The Poconos

The

Poconos

Explore the Pocono Mountains

Pocono Chalet Stay

Tanya and I took our daughter and grandchildren for three-day stay at a cabin in the Poconos, anticipating returning this winter to test the slopes and take the children to an indoor waterpark

By Bob & Tanya Waite

I

am not prepared. We need to go somewhere to write our getaway story, but I made arrangements too late, so what do I do? Well, I call my brother who has a cabin at Locust Lake Village in Pocono Lake, PA. When I tell Tanya, who loves the Poconos, she suggests that we do a family story, so we call our daughter Sedia and ask her, if she and our grandchildren, Lulu and Nasii would like to come with us. Just after she says “Yes,” eight-year-old Lulu is packing, even though we aren’t leaving for a week later. She puts her clothes, neatly folded, along with her books and a couple of toys on her bed and calls us asking

when we are going to pick them up.

A week later Lulu, eleven-year-old Nasaii, Sedia, Tanya and I are on the Pennsylvania Turnpike heading towards our family fun vacation in the mountains. It is a beautiful fall day. As we approach the mountains, we see the orange and red covered hills and are all smiling. Everyone is in a state of anxious anticipation.

Sedia, who is in a rigorous management training program, simply wants to rest. “I need this,” she says. Tanya is pointing things out to Lulu and Nasii, “Look at the mountains … see those cows … look over there, is that a goat?”

At Locust Lake Village we drive by a couple of lakes many residential and vacation homes, all set in wooded terrain.

Each house is unique, but one stands out among the others and that is the one we know belongs to my brother Bill. Here it is, an amazing three-story cedar colored Pocono Mountain Chalet. It stands out with its downstairs large wraparound deck and its upstairs sundeck off the master bedroom. The Chalet’s rustic feel isn’t marred in any manner by its sleek modern appearance.

Since I’ve never been here before, I am dying to see what is inside. The mistake I make is letting Tanya and Sedia inside first. I move out of the way as they ooh and ahh, taking photos while leaving me and the grandchildren hovelled together in the laundry room. Lulu, Nasii and I make our way into the game room.

There we see a large pool table, a bar (unstocked at the time—shucks!). There is a plume from a wild turkey along with a canoe paddle on the wall, a tv, an oldfashioned gas station sign, a birdhouse, a

Opposite, by brother’s Pocono Mountain Chalet at Locust Lake Village in Pocono Lake, PA. Top left, from left to right, Sedia, Lulu, Nasii, Tanya and Bob at Jubilee Restaurant in Pocono Pines. Top left, a view of the living room on the cabin from the loft. Bottom left, a nearby lake at Locust Lake Villages. Bottom right, a view from the living room showing the hallway and staircase to the loft and the master bedroom.

Artic Paws Dog Sled Tours small round table and chairs with an old radio c. 1949, deer antlers, a beer crossing sign, a Bud Light clock. A brown throw rug with a picture of a bear claw and many other enhancements that say woods and mountains. The large bar has American flags hanging from its top and comfortable bars stools in front of it.

Being on the bottom floor we see the game room and laundry room, but upstairs, is the kitchen and living room with a staircase leading to the loft and master bedroom and its master bathroom. The kitchen is fully stocked with everything needed to cook and keep food. There are spices, a large refrigerator, a dining room table, new cabinets galore, a new stove, and important to Sedia, who promises to cook for us—lots of counter room.

The living room has a stone fireplace, a comfortable sofa, a loveseat and a wooden rocker, which I claim for myself.

“This is mine,” I say to Tanya, Sedia and the kids. They all give me a look, saying with their eyes, “No it’s not; it’s mine.”

Rustic is spelled with a capital ‘R’ in the living room. Some of the pillows have images of bears on them and on the wall are a pair of hockey skates, a centuries’ old sled, ski poles from the 1920s, a clock made from a cut log with bark around the outside. Figures of a baker, a bear holding a fish with “Gone Fishing” sign, an oldfashioned angler, and a carved dog faced

Skiing Cambelback Mountain

Off the living room there is a hallway with a full bath, two bedrooms, one with a queen size bed and one with two twins. The hallway itself is distinctive because in it is a phone booth with a real yet inoperable pay phone. upright figurine with a coat, boots and a shovel, all sitting atop the mantle over the fireplace. On the wall behind the sofa is a small wooden ladder, some nostalgic posters and a wooden sign saying Bucks County Town & Country Living, which was the name of this magazine before we changed it to Bucks County Magazine.

Off the living room there is a hallway with a full bath, two bedrooms, one with a queen size bed and one with two twins.

The hallway itself is distinctive because in it is a phone booth with a real yet inoperable pay phone. The two bedrooms are also decorated with country quilts, wall hangings, antler lamps and other items creating an antique woodsy atmosphere.

The staircase in the living room has green painted railings made with wide

planks and leads to the loft and master bedroom. Tanya is in love with loft. “It’s the bomb diggity!” she says looking over the railing down into the living room, and then taking a photo of Sedia, Nasii and Lulu sitting comfortably on the couch watching Lulu’s Barbie cartoons. I gravitate to the sofa bed, where I lie reading my Kindle using the natural light coming in from the windows and large glass panes.

Behind me a sign that says, “Go Jump In the lake.”

I had to brace Tanya as she walked into the master bedroom. In an almost sobbing voice she says, “Oh” and puts her hand over her mouth. The master bedroom is a stargazer’s delight, with windows at the top of the room and a doorway onto the sundeck, making it our own personal sundeck. The master bath is vital to us, since Sedia and the kids are using the downstairs bath.

The first day we chill. The next day I take the kids for a walk down the ski slope.

Lulu and Nasii try to sneak up on about five deer huddled by the Lakehouse. Lulu, being impatient and a little impish, starts running toward them and they disperse.

Nasii is miffed by what he perceives as his sister’s immaturity and expresses it in a way that resulted in an argument. Thinking as fast as a poppop can, I diffuse the altercation by suggesting a race back to cabin. They both claim to have won, but

An American Bald Eagle the three of us running uphill are exhausted. We go back in and flop on the couches.

Tanya is cooking fried chicken, and I decide to take the kids to the lake with its well cared for beach and best of all a playground. Lulu and Nasii explore. There are several boats tied up and they inspect them. Then in the playground I take videos while Lulu swings and Nasii keeps on exploring the area. After a while I am getting a little chilled by the mid-40s temperature, so I coax them into taking a ride. We find some interesting dirt and gravel roads.

I pull over, pull up the seat and tell Nasii that it is time for him to do some of the driving. And he does. Lulu is holding her hands over her eyes, saying slow down, but Nasii, who is in fact driving slowly, pays his sister’s teasing no mind. After Nasii’s driving experience, we head back to the cabin.

Tanya is excited. “I saw three wolves,” she exclaims. “They walked right by the edge of the property near the neighboring house.” I say, “Wow!” I call my brother to tell him and he says, “They were probably coyotes.” I’m not sure, but I know that for the rest of my life, I am going to hear Tanya telling people about the ferocious wolves she saw in the mountains.

Tanya’s chicken, pasta salad, and mixed vegetables are great. After eating we decide to have a movie night and watch

Mt Airy Casino Resort

As Tanya and Sedia are left talking at the table, I take the kids out again. I want to take them to Tannersville so we can drive to the top of Camelback Mountain and view the area from a high point. a Christmas movie on the tv in the living room. I am ready for bed early. As we lie in bed, we see the stars through the glass pane near the ceiling of our room. It is stunning to see the sky without light pollution. As we say our bedtime prayers, Tanya thanks God for the beautiful universe that He spoke into existence.

It's morning and I am ready to get on the move. Sedia makes us a super breakfast—scrambled eggs and cheese, bacon, toast, coffee. We say grace and dig in. As Tanya and Sedia are left talking at the table, I take the kids out again. I want to take them to Tannersville so we can drive to the top of Camelback Mountain and view the area from a high point.

The top of Camelback Mountain is in-

vigorating. On the way we see several deer and Nasii tries to wake up Lulu but she is fast asleep. We get to the top and Nasii is overawed by the scenic view of the whole area and the drop. He does not venture near the edge, but Lulu runs to the landing for the ski lift that takes people to the zip line. Even though there is a very safe railing, it isn’t safe enough for me to let her run there unattended. I rush up beside her and keep her back at a safe distance. The zip line is closed, but the cable line 180 feet off the ground and 4000 feet long is visible.

Nasii says in all sincerity, “I would not go on that.” Lulu says, “I would.” But I suspect her bravado is imaginary. I know I had a hard time getting her to pick a ride that seemed safe when we were at the Jersey Shore.

By the time we return it is raining. I go to the loft and Tanya, Sedia and the kids watch tv, talk and enjoy family time together. It warms my heart, but I am glad to be alone in the loft laying on the sofa bed.

The rain stops and we leave for dinner at Jubilee Restaurant in Pocono Pines.

The Jubilee Restaurant features delicious American cuisine and a pub with full bar including craft beers. It also offers occasional entertainment. We arrive at this family restaurant located at Pocono Pines on Route 940 around 4:30 in the afternoon. We are greeted by hostess who seats

us and a friendly waitress who takes our order.

Tanya orders the Honey Ginger-Soy Salmon, which is oven roasted salmon with a honey and soy glaze served atop jasmine rice and vegetable of the day. Sedia orders the Baby Back Ribs, which is half rack of baby back pork ribs BBQ sauce.

Served with potatoes au gratin, cornbread, and vegetable of the day. Lulu orders Chicken Tenders with French fries, Nasii orders wings and French fries and I order the Pot Roast with mashed potatoes and vegetable of the day.

The food and the atmosphere are great. Inside it is rustic and large. There is also a pub. We are very happy and fulfilled eating together at the Jubilee Restaurant and as we are leaving, we see that the restaurant is filled with people.

Going back to the cabin we are all quiet. No one wants to go home. We leave the Poconos with smiles but there is also sadness because we love it here and hope to return soon. And when we come back the nest time, we plan on doing some of the many things offered in the Poconos.

ACTIVITIES The beauty of the 2400 square miles of mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and woodlands in the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania we call the Poconos makes it the perfect getaway for sightseeing and activities like hiking, boating, bicycling, or simply driving to lookout points and viewing the natural beauty of this amazing area.

Yet beauty alone doesn’t attract the 27.9 million visitors yearly who come to the Poconos for waterparks, skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating, dog sleds, night life, gaming, shopping, fishing, hunting, golf and visiting the 15 museums that showcase historical, cultural and artistic importance of the region. And if you go to Memorytown USA, you can ride full size, late model off road ATV's.

For our listing, we have selected indoor waterparks and ski areas out of the

many things you can do on a winter getaway in the Poconos.

Indoor Waterparks H20ooohh! is a family indoor waterpark located in the Town Center at Split Rock Hotel with 53,326 square feet of water attractions. H20ooohh! has three four-story slides, a wavepool, activity pool, Jungle play structure with dumping bucket, and Leapin' Lillypads crossing area. For more information, call 570-722-9111 ext. 789/819 or visit www.SpliltRockHotel.com.

Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark is 125,000 square feet and features a transparent roof, which allows the sunlight in.

13 slides, a wavepool, an adventure river, multilevel play and spray structures, toddler area, simulated surfing experience and food and beverage services, including a swim-up bar that rounds out the action and adventures. For more information, call 570-629-1665 or visit www.camelbackresort.com.

Great Wolf Lodge is a massive, 84-degree indoor waterpark contains thousands of square feet of family fun, from slides for the thrill-seekers to zero-depth entry playgrounds for the little ones. For more information, call 570-688-9899.

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions has 220,000 square feet of wet and wild indoor fun featuring a retractable roof. Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania an allunder-one-roof experience that combines wet and wild fun with world-class dining, a luxurious spa, shopping experiences, a Big Game Room, outdoor Gorilla Grove Treetop. For more information, call 877-525-2427 or visit www.kalahariresorts.com/pennsylvania.

Skiing & Snow Tubing Big Boulder & Jack Frost Mountain complement one another and offer guests two discount experiences on the same lift ticket. With 15 slopes, Big Boulder de-

votes 50% of its overall terrain to park features. Lessons and rentals available.

For more information, call 570-443-8425.

Visit www.jfbb.com for information about both areas.

Camelback Mountain Features 39 trails, 16 lifts, 100% snowmaking and all trails illuminated for night skiing and riding. Camelback is also home to the biggest snow tubing park in the USA with up to 42 lightning-fast lanes, two magic carpets, and Galactic Snowtubing after dark. For more information, call 570-629-1661 or visit www.camelbackresort.com/skitube/our-ski-experience.

Blue Mountain Resort Offers 40 ski trails, five terrain parks, 16 lifts and up to 46 tubing lanes all at one resort! The mountain boasts the state's highest vertical drop, 1,082 feet, for a thrilling downhill experience. For more information, call 610-826-7700 or visit www.skibluemt.com.

Shawnee Mountain Ski Area features 125 skiable acres, 23 trails, the Tomahawk Express high-speed quad lift, two terrain parks and a snow tubing park, 100% snowmaking and daily grooming. For more information, call 570-421-7231 or visit www.shawneemt.com.

Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain Specializes in private beginner lessons, Ski Big Bear offers something for all abilities. The mountain is open for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing with 100% snowmaking. For more information, call 570-226-8585 or visit https www.ski-bigbear.com.

Adventure Center at Skytop Lodge features a wide, crowd-free, gentle slope with a vertical drop of 295 feet and experience the ultimate skiing rush. Skytop Lodge offers the perfect setting for new skiers without the crowds. For more information, call 855-345-7759 or visit www.skytop.com.v Bob Waite is the editor of Bucks County Magazine and Tanya is his wife, travel companion and the co-writer of this department.

Top left, a scenic view of Mt. Tammany.

Center left sking at Blue Mountain Resort.

Center right, Kalahari Resorts which has a large indoor water park. Bottom,The Water’s Edge Restaurant & Bar in Memorytown,

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