MARILYN AND MINERVA TRAVEL TO THE PECKONOS IN PHENSYLVANIA

Esther and Eunice took a break from traveling to take care of their newly adopted daughter, Ethel Louise.  Marilyn and I were on the road and traveling to an area of Pennsylvania called The Poconos...or the Pocono Mountains.  We headed across New Jersey on Route 80 to the Northwestern part of this area.  Since Esther and Eunice were not there to rename this, we did it for them.  It is now The Peckonos in Phensylvania. 

Marilyn was certainly into her tactics of being a klepto.  But I watched it all and made sure that items were not taken home.

Our first stop was to a place called The French Manor Inn and Spa, located in South Sterling.  We got a spa suite.  There was even a Jacuzzi in the bedroom area.

 We had a lite lunch at the poolside followed by a massage.

The scenery was just gorgeous and we were just so relaxed.  They serve afternoon tea here in their "cafe" (Marilyn loved the artwork, especially one of the small sculptures) .  It's an extremely informal way to dine here...but keep in mind that The French Manor is not your usual type of accommodations here in the Peckonos.  I would describe it as a very romantic couples or the most relaxing "treat yourself" resort.

After some time, we went to the formal dining room for dinner that started with an amuse bouche.  We weren't too hungry so we munched on this scrumptious salad.

Marilyn and I went for a stroll in the garden area and we met Jeffery Huntzinger, the Executive Chef.

After checking out we stopped at a place called Coutt's Blueberry farm.  It was a bit too early to pick them.  They did have lots of products.  Marilyn wanted to "buy" this blueberry spread that had a lot less sugar than their regular jam.

We continued north to Lake Wallenpaupack...I guess we should have renamed it Lake Wallenpaupeck to a real family resort called Erhardt's.  It would be a great place for all five of us to go to....maybe next time.

Dinner was at  Gersham's Chophouse in Hawley where we had a sample of appetizers.

We stayed awhile at the lake to watch the sunset.  The next morning we went over to the lake to watch humans boating and some lady on water skis.

Afterwards we met some of the staff.   Marilyn saw that this lady was going to have a baby so she talked to it.  I hope she wasn't thinking of stealing it.

Erhardt's has a restaurant and that is where we had lunch.

Time to head back to New Yolk. 

HISTORY LESSON IN QUHENCY, MEGGSACHUSETTS

It looks as though Esther and I will be home for awhile.  We want to announce the adoption of a baby chicken.  We went to the Susan Liben wing of Chicks 'R' Us and got an adorable girl which we named Ethel Louise.  She did come along with us but hasn't entered the world in terms of food and recreation.

She did go with us on our last trip to the Adirondacks.

We took Megabus from New Yolk to Bosthen and was driven around by Sam Clark from the Yellow Taxi Cab Company for the few days.  I don't think he was too thrilled when we wanted to take the wheel.  We then made sure that he did the rest of the driving.

After checking into the Best Western Hotel...which I later caught that it should have been called, "Worst Best Western",  we were certainly ready for lunch. Being here we thought it be best first dine on fish.  We went to Burke's Seafood on Billings Rd.  The chowder was great and we saved the oyster crackers for later.

To begin with some of the history of this city, the Historic Society was a quick learning experience.  John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Abagail Adams, and a host of others as well as products and companies that began in Quhency.

Okay, we did pose Ethel Louise here since it was appropriate.

Took a nap.  Quite hot outside...almost enough to melt.  We hung around until dinner at Fuji's locate on Hancock Street.  No we did not rename it.  Met owner Jimmy Liang and had sushi and a glass of saki.

It is July 4th, Independence Day.  We got to play the part of one of the delegates of the Declaration of Independence.  Our name was William Paca from Maryland...don't worry we changed the name of that state as well.

Dinner that evening was at the hotel.  Adams Pub.  Had a glass of Samuel Adams beer and oyster crackers.

 Last day.  We had lunch at the Marina Bay area.  Restaurant was called Port 305.  Had an iced coffee and was appalled at seeing the leftover bones from someone eating chicken wings.

Some guy named Scott took us to see the first Dunkin Donuts, which still stands here in Quhency.

 Time to go back to New Yolk.  

ROAD TRIP TO THE HENDIRONDACKS, IN NEW YOLK

Once again, Marilyn and Minerva stayed home as Eunice and I took a road trip to the Adirondacks, which we renamed, "Hendirondacks" as we continue to discover the lands of this country. The Hendirondacks are located in the upstate area of New Yolk.

As we first arrive in the town of Glens Falls Eunice spots some Adirondack chairs.  Neither of us had any intention of posing for that commercial regarding the need for a pecker picker upper, just to sit in one.

Being that it was lunchtime, we went to this wonderful little restaurant called Celia's Table and met owners Maureen and Pam.  One of the most popular dishes is a soup called Chicken Pot Pie.  We were a bit upset about seeing it, but the humans seem to love it.  They make it a Thanksgiving dinner looking thing by adding sweet potatoes , stuffing and cranberry compote.  Sandwich was a chicken salad....oy vey!  However, they make this delicious cole slaw and a side dish of broccoli with bacon.
That's Pam on the left of the photo.

Rather than have dessert, we found this place called the Chocolate Mill.  Although we looked, Eunice and I didn't buy anything.  We heard about another place and wanted to save our chocolate appetite for that one.

Next stop was a really lovely place called The Hyde Collection...lots of art and sculpture stuff.  Some lady with the last name of O'Keefe was having a show but not until days after.

Well, it's time to check into the hotel that we are staying for two nights.  It's called The Copperfield and located in the town of North Creek which is near Lake George. We can't show you the photo of us testing out the bed because there is a big surprise for all of our friends that we will tell you about in a few weeks.

The Copperfield has a restaurant called Trapper's Tavern.  Here is a photo of our person who waited on us.  Eunice and I shared a beet salad...mmmm...it was good.

Day 2 took us to Lake George.  There was a huge number of bikers with two-wheel to four-wheelers.  Something called Americade happening there.  We sort of became bikers as we were taken around in a pedal cab.   This three-wheel bicycle has a carriage attached to it.  Really cool!  That's "Smitty", the owner pedaling.  Drove around and noticed that there were a couple of places with the name "Dilligaf".   Odd name...I wonder what it means or stands for....oh...Eunice just told me.  It stands for Do I Look Like I Give A Fuck.  Ha, ha, ha.  We should have gotten a t-shirt.

Time for a boat ride on Lake George.  We got a cruise on the Lac du Saint Sacrement and had lunch.  They also had entertainment so Eunice and I decided to join in.  Then we went to the Pilot's House to learn how the boat operates. 

We saw the chocolate place on the way back to the hotel.  It's called Barkeater Chocolates.  Eunice insisted that we go in there and get some samples.

After taking a nap....due to a particular situation....it was time for dinner.   Basil and Wicks is the name of the restaurant.  Also in North Creek.   I had this sobi noodle thing with some kinda raw fish wrap.  Eunice opted for a rack of ribs.

Sleep time and it's now Day number 3.  Oh...did we tell you that it has been raining every day so far?  Of course it doesn't matter to us!  We head for Gore Mountain for a ride on a gondola that takes us to not quite the top of the mountain.  On the way down this cool guy gave us lots of information about the area.

Lunch time!  Back in North Creek to this wonderful restaurant called Cafe Sarah and Bakery.  Cool sitting area of table and chairs, a couch and stuff like that.  We peered out the window but I guess that the couple seated just outside were too busy talking to notice us....oh well.

Had a nice lunch. Latte and chocolate cake....yum.

It was now time to check out from Copperfield to the town of Speculator.   But first, we just had to stop into Gore Mountain Farm where they have alpacas!  They are soooooo adorable.  Although we were unable to pet them, we did go to the gift shop.

Now we are in Speculator where we will check into Lake Pleasant Lodge.  Comfortable room and they have a gazebo on the lake.

Dinner that night was at Inn at Speculator where we met Neil, the owner, who seems to be the town supervisor as well.  

Day 4.  Enough time between dinner and breakfast so we are going to Timberline Cafe and Bakery on Route 30, which is like the main street.   We had a cinnamon bun and glass of milk.

The Adirondack Museum was our first attraction as we traveled to Blue Mountain Lake.  There are a lot of buildings to visit and we were a bit tired....didn't really get much sleep as someone was keeping us awake.   We noticed that someone visiting (who really looked familiar) was riding around in one of those electric thingies for handicapped folks.  We hitched a ride in her bag. Although it got around just fine, a problem arose in her driving or whatever she was driving on.  Yes, we are both alive!

Decided to go on foot instead!

What's that expression...choking the chicken?   Just a joke that we played.

Back to Lake Pleasant for a quick nap and then on to a sort of resort-camp called The Hedges back in Blue Mountain Lake.  There are some main buildings but mostly a lot of separate ones for accommodations.  They have a main dining room and that is where we met the owner.

Lovely place.

Oh yeah...raining again today.   Back to hotel....sleep time.

Day 5 and it's still raining.  Check out. Would you believe that the first activity of the day was another cruise?  This one was in the town of Raquette Lake.  There was a gas station, library, general store, hotel, restaurant and a gift shop located directly across the way from the cruise ship called W.W. Durant owned by Raquette Lake Navigation. That is the whole town.

On the way to the Wild Center, we found this place called Hoss's Country Corner in Long Lake and decided to stop in.  Loads of great stuff pertaining to animals.  We decided to purchase a container of worms, in case we wanted to go fishing.

Now, we are at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake.  Not a huge place.  We saw ducks, turtles, fish and otters.  Otters are so cute. 

We then checked into Ledge Rock at Whiteface Mountain. 

Day 6.  The final day of our adventure as we check out and go to Ausable Chasm to visit the Northstar Underground RR Museum.  We watched a movie and then looked at the panel displays.  I wonder if the other rubber chickens will ever escape the Rubber Chicken Forest at the Twisted Oak Winery in California.

Off to lunch and on to Lake Placid to eat at the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery.   Had to have a beer and a burger.

Hung around town and did a lot of window shopping but found this one store that we just had to go into!

This last night we stayed at Whiteface Chalet in Wilmington.  We will make a special announcement real soon.  Homeward bound.