Blogs

What's red, orange and yellow all over? I'll give you a hint, it's not peppers, McDonald's or Play-Doh. It's fall foliage in the Pocono Mountains of course! Autumn is a truly spectacular time in the region. Ok, so you may be thinking to yourself why is this crazy girl talking about fall already since Labor Day hasn't even passed; however, this year is slightly different from most. Due to the summer's lack of rain and dry conditions, some of the leaves in our region have already started to change and it's not even September!

During the autumn months, we showcase over 127 varieties of trees, shrubs and plants. To add to this complex mix, three different zones of coloration across our four-county region. In layman's terms, this means that different areas of our region experience different colors and the ultimate prime peak colors at separate times due to elevation, weather, moisture, etc. Thus, all the more reason you need to tune into my Fall Foliage Forecast! And don't worry, I don't create these reports from scratch, I seek assistance from the experts at the forestry offices.

As a Bureau, we have let visitors and residents alike aware of the color changes for over 20 years now, but this year will be different. In addition to the phone line, online and social media components, we are throwing in a mobile option! So starting September 2 and every Thursday thereafter, call 570-421-5565, visit the Fall Foliage Forecast webpage, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or text POCONOS to 77950 in order to get the weekly reports to let you know where, when and how the leaves are changing.

Witnessing prime foliage in the Pocono Mountains is an amazing experience not to be missed. Because this year's coloration is already so early, does this mean peak colors will happen a lot earlier? I don't have the answers now, so be sure to follow my Fall Foliage Forecast and find out! Here's to an exceptional 2010 fall season in the Pocono Mountains!

Ok, I am going to be a very bad PR person right now so shhh don't tell anyone! I have to admit that I had never been to Boulder Field prior to this past weekend and I have probably sent over a dozen journalists there. See, I told you it was bad! Since I have heard rave reviews from all of my colleagues who have been, I finally decided I needed to go myself.  This weekend, I embarked on the adventure with my significant other and friends.

Now, I have to confess I have seen pictures before. From looking at these, I had made the assumption that this field is full of rocks, similar to pebbles. WRONG! The name is correct because many of the BOULDERS were twice the size of my boyfriend who happens to be 6'3. We even had a contest who could find a boulder which equaled four Joes!

While we were crossing the boulders, the four of us happened to get in a discussion on how exactly this National Natural Landmark happened to be formed. You are literally in the middle of the woods and BAM! all of a sudden a 3.5-mile field of thousands of boulders appears. I promise you this spectacular sight is unlike anything you have seen before. 

So the quick answer from the park is glacial formations. However, I decided to dig deeper and see how glaciers could really form a site like this. From what I understand, during the most recent glacial period, approximately 20,000 years ago, melting glaciers carried the boulders from ridges and deposited them into a valley which is now Boulder Field. This completely makes sense once you visit and understand the layout of Hickory Run State Park.

I highly recommend making a stop on your next trip to the Pocono Mountains! I do have to caution you that some of the boulders are loose and shift when you navigate across them so please take caution. However, the park was full of young children when I was there, and I was even left in the dust by a puppy, so I promise it's not that difficult.  

I'm glad I've shared my Boulder Field conundrum with you so instead of wondering in awe on your visit, you can relish in the natural beauty!

 

On the third floor of our office, it's not uncommon to hear that dreaded word, intern. Before I came on board full-time last June, I actually interned here the summer after my freshman and sophomore years of college at the Pennsylvania State University. My co-workers like to keep me humble by reminding me of my roots every so often. Ok, more like every day.  

This past spring, I was privileged enough to go back and speak for the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at my alma mater, dear old state. Post presentation, I met an ambitious young lady looking for an exceptional internship experience the summer before her senior year. Of course the Penn State education helped her cause, but we were fortunate enough to bring her on board for an outstanding internship. Finally, I was no longer known as the only intern in the PR office!

Unfortunately, Brittany's last day was this week.  I got the chance to sit down with her and reflect on her time spent here. Check out her comments below:

Although you grew up in the Pocono Mountains, you explored more of the four counties during your time at the Bureau. What did you learn about the region?

"It's amazing that I have lived in the Pocono Mountains my whole life and still have yet to explore everything that the four counties have to offer. Before working at the Bureau I was unaware of how many counties the Pocono Mountains actually encompassed and never ventured much further than my home in Monroe County. I regret never having been to the lake region to witness the breathtaking scenery and partake in the endless recreational activities."

You're about to begin your senior year as a public relations major at the Pennsylvania State University (Sounds familiar). Has working at the Bureau changed your perception of the travel and tourism industry?

"My perception of travel and tourism has definitely changed from working at the Bureau. Prior to, I wasn't sure what field of public relations I wanted to pursue and travel and tourism had never crossed my mind. Now I could definitely see myself continuing within the industry. It was fun working in a field that catered to travel, which everyone enjoys, especially in the Pocono Mountains!"

What is your favorite location in the Pocono Mountains and why?

"I recently discovered my favorite location in the Pocono Mountains this summer, atop the Glen Onoko Falls trail in Jim Thorpe, overlooking the Lehigh Gorge. The weather was beautiful and the hike was rather strenuous. I even fell in love with an adorable Bernese mountain dog following her owners up the mountain."

What is the one place in the region you wanted to go, but you didn't get the opportunity to see this summer?

"Unfortunately, I never made it to dinner at desaki as I had planned. I will definitely make it a priority next time I'm home and hopefully my PMVB friends will meet me!"

What was your favorite project to work on during your summer here?

"My favorite project was the profile sheet I created for the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) marketplace event in September. It's exciting to know that my work will be viewed by approximately different media outlets. I'm glad my work was worthy of being used at this event."

What was your favorite memory of interning at the Bureau?

"Although I have made a lot of irreplaceable memories while interning at the Bureau, my favorite was the Community Fundraiser at Skytop Lodge. As an intern, it was an honor to be able to attend such a prestigious event in the Pocono Mountains. Of course it was exciting dressing for an elegant evening with my friends at the Bureau, but I was mostly taken aback by the community relations aspect. It was truly touching to see my own community gather in efforts to raise money for the well-deserving organizations. I took pride in joining my fellow community to come out in support of our home in the magnificent Pocono Mountains."

Any last remarks you'd like to share?

"By working at the Bureau and keeping in touch with all the Pocono Mountains' has to offer, there was no need to vacation elsewhere. Instead of the beach one weekend, I decided to explore the Jim Thorpe area and hike to what is now my favorite spot in the region. It's amazing what I have found in my own backyard!"

We have beauty, oh yes we do, we have beauty how about you?! With all the Pocono Mountains has to offer from spas to outdoor recreation to gaming and everything in between, there is one common denominator underlying it all, our natural beauty. Any visitor to the area will tell you no matter what they experience, that this region is simply stunning.

Thus, we decided to play that card with our latest marketing initiative... meet the cam! This summer, we invested in a camera and mounted it at one of our best views of Lake Wallenpaupack, on the docks of 1st Klas Marina. Because what says summer in the Pocono Mountains better than water recreation? Currently, this camera feeds into the NBC Philadelphia office and if you're lucky enough to be in their viewing area, you just saw your first glimpse of this picturesque scene Wednesday. If you missed it don't worry, you'll be seeing these amazing views daily!

Think about the possibilities, once autumn leaves start to showcase their vibrant oranges, blazing reds and golden yellows, the reflection on the water will provide an amazing shot. We're also looking into getting another camera and mounting it at one of our ski areas during the winter. Is there a better way to get live ski conditions than witnessing the groomed trails and the powder falling from the sky?

The lake cam is just the beginning and we are thrilled it is live! In the future, we may even have a live feed on our own website, allowing potential visitors to visualize their next getaway right on their laptops. So tune in to your local news networks, you may soon be seeing the Pocono Mountains taking over the airways... in fact, I'm sure you will!

For anyone who has ever read my blog, you know that I am birthday obsessed. Ok, maybe obsessed doesn't cut it, how about crazed, manic... you get the point! I do apologize to everyone in advance for the constant reminders, countdowns and "subtle hints," but there is something about birthdays that makes me excited, even giddy. This past week I was especially enthused because I got to celebrate the birthday of my pride and joy, PoconoTourism.

That's right, it's been one whole year since our social media strategy was launched and our Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and Blog accounts appeared. Throughout the past year you've collected Foodie Friday recipes from some of the best chefs in the area on Twitter, learned about the first announcement of table games on Facebook,  went inside our Fantasy Football Destination Draft on Flickr, met our PR Personality (That's me!) on countless YouTube videos and followed five bloggers who recounted spooky tales on Halloween.  And throughout all of that craziness, I am proud to say we have over 1,000 likes on Facebook and close to 1,000 followers on Twitter.

I can't wait to see what year two brings! However, we can't improve without your help. As always, we appreciate feedback on what you like, dislike and want to see more of. With your guidance, we hope to make PoconoTourism even better this year. So happy first birthday PoconoTourism, it's been one heck of a ride!

P.S. My birthday is currently 9 months and 30 days away.

I've sat beachside at Lake Wallenpaupack, check! I've braved the adventure course at CBK Mountain Adventures, check! I've even played a few rounds of golf and indulged in table games, check and check! However, I feel like something is missing this summer season. Some must-experience aspect of the season that I haven't indulged in yet...festivals and events!

What is the summer season without the classic festivals and events that everyone loves from infancy to adulthood? Every weekend the Pocono Mountains plays host to numerous festivals and events, and I encourage you to follow my fellow blogger, The Weekender, for all the upcoming event news. However, I'm here to tell you about two new festivals this August, and you're going to want to mark your calendars now.

The first up is the nine-day Buck Hill-Skytop Music Festival. Yes, you heard me correctly, and nine days was way longer than my last vacation. This festival will bring the spotlight to high caliber opera, chamber and jazz music. Boasting open rehearsals, box-lunch discussion, master classes, song-writing session, jam sessions, twilight concerts and more, the goal is to present musical and educational programming to the community. Now, I may be the most non-musically inclined person I know, but I'm always up for trying something new, and I sat second chair back in fifth grade when I played the flute, so why not indulge in some classes. Either way I can appreciate extraordinary talent when I hear it, and you'll want to check out their full schedule line-up.

The next up is the Wally Lake Fest on August 27-29. A celebration of our largest lake in the region, this festival screams summer fun packed into three days. From a microbrew tasting to a boat parade to cycling bike ride, there are plenty of ways to honor the lake region and its amenities. Check out their full schedule of over 15 events. However, you must take some time out of this festival to recreate at my well-known favorite spot, the Palmyra Beach.

So while these last few weeks of the season come to an end, be sure to savor summer with some of the greatest festivals around. Be part of these inaugural events and make them legendary for years to come in the Pocono Mountains!

The magical day has come and gone, but the fun is here to stay! This past Tuesday, July 13, the long awaited table games debuted at Mount Airy Casino Resort and boy were they worth the wait. With a total of 74 tables, most of which are variations of blackjack, poker, craps and roulette will provide entertainment for all skill levels from novices to experts.

I myself have only thrown a few dollars into a slot machine and I can't wait to embark on a table games adventure! You will probably find me on the main gaming floor this weekend wishing for a new pair of shoes at the craps table or trying my hand at roulette. The designated Poker Parlor, offering over 6 different kinds of poker seems slightly intimidating to this amateur, but if Poker is your game it is the place to be. I also want to check out the Asian-themed room which boasts 17 tables of baccarat, Pai Gow tiles, poker and blackjack. I plan on brushing up on my Mandarin first though, considering staffers in this room are fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin, as well as 12 other dialects.

In the works since Mount Airy Casino Resort's opening in 2007, table games seem to be the icing on this cake, but wait there's more! (I feel like the ShamWow salesman.) The resort is looking to move forward with additional plans including 200 more hotel rooms, expansions to their conference facilities, several new businesses, a possible second hotel and concert arena. 

For now, the region is booming with excitement for the games and I am right on board. It's a good thing that yesterday was pay day, because I'm off to hit the tables!

In society, we like to believe opposites attract. This is not only evident with a city boy and small town girl in Journey's hit song "Don't Stop Believin'" or the ever so popular black and white cookies. This belief also applies to the travel industry. If you live in a major metropolitan city, chances are you're going to crave a relaxing, non-commercial, back to nature destination for your next vacation. Somewhere you can relax in the serenity of mother earth, while having the option to partake in endless recreational opportunities and the Pocono Mountains is taking this bet with our current summer marketing campaign.


From train cards to bus wraps to billboards to web cams, we are teasing and taunting the major metropolitan areas of New York City and Philadelphia. We're exposing commuters to a sliver of our rolling mountain terrain, breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, thriving woodlands and refreshing waterways in every way we possibly can until they can no longer take it and escape to the Pocono Mountains. In the words of the Guinness guys, it's "Brilliant!"

So be sure you have your camera on hand because we want to see your Pocono Mountains advertising experience. Whether it's on your daily commute or travels throughout the northeast, send us a picture or video on our PoconoTourism Facebook or Twitter accounts and let us know where you found it. "Hit me with your best shot! Fire away!" So while you get to picture sharing, I'm off to listen to some Journey and Pat Benatar.

Hello July! With temperatures rising, the upcoming Fourth of July holiday and the itch to get outdoors, I have only one thing running through my mind, WATER. Not the kind that comes out of a tap or bottled, I'm talking about cool, refreshing and full of summer fun...lakes in the Pocono Mountains of course!

July marks the official Lakes Appreciation Month and with 150 lakes throughout the entire four-county region, it's tough to decide just which one to recreate at. From fishing to boating to kayaking to jet skiing and everything in between, there's a lake to suit you in the Pocono Mountains. You can also check out weekly Rivers and Lakes Report to get an idea of some events going on in the waterways of the region.

Personally, I often think the bigger the better when it comes to sunglasses, shoes and diamonds so why wouldn't the same philosophy apply to lakes? I absolutely love to head up to our largest lake, Lake Wallenpaupack for an afternoon of rejuvenation. This lake is the third largest man-made in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and encompasses 5,700 acres, as well as 52 miles of uninterrupted shoreline. In my mind, this equates to pure bliss!

Whichever lake you choose to recreate at this month or summer, be sure to show your appreciation for these pristine bodies of water. Recreate safely and properly to ensure generations to come will share the same memories. As for me, you will find me ringing in July beachside at Lake Wallenpaupack!   

If you know me, you know I am extremely passionate about food. I love to eat, I am always thinking about my next meal and nothing excites me more than the chance to try new cuisine. I'm shocked I don't weigh more than 500 pounds! This is why I was so excited when we decided to launch our Foodie Friday campaign back in April and to my dismay, this stellar campaign comes to an end today.

For ten weeks, we highlighted some of the best area chefs with one-on-one interviews and unique recipes. This way, readers, residents and visitors to the region get to know the culinary talent in our incredible restaurants, resorts and recreational cooking schools.  

From BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs to Seafood Mousse Stuffed Shrimp to Tuna Tataki, we have featured a variety of recipes to fit all skill sets. We've also learned that one of chefs prepared Sea Bass for president  George W. Bush and was then asked for an open faced grilled cheese because he didn't eat seafood and that another chef plated a wedding during a complete power outage. For more great stories and recipes, be sure to check out all ten of the chef's stories on the Foodie Friday homepage.

Obviously we know how much I enjoyed this campaign, but I want to hear from you! Let me know what you liked, what you didn't and maybe some recipes you tried or want to get from our chefs. Depending on your feedback, we are hoping to continue a fall foodie campaign centered around autumn flavors and locally sourced items. Doesn't it just make you crave squash soup, pumpkin ravioli and apple pie?  See, I told you that I have an unhealthy obsession with food!