Pocono MCA Gathering
April 27-28 2002

2nd Annual Pocono Merkur Weekend 
April 27-28, 2002 

We are once again fast approaching spring and summer, or as I like to call it, Merkur season. Indeed, the best way to enjoy our Merkurs is to take them on a back road in the country on a warm spring afternoon with the sunroof open and a huge grin on your face. Then there is the joy of hanging out with your Merkur friends and “kicking tires” till the sun comes up. Once again, all of these elements (and more) will come together for a wonderful weekend in the Poconos. It is time for the 2nd Annual Pocono Merkur Weekend in Tannersville, PA. 

Parking lot parties, scenic photo ops, enthusiastic back road driving, nearby outlet shopping, go-karts and a dinner at a local brew pub make this one of the most complete Merkur events around. 

Join us Saturday, April 27th and Sunday, April 28th at the Ramada Limited in Tannersville, PA, located in the heart of the scenic Pocono Mountains. The Ramada Inn is conveniently located immediately off Interstate 80 at exit 299. 

To kick things off, we’ll meet at the Ramada on Saturday at noon for a Carlisle-style “tire-kicking party.” We’ll have plenty of time to show off our cars, talk Merkur amongst ourselves and with passersby, and have a great time. The Ramada will rope of a private (yet very prominent) parking area for our XR4Tis and Scorpios! We will likely make a convoy trip to a local go-cart track, and for anyone who enjoys shopping, there is the award-winning Crossings Outlet Center only a few hundred feet (yes, FEET!) from the hotel! 

On Saturday evening, we’ll offer a scenic photo opportunity at a yet-to-be-determined location. After gawking at our cars and catching them on film, it’s off to the awesome Barley Creek Brewing Company Restaurant & Pub. Offering fun and grub for the whole family, Barley Creek features an enormous selection of beers brewed locally and internationally, along with a complete menu featuring everything from simple burgers to huge, juicy steaks. Barley Creek will also be putting aside a prominent part of their parking lot for us to display our cars! 

After dinner, you can show off your car at the Barley Creek parking lot or gather back at the hotel. If weather permits, we can have some sort of evening desert gathering outside with the cars with coffee, hot chocolate and cheesecake from the Pocono Cheesecake Factory (it’s the best cheesecake you will ever eat, guaranteed!). 

On Sunday morning, after a relaxing night‘s sleep at the Ramada, it’s time for a free continental breakfast. After our coffee and bagels and delicious pastries, we’re off to tackle some of the area’s best touring roads with several great photo ops (conveniently mapped out for all participants). 

Prices for this weekend are ridiculously low! This is an event where there is no need to drop an enormous amount of money to have an incredible experience! 

Overnight accommodations at the Ramada Inn Limited are only $59 for double occupancy. If there will be more than 2 people staying in the room, there will be an additional charge of $10 for each extra person. However, kids under age 12 are free, even if they bring the total of occupants in a room above two. Both smoking and non-smoking rooms are available. 

Note that rooms have been put aside especially for Merkur Club members. When you call, tell them to book your room under the following code: M-E-R. This is our club’s unique code at the Ramada and is the only way our information can be retrieved on their computers. Reservations must be made by Wednesday, March 27 in order to be guaranteed a room. Rooms are subject to availability after that date. 

For anyone traveling long distances, you can also reserve a room for Friday night for the same $59 rate under the Merkur Club reservations. 

Also, I will be arriving Friday night, so if anyone else is coming early as well, let me know and I can arrange for some sort of group gathering that evening. 

To make your reservations, call the Ramada Limited Inn at (570) 629-4100. Also e-mail me at merkurscorpio@hotmail.com so I can inform Barley Creek of how many people and the number of cars to expect. When you e-mail me, please include your name; model, year and color of your car; and number of people in your party. 

If you would like, you can take a closer look at the Barley Creek Brewing Company online at http://www.barleycreek.com or click here to check out the Ramada Limited. 

I look forward to seeing everyone in the Poconos on April 27th-28th! 

-Paul-Michael Van Hook 
(‘89 Merkur Scorpio) 
merkurscorpio@hotmail.com 

For further information and last minute planning details, be sure to visit our planning board.

Paul-Michael Van Hook
(‘89 Merkur Scorpio)