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The husband’s birthday was this month, and for the past decade I’ve been giving him experience gifts rather than material things…. because we all know the man has more than enough stuff. Over the years I’ve gifted him a trip to a spooky old hotel in the Poconos that felt like the Overlook in Stephen King’s The Shining…
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The place was huge!
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So huge I could never manage to get a shot of the entire thing in frame. And we were literally the only guests.
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Room after room.
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Floor after floor.
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All to ourselves.
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I expected to see the twins every time we walked to our room. Uber creepy.
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I’ve given him beer making classes….
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Look at all those serious student faces.
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And seeing him stir an actual pot? Was well worth the student fee.
I even gave him falconry training.
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That was awesome. If you ever have the chance, take it.
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They really are spectacular creatures.
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And hey, where else do you get to walk around with a bag of decapitated quails?
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But last year brought Covid and the romantic getaway to the coastal resort I chose was cancelled. This year? We didn’t go anywhere either so along with a few Marine Corps themed items and a handful of vintage Red Sox collectibles… I got him something for the man cave.
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Doesn’t look impressive you say?
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Trust me, it is.
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I’m imaging many alcohol induced oohs and ahs when we plop this baby on the bar.
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👍
ooooh
aaaaah
ooooh
aaaahhhh
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It was one of those resorts like you see on Dirty Dancing. Where rich city folks spent the entire summer. It even had it’s own zip code and post office!
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I wanna go to one of those ……….
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It was on top of a mountain with stables, trails, waterfalls. Did I mention the spa? Totally fab!
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Man I’m still getting over the pictures of the hotel. Seriously, you two were the only guests? Was there any staff to help you guys out if you needed it? Or was it like the movie Dr. Sleep, they’d show up and then when you turn around they were gone?
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Oh, there was a full staff… with a formally dressed concierge. We had breakfast every morning in a cavernous room with an entire slew of waiters at our beck and call. It was bizarre.
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Oh, that’s cool!!
My cats would LOVE destroying it!
I love new experiences. Those sound fun. I recently learned that Catalina Island has a falconry experience. Maybe I’ll try to do that.
One of my best experience events was feeding sea otters at an aquarium. I intended to return for the shark encounter but it went from 4hrs to 1 and tripled in price.
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I highly recommend the falconry. Even if you don’t get a bag of decapitated quail…
😉
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Well, a coworker once brought mouse skulls, vomited by owls, to the office so I think that makes it even.
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Yes, but did you walk around with them in a bag?
😉
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Ah, drats, you win!
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Must have felt strange to be the only people there. I think dining with staff just staring at me, waiting for me to need something must have been intense!
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It was an eerie feeling, especially at night.
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I think I’d find that hotel a bit creepy. I’m glad you got out a alive.
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It WAS creepy. And downright marvelous….
😉
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They are all great ideas.
Alie has never wanted anything except a day not to have to do ANYTHING. I have to watch my cholesterol and love ice cream, so I have an annual banana split.
Was the hotel empty because it was March – still cold but no snow? I’m surprised they kept it open.
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So we’re we. I can’t imagine what it cost to heat and staff the place. Much more than our week paid for I’m sure.
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beautiful photos!
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Love the falconry videos. I’d love to have such an experience some day.
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It was a definite hit.
👍
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Fabulous sculpture for the top of the bar.
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All work and no play makes hubby a dull boy.
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Yes… and his toys are more expensive now.
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That’s known as the circle of life.
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And craft beer in his sippy cup..
😉
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I love the ideas of gifts of experiences! That is so much more special than things.
That hotel totally reminded me of The Shining! Especially that hallway.
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See my comment to Brian. So sad….
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Very thoughtful gifts, River. You really should win some type of award.
Now, I’m enraptured by this hotel in the Poconos. Would it be untoward of me to ask for the name of such?
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You may, but after searching for a link to share its grandness I was devastated to discover this…
https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/02/us/pocono-manor-fire-trnd/index.html
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NOOOOO. That is so sad.
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It really is. It was such a special place….
😰
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I’m sorry. 😘
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The hotel looks super creepy ..a hotel all to yourself ..amazing
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It was quite surreal. Like being transported to the past…
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