Lehigh Valley InSite

VeloFestLogo2012

Sure, the middle of March felt like the middle of Summer and the weather in April has been erratic at best, but I promise Summer is right around the corner. In fact, we’re giving away five passes to VeloFest 2012 on May 5th. Yeah, that’s right… start your Cinco de Mayo off right with largest outdoor cycling marketplace in the country!

So in preparation for this VeloFest and this coming season, I invite you to take a look back with me.

Cinderella Boy

“The crowd is just on its feet here. He’s a Cinderella boy. Tears in his eyes, I guess, as he lines up this last shot. He’s got about 195 yards left, and he’s got a, looks like he’s got about an 8-iron. This crowd has gone deadly silent… Cinderella story, out of nowhere, former greens keeper, now about to become the Masters champion.  It looks like a mirac… It’s in the hole! It’s in the hole! It’s in the hole!”

To any golfer, this Bill Murray (as Carl Spackler) quote from the 1980 movie Caddyshack immediately takes you to a flower bed with a sickle. With the 2012 Masters just over two weeks old, it was a great treat to watch Bubba Watson make such a remarkable shot on the second playoff hole to win one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments. So much so that it made me finally dust off the clubs from the long cold winter, ok so it wasn’t that cold, but it sure was long.

Opening Night - The Late Innings

Opening Night - The Late Innings

Last week, I had a Lehigh Valley baseball lover’s dream week. I was at our beloved Coca-Cola Park four days last week. I don’t think weeks get any better than that (at least not for a baseball fan). Oh, and did I mention that the IronPigs are 2-0 on the season, very much the same start I had in attending games to start last season.

IronPigs

Being the diehard baseball fan that I am, I recently returned from my second annual pilgrimage to Clearwater, Florida to cheer on the Philadelphia Phillies with some friends last weekend. I’ve been a fan of the Phillies for as long as I’ve been alive, and upon working here at Discover Lehigh Valley I made a “discovery” of my own. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs offer even the most discerning fan an affordable alternative to their favorite MLB team with some exciting minor league action.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know that the Lehigh Valley IronPigs are the Triple-A Affiliate of the beasts from the east, the Philadelphia Phillies. If you haven’t been to a game yet, you have no idea what you’re missing.

Lehigh Beats Duke

This past Friday night, lightning stuck for the second time in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Just hours after Norfolk State stuns Missouri to become just the 5th 15th seed in NCAA history to upset a #2 seed, Lehigh finished off Duke to make it 6 times. And Lehigh Valley went crazy.

Here’s a little history lesson: you know of the two most recent 15 over 2′s, but the others are Hampton over Iowa State in 2001, Coppin State over South Carolina in 1997, Santa Clara over Arizona in 1993, and the first time it happened was Richmond over Syracuse in 1991.

Jordan Parkway in the Sun

Winter has officially ended. Wait, did it ever really begin this year in Lehigh Valley? The region definitely had a very mild winter which was a blessing for some and a curse for others. The curse came to the ski areas located to the north and south of Lehigh Valley. Blue Mountain Ski Area in Palmerton was able to remain open through this past weekend which was pretty amazing and goes to show that you really don’t need the natural stuff to fall in order to ski, tube or board. Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie was able to stay open to the week prior, which again made those winter sport enthusiasts happy campers.

I, on the other hand, do not really enjoy the cold winters. Sure, I love to see the snow fall, but I’d be happy doing that from my front bow window at home. I’m definitely excited that today is the first day of spring and temperatures this week in Lehigh Valley are going to be amazing.

pond skimming

I want to start by saying that anyone who says there’s nothing to do in Lehigh Valley is crazy! Especially if they say there’s nothing free to do.

Bear Creek Mountain Resort had two, big, free events this past weekend, the cardboard box derby on Saturday and pond skimming on Sunday.

Blue Mountain

Recently, as part of a work project, I had the luxury of taking a ski lesson at Blue Mountain Ski Area. The last and only time I’ve gone skiing was back in the fifth grade, yet I wasn’t nervous. After speaking with a few individuals on staff, the verdict was in; skiing is just like riding a bike. They were right and good thing because the older you get the more likely you are to shatter like glass when you fall…ok I’m not that old, not even close, that only happens when you’re 90 or older.

The staff is knowledgeable and very friendly, so it’s easy to get yourself set up and situated for the first time. In the rental shop, there are several computers to enter your information and like a maze you quickly make your way through grabbing boots, skis and poles.

LVGP Racing - Not me, just a stock photo

He’s off and flyin’ as he guns the car around the track He’s jammin’ down the pedal like he’s never comin’ back Adventure’s waitin’ just ahead… Go Speed Racer!

On Tuesday, right after a stimulating staff meeting at Discover Lehigh Valley, I took a short drive over to Lehigh Valley Grand Prix in Allentown for my first ever indoor racing experience. This was my first time at LVGP, but I had driven their outdoor counterparts before and I figured I was somewhat prepared.

Globetrotters

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to take my wife, son and nephew to see the Harlem Globetrotters at Stabler Arena. It was a first for us. Sure we’ve seen them on TV over the years, but seeing them in person was something special. Even through Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon are no longer on the circuit, the new breed still offers the flare of the old guard. From the water and confetti trick – to the “pantsing” of the referee, they still make the crowd roar.

Stabler Arena always offers an intimate feel, and with our seats that were courtside we really got a great feel for this exhibition. Yes we all know who wins (well us adults do) in the end, but these guys have some basketball skill.