Wintry mini-break
This past weekend...well, Sunday-Monday, we drove up to the Pocono Mountains in PA after having made plans to meet up with a good friend of mine from high school and her husband.
Our drive up was awful to say the least- a dense fog pervaded the roads, especially in the mountains, and then it started pouring as well. This is what we could see out the car windows:
Everyone was driving with their hazard lights on in order to be seen when you got within 20 feet of them. But we made it to our hotel and met up with our friends. We went out to lunch at Bailey's Steakhouse which was pretty good and then to Cherry Valley Winery. They definitely specialize in sweet fruit wines, which we found yummy for the mostpart, and bought 3 bottles, including a raspberry champagne for New Year's.
S likes the sparkly
As the rain continued on, we then decided to do some outlet shopping. Our goal of getting my friend's husband snow pants was quickly achieved, although she did not end up purchasing this lovely hat:
To complete the evening's activities, we went to Mount Airy Lodge which has been completely renovated from the olden days, when I can still remember hearing the tv jingle for the hotel while growing up next door in Jersey. The lodge now has a big fancy casino where we all tried our luck and failed.
In the lobby
I really liked the lighting although it reminded me of jellyfish
The highest we got from our original $20 is seen here, $26.60. And then we blew it all of course.
Yes, yes, we're playing penny slots. The money lasts longer ;)
We had a nice italian dinner at 'Le Sorelle Cucina' in the lodge, although I think dessert was the best part (when isn't it?)
The next day, we drove to Camelback ski area to go snow tubing. We figured it would be low-risk and high-fun, and indeed it was. Let me tell you though, those tubes go FAST down the mountain. The first time I tried it, I went head first on my stomach and scared the bejeesus out of myself.
Ready to tube!
S coming down the chute
My friend taking her chances head first
Me whizzing by
Friend's hubby flying down
Last picture I got, you can see S with her feet tucked up
We ate a delicious lunch at Barley Creek Brewery afterwards before parting ways for our trips back home.
Since it was on our way back, S & I decided to stop at Hershey. We had one hour before closing, and it was still surprisingly busy for Christmas Eve. We hopped onto the ride at Chocolate World (wow, that's a cheesy website) and I have to say, I've been on this ride more times than I can count and it's always been the same....until this time. Why they found the need to add Dreamgirl-esque singing cows is beyond me and a bit frightening.
About halfway through the ride, the smell of chocolate fills the area and you come out ready to kill for some. Clever, very clever. So we bought a couple things and a Reeses sundae.
We then walked around the outer Hershey park area which was completely deserted and found this strange statue:
So I did what anyone would upon seeing such a thing....
We left after that, and spotted a Christmas lights display along the main road.
These are apparently the Hershey "sweet lights." Cute. Exhausted, we drove home, satisfied with our mini break :)
Our drive up was awful to say the least- a dense fog pervaded the roads, especially in the mountains, and then it started pouring as well. This is what we could see out the car windows:
Everyone was driving with their hazard lights on in order to be seen when you got within 20 feet of them. But we made it to our hotel and met up with our friends. We went out to lunch at Bailey's Steakhouse which was pretty good and then to Cherry Valley Winery. They definitely specialize in sweet fruit wines, which we found yummy for the mostpart, and bought 3 bottles, including a raspberry champagne for New Year's.
S likes the sparkly
As the rain continued on, we then decided to do some outlet shopping. Our goal of getting my friend's husband snow pants was quickly achieved, although she did not end up purchasing this lovely hat:
To complete the evening's activities, we went to Mount Airy Lodge which has been completely renovated from the olden days, when I can still remember hearing the tv jingle for the hotel while growing up next door in Jersey. The lodge now has a big fancy casino where we all tried our luck and failed.
In the lobby
I really liked the lighting although it reminded me of jellyfish
The highest we got from our original $20 is seen here, $26.60. And then we blew it all of course.
Yes, yes, we're playing penny slots. The money lasts longer ;)
We had a nice italian dinner at 'Le Sorelle Cucina' in the lodge, although I think dessert was the best part (when isn't it?)
The next day, we drove to Camelback ski area to go snow tubing. We figured it would be low-risk and high-fun, and indeed it was. Let me tell you though, those tubes go FAST down the mountain. The first time I tried it, I went head first on my stomach and scared the bejeesus out of myself.
Ready to tube!
S coming down the chute
My friend taking her chances head first
Me whizzing by
Friend's hubby flying down
Last picture I got, you can see S with her feet tucked up
We ate a delicious lunch at Barley Creek Brewery afterwards before parting ways for our trips back home.
Since it was on our way back, S & I decided to stop at Hershey. We had one hour before closing, and it was still surprisingly busy for Christmas Eve. We hopped onto the ride at Chocolate World (wow, that's a cheesy website) and I have to say, I've been on this ride more times than I can count and it's always been the same....until this time. Why they found the need to add Dreamgirl-esque singing cows is beyond me and a bit frightening.
About halfway through the ride, the smell of chocolate fills the area and you come out ready to kill for some. Clever, very clever. So we bought a couple things and a Reeses sundae.
We then walked around the outer Hershey park area which was completely deserted and found this strange statue:
So I did what anyone would upon seeing such a thing....
We left after that, and spotted a Christmas lights display along the main road.
These are apparently the Hershey "sweet lights." Cute. Exhausted, we drove home, satisfied with our mini break :)