Having been gradually lured from my Upper West Side home to the "Upper East Side" of PA, these days I find myself traveling back to NYC only occasionally for a Broadway show, concert or Yankee game. Well, there is also the positively unavoidable annual family trip to Disney. But, with the high cost of long distance travel this holiday season, we have enjoyed many midweek specials suitable for all ages right here in the Pocono Mountains. Just last week, we skied at Camelback Mountain Resort in the glorious early morning sun shopped at the Crossings Premium Outlets with coupons ate a delicious sushi/hibachi dinner at Shiro and then wrapped up the evening with an exciting trip to the Mount Airy Casino Resort in one day, and all within 4 miles. Much has been said about how this area has become a bedroom community, but what better compliment can there be to the tourism industry of the Pocono Mountains that so many want to live here full time? I have traveled all around the world, and can say unequivocally that with the addition of the new indoor water park at Camelback, this little area of the Pocono Mountains will rival most any other destination for convenience, variety and value year round.