OUTDOOR ADVENTURE POCONO MOUNTAINS (PT 2)

So, you wanted to find out more about my Pocono Outdoor Adventure, yay! Well, since it was a show that celebrated the great outdoors, it seemed only fitting for me to “Take a hike!” And so, I did.

For the hike, I headed for the Pocono Environmental Education Center, better knows as PEEC. The Center is a wonderful place to spend the weekend hiking along some of the quarter million acres in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, kayaking and fishing, and spending the night in a curious looking cabin known as a Yurt. If you’re an outdoorsy type, or just want to give nature a try for the first time, PEEC is certainly a wonderful place to start.



But what would an outdoor adventure be without a trail ride atop a horse? So it was that I hit the trails at Mountain Creek Riding Stables. The slow-paced ride through the beautiful trails is enjoyable for all levels of riders and I highly recommend a stop along your travels in the area. The guides and horse handlers are very experienced and make you feel comfortable every step, or gallop, along the way!

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE POCONO MOUNTAINS (PT 1)

Explore PA is all about finding adventure and excitement in your own backyard…luckily for me, we have wonderful travelers who are willing to jump right in and enjoy it. After all, doing too much activity isn’t good to keep a camera-ready face and hairdo on yours truly!

For our Outdoor Adventure: Pocono Mountain episode, we had perhaps the most energetic couple in Explore PA history. In fact, our travelers Jen and Tony took on so much big adventure, we had to make it two episodes!

The show features a new popular activity–the Adventure Race. It incorporates physical and mental challenges. While shooting at the MTEC Race just outside of Chambersburg, it was great fun to watch all the teams gearing up for a day of competition, which included hiking, biking, rowing and puzzles!

Of course, I enjoyed a little adventure of my own…check out Part Two of my blog to find out more!

Fairs and Festivals: Schuylkill County

Ah, there’s nothing that feels more like “Americana” than a homecoming parade! In fact, the annual homecoming parade in Ashland, PA feels like it belongs in a Norman Rockwell painting. And perhaps what made the day even more special, was our wonderful travelers, the Leidigh family from Carlisle, PA. The Leidighs, especially their lovely daughters, were full of energy and made the homecoming parade so enjoyable! We danced away with a group Mummers, wore their crazy hats, and threw out candy to the hundreds of families who lined the streets for the annual event. We even got to meet Elvis! All in all, it was a wonderful day in Ashland!

But of course there’s even more to do in this area! Including a trip to Knoebel’s – Pennsylvania’s largest free amusement park. Or you can take a trip into the Pioneer Tunnel coalmine… be sure to bring a sweater, it’s chilly in there! And of course, a trip to where they have beer brewing beer since 1829, America’s oldest brewery – Yuengling.

In fact, what could be better? A trip to free amusement park, a ride through a chilly coalmine and a final stop for cold freshly brewed beer… sounds like a great day in PA!

ARTISTS’ TRAIL ROUTE 30 (LANCASTER/YORK)

What I love most about my Explore PA travels is the fact that I am often introduced to long-held traditions that are brand new to me…which can be both scary and exhilarating!

During our trip along the Artists’ Trail Route 30 we made a stop at Lancaster Central Market – a traditional farmer’s market that was bustling with activity! Of course, when in Rome, you do as the Romans do…so it was only fair that I try some of the local culinary traditions, which to my chagrin included Souse. For those of you who don’t know what Souse is – it’s pickled pig’s feet! But luckily it’s not nearly as bad as it sounds – Souse is actually the consistency of sauerkraut and wasn’t too bad at all. At the market, I was also encouraged to try a homemade horseradish that had quite a kick! In fact, a dollop of the horseradish was placed on a piece of chocolate, which somehow has the ability to heighten the taste of the horseradish. And boy did it ever!!! My nose was on fire! But once again, it was a great (and funny) experience I won’t soon forget.

While in the area, I was also honored to meet and work with a superbly talented artist and master printmaker, Robert Patierno. Robert was so kind to open his studio to Explore PA and even created a special print for Explore PA that I was able to help with. In addition to working with Robert, I was also able to receive two of his prints that are framed and hang beautifully in my home – a piece of Explore PA that reminds me of what a fun day I had with such a talented artist.

Finally, I want to share that the Lancaster Arts Hotel is stunning! The boutique hotel feels like it was plucked right out of New York City or London and placed in Lancaster. The hotel is filled with amazing works of art from local artists – it’s like a museum within a hotel and I highly recommend a night’s stay if you are in the area.

All in all, another wonderfully artistic trip that has opened my eyes to the joys of exploring PA!