Poconos in a Pinch

So my first official getaway for the new year was a quick weekend getaway to Mount Airy Casino in the Poconos.  My friends Chris and Roz wanted to get away with their kids and a few friends to celebrate Roz' and her son Jack's birthdays.  They all took went in their car and Angel, Allen, Christine and I went in my car.  We stopped The car ride wasn't bad at all.  Life has been keeping us all busy so it was nice to catch up in the car ride.

We stopped at Shop Rite to pick up snacks and drinks for the night.  When we got to Mount Airy I was pretty impressed with it.  I have gone to the Poconos a million times since I was little and I have always stayed in one of those time share type villas.  I felt like I was right in Atlantic City.  Roz had a nice spacey suite next to our room.  It was so nice just to lounge around, sip some drinks and catch up with friends.  It was so relaxing, we wore sweatpants and leggings the whole time.  No make up, no heels, just good times.  The hotel was really strict with checking IDs.  If you were going to eat at a restaurant you had to wait for someone to personally escort you and anyone underage to and from the restaurant since you had to go past the casino floor.  Every time you left the floor and went back you had to be IDed.  Even if they saw you 20x.  I mean I was only there one night so I wasn't bothered but I could definitely see how that could be annoying for families if they were staying there for a whole weekend.

After a few hours we all got dressed and headed to the Get Wet Ultra Pool.  Which by the way was really really nice.  I forgot to pick a bathing suits so I just lounged around in a day bed along with baby Ava since she was too little to go swimming.  She was such a sweet baby.  Not one peep the whole weekend.  I was even able to put her to sleep.  We stayed until the pool closed and then got ready for dinner. 

We ended up eating at Guy Fieri's restaurant.  Let me tell you if you don't eat meat there are not too many options on that menu.  Which I didn't really care but it was just a little shocking to me.  The table got nachos and truffle fries to share.  I went with a blackened pasta.  It was supposed to have chicken with it but I substituted it with the only vegetable side dish they had.  They were totally cool with the substitution.  All of our food portions were HUGE!  We were definitely all in the food coma when we were done.  I was so bad I couldn't keep my eyes open.  I knocked out for the rest of the night.  Everyone else knocked out too but they were able to rally and make it down to the casino in the middle of the night.  I went for the full night's sleep. 

Photo Credit: @Chriscruz24

Baby Ava in all her cuteness!

The next morning we were heading out.  Angel and I had previously plans to attend the New York Times Travel Show.  I didn't want the tickets to go to waste so we agreed to make it for the last two hours of the day.  Angel and Allen went downstairs to squeeze in a little morning gambling.  Honestly I have no idea if Angel won or lost that weekend.  I stayed upstairs to get a little extra QT time with Roz, Christine and the kids.  

We all went to Hickory Valley Farm Restaurant for brunch.  I had been picking at my pasta leftovers all morning so all I had for brunch was mozzarella sticks.  Which by the way you can never go wrong with.  All the portions were huge again.  Everything came nicely presented in big skillets.  I tried to keep my appetite down but Roz shared her French toast with me and it was damn good.  

From there we parted ways with Chris, Roz, Jack and Ava who were staying a few extra days.  It was such a good time I wish we could've stayed a bit longer.  Thank you Chris and Roz for setting everything up and taking care of everything.  You guys are the best.  Can't wait to make more memories with you guys again in the future.

Photo booth at the Travel Show.

By the time Angel and I made it back to the city, found parking ten blocks away and then made it the Javit's center we were DEAD effin tired.  We were so glad we went for the last two hours.  We could barely pick up our feet.  We walked around for a bit.  I'm glad we didn't end up going super early because it wasn't as fun as last year.  I wanted it to be a bit more about the countries and the cultures but it mostly tours companies trying to sell you stuff.  Blah.  After that Angel and were so exhausted we stopped by Spa 45, one of our fave massage spots in the city.  It was sooooo worth.  It felt so relaxing and amazing.  Totally worth it.  Made it back home in time to watch the Golden Globes and that was a wrap on the weekend!