There are certain topics of conversation or pop cultural phenomena that, when discussed in groups, will consistently cause people to chuckle. For some, it's Bon Jovi lyrics. For others, it's Mentos commercials. Or leisure suits. Or gerbiling.
For me, the Pocono Mountains of eastern Pennsylvania, especially when considered as a vacation or weekend getaway option, has always been a reliable target for facetious repartee.
Crowned "the Honeymoon Capital of the World" after Life magazine ran a double-page spread in 1963 featuring the heart-shaped bathtubs of Hotel Poconopaupack (now known as Cove Haven), the Poconos - at least in my mind - have always had a goofily licentious aura about them. In cheaply designed newspaper ads, lame commercials on late night t.v., and on advertising displays standing on the cigarette machines of diners, drug stores and supermarkets throughout the New York-New Jersey area, a Pocono adventure seemed to be an exercise in bumbling, tacky mediocrity that could not in any way be taken seriously. But since I had a deep, burning curiosity to see just how bumbling, tacky and mediocre it could possibly all be, I gave a call to the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau and requested some info.
After receiving and then disposing of brochures for hotels that looked to be either depressing, shoddy, or antiquated - which happened to be most of them - I came upon the impressive package for Caesars Pocono Resorts. The facilities appeared bright, clean and modern. The rooms were enticing. The photos seemed to have been shot within the last decade. This was the place to go.
I called up and made reservations for Caesars Pocono Palace, which is one of four Caesars Resorts in the Poconos and is geared specifically to couples.
