled out of my driveway, I noticed three turkeys crossing the road ahead of me. Like the deer, and myself for that matter, they were simply going about their normal morning routine of eating and grooming. And just to cap it off, I saw two bucks horsing around in an open field just a few minutes from my home. The rising sun cast a beautiful glow over the field. It was the perfect morning screenshot; all of this in a span of 10 minutes. And, to be honest, it's nothing new... Check.

Millions of visitors come from all over to experience the serene, quality of life here in the Pocono Mountains. We get to experience it every morning. And as such, it is easy to become spoiled. It is just as easy to become consumed by the fast-paced, technology-driven lifestyle of today, and forget about nature in general. Look at your weekend plans, and if it's not there already, put a hike in one of our state parks on the agenda. Check out Things To Do page on our site for a myriad of options. If you're lucky, you might end up experiencing something similar to my "morning commute."