Moved!

Sorry for any inconvenience or annoyance. Because I prefer the Wordpress platform, I've moved my Northeast PA / Pike & Wayne County real estate blog to

http://pikewaynepablog.com

Please visit me there - that blog covers all of Pike and Wayne County.

Thank you!

Not Your Father's Poconos

It hurts my heart to think that a section of my beloved Poconos is going become a mini Atlantic City with a few thousand slot machines...and heaven knows what else will slither in with them. Honestly, is that really what the Poconos is all about? What happened to cabins on a lake, getting "lost" in nature...getting away from all the crap?

Now, the crap has encroached and it appears that very few people care.

The Pocono Record reported in July that the Middle Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors decided to send a letter of support to the state Gaming Commission on behalf of Fernwood Resort, which wants to install 500 slot machines. What caught my eye was the well written first paragraph, stating that the supervisors planned to send a letter of support "though nearly everyone attending Thursday's supervisors meeting opposed it."

I had to read more, thinking...wow, the township residents better vote these guys out of their positions next election...when I noticed that there were only twelve residents in attendance, and nine were opposed.

TWELVE? There were only TWELVE RESIDENTS in attendance for such an important meeting? I'm assuming that the rest of the township is eagerly supporting the coming of gaming to the Poconos...but I'm betting that many residents either were ignorant of the goings-on, or just don't care.

Perhaps they are resigned to the inevitable. Mount Airy Resort has an army of over 2000 slot machines installed though I guess, at this time, there is still some "investigation" going on. Let's not even talk about the supposed mob ties of resort owner Louis DeNaples...for Pete's sake...didn't the Mafia build Las Vegas? Who did we think was going to build the casinos in the Poconos? The Boy Scouts?

A line in the article made me almost cry: "This is not your father's Poconos anymore."

Indeed.

I'm hoping that the community around Lake Wallenpaupack will band together and work hard to keep DeNaples and his ilk from bringing this dirty business here. NIMBY and all that, don't you know. And hopefully, more than twelve people will show up at public supervisor meetings should the issue ever arise.

Speaking of gambling....over the summer I was contacted by some folks who wanted to sell their half-acre lots in Fawn Lake Forest. They purchased the land sometime in the late 1970's or early 1980's for nearly $30,000, after being told that "Casinos were coming! The land is going to be worth a fortune!" Now, they wanted to sell them - for over 20 years the owners have been paying hundreds of dollars a year in taxes and association dues, in hopes that the investment would pay off. At the time I spoke to these potential sellers, similar lots were selling for $7000 - $9000 each. I felt so bad for them...I could feel their disappointment. Another person called who owns real estate in Paupackan Lake Estates, asking if I thought the "gambling coming to the Poconos" would increase the property value of their little lot in PLE.

Doubtful, since the "gambling" right now is not in the immediate area (thank heavens) - the only gambling around here is the bingo games and the PA Lottery.

Of course, as Fawn Lake Forest and Paupackan Lake Estates grow in popularity, and the lots become scarce as new homes are built, the value of the real estate will increase. I don't think these people, who were counting on a new Atlantic City to double their investment (or whatever the smooth talking sheister told them) will ever see their money back.

Gambling on gambling. The irony.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Pocono Mountains. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Poconos,
Pocono Mountains,
Pike County PA Real Estate

Pecks Pond Photos

One of the hidden gems in Pike County is Pecks Pond. Unfortunately, when people think of Pecks Pond, they think of water overrun by lily pads. Not so!

Yes, the part of Pecks Pond visible from Route 402, the the Pecks Pond Store, is certainly full of lily pads. But that's not the entire lake; it's only a fraction of Pecks Pond!

A couple of weeks ago, when I was finished holding an open house for the state cabin I had listed for sale (sold now) I decided to take a drive down Old Route 402 and see what other cabins were around. I couldn't believe how beautiful Pecks Pond was as seen from this little traveled road.

I've uploaded the photos and created a virtual tour for your viewing pleasure. The cabin mentioned above is only about a mile from Pecks Pond - why not take advantage of this incredible deal and start enjoying nature in the Poconos...now.

Pecks Pond Fishing Adventures Website

Pecks Pond Inn

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Pocono Mountains. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Pecks Pond PA,Pike County PA,northeast pa,Poconos,
Pocono Mountains

Pike County PA - Bruce Lake Hike

Pike County PA has so many beautiful places - another of these is Bruce Lake Natural Area.

Part of Promised Land State Park, 2.5 mile Bruce Lake Natural Area hiking trail is one of over 50 miles of hiking trails in the Delaware State Forest in northeastern PA's Pocono Mountains.

One Sunday afternoon, the husband, Mr. Rice, and I took our three unruly kids on this hike, hoping to hike the attitudes right out of them.

It worked!

They soon stopped bickering with each other, and even my couch potato son reluctantly had fun. This trail is relatively easy going - the only way it could be easier is if it were 100% flat and blacktopped. While the beginning of the trail is gravel, most of it is just a wide grassy road, decorated with some rocks here and there. A few little hills. Anyone in good health can easily conquer this hiking trail.

The beauty is breathtaking. I stopped and saw some princess pine, a ground covering commonly used in wreaths and other holiday decorations. I also noticed some elderberries, which brought back memories of making elderberry jam with my aunt. The views of Panther Swamp, Balsam Swamp, Egypt Meadow Lake, and finally, Bruce Lake were so beautiful - I was once again reminded of why I love Pike County PA & the Poconos.

Bruce Lake is accessible only by hiking in (there is another shorter trail that takes you directly to the lake, but the kids were so antsy, we needed the entire 2.5 mile hike in to settle them down.) Supposedly the lake is good for fishing; I saw several fish breaking water when we got to the end of the trail. Bass, muskies, pan fish, and pickeral are said to be inhabitants of the clean waters of this glacial lake.

Maybe you'd like to move to Pike County PA, too, so that you can take advantage of this and other hiking trails in the state forest and in Promised Land State Park. If I can be of any assistance to you, please contact me using the buttons below.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Poconos, Pocono Mountains

Promised Land State Park - Pike County PA

Promised Land State Park in Pike County covers nearly 3000 acres and is probably one of northeastern Pennsylvania's best places to spend the day (or a weekend, or a week!)

Located on Route 390, a few miles south of I-84's Exit 26, it is easy to find.

Our family visits Promised Land State Park several times a year. The kids love to swim in the clean waters of the lake and play on the sandy beach. Lots of shade trees are nearby for those of us who do not worship the sun. Picnic spots are plentiful...and please do not feed the ducks, however cute they may be! Reserve a picnic pavilion for a large gathering, and have electricity and a private bathroom along with protection from sudden rain or hot sun!

There are hiking trails, camping areas, cabins, bike trails, snowmobile trails, and access to equestrian trails...it's probably the best investment of time anyone can spend.

Rent a boat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboat and take a leisurely ride along the shores of beautiful 442 acre Promised Land Lake or 173 acre Lower Lake.

One client of mine recently commented about the religious theme for the park's name. Originally the hunting lands of the Minsi Tribe (Wolf Clan) of the Lenni-Lenape Delaware Indians, these grounds were purchased by the Shakers, a religious sect seeking to build a farming community (or so one story goes). The legend continues that the Shakers found this rocky land most unsuitable for farming - and sarcastically dubbed it "The Promised Land."

Eventually the Shakers sold the land for timber and left the area. In 1902, after the land had been repeatedly cleared and timbered, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the tract to become the state's 4th state park, opening it to the public in 1905. During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt started the Civilian Conservation Corps to help relieve unemployment; much of the CCC's handiwork can be seen in Promised Land State Park today.

While it may not have been "The Promised Land" for the Shakers, it most certainly is the "Promised Land" for nature lovers visiting and living in the Poconos!

Maybe it's time to think about purchasing your own cabin near Promised Land. Most of the cabins are on state owned ground and only available to PA residents, but there are others for non- PA residents as well. One of them might just have your name on it. Contact me today - or search the MLS on your own (no registration required).

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Poconos, Pocono Mountains

Okay, I admit it...

I really like Folger's French Vanilla coffee.

I am such a coffee hound, I will drink anything that is hot and black. (my husband wasn't amused when I once said I like my coffee just like Dennis Haysbert...)

So, given that I've not been known to turn my java nose up at anything, I suppose that my credibility is not very good - I like fine coffee, I like Starbucks coffee, I like mediocre coffee, and when I'm desperate, I'll even drink disgustingly thick and strong coffee...but I really, really REALLY like this Folgers French Vanilla. I think I might draw the line at monkey poop coffee, though, even if Oprah likes it.

My favorite flavor is actually amaretto, which is the main reason I go to Wegman's. My second favorite flavor is Green Mountain's Wild Mountain Blueberry - I know, I know...blueberry coffee? Yes! It's surprisingly delicious and wonderful for after dinner.

There was no real point to this blog, but I felt it had to be said.

*sipping my French vanilla Folgers...*

Wallenpaupack Class of 1987 Reunion Coming Up

Funny how your perspective changes in 20 years. Funny how old I feel, talking about "20 years ago."

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times: not for a mint of money would I go back to high school. While I was there, I felt imprisoned. I would skip school whenever I could (my mother was not very strict). I had only a small handful of friends. On graduation day, I had such a big smile, and I scorned all those silly girls crying...I was estatic! I could not wait to wipe the Wally High dust off my feet...Yet, here I am, looking forward to the reunion. I can't wait to see everyone and see who's grown up...maybe cultivate some new friendships. I'm a lot heavier than I was back then. Oh well.

The fact that it is going to be held at Ehrhardt's certainly helps. Good food, great atmosphere, nice view of the lake. My best friend Cindy and I are leaving our husbands with the kids and going together.

I wish that girls had gone to the prom together back in 1987 without being suspected of being gay. I didn't have a date for either the junior year or the senior year prom. I remember being mad at my friend Paul for not taking me, because he said he couldn't go listen to that non-Christian music. (so I end up marrying a guy who hates non-Christian music....go figure...).

Rich Cetta set up a website for the reunion - it's pretty cool, and I even posted an entry in the blog.

So, here's to you, Class of '87. I'm looking forward to meeting up with you again. 20 years does a lot to wipe away the sting of unpleasant memories, and you can now look back and say...dang. I'm old.