Get Outside!

The Story of Apples

2010-09-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

LF Explore

Words by Eric Charles

The pleasant crunch of a sweet and crisp apple can entice even the most hurried among us to take a moment and enjoy the delicious experience. With over 7,500 varieties (cultivars), 100 of which being commercially grown in the U.S., this lovely pomaceous tree fruit‚ a species of the rose family‚ has captivated America's taste buds and imagination many times over.

A Wikipedia© search tells us that the apple takes a prominent place in Greek and Norse mythology and was at one time a generic word for many types of fruits, nuts, and even tomatoes. Among numerous tales, we think of the apple as the fruit of health, Newton's muse, a perfect teacher's gift, the bane of innocence, and (in its pie form) the quintessential expression of American culture. Feeling chunks of juicy pulp shred and dissolve in my mouth, I swallow as much a myth as a refreshing treat.

Though abundant, the threads of narrative that have been woven into the cultural meaning of the apple don't tell the entire story of our Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Enterprise, Northern Spy or other flavorful cultivars; most importantly, they don't explain how this beloved fruit found its way from the orchard and into our hungry mouths. There are graver realities involved in the mass production of a commercial item, which are often left concealed behind an inviting display at the grocery store.

A well researched list on sustainabletable.org tattle tales on some of the harmful consequences of industrial agricultural practices. Among many problems of these practices, including the degradation of local economy and an enormous requisite fuel consumption, one of the more prominent issues mentioned is the abundant use of pesticides. Expressed bluntly, the abstract to the May 2002 edition of Environmental Health Perspectives concludes from its research that, “The pesticides used heavily in industrial agriculture are associated with elevated cancer risks for workers and consumers and are coming under greater scrutiny for their links to endocrine disruption and reproductive dysfunction.”

In addition, the epa.gov asserts that over 1 billion tons of pesticide products are used each year in the U.S., the question of where my fruit comes from rises in importance.

According to Ed Pruss, the Extension Educator at Wayne County Cooperative Extension, in order to successfully mass produce apples, large factory farms will douse their product with an array of pesticides in an attempt to thwart the unpredictable onslaught of parasites through the growing season. There are some foreseeable apple parasites local to the Pocono region such as San Jose scales, spider mites and aphids; but there are also many others that migrate from different regions in the U.S. and arrive sporadically throughout the growing season. No one insecticide kills all insects and farmers can't completely predict which will attempt to infest their crops, so industrial growers lay a soup of pesticides on their product and hope for the best.

Fortunately, there is an another tale to be told about apple growing, which began once upon a time in small, local orchards. Pruss explains that local farmers have the opportunity to attend to their apple crops at a level of intimacy that is inaccessible to larger industries. Although many preemptively spray pesticides early in the season while the trees are still dormant, they generally avoid the maintenance spraying so common in industrial orchards. Instead, they spray in a reactionary manner with precision pesticides appropriate to the specific parasites that have inhabited their trees. Pruss, “Any good grower has the ability to scout the orchards to see if there are insects that are trying to eat the fruit. The local farmer will then select an insecticide that has the least impact on the fruit. There's some thought that goes into the selection and timeliness of the spray.” Even better, organic and biodynamic farms avoid pesticides altogether.

By turning to locally grown apples and other agriculture, we foster a narrative grounded in sustainable food production‚ one which supports a healthy immune system and a healthy local economy. I, like many of us, am no saint when it comes to my choice of produce. The temptation of a quick, all-inclusive trip to WalMart© can seduce even the best of us; here the apple is indeed the fruit of sin. Yet my first time shopping at a farmers market for produce came with two exquisite feelings: the freedom from a lingering guilt, which always accompanies my indulgent shopping sprees; and a profound sense of security in knowing the story of my fruit. n

Taken mainly from the Shop Local Save Land Pennsylvania pamphlet (shoplocalsaveland.com), here are a few local apple growers/sellers in the Pocono region:

Gould's Produce and Farm

Frable Road, Brodheadsville, PA 18322

570.992.5615

gouldsproduce.com

Heckman's Orchards

Rte 115, Effort, PA 18337

570.629.1191

heckmanorchards.com

Klim's Orchards

477 Keystone Road, Lake Ariel, PA 18436

570.698.5539

klimsorchard.com

Miller's Orchards

1515 Fairview Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411

570.587.3399

millersorchard.com

Mueller's Vegetable Farm

826 Beach Lake Hwy, Beach Lake, PA 18405

570.224.4198

O'Neill's Orchard

242 Miller Pond, Honesdale, PA 18431

570.448.2226

j2oneill@nep.net

Hit the Slopes

2009-11-23T08:08:00.000-08:00

words by Brent Postal

The words “Pocono Mountains” conjure up a familiar image to residents and tourists alike, and that is snow. This area is known for its rich history of winter activities, of which, none is more prevalent than skiing. It seems that everyone in the Pocono Mountains likes to ski. Fortunately for us, we have a myriad of options in our own backyard. In fact, I’ve even snowboarded down all eight ski resorts in the Pocono Mountains in one day! As I traveled from one to the other, I took notes on the level of difficulty of the slopes. Each resort offered a different challenge, but they were all a lot of fun. Based on my notes gathered from that day, here's what I came up with...

Beginners
Novice skiers and riders will find two of our slopes particularly beginner friendly – Shawnee Mountain and Ski Big Bear. Shawnee prides itself on being a great place to learn to ride. The ski area boasts over 150 instructors and some of the top programs in the country including “SKIwee” and “Cruisers”. Shawnee’s trails degree of difficulty is listed as 25% beginner, 50% intermediate, and 25% expert. Beginners of all ages get a great start at this mountain.

Big Bear has a nice progression of slopes, which allow the first-timer to work his or her way up to more challenging and steep terrain. Big Bear’s snow sports school provides thousands of lessons every year, both private and group. It is a huge advantage to schedule an hour long private session, the one-on-one instruction is a fast track to success. Ask about their “First Timer” package to learn the basics.

Experienced Riders
If you’ve “been there, done that,” you have several options in the area that will test your limits. The first is Camelback. This is arguably the Pocono Mountain’s largest and most impressive resort. Seventeen lifts take you to 33 different trails, two terrain parks and a halfpipe. Tourists come from far and wide to experience Camelback; you only have to go to Tannersville.

Blue Mountain is another ski resort that features extremely long and difficult trails. This mountain showcases the highest vertical drop in the Poconos at 1,082 feet and a longest run of 6,400 feet. As you can imagine, the views from the top are spectacular. There are 14 advanced trails to ride along with four terrain parks. Adding to the accolades, Blue Mountain was even featured on the truTV show, “Ski Patrol”. If you’re looking for a place to hone your terrain park skills, look no further than Jack Frost/Big Boulder. These two resorts are basically right next to each other. The most challenging grinds and jumps in the area can be found on these two mountains. “Boulder Park” has even been rated a top five terrain park on the east coast by Transworld Snowboarding.

The options are limitless. We’re very fortunate to have so many skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing options right here in the Pocono Mountains, a luxury few have on the east coast. But don’t take my word for it, get out there and experience them all. Last year the area’s ski resorts reported record numbers, expect the same in the 09’ - 10’ season.

Get Out! Explore the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail

2009-07-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

words by Erin Farley

The end of summer and the beginning of fall are the perfect time for outdoor cookouts with friends and family, and nothing goes better with a freshly prepared meal than the perfect bottle of wine. Light blushes, dry whites, and fruity reds can compliment foods by heightening a unique blend of flavors, but choosing the right wine is not always easy. The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail sets the standard for excellence in winery navigation and will most certainly lead thirsty adventurers on the path to the right wine choice. The non-profit organization lists nine local, family-owned wineries which offer a variety of experiences in wine culture. The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail staff have mapped out a local trail for visitors to follow for the finest wine tasting adventures. The trail begins at Amore Vineyards in Bath, Pa., a small vineyard that prides itself on high quality plants, produce, and people. With farmland stretching over 100 acres, visitors can leave the vineyard with not only homemade wines, but fresh fruits and vegetables such as sweet corn, fresh cabbage and ripe tomatoes. Navigating on to the West End, Big Creek Vineyards in Kresgeville operates under a “wine is food” motto and suggests drinking wine just as you would eat; take slow, deliberate sips and savor the flavor of the craft. Blue Mountain Vineyards in New Tripoli stretches across 50 acres, and holds pride in their International Award winning wines. A view of exquisite mountain peaks, along with a beautiful tasting room and friendly service, define why this vineyard holds high acclaim among locals and frequent visitors. From the mountains to the valley, the trail leads to Sorrenti’s Cherry Valley Vineyards in Saylorsburg. Known for their award-winning blushes and spumantes, the vineyard recently expanded their showroom to include a larger tasting bar. Dominic Sorrenti started the family business over a dozen years ago and guides the wine tours himself. “Wine tours have become very popular over the years“ he says, “and a lot of people enjoy coming to tastings to learn about food pairing options.” Breinigsville is home to two wineries along the route, Clover Hill Vineyard and Vynecrest Vineyards. Clover Hill, run by the Skrip family, recently celebrated over 20 years in the business with the opening of a brand new tasting room. While you are in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by Vynecest Winery, who welcome many wine enthusiasts as well as first-time tasters. The tasting room, housed in a 19th century restored barn, provides an impressive view of their growing fields. Moving on to the slate belt region, Franklin Hill Vineyard in Bangor is one of the oldest operating wineries in Pennsylvania. Secluded behind vast acres of grape plants and rich farmland, the winery and quaint showroom is littered with awards. The famous “fainting goat” is tied outside to greet visitors and encourage them to hear his story and try the fainting goat wine he inspired. Galen Glen Vineyards and Winery, Andreas, Pa. features a brand-new European inspired tasting room, and landscaping ripe with old world romanticism. Pinnacle Ridge Winery, Kutztown holds several gold medals and best in show awards from wine competitions all over the east coast. Their extensive list of wines includes sparkling, red and white table and specialty wines. The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail represents the finest in the Lehigh Valley Viticulture. Each of the wineries has something unique to offer, whether a live goat to greet you or a historic barn for tasting, any one of these wineries make for a perfect afternoon outing. Visit www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com for a complete listing of all nine wineries, directions, and tasting tips. Grab a group of friends or family members, map out your route, and hit the trail!

Get Out! To See Beautiful Butterflies and Wild Rapids

2009-06-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

By Erin Farley

Beautiful Bugs at Bear Mountain

Pesky insects can put a damper on being outdoors, but not all bugs bite. To liven up your summer with some extraordinary insects, why not go for the ultimate butterfly experience? Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary in Jim Thorpe offers a fresh look at the unique winged creatures. Started in 2002 as an educational experience for children with disabilities, the sanctuary features an interactive butterfly video for children, plus an opportunity to enter the Flutterarium to hang out with real-live butterflies! This year, Bear Mountain Butterflies will also be featuring a fascinating exhibit of Poison Arrow Frogs. The eco-friendly sanctuary is also wallet friendly at just $8 for adults and $6 for children, plus weekly features such as Marvelous Mondays and Thrifty Thursdays. Public walk-in hours are happening now, so check out Bear Mountain Butterflies at www.bearmountainbutterflies.com for contact information, directions, a calendar of events and more!

Summers Splashing with Jim Thorpe River Adventures

Take a break from the cannonballs and deep-end dives and try a real aquatic summer adventure. The Lehigh River hosts a tremendous group of professional river outfitters that provide training and guidance for kayaking, group white water rafting, and easy family floating trips. Bring a group of friends and get some great exercise while enjoying the scenic mountains surrounding the raging waters. If water just isn’t for you, Jim Thorpe River Adventures also provides directions to amazing mountain biking trails that run through Lehigh River Gorge State Park, the trails run along former railroad beds and exemplify the beauty of nature reconstituted. Call 1-800-424-RAFT to book your outdoor adventure.

nICE

2009-01-14T13:12:00.000-08:00

words by Heather Hanson

Feeling cooped up inside and fearing winter will never end? Bundle up and head to several outdoor activities around the Poconos that are making frigid conditions fun. First experience the 5th Annual Clark Summit Ice Festival, “The Frozen Rennaisance Faire”, being held February 12-16. Here you can say hello to the Ice Prince & Princess, enjoy over 40 icy works of art, ice carving demonstrations, musical performances and renaissance entertainment. While in Clark Summit, be sure to try a unique Ice Wine tasting event at the Chinchilla Wine and Spirits Shoppe. The whole family will delight in a trip to Lakeville, PA to experience “Crystal Cabin Fever”, a spectacular full-size cabin made entirely from ice. From February 13 through March 1 you will discover a crystalline wonderland of ice animals, every day objects and a dual 40-foot racing slide. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for kids under 15. Shawnee Winter Carnival Day is February 22. The wintertime festivities will include demonstrations, ice sculptures, vendors, product sampling, an outdoor barbeque and more. Golf skills getting rusty? Gear up for spring and paticipate in 9 Holes of Golf atop frozen Lake Wallenpaupack at the Ice-tee golf tournament. The day of frozen fun for golf lovers and novices alike is presented by the Hawley-Lake Wallenpaupack Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by and held at Ehrhardt’s Waterfront. The cost to participate is $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the event. Now, stop going stir crazy and get outside for some fun!

Magic in the Ice

2008-12-02T06:47:00.000-08:00

As the Arctic air wins the battle with the Tropic air from the Gulf we'll see the surfaces of our lakes, streams, and ponds cease to ripple. This transformation is the true litmus test of winter's might. If in the middle of February you can still cruise around in a boat, surely it's been a mild winter. It seems that we're heading the opposite direction here in the Poconos. Up on the plateau they received up to 20" of snow in October, lakes were covered in a thin coat of ice by mid-November, and the ski resorts are celebrating one of the earliest openings in their history.
If your looking for an interesting subject to photograph this winter I urge you to go out to your favorite lake and search for magic in the ice. The ice provides many wonderful scenes. In this post I'd like to talk about the beautiful designs the wind can produce in the coves of lakes. Where the water exits or enters ponds and lakes the water tends to stay unfrozen. The wind enters these coves and carves curves into the edge of the ice. Look for these curves and get in tight with your framing. Also, look for reflections in the water alongside these wonderful curving lines. Just make sure you don't step out on this ice it's almost always thin! See you out there!

All photos from the winter of 2004 at Promised Land State Park, PA Copyright 2008 Daniel Brodeen

For more tips and photos by Daniel Brodeen please visit www.brodeenphoto.com/blog1 and www.brodeenphoto.com

The Beautiful Hidden Lake

2008-10-31T07:34:00.000-07:00

HIDDEN LAKE
by Daniel Brodeen
Contributing writer and photographer
www.brodeenphoto.com
www.brodeenphoto.com/blog1

Residents of the Pocono Mountains can make no mistake that winter is knocking at our door. With over 2ft of the white stuff in the higher elevations we're all starting to think that this might be a good old fashion winter. But before we give up on autumn this year, there are plenty of leaves still on the trees. Grab your camera and head down to Hidden Lake. It's located between Bushkill and Shawnee in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. When most of the foliage on the Pocono plateau have fallen to the forest floor, down near the Delaware River there are still plenty of colors. I've found that at the end of October and early November the reds are the strongest. They really stand out against the dull gray and brown of the naked trees that have lost all their leaves. There's a nice meandering trail that goes all the way around the lake. It's about a 30 minute hike without taking a single photo, so plan accordingly. Photography wise, look for isolated areas of strong color(especially red). Set those colors apart from the rest of the forest to give them a sense of silence. Also, once 75 percent of all the leaves have fallen, it's easier to find unique patterns of standing and fallen trees with the slight warming effect of lingering foliage. Most often setting your camera to under expose will get you the moody feeling that compliments this time of year best. Arrive before sunrise or a couple hours before sunset to get the best light. Mornings will always be the most dramatic. The light comes up over the ridge that rises up around half the lake and will peak through the mist rising off the lake. See you out there!
Essential Equipment:
Digital Camera with manual settings
SLR with good quality slide film(Fuji Velvia,etc.)
Tripod
wide angle to telephoto lenses

All Images Copyright 2008 Daniel Brodeen

Hidden Lake Road is roughly parallel to River Road, but farther inland from the river. From the traffic light on Route 209 at the Fernwood Resort in Bushkill PA, turn east (a right turn if northbound) onto River Road and continue 1.5 miles around a sharp turn to the right. Bear immediatelyright onto Hidden Lake Road.
From River Road, continue past park headquarters on the right 300 yards and then turn very hard right onto Hidden Lake Road.
Once on Hidden Lake Road, continue 2.25 miles, past a small parking area on the left along the dam, to the picnic area entrance on the left, which has a sign.