Thinking about Ski Season…

What’s new at Blue Mt Ski this year?  Check it out…

Jim Thorpe, PA made it into National Geographic Adventure Magazine – the October 2009 issue. Check it out:

Plan a long weekend getaway with our Jim Thorpe adventure guide, featuring great outdoor escapes, where to stay, and where to eat. Then chime in with your picks…read more…

3rd Annual Bluegrass and Anthracite Heritage Festival – Sat 9/19

The 3rd Annual Bluegrass & Anthracite Heritage Festival
will be held Saturday September 19, 2009 at Mauch Chunk Lake Park. Click here for more info…

Open Mic Friday Night,  Bluegrass/Country Music Performers, Historical Exhibits & Displays, Coal Mining Memorabilia, Food Vendors, Crafters, Free Hayrides,Environmental Programs, Social Bonfire at Dusk

Executive Chef Chris Allen joins FLOW restaurant

Chef Chris Allen has joined FLOW restaurant as Executive Chef. Allen earned his culinary arts degree at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute in Pittsburgh and has more than 20 years of experience in the food service industry, including Tangerine, a Stephen Starr restaurant in Philadelphia and the Ritz Carlton Philadelphia.   Chef Allen has also worked as sous chef under Michelin Star rated Chef in San Diego.

Dedicated to the Slow Food movement, Chef Allen will be managing all culinary operations at FLOW in his position as Executive Chef, highlighting small farm gems whenever possible through seasonal menus.

“Chef Allen has a true passion for fresh, seasonal foods and a splendid eye for color and a balance of tastes, “said Victor Stabin, artist and co-owner of FLOW.  “His credentials and experience demonstrate our commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience for our restaurant and art patrons.”

Snow Shoes

We are always looking for fun ways to burn calories (me) and energy (the kids)and enjoy the beautiful winter scenery.  Hiking this time of the year is sloppy and unpredicatable unless you follow established trails,  so we decided to get snow shoes and just blaze a trail into the woods.  Snow shoes are easy to purchase and affordable for both adults and kids.  I got them for less then $50 each on ebay (for me) and LL Bean (for kids).  They fit over snow boots and is the only equipment you need.  The only extras  recommend is warm clothes, a drink and maybe a snack.

My son and I set out on a snowy winter day with our dogs in tow.  The cool thing about snow shoes is that you can walk through the bare winter woods that would be impenetrable when the foliage is thick with Rhodos in the summer months.  The snow shoes keep you right on top on the deep snow with a swoosh, stomp, swoosh, stomp.

As we walked, we looked for tracks and tried to guess what animals had left them.  We also followed deer runs and tried to imagine the extent of the deer highway and exactly where they were going.  The bark of the pines tree exposed all of its texture and the wind had blown snow one the side of nearly every tree.  Our dogs leaped and bound through the deep snow as we glided across it.  We were able to cover a lot of ground before we wanted to stop for a drink.

Once we got through the woods we came to an open field and had a chance to appreciate the winter landscape, bare mountains and feel the bright sunshine.  We stopped and sat on a tree truck and ate our cookies (many favorite hiking snack and a must with kids).  As we made our way back up the mountain towards the car I found out that the workout works different muscle groups than normal hiking.

Fun in the winter sun.

Bringing it together

How to bring more people to experience the spectacular cultural, heritage and tourism opportunities in the area? How can we get more people to see MORE of Carbon County and stay LONGER?

This illustrated map will help in this mission as it gives a broad overview of everything Carbon County has to offer and where everything is in relation to the currently best known areas.

The map will be THE visual source of information for everything to do, see and experience in Carbon County in a way that makes it fun and easy to explore more of the area, stay longer and check out location that would have otherwise been overlooked.

Stay tuned for more…

Getting this going…

It seems like forever since the decision to take on this project was made.  I have lived in Carbon County for 12 years and have much pride when it comes to sharing the natural beauty of the mountains.

The question that is always asked is: “What else is there to do?
Do they like Outdoor adventures?  beautiful overlooks with breathtaking rapids?  Maybe shopping the counties’ many quaint shoppes is to their liking.  Restaurants serving hearty and delicious fare without breaking the budget, a real plus when kids are in tow.  And speaking of kids, with activities like a scenic train ride and tubing the Lehigh River, the young ones will have memories that last a lifetime.  Then came the directions, follow Rt. 209 to the bridge, cross over the river, go up the mountain until you see…

And what else is there to do?
Well, a lot.

I was having this conversation with old friends from the city, newcomers at our kids soccer game, and people stopping me in the street while taking my morning walk.  What must it be like for locals who come face to face with visitors and new comers every day? How do they get anything done with needing to answer this question all day. I knew there had to be a better way.