Category Archives: Bar Crawls

“Taste the World”: a Lancaster Food Tour

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I’m not a “foodie” by any means (unless your talking about Tom Haverford’s definition of a foodie which consists of Instagramming what you eat…in that case I most certainly am).  I’m terribly picky and have all sorts of strange hang-ups; I generally don’t eat hot vegetables, anything pureed grosses me out, I’ve traditionally been very wary of ethnic food, and I avoid most things labeled “chunky” (except for peanut butter).  Don’t judge.  I’m aware I’m strange.

Noodle King Lancaster PA

I’m a foodie, and a pho fan, I never thought I’d be either.

I’ve realized though, that the older I get the more adventurous I become.  I guess that’s healthy.  I would have never thought that I’d be such a fan of The Noodle King, the Vietnamese restaurant here in Lancaster that sits below my apartment.  It’s really good, super convenient, and open till 4AM on Fridays.  I was there on Saturday afternoon for lunch and on my way out, grabbed a business card for “Taste the World”, a Lancaster food tour.

Lancaster has a pretty good restaurant scene, and while I  haven’t ventured to most of the places, I have always been aware that there is a strong ethnic culinary scene. ”Taste the World” is a series of tours, set on specified dates, where one can sample the cuisine from a multitude of locales.  The tour starts at Tellus 360, a really cool store/gallery in downtown Lancaster and then you proceed to the different tastings at your own pace.  The tours are themed: there’s a seafood tour, signature dish tour, and soup tour.  Downtown Lancaster is an interesting place to walk around and if food tasting is your thing, this could be a fun pregame idea with a culinary twist.

Pittsburgh Weekend

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Pittsburgh Skyline

A bird’s eye view of the “Golden Triangle.”

I spent this weekend out in Pittsburgh, and looking back at all of my previous posts, I’m surprised that I haven’t written about the city in depth yet.  My younger cousin goes to Pitt, for his undergrad and my brother is going to finish his first year at Pitt School of Law this spring.  In the past two years I’ve found myself going out there more and more and I’m a big fan of the city.

I wasn’t expecting much the first time I went to Pittsburgh two years ago.  It’s industrial past has given it something of a shitty reputation, so I was extra impressed.    Even though it’s the second largest city in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh still has a small city feel which makes it easy and timely to navigate.  It’s surprisingly clean for a metropolitan area, has a lot to do and see, and a young populace.

I was planning on lying low this weekend to repair the damage I’d done to my body throughout March, but then I learned that my parents and sister were going out to visit my brother last weekend.  I just visited in January, but have one of those I-hate-to-miss-out-on-fun-and-seeing-them-posting-pictures-on-Facebook-all-weekend-would-kill-me-disorders, so I caved and made my way out Friday after work.

A Shady Night

Lancaster to Pittsburgh is a little under four hours.  It’s an easy, but expensive ride driving almost the full length of the Turnpike (the tolls are up to $20.00).

My parents arrived at my brother’s about an hour before me and they headed out to Buffalo Blue’s, a local bar about a mile from his apartment and asked me to pick up my cousin in Oakland so that the poor boy would not have to take the bus with the rest of the peons.

As I pulled onto his block, I started feeling the jealousy rise up.  Friday was gorgeous, I’d spent the entire drive with my sunroof down, but Oakland’s residents had spent the entire day skipping classes and drinking from keg’s placed haphazardly on sidewalks and front porches, blasting Mackelmore and Celine Dion (no judging here).  Oakland is the neighborhood where Pitt and Carnegie Mellon’s campuses are located and looks and feels like your typical college town.  My cousin had spent the day getting boozed up and offered me an IC-Light Mango, an apparent Pittsburgh delicacy, as I waited for him to get dressed.  I declined as it was pretty terrible but did have a glass of Magners and got nostalgic for my college days sitting on his couch and staring longingly at his John Belushin “College” poster.

Oakland is where I’ve spent the bulk of my Pittsburgh experiences prior to this trip, and though I may be getting a little old to be loitering around these days, it does have a handful of really fun and cheap bars if you’re out in western PA.  Hemingway’s Cafe is a University of Pitt institute/might be my brother’s second home.  It has cheap drinks, an impressive beer selection, and is opened before noon to cater to the morning drunk.  Peter’s Pub has good bar food and The Garage Door (no link, so you know it’s good) always has Coors Light pounders for $2.00, so obviously that was love at first sight.

My brother lives in the Shadyside neighborhood, about a mile from Oakland.  Shadyside seems to be one of the go-to residencies for law/gradschool students/ young professionals who still want the fun of the college lifestyle but without the scumbaggery elements and who could afford nicer  bars and a heavy dose of franchisment.  It reminds me of Manayunk, only it took itself a little more seriously; dive bars share the block with Wholefoods and Banana Republic.

We met up with the rest of the family for wings and beer before going to some upscaleish Mexican joint down the block that was a little too fancy for my tastes but where Shawn felt my parents wouldn’t stick out as those old people. They did, and called it a night around eleven and we went to meet our friend Liz for more drinks at Mario’s, another of my brother’s frequent haunts that was terribly crowded Friday, but that I’ve been to before and is fun with foosball, shuffleboard, a shot wheel and an open air second floor when it gets nice out.

Chicken & Waffles and Meat & Potatoes

I just found out recently that chicken and waffles was a thing.  I can’t remember how it came up, but we ended it up discussing it on our way to brunch at Meat & Potatoes, which my brother had read had one of the best brunches in Pittsburgh, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Our reservations for Meat & Potatoes were at noon and we got downtown, where the restaurant’s located around 11:15,  We had some time to kill so decided to take a walk along the river to River Point Park.  For those of you that don’t know, one of Pittsburgh’s defining geographic features is that it’s downtown sits between where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers converge to become the Ohio.  Point Park is where this actually occurs.  Because of it’s two major waterways, combined with a series of steep cliffs along the riverbanks, Pittsburgh is also known for the large number of bridges used to connect its various neighborhoods.  One of these, the Roberto Clemente Bridge (I only know because there was a large plaque, and I’m a nerd who stops and reads all large plaques) was just a block from where we parked and had a pathway leading down to the River Run, a hiking and biking trail that circumvents the city.

Pittsburgh

A view of several of Pittsburgh’s bridges from the River Walk.

I mentioned before how clean Pittsburgh is, and I’ll mention it again.  The trail was immaculate.  In fact, I remember at one point thinking to myself that it was weird how underneath the legs of the bridge seemed like the perfect spot for hordes of homeless people, empty 40′s and condom wrappers, things that anyone who’s been to a major metropolitan area gets desenitized too, but in fact all there was were a couple of elderly power walkers.  Another difference is the rivers look clean, clean enough that you might be tempted to jump in on a nice day.  Now, I don’t know if this is a smart move, but I can’t remember ever thinking that about the Hudson, or God forbid, the Delaware.  I’d like to get out there in the summer and do some kayaking. 

I imagine catching a Pirates game via kayak would be a fun way to spend the afternoon. Heinz Staidum, where the Steelers play, is adjacent down river, along with a newly opened casino.

I imagine catching a Pirates game via kayak would be a fun way to spend the afternoon. Heinz Stadium, where the Steelers play, is adjacent down river, along with a newly opened casino.

Unfortunately Point Park was closed for renovations and we were thinking of maybe visiting the Fort Pittsburgh museum before realizing that we needed to hightail it back to Meat and Potatoes so that we could make our reservations.

Meat and Potatoes is one of those trendy brunch places that puts emphasis on giving all the classics some sort of twist and emphasizing morning cocktails.  They also had a very strange juxtaposition of being decorated with taxidermy while playing a disco soundtrack.  I’d skipped breakfast and was starving so opted to get “The Americano” which was simply eggs, bacon sausage, and homefries.  I know it’s boring with a menu full of weird things I never eat for breakfast, but I needed something I could scarf down and knew I would like.  I can’t complain about my choice, but will say I regret that I didn’t get the chicken and waffles like my dad and brother, because they were amazing: four huge pieces of fried chicken served over cheddar jalapeno waffles with bourbon/bacon dressing.   Luckily my mother has already found a recipe online and has promised to recreate it next time I go to NEPA.

The prices were extremely reasonable for the huge portions served.  That’s another reason I always like Pittsburgh: it’s so cheap.

Another important note: they had fresh squeezed orange juice that might have been the best thing I’ve ever drank.  I highly recommend Meat and Potatoes as a brunch option.  Just make sure to call for reservations.

Barely Contained Hysteria: Part Deux: The Duquesne Incline Addition

My sister and I both have a semi crippling fear of heights which is why Pittsburgh’s geography has proved to be a dilemma.  Besides for it’s 111 bridges (she fears bridges, I just fear heights), several neighborhoods, most notably Washington Heights and The Southside Slopes sit precariously on cliffs overlooking the rivers.  After brunch we decided to take a trip up to the Duquesne Incline and Cliff Walk that runs along Grandview Avenue.

The Duquesne and Monongahela Inclines are restored examples of inclined plane railroads that used to transport Pittsburgh’s citizens up and down the slopes before roads became modernized.  Both still operate as a throwback to an old fashioned way of life specific to Pittsburgh.

My last visit to the inclines was decidedly negative and ended with me giving a group of strangers the impression that I had some form of Tourette’s.

Duquense Incline in motion. Notice the awesome views of downtown in the distance.

Duquesne Incline in motion. Notice the awesome views of downtown in the distance.

My particular brand of vertigo makes zero to little sense.  Flying? Not a problem.  Doesn’t scare me at all.  Bridges? Could care less.  Driving on the edge of an embankment? That will send me over the edge.  I blame this for my state of being the first time I got on the Duquesne Incline.  I was driving and we took the PJ McCardless Roadway, which has a sheer drop off the right side going up, up to the top of Mount Washington so by the time I reached the top and parked, I was already a mess of terror and nausea.

While on the incline my sister and I plastered on our best pageant smiles as the car creeked down the slope, swearing our way down the mountainside.

The original "Barely Contained Hysteria." I now use this moniker to describe any picture of me standing next to an edge.

The original “Barely Contained Hysteria.” I now use this moniker to describe any picture of me standing next to an edge.

My dad drove up Mt. Washington Saturday, so when I got to the top, I was in fine spirits.  The route the incline takes is far (it’s higher than most of the city’s skyline) but not any steeper than a ski slope (but not as high as ski lift which does require liquid courage for me to board).  I stood on the observation platform and couldn’t help but be embarrassed for 2010 me.

We rode the incline down the mountain and then back up but really you could do it either way .  It costs only $5.00 roundtrip, so I’d add it to my list of Pittsburgh must-do experiences. Of the two inclines, the Duquesne seems to be much more popular, but if I had to go back I’d do the Monongahela because the loading platform on the bottom of the incline is located in Station Square, a complex of bars, restaurants, Pittsburgh’s new pro soccer team and party boats (!!!).

No matter what way you chose to ascend Mt. Washington, getting to the top is a must.  Pittsburgh’s skyline is gorgeous.  It’s downtown is  nicknamed ”The Golden Triangle” and it’s only from this vantage point that this moniker makes sense.  The area where the rivers meet does indeed make the downtown a triangular shape (sidenote: the two rivers are different colors…does anyone know why? Google hasn’t been helping me), and a majority of the bridges connecting it to other parts of the city are painted gold (or Steeler yellow, if you prefer).  If you walk down Grandview Street, there are several viewing platforms to take advantage of.

Pittsburgh

A picture of one of the viewing platforms atop Mt. Washington taken from one of the other viewing platforms.

Church Brew Works

Even if you aren’t religious, or don’t like beer, a trip to the Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh is a must, if not just for the randomess factor.

The Church Brew Works is a brewpub housed in a former Roman Catholic Church.  Driving by, if you weren’t looking for a sign, you really wouldn’t have any idea that instead of an altar, devotees worship a team of brewers.

Church Brew Works

If mass were like this, I’d probably be less of a Chreaster-Catholic.

We went to grab a few drinks after the incline.  We got a sampler, and then I had a couple of Stouts afterwards, which reminded me more or less of a Guinness.  It was an interesting atmosphere to have a few drinks at, and the beer was pretty good.  It was also very reasonably priced for drinks.  We paid $60.00ish for 6 people for an hour of drinking.  One word of warning: the place is slightly stuffy with a very distinct smell.  It’s not bad, but distinct, and noticeable.  If I had to guess, it’s because the brewery equipment wasn’t glassed off, but rather right up there on the altar.

That was an extremely non-educated guess.

Church Brew Works

I really liked their tagline: “On the eight day, man created beer.” While I think everyone would like Church Brew Works, Catholics (especially those of us subjected to Catechism and/or Jesuit school) will find it especially amusing.

Year Round Oktoberfest at Pittsburgh’s Hofbrauhaus

While I haven’t written about Pittsburgh in depth yet, I know that I’ve written about Hofbrauhaus.  It’s one of my favorite bars in the world and has the potential to steal Disney’s “happiest place on Earth” tagline.

Hofbrauhaus is located in the Southside Works, just two blocks from Pittsburgh’s most famous street: East Carson.  East Carson street, in the Southside neighborhood has more has “more bars per capita then anywhere else in the world.” I don’t know if that is true, but it certainly does have it’s fair share of drinking establishments.  I actually haven’t spent a ton of time in Southside as it’s not within walking distance of my brother or cousins and saying that the cab situation in Pittsburgh is bleak might be an understatement, but it is a fun place to walk around and engage in the city’s favorite pasttime.

Hofbrauhaus is located right across the river from Oakland and you have to cross my favorite bridge, The Hot Metal Bridge, to get there.  The Hofbrahaus is a replicated German beer hall, right here in Pennsylvania.  The first thing you notice about Hofbrauhaus is it’s sheer size.  The place is enormous and I’ve yet to beer there when it isn’t filled close to capacity, so be prepared to wait, especially if you want to sit in the main room which seats you cafeteria style.   That’s were most of the action is.

The first few times I was at Hofbrauhaus we were on a mission to drink.  Hofbrahaus brews their own German style beer (I’m a fan of the Hefe Weizen) which they serve only in big and bigger mugs.  The bigger mug is so big that it makes your arms sore and you often are reduced to drinking with two hands.  They also have shot-ski specials.

The atmosphere of the bar is what really makes it.  There’s usually an accordianist decked out in Lederhosen turning the latest top 40 hits into polka and it’s very audience oriented.  After ten, if you aren’t standing on your chair and singing along, you’re practically shunned. If that’s not your thing, take a seat at the bar, or go out to the riverside Biergarten if it’s opened.

The last two times I’ve been to Pittsburgh, we’ve gone to Hofbrauhaus for dinner and they’ve made me a fan of Braut and Schnitzel.  Anywhere that makes me expand me taste buds is doing something right.

We stayed at Hofbrauhaus for dinner and an additional drink (they’re literally so big, you can’t have drinks) which might have been the highlight of the weekend. I don’t know if it was the jovial atmosphere, the head size beers we were drinking, or partially a fault of our afternoon jaunt to The Church Brew Works, but we spent most of the time reminiscing with my parents about what weird children we were, which is always cause for a few good stomach hurting laughs.

Guten Nacht Pittsburgh

After dinner we thought it best for everyone involved if we head back to Shadyside before things got too out of hand.  We ended up going to Cappy’s Cafe, a bar my brother hadn’t yet been to at night, but ended up being somewhere you could take your parents without them feeling out of place.

After they retired around 11:30, the rest of us stayed for a few drinks at Cappy’s before ending the night at Stackd and William Penn, two local Shadyside bars.  It unfortunately here that I was introduced to the concept of debit card accepting juke boxes. Why is this ok?

I’m still scared to check my account balance, but I had a great time and look forward to returning to the Steel City, hopefully during the summer.

Summer To-Do List

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Every spring around this time I make a list of things I want to accomplish during my summer off.  This list includes anything from DIY projects around the house, to trips I’d like to take, to simple daytime activities I’d like to do on afternoons when I have nothing planned.

What differentiates this list from others that I’ve made on this page, is that most of the things on this list cost very little money and require very little planning.  It’s something that I like to hang on my fridge or bulletin board and check off whenever I get some free time.  These are things that I really don’t have an excuse not to do (unless it rains all summer).  I usually try to limit it to around 20 items, but might add to it as the summer goes on.

Here’s my summertime list.  *Note: I’m not going to go into heavy explanation for any of these items, as I’m literally copying this list from one I have scribbled on a scrap sheet of paper.  I create this list for me, not for the blog, so in a sense this is the most authentic thing I’m sharing with you.  If you’re not from NEPA (more specifically the greater Forest City area) or Lancaster some of these might be lost on you–that’s what google is for!

1) Hike Mechanical Mountain

2) Do a nighttime hike

3) Scenic drive of some sort (Cayuga)

4) Drive-In movies

5) Build a deck chair with Dad

6) Clambake on the grill

7) Host an outdoor beer-pong/flip-cup/bean bag tournament

8) Hike Panthers and Stillwater cliffs

9) Do a Susquehanna River hike of some capacity

10) All-star Bar Crawl

11) Country Concert

12) Mini golf & booze at Arlo’s

13) Rock climbing (gym or lessons)

14) Go real-life camping

15) Climb or run Elk Mountain

16) Make your friends like tennis

17) Kittatiny Trip

18) Get to Mohegan Sun

19) Impromptu/unplanned roadtrip

20) Hike/Camp/Climb Delaware Water Gap

21) Pub Golf

22) Become a good swimmer

 

When I add to my list, I’ll add to this.  I’m open to suggestions.

Lake Placid Winter Fun Trip 2013

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Lake Placid

Jumping for joy over a great trip…couldn’t help it

I officially want to be a ski bum.

Lake Placid

I give this trip two thumbs up.

I said so last year when we went to Lake Placid the first time, and I only feel stronger about it after this weekend.  I’m writing this from bed.  I haven’t properly slept since Thursday and muscles in my legs I didn’t even know existed are on fire.    I also have a laundry list of things I would have liked to accomplish in Lake Placid but didn’t get too.  While these things may sound like the Hallmark of a vacation gone awry, I’m perfectly ok with all of this.

I believe I’ve already mentioned I’d like to be a ski bum.

Trip Logistics

When we decided we wanted to do another “winter fun” trip to Lake Placid, it had to be a three day weekend.  Lake Placid is almost an 8 hour drive from Lancaster; an entire day is wasted driving.  We drove up to my parents house outside of Scranton Thursday night so we could leave Friday and make it there by mid afternoon.

Our tentative plan was to head up, check in our hotel, grab lunch, and try the dog sledding rides we saw last year that we didn’t have time to check out.

It’s an easy drive that we were able to finish without any help from the GPS, and the ride, especially once you get into the Adirondack region, is beautiful.  If you have the time to stop, Sarasota Springs, Lake George, and Lake Champlain short detours off the main route.

For all the things there is to od, Lake Placid is affordable.  Split for ways, gas was about $65.00 a person.  We stayed at the Northwoods Inn for a reasonable 80 dollars per person for two nights.  For four twenty-somethings who basically used the room as somewhere to deposit our bodies for a few hours each night, the Northwoods was perfect.  It’s a bit dated, but the room were spacious, and you can’t beat it’s location.  The hotel is located right in the heart of downtown Lake Placid.  All the bars, restaurants, and shops are within walking distance.  The hotel has a bar. Delta Blue, in the lobby which was  convenient.  My only complaint (and this is minor) is that there was no pool or hot tub to soak in on Sunday.

Big Disappointment

Most of the ride is on the interstate, but the last half hour takes  you on NY Route 72, also known as the Olympic Scenic Byway.  This road starts in the town of Keene on the shore of Lake Champlain and runs until it hits the St. Lawrence.  The ride itself is worth the trip and a great way of ramping up excitement as you near the final destination.

Lake Placid

Walking from the carpark to the frozen lake…our first trip activity.

Route 72 (aswell as a number of other roads in the area) is chock full of parking lots and markers indicating trailheads and campgrounds open to the public.  Signs indicated whether it’s a good spot to hike, XC ski, climb, camp, etc.  I jokingly kept threatening my passengers (my sister Kately, cousin Casey, and college roomate Eric) that we were going to stop for scenic pictures before I realized I wasn’t joking.  I sadly wanted to take some scenic shots.  We passed a gorgeous frozen lake.  Much to my sister’s chagrin we pulled into the lot, threw on our gloves and trudged down for our first shots of the trip which you’ve seen at the top of this post.  We took a few pics, admired some ice climbers in the distance and cursed ourselves for not dressed in XC ski garb before piling back into the car before continuing to Lake Placid.

Lake Placid

Our first scenic picture stop.

We got to the Northwoods Inn a little after two.  Usually I have every facet of a trip memorized.  I don’t know if I’m going soft, but check-in wasn’t until four so we had two hours to kill.  We grabbed some food from a local pizza joint then headed across the street from our hotel to the Golden Arrow Resort which promised dog sled rides for ten dollars.  My dreams were almost immediately dashed once we got onto Mirror Lake and saw what these dog sled rides entailed.

Lake Placid, dogsled

The dogsled rides on Mirror Lake.

I don’t know what I was really expecting.  The sign clearly read “dog sled rides $10.00.  Ten dollars, and I was picturing being whipped around the lake several times by a lightning fast dog team like I was in the Itidarod or something.  My friend Eric thought he’d be able to stand on the back of the sled and yell “Mush.”  What was in front of us was a snailpaced pack of dogs and a line of parents and small children.  It felt like we’d accidentally got in line to see Santa or something, so we slunk away as inconspicuously as possible and took refuge in Delta Blue, our hotel’s bar, that had live music and happy hour and figured out what to do with the rest of our day.  Eric suggested that once we check in we find somewhere to ski.  I only wished I’d though of it myself.  The girls said they’d rather shop, so once 4 came we checked in and got changed.

XC Ski Heaven

By the time we dragged  our luggage to our sixth floor hotel room daylight was becoming scarce.  We grabbed our headlamps, changed and got into the car.  We drove out of town presuming that we’d stop whenever we saw skiers or a trailhead.  After a five minute drive (and two trailhead stops with no discernible trail near them), we finally found a pulloff loaded with other cars and a distinct trail where XC skis had gone into the woods.  We started following it.

The conditions couldn’t have been better.  While it was still light out, the sun was beginning to set.   I may regret writing this but the air could only be described as crisp and clear.    It was cold enough for the snow to be dry and intact but warm enough that all we needed to wear were sweatpants and pullovers.

We found out later that the route we were on was the Connery Pond hiking trail.  We skied through a pine forest before getting onto a larger trail which wasn’t groomed, but did see heavy enough traffic to pack it down and allow you to ski fast.  After about a mile the trail looped around a small pond before it started to disappear into the woods.  We decided to stop here as it was getting dark and moving far away from the road, but I honestly could have gone for another couple of miles.

Lake Placid, Connery Pond

The view across Connery Pond mid-way through our ski. Whiteface Mountain is in the distance.

We later learned that Connery Pond trail leads up the backside of Whiteface Mountain and is altogether nine miles in length.  Once back in the car, we realized we’d forgotten to carry our cooler up to the hotel room so cracked open a couple of ice cold Bud Light Limes (it’s an all season beer!), the perfect start to our vacation.

Lake Placid Bar Crawl

After the ski and a quick shower, we needed some food so headed down to Delta Blue for dinner.  Delta Blue bills itself as a bluegrass/southern rock joint and the menu showed, with such selections as gator bites, blackened catfish, and a large selection of po’boys and gumbo.  Unfortunately I was at that point where I was so hungry I had to get something I knew I’d be able to eat and chose wings (and ended up eating most of my cousin’s calamari which had a delicious bbq dipping sauce).

Lake Placid, Margarita

To continue our summer-drinks-on-a-ski-trip-theme, we got a round of Margaritas at dinner. We had an excuse for these though, February 22nd is National Margarita Day.

The band playing after dinner was typical, what I call ski-music, sort of blue grass, sort of psychedelic, sort of jam bandy, not terrible, but not our style so after dinner we headed next door to ZigZags.

Zig Zags is what I’d guess it the most barry-bar in Lake Placid.  It sits right on the main drag, has a bobsled cemented to the sidewalk outside of it, and is open every day from 3PM-3AM.  I liked Zig Zags after our last stint in Lake Placid and I like it even more now.  We stayed for a couple of drinks, played a couple of games of Foosball (I don’t know why more bars don’t have foosball) and then decided to check out one more place before retiring for the night.  We had an 8:00AM appointment to snowshoe and didn’t want to ruin it with hangovers (growing up, yikes).

Foosball at Zig-Zags. Not trying to brag, but I'm really good. I won several rounds of drinks.

Foosball at Zig-Zags. Not trying to brag, but I’m really good. I won several rounds of drinks.

There are several other bars within walking distance of Zig Zags but we made the executive descision to only hit one more Friday night.  We chose the Straight Shot Lounge, simply because of it’s proximity to our hotel.  It was a pretty generic hotel-type bar that probably would have been more appealing if you’re into wine or fancy mixed drinks.  Despite its mediocrity we had a good time at Straight Shots just sitting around conversing and knocking a few back.  My sister was also happy to find it one of the only spots in Lake Placid to have cider.  We left Straight Shots just when we felt we were about the reach the tipping point where we’d stay out all night if we didn’t go to bed at that instance.

There are a few other bars in Lake Placid.  While doing a little research for this post, I found this cool blog on all the bars in the Adirondack region.

Snowshoeing Pitchoff with High Peaks Mountain Guides

6:30 AM after a night of drinking is not pleasant regardless of how early you retire.  We woke up, made some breakfast (our room had a kitchenette) and drove the 2 minutes to the High Peaks Mountain Guidehouse where we had made reservations for a half day (4 hour) guided snowshoe trek.

All four of us that went up are avid XC skiers, but only myself and my cousin had snowshoed before and both of those almost didn’t count.  She’d gone snowshoeing around a field with a group of students during her student teaching experience and I’d gone during high school on a trip to Vermont with friends who didn’t want to stay out for more than hour.

The High Peaks Mountain Guide is an offshoot of High Peaks Cyclery, a outdoor/biking store that also houses a yoga studio, rock gym, and rental company.  The cost of the trip was $300 for four people which I thought was reasonable and included rentals, instructions, the guide, as well as snacks and water for the trip.

When we arrived our guide, Jeff, was waiting in the parking lot.  Jeff looked exactly like an Adirondack wilderness guide should; older, in shape, with a unkpet beard,  glasses and a hippiesque lilt to his voice.  We learned during our hike that he was a former, lawyer, teacher, college professor and current private pilot, who also hailed from PA (albeit the western Pittsburgh suburbs).  He got our gear out and then immediately endeared himself to my friends when he passed out granola bars to each of us, giving everyone two but me four, because “I look like I eat a lot.”

Touche, Jeff.

What I liked about our experience at High Peaks is that we were given several routes to chose from.  A long and very high route, a mid range route that he promised had incredible views and a “nice hike through fields outside of town that is good for beginners” that we didn’t want and could tell he didn’t want either.  We decided that based on my sister and my shared crippling fear of heights we should do the middle route with the good views.  We signed our lives away, got into the car and drove ten minutes out of town to the trailhead.

Lake Placid, Pitchoff

Pitchoff Trailhead.

The Adirondack park has what is known as the “high peaks”, 46 mountains over 4600 feet high.  Cascade, one of the 46, was immediately across the street from the mountain we selected and was the too high option we didn’t pick.   Our mountain’s name was Pitchoff, a 3600 feet “small” peak located just off outside of town.  Jeff assured us that we’d trek through the forest and along a ridge with breathtaking valley views before we’d go up a “rock scramble” and walk around the mountain to the summit that would be bracingly cold but  boasted 360 degree views.

Snow Shoe, Lake Placid

All strapped in.

Snow shoeing turns out to be easy and a good workout.  Modern day snow shoes do not resemble tennis rackets, and strap to whatever footwear you have on.  The point of snow shoeing (versus XC) is that you could climb and travel in deep snow during the winter. XC skis would have been useless on the Pitchoff trail.

The trail started off easy enough walking through a pine forest.   The weather was perfect once again.  Saturday had the added bonus of light flurries. Jeff went at the perfect pace, fast enough to be warm and start working up a sweat but easy enough that we weren’t out of breath.  While the packed down snow made it evident that the trail was popular, we didn’t run into anyone else on the first leg of our hike and realized once we go close to the top of the mountain that we were breaking the trail for the day.  Snowshoeing over this portion was simply like walking in the snow, only easier.  After about a mile we could to our first “scenic overlook” and stopped to take some pictures of the valley below.

Lake Placid, Pitchoff

Early morning Lake Placid views.

This is where the hike started getting steep and difficult and Jeff taught us how to dig our snowshoes in and climb up almost vertical ice and rock formations.  I was probably 7 on 1-10 scared scale.

Lake Placid

Looking across the valley to a chute I believe Jeff said he skied down. I can’t confirm this as I’m pretty sure I was blackingout from fear as this conversation went down.

We summited a small ridge and Jeff stopped to give us some history on the landscape.  My fear was now at 11.  The spot he decided to stop at hung precariously out over the valley and the highway below was visible.  My fear of heights is completely irrational.  As long as I’m moving I could ignore my surroundings but the second we stop I freeze up.  Jeff stopped to talk for I’m sure was only two minutes but felt like ten.  I literally wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make the rest of the journey, but luckily this was the only exposed view.

Lake Placid, Pitchoff

Starting up the “rock scramble.”

We then reached the “rock scramble”, a steep portion of the hike where climbing was essential before circumnavigating the remainder of the mountain till we got to the summit.

Once we got to the top of the mountain we stopped for some snacks, drinks, and pissing before continuing the flat rock with 360 degree views.  We emerged from the woods, the temperature dropped dramatically, and the scenery took on what could only be dubbed Narnia meets North Pole quality; soft flurries, drifts, panoramic views, and pine trees everywhere.

The Pre-Summit "Winter Wonderland"

The Pre-Summit “Winter Wonderland”

The summit was amazing and had a dramatic, almost lunar quality.  It was freezing and with no treeline for a buffer the wind and snow had picked up.   Jeff told us that the minute our bodies started getting cold to let him know and we’d backtrack.  My sister and I, being the pussies we are, hung back and let Jeff, Eric, and Casey  peer over the side for the best views.  Here are some pictures.  Words can’t do it justice.

Lake Placid, Pitchoff

Top of the world.

Pitchoff

For you fellow nerds, the summit of Pitchoff reminded us of Games of Throne’s north wall.

The trek down the mountain was much, much harder than the ascent.  The way the snow shoes are constructed causes you to point and pivot your ankle in ways that are simply unnatural and took some getting used to.  We must have looked like we knew what we were doing at least because by this time (it was around 11..AM) the trail was getting crowded and we ran into alot of people climbing the mountain.   Jeff let us lead the way this time and several people coming up the mountain stopped an asked us things like ,”did you do linear or vertical?” or “better for shoes or the microspike?”  We had no clue what they were talking about, but were flattered they thought we knew what they meant.

We arrived back at the trailhead at 11:50. 4 miles and 3600 feet in 3 hours, and all before noon.  I’m normally a fan of last call but I was beginning to dig the Lake Placid early bed early up lifestyle, especially because it gave us an excuse to have a liquid lunch.

Skijumping & Wine

 We decided to do lunch at the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery which Jeff warned us was too touristy, but since we are tourists, we figured what the hell.  We got  cheese fondue, beer, and buffalo fish and chips (which is much better than it sounds) was just the ticket after our morning activities.  My one complaint was that the surface was excruciatingly slow.

XC skiing should always incorporate fondue and beer.

XC skiing should always end with fondue and beer.

After lunch we headed to the Ski Jump Complex.  For $11.00 you could take a chairlift and then glass elevator to the top of the tower which also afford you 360 degree views.  Katelyn and I had been there last year, but I think it’s impressive and not something you get to see everyday so decided to force Casey and Eric into it.

On our way we made a pit stop at Swedish Hill Winery.  For  five dollars you could sample six types of wine.  I’m not a wine fan, but the other guys all left with a few bottles.

View of Lake Placid from the former Olympic Ski Jump.

View of Lake Placid from the former Olympic Ski Jump.

After the ski jump we went back to the room to shower and stopped at Zig Zags for one last round of Foosball before going to the Cascade XC Ski Center Full Moon Party.

Cascade XC Ski Center Full Moon Party

Lake Placid, Full Moon Party

Giving the XC skis a rest so I could drink some beer and roast some wieners at the Full Moon Party bonfire.

The reason we schedule this trip on the weekend of February 22nd rather than the easier and more convenient President’s Day holiday one weekend earlier was so we could attend the Full Moon Party at Cascade XC Ski Center.  We had seen this last year and vowed to come back for it.  The posters advertised skiing on full moon lit trails to bonfires where you could get beer and hotdogs.  When I called earlier this year to confirm this was indeed happened I was told that it was a fifteen dollar trail fee if you brought your own skis. I was pumped, it sounded like the perfect night.

If you’re looking into doing this next year (they only do it two or three times a year and are done for the 2012-2013 ski year) ignore any negative yelp or travel advisor reviews you read.  I promise, they’re bs.

We arrived at the Cascade Ski Center a little after 6:30 with the misinformed intent of getting dinner before embarking on the trails.  The bad news: they only serve food for lunch. The good news: the $15.00 trail fee includes not only skiing, but unlimited beer, marshmallows, and hotdogs.  It might have literally been the best bargain ever.  The party technically didn’t start until 7:30 so we sat around the bar and had a couple of rounds.  In hindsight this was a bad idea, only because we’d been drinking since noon and were all a little more worse for the wear then we thought (isn’t that always the case?).  Our stop at Zig Zags and an encounter with some Absolut Vodka girls didn’t help (I’ll drink anything for a free tee shirt…it’s my Achilles Heal).

I only mention this because intoxicated XC skiing is much harder than sober XC skiing.  I fell twice in the first five minutes and have been XC skiing since I’ve been young.  I kept trying to blame it on not being used to the groomed trails, but in hindsight it was the booze.

Once we finished those aforementioned, ill-advised rounds we went back to the car, go our skis, and proceeded to the entrance to the ski area.  Now, the bad news was that the all day snow was still somewhat around, the blocking the full moon.  The good news was that the trails were not only lit but the party was very heavily attended.  I’d say a good 200 people (and that’s just what we saw).  You can rent or bring your own XC skis or snowshoes, and plenty of people were simply walking.  Entering the woods, it reminded me (and I’m copyrighting Eric’s words here) of a Haunted Hayride, but without the scares and a more party like atmosphere.

I’ve always wanted to get into XC night skiing (I bought a headlamp for it) but this was my first time and it was gorgeous.  The fact that the trails are heavily traveled and you could hear the familiar roar of a party in the distance only added to the excitement.

There were two bonfires the night we went, each located about half a mile from each other.  After the half mile ski, you knew you were close when you could see the familiar orange of flames between tree branches, hear chatter, and see rows of skis stuck in the snow along the trails.

It reminded me of high school parties in the best way.

Full Moon Party

Crowding around the keg, high school style, for warmth. I’m surprised I didn’t see any keg stands.

There was a fire in the middle of the clearing, kegs of Molson (I think because of the highschool throwback vibe, I was happily nostalgic for a shitty heavy beer) and a table with marshmallows, cups, and hotdogs along with utensils for roasting these.  We huddled together, lined up for the keg and reunited with our tour guide Jeff from earlier that morning.

Full Moon Party

The party spread.

Jeff told us that the parties were primarily tourists but that some locals did venture out and that they typically got 200-300 people at the parties which last until all the kegs are kicked.  We stayed at the first fire for about a half hour before attempting to go to the second one.  By the time we got there it was so crowded we decided to not even chance it and returned to the first fire.  We got there just in time for a second (or maybe third?) keg to arrive.  That was the best part.  They were delivered via snowmobile.

Lake Placid

Keg delivery service.

I’d suggest the Full Moon Party to anyone visiting the Lake Placid area or to anyone looking for something different on a Saturday night.

Late Night Lake Placid

We decided to head out from the ski party around 11 as I still had to drive back into town.  I am curious to see how everyone made it back safely.  Unfortunately we were back at Delta Blue just as the band was ending.  Judging by their last song, Wagon Wheel, they would’ve been good.

After Delta Blue we headed over to check out Roomers, Lake Placid’s only nightclub.  It was about as awful as it sounds, and even worse it looked like most of the under 30 population at Lake Placid had flocked there. There were dumb looking security guards, overpriced drinks, and while we were there someone had turned “Wonderwall” into a ten minute techno song.  Roomers was a one and done and we headed back to Zig Zags.  Last call at Zig Zags is 3 and we stayed till 3, ending the night with a sad photo shoot at the bobsled outside.  I believe we tried to create “Washington Cross the Delaware.”

Why I’ll Be Back

Why wont I be back should be the question.

Last year I left Lake Placid with the promise to return for the Full Moon party and guided snow shoeing.  For my next return, I’d like to snowshoe a taller mountain (Cascade), XC ski EVERYDAY (preferably every  morning), and go snow mobiling.  I’d also like to find legitimate dog sledding and possibly take side trips to Saranac Lake, Burlington VT, or even Montreal.

2013 Evaluation

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It’s been a little over a year since I started this blog, and to be honest, I’ve kept up with it much more than I thought I would.  I have a habit of starting a bunch of projects and abandoning them after about a month, so this might stick for good.  Last year around this time I made a post with 20 fun/travel resolutions I hoped to accomplish in 2012.  I plan on doing the same thing for 2013, but first want to evaluate I fared in 2012.

Last Year’s List:

1) Travel Abroad: Success-

This was my number one goal for the new year and honestly if I didn’t check off any other item off this list, I’d still consider the year a success.  Up until this July my ex-pat experiences (if you could even call them that) were Bermuda and Canada.  I went to Ireland for a little over two weeks and it more than lived up to every expectation.  In fact, it left me kicking myself in the ass for waiting this long to leave the country.  I’m already itching to go back.

2) Maine/New England Roadtrip: Failed-

I was unable to take the dream NE Roadtrip I’ve been wanting to go on for a while, however my trip to Boston last St. Patrick’s Day satisfied my craving for lobster rolls and Kennedyesque accents.

3) Windsurfing Lessons: Failed-

I didn’t get around to taking  windsurfing lessons, but I did do an awful lot of paddleboarding, so I’ll use that as a substitute.  This is going back on my 2013 list.

4) Kayak the Chesapeake: Failed-

I’ve recently gotten in kayaking (read: I’ve gone more than twice a year).  Last spring, I attempted to get friends together to kayak in Havre De Grace Maryland.  It’s only an hour from Lancaster, and looks like a cool little waterside town.  We had a date set but the weather didn’t agree.  We ended up rock climbing outside of Philly instead.  I’d still like to make it to Havre de Grace and got close this October when we did the Zombie Run.

5) Zipline at Night: Failed-

I wanted to try doing more sober/outdoor/active activities at night time.  I bought a headlamp, so took a step in the right direction but my nighttime activities more than not involved a bottle(s) of beer.

6) Experience Pittsburgh in the Summer: Failed-

I didn’t make it out to Pittsburgh in the summer, and I’m blaming my brother for this one.  He decided to move out there when I was in Ireland!  I did go out in February for my cousin’s 21st birthday.  We made it to the Hofbrauhaus and a Penguins game.  Now that my brother’s settled (he started Law School at Pitt this fall), and gotten his first semester out of the way, I’m sure I’ll be out there more often.

7) Southern Road Trip: Failed-

Major fail, with no excuse.

8) Cross Country Ski Trip: Partial Success-

Technically we went to Lake Placid last year to Cross Country Ski, but it was more of a family bonding trip than the sort of venture that leaves you aching in the good way afterwards.  I’m thankful for that trip, last year sucked for snow in PA.  This year’s already proven to be more fruitful.  I got out skiing three times over Christmas break: one nice brisk ski with my brother behind our house during a storm, a jaunt through the fields of Pleasant Mt. PA, with a stop at the Orson for wings afterwards, and a 6.5 mile ski from my home to my grandmothers on PA’s rail to trails.  This year we have a cross country ski trip planned for Lake Placid again in February.

9) Visit a Shooting Range: Success-

I successfully went to the shooting range the second time kayaking in Havre De Grace fell through.

10) Kayak or Jetski the Susquehanna: Partial Success-

I haven’t been in the Susquehanna, but my buddy Eric and I did a three day kayaking trip through the Delaware Water Gap.

11) Southern PA Brewery Tour: Success-

Lancaster is chock full of breweries and I visited all of them during the course of the year.  This past year I learned to appreciate ”good” beer (don’t let that fool you too much, I still usually tap the Rockies) and experienced my first brewfest .

12) Go to Quebec or Montreal: Failure-

This is an unexcusable failure too.  My goal last year was to do Montreal for New Years, but like every year, once New Years comes around I’m exhausted by the holiday season and want something low key and easy.  I know, I’m 65.

13) See Bruce Springsteen Live: Great Success-

I saw Bruce twice.  He’s the Boss for a reason people.

14) Visit Centralia: Success-

Centralia is PA’s resident ghost town.  I stopped there for an hour look around this summer.  It was interesting and eerie.

15) Hit up at Least One Booze Cruise: Failure-

I didn’t drink on any boats, but I did drink on a school bus.  One of my friends rented one for us to attend the Summerland Tour in Bethel Woods New York.  Drinking on a school bus might beat a boat.  Might.

16) Lancaster to Philadelphia Bar Crawl: Failure-

Since I’ve been living here, Route 30 between Lancaster and Philadelphia has mesmerized me with its weirdness.  I drive it regularly but have yet to stop at any of its bars or strange roadside attractions.

17) Visit Austin Texas: Failure-

Another Irish casualty.

18) Go Old School Camping: Success-

I wanted to go camping without all the frills we normally have during our annual Kittatiny rafting trip, and I got that when we kayaked the Delaware.  Our first night we cheated by stopping at a campsite with a general store and showers, but the second night was the real deal.   I ate MRE’s, didn’t shower for 48 hours, and drank warm cocktails in the pitch black to fall asleep.  It was magical.

19) Attend a Music Festival: Failure-

In my defense, I had tickets to go to the Peach Festival at Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain, but ended up selling them to fund Ireland.

20) Take Boxing Lesson: Failure-

I wanted to take boxing lessons as it’s something alittle out of my comfort zone and find a new way to stay in shape, but I honestly didn’t even have time to look into this one.

Prognonsis:

So I’m 8 for 20.  Maybe in hindsight I aimed too high for both my time and budget, or maybe I just wasn’t proactive enough.  I know that I have to spend less time just wasting time on garbage (TV, YouTube, etc).  Either way, I consider the year a success if only because of Ireland and the fact that I kept up with this blog.  I’ll be creating another list for 2013 and am happy to announce I already have several trips in the works for the beginning portion of the year.

I hope to make it to Pittsburgh in January or February as my brother said that’s when he’ll have the lightest workload.  I’m not sure what we’ll have in store, but if it includes a jaunt into WV, I’m not going to complain.  February 22 I’m going to Lake Placid again.  This time, we’re going snowshoeing and full moon xcountry skiing, and I’d like to maybe drive in a dogsled, which will bring us to March, what I work towards all year.

The Northern Tier Experience

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Elk Mountain

A View of NEPA from the top of Elk Mountain

I’m in NEPA this weekend for a good friends’ wedding.  I’m pumped for the wedding (the reception is in Scranton) but also exicted to be visiting NEPA during one of my favorite times of the year.

Since it’s where I’m currently based, a large majority of my posts deal with the southeastern portion of PA, and I realized I have to give NEPA more love.  It’s a unique area, in that aside from the Lackawanna Valley, it’s still very undeveloped and unfranchised.

The kids I teach in Lancaster always stress that they are from a rural area, and I guess in the scope of things, Lancaster has that sort of charm.  Ho I’ll point out to you what I point out to them: rurality is not defined as the number of silos and cornfields dotting the landscape. It’s actual definition includes the amount of people in a given area.  Parts of NEPA are extremely rural.   For example, I’m sitting in my parents dining room typing this with a view of at a mile of uninterrupted forest behind me.  Scranton is the closest place we have for a mall or Walmart (a 20 minute drive) and it’s not uncommon to have to drive the same length to visit friends in my own school district.

While NEPA definitely does summers it’s own way (picnics are one thing that jumps to mind), I’d say it’s in the fall and winter that it really shines.  NEPA is inherently built for colder weather: its mountanoius, it’s woodsy, and the outdoor activities it best fosters: hiking, cross country skiing, ATVing, and snowmobiling either need snow to thrive or are much better when you aren’t stiffled by the heat.

Most of the time, when people visit NEPA its either Scranton or The Poconos.  I was born and bred just north of both of these places, in an area that typically sees little to no tourism.  That doesn’t mean it’s without its charms.

This takes us to  what’s been dubbed “The Northern Tier Tour.”  The Northern Tier Tour is a group of country bars situated, you guessed it, north of where I live.  They aren’t in any town, and if you choose to patronize these watering holes for the night, you’re stuck “up north.”  They are in the boondocks, the sticks; pick your descriptor.

These bars are unique not only for their rural locale, but because many of them are still “inn’s” that you can rent a room at.  Some of the rooms are semi sketchy, $30 a night affairs, while others have nicely appointed cabins and apartments that one can spend some time at.  I take it for granted because I grew up in the midst of it, but it really is a throwback to an older time, where rest, relaxation, lodging, and spirits could be found underneath one roof.

The “Northern Tier Tour” was created (by my uncle, but don’t quote me on that) because feasibly one should be able to visit all of these establishments during one bar crawl.

Then there’s the people watching.  It’s almost indescribable.  They definitely get some “local color”; lacking teeth, a lot of denim, multiple tatoos, and severe cases of patriotism (usually apparent in the patches on their denim or in their tattoos).  This makes for excellent people watching.  The crowds are a strange dichotomy, because at the same time you’ll fiud people   like you and me, who just so chose to house themselves in this region (actually is my family and me).

Then, there comes the NEPA tourist.  They do exist.  In the fall, it’s mostly hunters.  Fall and spring are obviously the “down seasons.”  In fact, I think in spring you’re liable to only find year round residents.  In winter, you get skiers and snowmobilers, coming up to take advantage of Elk Mountain, and the multiple trails that dot NEPA’s landscape (you also get the few and far between cross country skiers).  In the summer these bars get frequented by people renting cottages at the multiple lakes, and my favorite crew: the camp counselors.

NEPA, specifically Susquehanna and Wayne counties, has a ton of sleepaway camps.  Don’t ask me why (too lazy to look it up), but these camps are largely staffed by twenty something US college students, and slightly older foreign workers.  On any summer night you make walk into, say Arlo’s and find co-eds from Ireland, the UK, Brazil, etc.  While the camps are partly staffed by Americans, they seem mostly European in nature.  I can attest after my trip to Ireland this summer, that Europeans love the techno/club experience, and the bars know their clientele.  The results are mindblowing.  What is normally a nice, blue collar watering hole with little more than a jukebox, pool tables, and posters of what small game is in season at the time (not lying), and where you tend to feel overdressed if you so much as wear a collar will transform to a Eurotrash dance party, with ear bleeding bass, dresses that could feasibly be categorized as shirts, and 20 minute waits out the door.  Two fourths of July ago, I waited in one such line at the Orson Inn for twenty minutes.  Google Earth the Orson, and my point will be made.

It’s unbelievable and amazing and always one of the highlights of my summer.

So, why should you embark on the Norther Tier Tour?

For one, the reasons I mentioned above.  It’s an experience, and it’s hilarious.

It’s also a great way to get away with a group of friends and really spend time with one another.  Often times when my friends and I get together, especially friends I don’t see often, I end up having more fun pregaming or getting ready to go out, than I do once we hit the town.  The reason?  You’re hanging out with people in close quarters, talking, not in a bar where you have to scream to be heard and have too many distractions.

When my friends and I go to these bars, it’s all about grabbing a table, getting everyone around it and enjoying each other’s company, and catching up.  You don’t have to worry about dressing up or impressing anyone.  It’s you, your crew, very cheap drinks, and maybe some pizza and wings.

In the fall and winter, there’s a plethora of outdoor related activities to keep you busy during the daytime.  Elk Mountain, PA’s steepest ski slope, is a twenty minute ride from most of these places.  If skiing isn’t your thing, try snow shoeing, cross country skiing, hiking, or snowmobiling.  The countryside is chock full of trails and at some of the bars you can rent your own equipment.

Below are the the stops on the northern Tier and some info about them.  At the end of this post, I’ll post some things to do in NEPA (besides drink, b/c obviously).

ARLO’s

ARLO’s

Arlo's Tavern

Arlo’s Bar area.

RR#2 BOX 44C
UNIONDALE,PA. 18470
I’ve written about Arlo’s before.  It’s fascinating to me.  Arlo’s Tavern consists of not only the  tavern, but a general store, mini-golf course, ice cream stand, gas station, and rooms.    It’s unreal.   The good thing about staying at Arlo’s (or any of these places) is that you can eat and drink right where you stay. Arlo’s is even more convenient because of the general store and deli.  Rooms average $75.00, and while I’ve never been in one, I’d guess like the rest of the “complex”, they’re rustic, but nice.
Arlo's Tavern

Getting some gas at Arlo’s

Arlo’s minigolf is only seasonal.

Orson Inn:

3497 BELMONT TURNPIKE

ORSON, PA 18449

(Notice that the Orson has no website)

The Orson is one of my favorite places, not just because of it’s Eurotrash-summer transformations.  It’s a great example of not judging a book by it’s cover.  While it looks like a very we-only-serve-locals type place on the outside, the Orson’s roomy with big tables, and a diverse crowd.  Located in the almost nonexistent town of Orson Corners,  it might get the best crowds of anywhere on this list.  It’s located in prime camp land for the summer, and also very close to several trailheads, making it popular with ATVers and the snowmobile crowd.

The Orson also has my favorite wings, of anyplace ever.  They’re big, they’re hot, and they’re buttery.  I crave them often down here in Lancaster.  The prices at the Orson also can’t be beat: 2 dollar drafts, and $6.00 pitchers.   Much as I rave about the food and prices, they aren’t winning awards anytime soon for their service.

Now, the Orson allegedly has rooms, but I can’t confirm or deny this.  My suggestion: stay somewhere else, but come for food and drinks.

STONEBRIDGE

Stonebridge

Stonebridge

Stonebridge from the patio.

306 Sugar Hill Rd.

Union Dale PA 18470

Stonebridge is the classiest and most ski-lodge of all the bars listed here.  It’ll cost you a pretty penny to lodge and dine at Stonebridge, but with a cozy bar complete with requisite fireplace, access to a pool, jacuzzi, and gym, and gorgeous views of Elk Mountain lit-up at night, it may be worth it.

My favorite times to go to Stonebridge are during the warmer weather when they have Thursday and Sunday “Parties on the Patio”; live musical entertainment outdoors.  It’s also a great blizzard bar.

Stonebridge gets a solid early/after dinner crowd, but isn’t a party bar per so.  If you want to get hectic, Chet’s and Orson are your best bets.

 

CHET’S

Chet’s

Chet's Place

 1778 East Mountain Road,

Union Dale, PA 18470

What could I say about Chets?  I could say that this past Sunday after Elk Mountain’s Fall Fest I spent way too much time and money there.

Chet’s is located down an obscure dirt road that seems like it’s a million miles away from my house (I used to have to use my GPS to find my way to and from Chet’s), but in reality is just a 5 minute ride from Elk Mountain.

Chet’s sometimes has a rep for being a little rough and tumble, but it’s not that bad.  They get decent crowds for how out of the way they are, and quite a few musical acts.  However, if I wasn’t a native and coming to stay at one of these locales: I’d pick Chets.  They have several cabins you can rent.  It’s $60.00 for one queen and a bath, and $275.00 for ten people to rent an entire cabin.  Furthermore, you can rent cross country skies from Chets.  I’d like to go snowshoeing up there this winter.

Chet's Place

Chet’s

Ponytelle

Poyntelle

700 CROSSTOWN HIGHWAY

POYNTELLE PA 18542

Poyntelle is a little bit out of the way of the rest of these establishments, but worth mentioning because they offer rooms…for $25.00 a night!  I was at Poyntelle one time during a camp infestation in the summer and as we were entering they asked if we wanted a room.  I’d imagine the rooms at Poyntelle had no bathroom and smell like regret.

THE CANDLELIGHT

Candlelight

Candlelight

Candlelight

Route 374,

Union Dale, PA

The Candlelight is another bar/inn in very close proximity to Elk Mountain.  Rooms here are $70.00 a night.   The Candlelight has excellent food: great steak, great shrimp appetizers, burgers, and if they have the creamsicle cheesecake, you can’t pass it out.  I also think the Candlelight has the best shuffleboard table around.

*Note: There are no convenient stores, gas stations (except for Arlo’s), pharmacies, etc once your in the country.  Plan accordingly.

WHA T ELSE TO DO?

There’s plenty to do on/near the northern tier tour if you need a respite from the bar hopping.  Elk Mountain, is something of an unofficial center of these bars, and the main reason most people venture up to this area.

Elk Mountain PA

In the winter, obviously Elk is good for skiing, but in the fall it’s a great place for hiking and mountain biking.  Northeast PA is full of trails.  Check out the Rails to Trails (and organization that turns old mining railbeds into usable paths) website to see where you could go.  As mentioned earlier, NEPA is very rural, so it’s best to bring your bike.  I did pretty extensive research and couldn’t find any close bicycle rentals.

One interesting option if you don’t wish to bring your own bike is to bike inn to inn.  Bike inn to inn costs $375, and provides you with bicycles, accommodations at three inns, all your meals, and a shuttle for your luggage.  The three stops are The Inn at Starlight Lake, Fern Hall (a golf course and B&B), and Stonebridge.

The snow brings opportunities for skiing (both downhill and cross country), snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.   While the whole equipment issue might arise, you can rent cross country skiis at Chet’s and The Inn at Starlight Lake.

*If you must venture into civilization (I urge you not too, it’ll ruin the experience), here are my Scranton recommendations.

An Argument for Cross Country Skiing

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Cross Country Skiing

You may have picked up that I’m a big fan and advocate of Cross Country Skiing.  I seem to be the minority here.   Cross Country (or XC Ski,whatever you prefer) skiing, while wildly popular in Europe and Canada, has never really picked up steam here in the U.S.   It’s like the soccer of winter sports.

Essentially cross country skiing started as a mode of transportation.  You propel yourself along snow covered trails using two skis and poles.  I tend to believe it’s the minimalistic concept of the sport that seems to drive people away.  The most common response I get when I tell people I XC Ski is variations of,” Why? That seems so boring.”  In reality, it’s anything but.  Here’s why:

Price:

  • Compared to downhill skiing, XC is a baragin.  The average price to downhill ski (rentals included)  for an afternoon is $79.00.  XC?  $18.00.
  • While every ski resort offers downhill rentals, cross country ski rentals are few and far between here in PA.  The upside? There’s plenty of places to XC ski for free.  You can get a decent pair of XC skis for $200-$400 dollars, and a used pair for cheaper than that.   Poles run about $50.00 to $70.00.  Keep in mind, you should not use downhill skis or poles in a XC setting.  Also, telemark skis are similar, but different that XC as well.

Accessability:

  • You don’t need to drive to Vermont for great XC conditions.  You just need snow (although after last winter, that could pose a problem).  A good trails system is the perfect place to XC ski  (I’m a particular fan of NEPA’s Rail-Trail system).  Many of PA’s State Parks (NY State parks do this as well, albeit with a fee) have trails for cross country ski use that are free to the public.
  • While it’s nice to have a trail with a bit of usage and grooming, it’s not necessary.  One of my favorite places to XC ski is out of my uncle’s house in Pleasant Mount, PA.  We ski on a mix of trails, fields, and simply through the forest.  Clearing your own path is obviously more strenuous, but the exercise and views more than often pay off for the extra exertion.
  •  When I went to Lake Placid last year, two of the more popular spots to ski were a loop around the edges of Mirror Lake, and the local golf courses, closed for the winter.

Workout:

  • People always say, “it seems like so  much work.”  If you, like me, enjoy exercising, than that’s the point.  Cross Country skiing is a full body workout that burns an average of 600-900 calories per hour.  Where do you think the Nordic Track got its name?  It’s frequently cited as one of the most difficult endurance sports, as the motions use every major muscle group.  I use XC skiing as a supplement to running in the winter when I’m at my parents.  We have a mile loop behind our house.  I pop in my Ipod and chug around it a few times.
  • What’s more, you can ramp up (or down) the difficulty level to suit you.  You chose your pace and terrain.

Demographics:

  • literally anybody with working legs (that is one obvious caveat) can XC ski.  It’s like tennis or golf in that way.  My parents and uncle have been XC Skiing since the 70′s and it’s become something of a family bonding ritual.  We frequently go today.    Now, I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t go on a run with my parents (sorry guys), they’d slow me down.  But I will XC ski with them.  I hope this makes sense without being insulting.

Nighttime Skiing and…Barcrawls?:

  • I don’t know many other sports you can make into a bar crawl.  Take advantage of your skis on days when the roads become inaccessible.  You can ski from bar to bar, having fun enjoying the weather, while taking frequent stops to wet your lips and warm up.  In NEPA the snowmobile trail system that leads from bar to bar can become a fun way exercise and imbibe.
  • There’s something beautiful about winter nights.  Cross Country skiing is the perfect way to see familiar terrain in a different view.  Either pick a full moon, or pop on a headlamp.

XC SkiSuggestions for Cross Country Skiing:

  • PA’s State Park’s have an extensive trail system.  Check here to see which parks are open for winter fun.  Rent a yurt and make it a XC weekend!
  • The links here and here provide general trail information for PA.
  • The Cross Country Ski PA website is a state wide directory for Nordic Ski.
  • The Wilderness Lodge is a Cross Country Ski vacation destination in western PA.
  • The Crystal Lake Ski Center, located in central PA near Williamsport, is hailed by most experts as one of the region’s best Nordic centers.
  • The Inn At Starlight Lake and Chet’s Place offer rentals in NEPA.
  • Highpoint is the only Nordic center in NJ.
  • For a unique experience, trek up to Lake Placid during a full moon to experience the Cascade Ski Center full moon parties.
  • For those who want a destination weekend, Lapland Lake, and Trapp Family Lodge are two of the oldest centers in the country.
XC Ski Lake Placid

XC Skiing in Lake Placid brought us these views.

The Lancaster Beer Trail

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Lancaster Brewing Company

A Lancaster Brewing Company sample tray.

Growing up in NEPA you learn to love Coors, Miller, and PBR (in an unironic manner).  Craft beer wasn’t part of the vocabulary and microbreweries were few and far between.  Regional beer was limited to good old Lion’s Head.

Lancaster has a surprising number of small microbreweries and brew pubs.  I say surprising, because while I was always aware of their existence, my recent family outing,  combined with the beer fest I attended in August in state college has made me more attuned to these establishments.  I put together how easy it would be to make a day of this, and set about creating my own beer trail, similar to the wine trails of the Finger Lakes which seemed especially popular this summer (judging from what I saw on Facebook).

I recruited a couple of my buddies this past Saturday, to give it a whirl.  The plan was to start at Stoudt’s Brewery in Adamstown, work our way down into Lancaster (where there are three microbreweries), head up to the newly opened Appalachian Brewing Company in Lititz, Bube’s in Mt. Joy, and end at Troegs Tasting room in Hershey, PA.

We made it to four.  You should have better luck.  My friends are notorious for turning bar crawls into a two bar tour.

In order to hit all 8 locales, you should start at either Stoudt’s or Troegs, on either end of this “trail.”  We started at Lancaster Brewing Company simply because it’s directly across the street from my apartment.  You can get a sampling tray at LBC for $18.00.  It includes a five ounce sample of everything they have on tap.  We sampled fourteen beers.

We moved from LBC to the Rumspring Brewery and Mt. Hope Wine Gallery, which I reviewed a few weeks ago.    At that point we decided with downpours that day, and the amount we’d had to drink, it’d be smartest to hit only one more out of town location, before heading back into Lancaster and parking the car for the night.  We exed out Troegs and Stoudt’s because they are farthest out, and decided to choose between Bube’s and Appalachian Brewing Company.  Two of us had been to ABC prior, so decided on Bube’s.

Bube’s was an interesting experience.  The building is large, and several different themed restaurants are under the same roof, giving it a vaguely disjointed feeling.  One of those themes seemed like some sort of murder mystery.  We heard people screaming on our way in and opened the door, thinking in all actuality that it was a haunted house.  A woman was screaming at the top of her lungs, a body was on the floor, and a man stood over it with some sort of cage contraption around his head.  It was weird.

We ordered from the Bottleworks and had our beers out in their Biergarten, which looks like it’d probably be a cool place to spend the night.  I like that at Bube’s several “regular” beers are also on tap/available in bottles for patrons to chose from.

We ended at Spring House Tap room in downtown Lancaster for a few drinks and food (excellent wings, and I’m told excellent Mac n cheese) before ditching the whole ”brewpub” theme and barhopping for the rest of the night, which was good.  I was jonesing to tap the rockies.

For those of you who plan better than we do: here’s the locations of the Lancaster County brewpubs, in the order I’d do them in (I’m starting from the east..if you want to start in the west, just reverse the order).

LANCASTER COUNTY BREWERY TOUR ITINERARY:

Stoudts:

Stoudts

2800 N Reading Rd, Reinholds, PA 17569

www.stoudtsbeer.com

Mt. Hope Wine Gallery and Rumspringa Brewing Company:

Rumspringa Brewing Company

3174 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA 17505-9727

www.lancaster-gallery.com

Lancaster Brewing Company:

302 N Plum St, Lancaster, PA 17602

www.lancasterbrewing.com

Spring House Tap Room:

Spring House Tap Room

25 W King St, Lancaster, PA 17603

www.springhousebeer.com/taproom

Iron Hill Brewery:

Iron Hill Brewery

601 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603

www.ironhilbrewery.com

Appalachian Brewing Company:

Appalachian Brewing Company

310 Primrose Ave, Lancaster PA 17603

www.abcbrew.com/lititz

Bube’s Brewery:

Bube's Brewery

102 North Market Street – Mount Joy, PA 17552

http://www.bubesbrewery.com/

Troegs:

200 E Hershey Park Dr, Hershey, PA 17033

www.troegs.com

Lancaster Brewing Company

Dunzo

Eating and Drinking Our Way Through Lancaster PA

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Yesterday my mom and sister came down for the day.  She hadn’t yet seen my current apartment, wanted to get dinner, and presumably shop.  I was wondering what I’d do with them the rest of the day (I’d decided to give them an hour max at the outlets for my own sanity).   We found that there’s a lot to do in Lancaster on a Sunday, as long as you don’t mind loosening the belt a little.

They arrived at about noon.  We started the day with a drive through the country as they’d both never seen any Amish.  Unfortunately there were none out, which is about right.  They’re guaranteed to be out in full force if I ever need to drive somewhere quickly.  Yesterday was all about leisure.

We drove out into the town of Intercourse, both because I always see a lot of Amish that way, and they have a ton of craft shops, which my mom’s  into. Unfortunately, since religion is so predominant here, everything was closed on Sundays.  What wasn’t closed?  The Lancaster Beer and Wine Gallery, which is much more my speed.

We’d driven by it on  our way to hunt for Amish.   My mother was on the phone, but my sister and I noticed two things:

A) It was open and doing a brisk business.

B) FREE wine tastings.

We made the executive decision to stop.

I’ve said before, I’m not exactly a wino, but my sister and mom might be.   They sampled several flavors and ended up leaving with a bottle each (Pear and Niagara, if I’m not mistaken).  Mt. Hope Wine is what they tasted and purchased.  It’s home base is in Manheim, PA, which is why the locale we stopped at is a “gallery” rather than “winery.”

Upstairs is the Rumspringa Brewing Company.  I took a look around, but wasn’t up to drinking any beer just yet.  I looked at the website and you could get a sampler, 5 beers for $6.00.  The Brewing Company was housed in a barn style room and served snacks as well.  It’d probably be a cool place to spend an afternoon (we were there a little before noon), and Intercourse, I’m sure, is fun for those who are into country crafts.  My sister and I made another executive decision:  we’d be back for the mopeds.

To continue our day of completely healthy over indulgence, we stopped at McDonalds for something quick and cheap, before proceeding to the Tangier Outlets.  Fate was on my side as the parking lot was disgustingly crowded.  So disgusting,  that my mother decided she’d come down another time, saving me from an hour of boredom.

We moved back to Lancaster and parked downtown.  Much like the country, most of the shops downtown are closed on Sunday.  My mom found one open, with $120.00 dresses she couldn’t afford, that she insisted on checking.  It was in the same complex as the Spring House Tap Room, where my sister and I took refuge.

Spring House is a small tap room in the heart of downtown Lancaster serving local Spring House beers.  It’s also home to the only shuffleboard table I’ve yet to find in the area.  We got a five beer sampler ($6.75): Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout, Summer Wheat, Mint Stout, Pumpkin Ale, and Pineapple Ale.  The chocolate peanut butter was suprisingly good, the summer wheat is what I normally drink there, and the Pumpkin Beer grew on me the more I drank (usual story, right?).  I didn’t try the pinapple and we ended up leaving the mint.

Spring House Tap Room Lancaster

Sample round at the Spring House Tap Room.

We moved from Spring House to Carmen and David’s Creamery where we didn’t sample alcohol, but ice cream.  The cool thing about Carmen and David’s is that you can get a dollar “mini-scoop” sampler or three “mini scoops” for $2.75.  I had chocolate, cookie dough, and a really good butter pecan.

One wine tasting, one beer tasting, and one ice cream tasting down.  We had one more.

After a quick pit-stop to view my apartment, we headed over to Lancaster Brewing Company.   We inquired into a sampler and were told that they did indeed have one: 14 5oz glasses of all the beer they currently had on tap.  We figured that might be a little much, it being a Sunday, and my mom having to drive back home, so opted on each getting a glass, but I will be returning there soon (it’s across the street from my apartment) to take on the bad boy.

Lancaster Brewing Company

A Lancaster Brewing Company hefeweizen

The day ended at Stubby’s, a corner bar not far from my apartment that has great food.  My mom and sister had baked tomato bisque they claimed was excellent, while I had a crab burger.  It’s a burger topped with crab, cheese, and old bay (basically crab dip) served with potato chips and a garlic-chili-ranch dipping sauce.  I swear, I order this for the dipping sauce alone.

My mom and sister left by seven to get home, while I went to bed, feeling like the next day needed to include a long Lancaster run.

Irish Weekend or FarmAid?

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The weekend of September 21-22 brings a big choice for those of you entrenched with me in southeastern PA: FarmAid or Irish Weekend?

I received texts/Facebook inquiries about both these events while I was overseas and was smart enough to wait until returning home to do some research for responding to them (I wasn’t that smart though, my Ireland cell phone bill was $120.00…Irish pubs are terrible places to make financial based decisions).

FarmAid is an annual concert put on by Neil Young, Willie Nelson, John Mellancamp, and Dave Matthews to aid and support the farming industry.  This year they decided to hold the concert in Hershey, PA.  The lineup includes the aforementioned artists as well as Kenny Chesney and Jack Johnson.  The cheapest tickets are $50.00.  It’s held in Hershey Park Stadium.  I’ve seen concerts there before, and even the “bad” seats are decent.  The combination of Kenny Chesney (to date, one of the most fun concerts I’ve seen) and John Mellancamp (I’ve never seen him, but how could John Mellancamp not be fun..he sings everything) really piqued my interest.

Irish Weekend takes place in Wildwood, New Jersey, and one of my friends has sung its praises for a couple of years now.   It’s a celebration of Irish heritage in the famed Jersey Shore town; essentially an excuse to wear green, drink all day, and listen to Irish music.  The bars in town have specials and a main tent is set up with musical performances.  The B-Street Band is the headliner Friday night and Secret Service headlines on Saturday.  If you’ve read any of my other posts you know I’m a fan of both.  These bands, combined with my recent surge of Irish pride caused me to choose Irish Weekend.

Last night I sent out a Facebook message, seeing if I could rally any of the troops to split a hotel room and descent on South Jersey.  I got a response from my friend saying thanks for the invite but that weekend was already designated as his birthday/housewarming party and I was already designated as the grill master (and hopefully DJ..I’m lobbying).

My choice has been made.  I’ll be at neither.  I’ll be at a house party in Conshohocken (probably with a pit stop at Bobby’s Burgers Tavern).  Maybe next year.