Families "resort" to fun: the all-inclusive amenities of Caesars Brookdale in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains combined with nearby attractions ensure that parents and their children will have plenty to do and plenty of time to do it - Going Places

LUCKILY FOR US, the weathermen in Pennsylvania--specifically, the Pocono Mountain region--are no better at forecasting than those in our home state of New York. Two days of rain to start our family vacation at Caesars Resort Brookdale had us scrambling nervously to the TV sets for the rest of the week's outlook. Gloomy and cloudy, with on-and-off rain, was the prediction. Uh-oh, we thought. Even though we had done well the first 48 hours despite the persistent raindrops, another five days of rain was not a pleasant prospect. The weathermen, however, turned out to be all wet, as the sun finally broke out--and stayed out for the remainder of our trip--on Monday.

Since our oldest had just a half-day of school on Friday, we used that as our travel day. Good thing, too, because it poured during the entire three-hour drive. We arrived in late afternoon and found our way through the 250-acre grounds to the Woodlands Villa, where our accommodations awaited. The relentless raindrops did not quell the excited voices of our kids--Julie (six), Alex (four), and Trevor (two)--who excitedly pointed out the paddle boats docked at the lake; playground bursting with a variety of slides, swings, and climbing apparatus; tennis courts (Dad's latest passion); outdoor swimming pool; archery targets; fishing dock and covered bridge; and, of course, everyone's favorite--the miniature golf course.

The excitement grew (for Mom and Dad, too) once we reached our suite. The kids, overjoyed to be free from the restraints of the minivan, were treated to a lot more room than they've been accustomed to in past vacation stays. A large, sunken living room, replete with fireplace, pull-out couch, loveseat, and big-screen TV (with VCR), garnered immediate attention, as did the half-wall that sectioned it off. Despite their ages, our trio is pretty good at doing what they're told. (Well, Trevor ... sometimes.) Yet, we could make no headway with the half-wall. At every opportunity throughout our stay, they were on it: crawling, shimmying, bumping, and, worst of all, dive-bombing onto the loveseat--sometimes cannonball style, sometimes headfirst--whether I was sitting underneath them or not. (They wouldn't dare pull such a stunt on their mother.) No amount of ordering, threatening, or pleading could get them to stop performing gymnastics routines on this tempting wooden barrier. After a couple of days, we just gave up and let them have the run of the place.

The fireplace, too, proved quite popular. Although it was mid June, nighttime in the mountains remained cool--at least enough to throw a log on each night. Unlike at home, where we go through a long drawn-out process of crumpling up newspapers, strategically spreading the kindling, and carefully perching a log or two upon the newly created base before finally setting it all ablaze (and then dashing outside at precise intervals for additional logs that have been inspected for rot and insects), at Caesars we simply purchased a preconditioned log at the front desk or gift shop, put it in the fireplace, lit it, and sat back to enjoy three hours of dancing flames.

The bathroom setup proved quite convenient as well, since there were two, which divided up the inevitable traffic splendidly. The master bathroom further served to diffuse usage arguments by having twin sinks, sauna, shower, and a whirlpool bathtub for two. The double sinks were a godsend, as when it comes time to wash up or brush teeth, our crew all seem to head for the bathroom at once. Also, while we didn't take advantage of the sauna's therapeutic effects--we're saving that for when we come back to one of Caesars three couples--only resorts (Cove Haven, Paradise Stream, and Pocono Palace) in Pennsylvania--Alex did use it as his personal dressing room. Moreover, the toilet was sequestered behind a door. This, coupled with the half-bath found near the front door, meant no lines--Nirvana!

While the dividing wall received the most attention and the bathrooms the most use (although the wet bar, breakfast nook, and refrigerator were welcome amenities as well), the most-talked-about item undoubtedly was the Murphy bed, which pulled out of the wall (and returned when not in use). Julie and Alex usually delight in sleeping on a pull-out couch whenever we travel. In fact, they insist on any room we take having one. Yet, the wonders of the Murphy bed silenced any and all talk of any pull-out. Of course, it still couldn't halt the debates over who would sleep on what side, who was hogging the most covers, who was breathing on "my" pillow, etc.

The master bedroom--with two double beds, a large closet (perfect for hide-and-seek), television set, and a huge picture window that looked out on the distant lake--was where Trevor, who can be a bit of a night owl, enjoyed hanging out after his brother and sister were asleep. So, he'd cozy up with Margaret while I watched baseball or "Leave It to Beaver" by the fire in the living room. The Beave, though, is one of his favorites, too, so he'd sometimes come out to join me on the couch and identify the characters as they appeared on screen. "That's Wally. That's Eddie. That's Lumpy. That's Beaver's father ..." and so on.