Monthly Archives: October 2011
Country Road Ride
I recently participated in a country road ride through the Poconos with the Lodge at Woodloch, which is an all-inclusive resort and top destination spa that leads numerous outdoor activities in the area. Only 90 miles from either New York City or Philadelphia, The Lodge provides all the necessary equipment, including bicycle, helmets and water. The guests were driven about 30 minutes to a location called Bear Wallow selected by the Lodge’s experienced guides.
It was a brisk morning when we all took off on the 12-mile ride through the back roads of the Delaware State Forest. The area is composed of rolling terrain and wide, gravel roads providing a great introduction to biking for the novice or a leisurely ride for more experienced cyclists. The route was interspersed with the natural beauty of the forests with the quaint scenery of farms and cottages that dot the landscape. One of my favorite spots, which is pictured below, passes by this beautiful red barn adjacent to a field of wildflowers filled with all kinds of wildlife such as turkey and deer. In fact, there are plenty of photo opportunities throughout this ride for the person interested either in wildlife, flora or the American way of life.
By the time we reached the second hill, everyone warmed up a bit and enjoyed the rest of the ride despite the cool temperatures. At the end of the ride, the Lodge’s guides treated all the guests with the spa’s very own trail mix for the comfortable ride back to the resort.
Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary
11 October 2011: Photographs taken during a hike led by Josh Heath and Alex Cena at Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary, which was the former estate of glassmaker Christian Dorflinger. Since 1980, the nearly 600-acre grounds of the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary have preserved the natural beauty and wildlife of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Prompton State Park Hike with Jess
Jess, who is an adventure guide with the Lodge at Woodloch, recently led a hike along with Alex and some guests through Prompton State Park in Clinton and Dyberry Townships, Pennsylvania. Largely undeveloped, this 2,000 acre park offers challenging terrain and a place of solace. The six mile route we chose traversed abandoned wooded roads where unique wildflowers grow; crosses a cascading brook under stands of Pine and Hemlock; and skirts rocky outcrops usually abundant with berry bushes. Incline along much of the route is gradual and trails here can be wet and muddy especially after rainy periods. We were also lucky enough to pass wild apple orchards where we were treated to natural snacks straight from the wild. Prompton State Park has 26 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails that surround a 290 acre lake operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
WineChick-Chat
WineChick-Chat’s Sommelier Leslie S. Britt photographed just before a wine tasting event held at The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, PA. Leslie is wonderful in helping you discover the not so mysterious world of wine, with wine tours…classes…and tastings.
