Mountain Creek Riding Stables: Enjoyable Equestrian Fun For Inexperienced Riders

Howdy, Pardner!

Ever dream of being a cowboy? Well, here is your chance to try out riding into action or riding off into the sunset!

MOUNTAIN CREEK RIDING STABLES, POCONOS, PENNSYLVANIA

Mountain Creek Riding Stables in Cresco, Pennsylvania runs a fantastic hour long riding tour mainly geared toward casual and inexperienced riders. As an inexperienced rider that managed to draw one of the more rambunctious horses in the bunch, I can say that this tour is very manageable for the first-time rider.

The experience begins with getting you onto your steed (not difficult at all with the help of the friendly and capable staff and the assistance of a step stool that they have everyone use). After you are up, they ask you if you have any riding experience (now that you can no longer change your mind...), and if you are a first-time rider like myself, they give you a short tutorial about how to get your horse to go, stop, go left, and go right. Then it is off you go!

You take to the trail in single file, and begin the trail by crossing a flowing creek. The hour ride is filled with an enjoyable time of bantering with your family and friends during the leisurely ride, mostly making fun of each other's horse and how they may or may not live up to their respective names. My daughter, 9 years old (and smarter than the rest of the world, by her measure) pointed out how my wife's horse, Turbo, was actually Turbo-Eating Machine, and how my horse, Flash, should be redesignated Slow-poke.

The horses are pretty good about doing the follow-the-leader thing and staying in line, however, occasionally, the horses will stray in order to get a tasty bit of greenery from the side of the trail. And if you are not willing to take control of your horse right away, he may even pursue the tasty-looking bit of greenery well off the trail! There is no track here; you are in control.

I found the experience to be a great first experience horseback riding because the horses are very tame, yet you will have a chance to learn quite a bit about riding in the short period of the tour. Mountain Creek Riding Stables also provides you with a really comfortable environment and an overall great experience.

The most valuable bit of advice that the guide shared with me was to make sure to stand up when the horse goes into a trot. Wise words considering I was able to sit without any pain the rest of the day!

Mountain Creek Riding Stables
GPS Coordinates: N 41 degrees 7.645, W 75 degrees 18.529
or 3 miles east of Mount Pocono on Rte 940
(570) 839-8725 for reservations

Jubilee Restaurant: Lives Up To The Name "The Breakfast King"

JUBILEE RESTAURANT, POCONO PINES, PENNSYLVANIA

Always up for a new breakfast experience, my wife and I were excited at the prospect of a new place to try at the recommendation of Keith, the general manager of Woodfield Manor in Swiftwater, Pennsylvania. He has lived in the Mount Pocono area for several years while managing the charming property, and of course, he had the inside scoop about where the locals enjoyed Sunday brunch. Both my wife and I were extremely excited about the brunch experience that awaited us!

The place was a short, 5 mile drive out of Mount Pocono on Route 940. Just when the half occupied strip malls and commercial offices seemed to disappear and you are questioning whether you passed it, you pass the Mountaintop Country Inn, and then you see it on the right. We could not contain our excitement over the nearly overflowing parking lot full of local Pennsylvania license plates. We knew we were in store for a wonderful meal.

Exceptional fresh fruit toppings

Aunt Victoria's Breakfast:
This dish normally comes with two slices of French Toast, two large breakfast sausages, and home fries, however Keith had specifically recommended the waffles; so my wife wisely was able to replace the French Toast with Waffles, ordering them with the in-season fresh fruit (strawberries on this occasion) topping on the side.

I was in the mood for French Toast, and opted to sample it instead of the recommended Waffles. Because of the late start we had gotten in the morning, I was famished and did not think that Aunt Victoria's appetite was anything compared to mine at that moment, so I also added two eggs.

The wait was probably not really as long as we perceived it to be, due to our state of hunger. We surveyed the bustling Sunday morning crowd-- the place was quite full the entire time we were there. We also busied ourselves planning the rest of our day's adventures when the lovely brunch offering arrived.

The breakfast was delicious! I was satisfied with my French Toast; it was on par with other French Toast I've had in the past. The sausage was excellent, and the home fries were not too oily and done nicely to a crisp.

My wife raved about her Waffles, and the bite that I was able to get of it was exquisite with the fresh fruit topping! WOW! That bite convinced me that I will definitely get the Waffles when we visit for brunch again.

My only critique about Jubilee Restaurant was that the French Toast was so much less substantial than the Waffles; they need to use a more substantial bread or add another slice to make it even. Everything else was exceptional!

TIP:  Jubilee Restaurant runs a breakfast special for the early bird crowd, but you have to be seated by 9 AM. There is also a early bird dinner special if you are seated between 4 and 6 PM except on Thursdays.

Jubilee Restaurant: "The Breakfast King"
Route 940
Pocono Pines, PA
(570) 646-2377

Desaki Restaurant: Classy Hibachi with Confusing Pricing

A cloudy day turned into a rather substantial shower by the time we passed the 10th mile marker sign announcing our approach to the Desaki Restaurant in Swiftwater, Pennsylvania, via Route 611. The 11th marker formed an arrow that directed us to cross a rather uncrossable median and into the restaurant parking lot. WARNING! Mind your muffler!

With the cool-down accompanying the rain, my wife and I were in the mood for something warm, and hibachi seemed to be a winner. Despite my usual interest in trying new, unique sushi rolls, of which Desaki has several original rolls to choose from, I didn't see any sushi roll combinations that really enticed me. So we were seated at a hibachi grill and began perusing the menu.


Desaki Restaurant
Route 611
Swiftwater, PA  18370 
(570) 839-2500

Sushi Bada: Awesome and Affordable Sushi for Attendees of RCC in Suffern, NY

The students and staff of Rockland Community College in Suffern, NY, have a wonderful sushi option that is not only outstanding, but also fits into a student's budget, as well.

Sushi Bada only recently opened, however with the great variety of specialty rolls, the creative sushi chefs really show their expertise. Their everyday sushi combo specials allow you to have your choice of roll, including Sushi Combo D (our favorite) that allows you to select two massive specialty rolls.

Our personal recommendations (if you love eel and spicy tuna, you'll love these! And if you're new to sushi, you will love these--or you just aren't a sushi person):

Route 59 Roll:  A great roll combining eel and tempura shrimp.

Crazy Crystal Roll:  A really original twist on the Spicy Tuna Roll.

Doori Roll:

The Exclusive PLAY BADA Roll and PLAY SUFFERN Roll are excluded from the Sushi Roll combo selection, so we have not yet tried them. However, our curiosity will no doubt get the better of us, and we will try them for you, our dedicated readers!

Have no fear! We will reveal the truth!

Sushi Bada
214 Route 59
Suffern, NY 10901-5205
(845) 533-4178