Stroudsburg PA | The Beauty Around Us

A Pocono Mountains Weekend Part 1

We spent the weekend of May 5 through May 8 in the Pocono Mountains. As I have much to share with you, I plan to upload several blog posts about our Pocono Mountains weekend getaway.

On Friday (May 5) Bob came home from work at noon, and we were en route Stroudsburg PA at 12:15 pm.

Why did we go to Stroudsburg? There was a Bug Run scheduled for Sunday. Each year, in the Spring, the Northeast contingent of VROC (NEVROC) rides the Bug Run in memory of Don “Foggy” Conner, a fellow rider and member of NEVROC. Bob made plans to go on the Bug Run a few weeks prior. Our initial plan was for Bob to ride the motorcycle, while I drove the car. The wet and chilly weather forecast for the weekend prompted us to travel only by car. We could have cancelled our hotel reservation had we done so 72 hours in advance. At the beginning of the week, however, the weekend weather looked promising. Regardless of the weather and whether or not the Bug Run takes place, it will not be a wasted trip. We spent the weekend in the Pocono Mountains after all. There is lots to see and do in the Pocono Mountains.

We arrived at Flower Field Inn & Cottages at 7:15 pm. Bob and I stayed 3 nights at Flower Field Inn & Cottages in April 2013. Bob stayed there for 3 nights last year. The Facebook page indicates that Flower Field Inn & Cottages is permanently closed. We almost didn’t make a reservation because we thought the motel was closed. On the off chance, we telephoned the motel and were pleasantly surprised to find that Flower Field Inn & Cottages is still open. We spent 3 nights in Room 107, the same room that Bob had last year. The door was unlocked, key in room (as prearranged). We unpacked the car and unpacked our bags. The room is furnished with a dresser, small flat screen TV hanging on wall over the dresser, king size bed, sofa and coffee table, night stand, microwave, refrigerator, Keurig coffee maker, ironing board and iron, and a small kitchen island with two bar stools, small bar sink, toaster, and counter top electric range. The kitchen island is new. It wasn’t here last year, when Bob stayed here. The bathroom is of moderate size and has all the necessities, including a hair dryer.

We ate a picnic-style dinner in our room, after settling in.

With the exception of the last 20 miles or so, the drive here wasn’t too bad. We had some rain, but no heavy downpour. Bob was still happy to be in the car, though, and not on the motorcycle. The rain, coupled with temperature in the mid 50s, would not have made for a pleasant ride. Traffic wasn’t bad. It was very foggy for several miles toward the end of our drive. I am happy that the fog lifted after a few miles.

~~~~~~~~~~

We awakened at 6:00 am on Saturday (May 6), showered and got dressed. We walked the short distance (700 feet I think I read somewhere) to Triplets Family Diner. Bob ordered a 3-egg Farmers Omelet, which was stuffed full of bacon, sausage and ham, accompanied by home fries and rye toast and coffee. I ordered two scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, wheat toast and a cup of tea. Breakfast was delicious and reasonably priced. We were back at Flower Field Inn & Cottages by 7:15 am, where we relaxed for the next hour.

We chased waterfalls on Saturday. Our first stop was at Bushkill Falls. From 9:15-10:15 am we hiked the yellow trail. The main attraction on this trail is the Main Falls, which the trail circles around.

Bob took this picture of me looking at the Main Falls.

Much of the trail around the Main Falls is made up of boardwalk and stairs.

Looking down, WAY DOWN, from the top of the main falls

I am out of shape. I didn’t realize how much out of shape I was, though, until Bushkill Falls. Step CLIMBING about killed me. I had to stop several times, while climbing the steps. I got dizzy a couple times and had to put my head down, leaning over the railing. I didn’t like the woozy feeling or the fact that I was having trouble breathing. I did it though! I am glad we opted not to hike the Red Trail, which was twice as long as the Yellow Trail and even more strenuous.

In my next Pocono Mountains Weekend Getaway blog post I will share more of our Saturday adventures with you.

NE Pennsylvania Weekend Vacation: Day 1

We returned home yesterday afternoon from an extended weekend vacation in NE Pennsylvania.

We departed Warren, PA on the morning of Friday, April 19. I traveled by car; Bob traveled by motorcycle. We left home earlier than planned, with hopes of staying ahead of the massive rainstorm approaching from the west. We were successful. We encountered no rain during our drive/ride to Stroudsburg.

Upon reaching Stroudsburg, we stopped at Triplets Family Restaurant for lunch. Bob ordered a seafood entree: I ordered a chicken entree. Our meals were reasonably priced, served hot and tasted delicious. Service was excellent. After lunch, we checked into the Flower Field Motel & Cottages, our home for the next 3 nights.

Flower Field Motel & Cottages

We checked into Room #2.

Our hotel room
Photo obtained from Flower Field Motel & Cottages Facebook page

Our room had two queen-size beds, with a nightstand separating the two beds, a small round table with two chairs, microwave, refrigerator, a four-drawer long and low dresser, and a television on rolling stand. The bathroom was moderately sized. There was no telephone or alarm clock, and the door opened with a real key.

With the exception of going to Walmart to pick up beverages and snacks for the weekend, as well as a stop at Burger King for a quick dinner, we spent Friday afternoon and evening relaxing at the hotel.

Bob and I especially enjoyed sitting outside under the picnic shelter reading and surfing the Internet. You can see our car in the background. Our hotel was very close to the main street (Rt. 209); however, the street traffic did not disrupt our sleep at all. In fact, the noise level was very low throughout our stay at the hotel.

If you vacation in the Stroudsburg area, I highly recommend Flower Field Motel & Cottages. Your accommodation will be a simple, but clean, room. In addition to the absence of a telephone and alarm clock in the room, there is also no iron, ironing board or hair dryer in the room. All of these items are available in the office. A complementary continental breakfast also is provided. You will find that the price is very reasonable compared to other hotels in the area. The owners of the hotel are helpful and friendly. We enjoyed our stay for the few days that we were there.