Unseasonably hot
Just as we were settling into delightful spring weather we were slapped with 94+ degree heat today and the same is to be expected for tomorrow.  If there’s one thing that irks me about Pocono weather(although I’m sure its not uncommon in other areas of the country) is the ocassional drastic changes in the weather.  It never fails that each spring as you prepare to wear warm clothes and start spring cleaning that we’re hit with a foot of snow.  The heat is possibly even worse then the cold since you’re still semi-prepared to deal with the cold, with the heat its an “ugh I gotta get the AC out asap or imma sweat to death”.  Needless to say we put the air conditioners in Sunday night to prepare for the next few days and it needed to be done anyway but still… I’m all for a bit more consistent weather changes.

Pocono 500
As any NASCAR fan knows this past weekend was race weekend - aka the Pocono 500 -  if you’re a fan you were sure to be there - if not then you were probably busy dodging the traffic.  Kasey Kahne came out on top, you can visit Pocono Record Online: http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=SPORTS0301 for all of the details.  You can also visit the Pocono Raceway website for additional information about the Pocono 500: http://www.poconoraceway.com

Gas $3.99
Gas prices have slowly been rising and have been at $3.99 for a good week or two now, I would expect to see the majority of gas stations rising above $4 this week, there have already been a few at $4.05-$4.09 for the past week.  If you’re not in a rush its well worth it to take the extra time to check around for the best price.  The Pocono Record has a gas map that will show you current gas prices in the area - its actually really helpful and accurate, be sure to check it out!  Take note that paying CASH is what will often get you the cheapest rate - read the fine print!  Some gas stations advertise low prices but then add an additional fee for using a credit card - I’ve seen it go as high as an additional 20 cents a gallon - so be careful.

Getting your hopes up that spring has finally arrived in the Poconos can be a really depressing idea once you realize that there are always a few late storms to endure before the warmer weather officially hits.  There’s usually a series of warmer days, maybe 1-2 at a time followed by the bitter weather, maybe an ice or snow storm that knocks you right back into the winter reality. 

Living further up on a mountain ensures that we are typically the last area of the Poconos to be able to experience spring - its almost a different world even though its 20 minutes from downtown Stroudsburg.  During the winter you double check your own sanity as you leave your home and 6 inches of snow to arrive to just a dusting in town.  An innocent “sorry guys I can’t make it because of the weather” leaves people pretty skeptical as they look outside at the drizzle or flurries they are getting as we’re busy knee deep in snow. 

Spring is pretty much the same story - we’re stuck looking at fall like weather while our friends and family in town have flowers and trees blooming and are starting their spring yardwork.  Easter is a bit of a bummer as I’d love to have it warm enough to be wearing just a light jacket but it seems the past few years we’ve had to bundle our son up to Easter egg hunt as if we’re sending him off sledding.

But…I think spring might finally be here!!  It was 60 today - that’s an accomplishment considering this time last week it was getting down into the 20s and sleeting.  Brrr.  So…I won’t completely get my hopes up but I think spring is on the way.  That means its time to fire up the grill - yum!,  get the yard raked up yet again - ugh, and start preparing for the nicer weather.