The Inn at Pocono Manor was a Wonderful Weekend Escape
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler
Usually each year as I age, I usually have a large dinner with all my friends to celebrate my birthday. This year I was feeling a little more reclusive and in need of some nature to nurture my soul so I opted for a weekend escape to The Inn at Pocono Manor with my one of my best friends The Pastry Prophet.
We arrived right at check in on Friday after stopping at a local diner complete with a man with a mullet (the only true way to know you are in the woods of Pennsylvania). The 3,000 acres were impressive and the architecture reminded me of European and German influence. Since 1902, they have offered golf, horseback riding, fine dining, two pools, cabana, fire pit on weekends (my fave! burning wood and fire!) and both indoor and outdoor bars.
The first night had us taken by surprise. What we thought was going to be a chill night ended up with lots of champagne after our chicken and mac-n-cheese dinner, then some stiff drinks at the outdoor cabana, hanging by the fire pit and making new friends and then dancing the night away (and until the band stopped playing) inside at The Lamplighter. A breakfast buffet greeted us in the morning and well-deserved nap following it in order to rest up for a 1.5 hour horseback riding adventure by the waterfalls.
Trotting on a horse was – dare I say – even more fun than mountain biking! Maybe because I was putting all my faith into my horse of choice, Spirit (who also liked to eat a lot ironically) but I would do it again in a heartbeat and try running next time. Not many people know this but I grew up on a farm in Rote, Pa. with chickens, horses, cats, a huge garden and even my own pony Lollipop who bucked me off the first time I tried to ride her. I remember saying, “I’m going to ride you!” and getting back on the saddle. Thus, my metaphor for my later life.
That night we had a lovely 5-course meal at The Exchange and polished it all off with a thick-with-peanut-butter-icing chocolate cake from The Pastry Prophet. The rain came in sheets and put out our plans of having wine by the fire pit but we still had fun watching TV and chatting with the sounds of raindrops on the pavement outside. Sunday we soaked in as much fresh air and sunshine as possible by visiting the outlets (and my friend found red velvet pants, me not so much luck). But would I go back? Most definitely. And maybe stay a whole week this time, check out the casino, hike some trails and breathe some more fresh air.
And of course, I took tons of photos as usual to share the experience. Enjoy!
