SANGRIA, RODEOS AND ZOMBIES -JUNE IN THE POCONOS - POCONOS, PA

I am so excited about June.   As I was driving  through White Haven yesterday, it was thrilling to see all of the cars toting bicycles and heading to the Lehigh Gorge for a fun day of riding.  It's about 25 miles from the town of White Haven to Jim Thorpe, but the first time I did it, it felt like 100!  The ride of about 10 miles to Rockport is easy and there is a little trail off to the right that takes you to a beautiful waterfall.  Then it's about 15 miles to Jim Thorpe.  It's a slight grade downhill (3%?) as you pedal along side the Lehigh River.  John just kept telling me "It's just around the bend," He probably told me that about 10 times until we finally got to the area just before town.  But then we had to go back and now the slight grade is a sligth uphill grade and for a novice cyclist like me the back 25 was a challenge.  But I did it with John's coaching.  And I felt proud of the accomplishment.  And I love the fact that I can tell my grandsons that I did it.  But the cycling is just one of the many adventures the Poconos has to offer.  

Then there is the golfing - and John's coaching was rather irritating.  After all, he wasn't much better at golf then I.  We've played almost every course in the Poconos - and rather poorly, I might add.  So when we were at a small 9 hole course and John just couldn't stop giving me pointers - I had no choice but to refuse to get back in the cart or anywhere near him for fear I would club him with my 5 iron.  So I proceeded to walk the holes and play every shot, including putting with that darn 5 iron.  I'm pretty sure he got my drift that I didn't need pointers from him.  

Look at what else you can do this month! Sangria, Rodeos and the Zombies - what more can a woman want! Glad I live here and everything is a short drive.  But if you are coming from the hot and steamy city and  you need a neat little mountain cabin to stay for the weekend visit PoconoVacationsonline.com

Mountain View Vineyard and Winery - Weekends through September    Sangria Saturdays- The picturesque Pocono winery offers fresh sangria, salsa and chips every Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Sangria is available by the glass or carafe.Join their winemaker every Saturday and Sunday at 1:00p and 3:00p for a guided tour through the winemaking facility.  And Tours are free.  No reservations are needed. http://www.mountainviewvineyard.com/

Pocono Rodeo – Memorytown – Mt. Pocono – Saturdays in the Summer   - 2013 RODEO DATES - May 25th,  June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th,  July 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th,  August 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, & 31^st. http://www.poconorodeo.com

June 7-9 NASCAR – Party in the Poconos 400   http://www.poconoraceway.com

June 8: Pocono Raceway Festival, Main Street, Downtown Stroudsburg, www.stroudsburg.net.  The 2013 Pocono Raceway Festival will feature dozens of food and craft vendors, retailers, multiple stages of music, a full carnival, NASCAR show cars, beverage tents and a major musical performance! Dickey Betts and Great Southern at 8 p.m. Festival admission is free. For more information, visit www.shermantheather.com.

Penns Peak – I love Penn’s Peak.  The sound is awesome and there’s not a bad seat in the house.    http://www.pennspeak.com/events   Every Thursday come for the  Deck Party Series with Free Live Entertainment Out on the Patio.  Here are some of June’s performances:

June 7 Rockapella and their latest show entitled Motown & More pays tribute to the music of Motown.  The five members use their amazing musical abilities to perform unique versions of hits from Stevie Wonder, the Temptations and more Motown hit makers    No instruments, no tracks, no fancy equipment here. 

June 8 - Ana Popovic w/ Special Guest Dana Fuchs  The 4x Blues Music Awards nominee blends smoking electric funk slide guitar, jazzy instrumentals and tight blues groove with soulful feminine vocals. Her incredible stage presence makes her an irresistible force in the music world.

June 20 – The Zombies Their records have become some of the best produced and distinctive in all of pop music.  From their debut “She’s Not There” to their final single “Time Of The Season,” The Zombies will keep you movin’.