"Fern" Bedste bevarede hemmelighed i Poconos

Our parents, Tom and Marie, were born in Phila, Pa. Starting out, Tom worked as a kitchen installer for Sears, while Marie managed their apartment building and cared for their children. A move out of the city to the riverside village of Point Pleasant, Pa. provided exciting new opportunity. The family created the east coast's largest recreation outfitter, Bucks County River County. Summer (37 to be exact) was spent on the Delaware River in colorful tubes, rafts, canoes, and kayaks.

During the fall season, Marie & Tom, with their combined creativity, operated a theatrical Halloween hayride attraction, Bucks County Haunted Woods, on 100 wooded riverfront acres in Upper Black Eddy, Pa.

Marie and Tom purchased and renovated the 200 year old historic Indian Rock Inn, which sat overlooking the Delaware River Canal. Tom used his building skills, acquired during youth, to renovate the inn, crating 8 spacious bedrooms from the original 16, each with private bathrooms. Marie, a lover of antique restoration and gifted at making all things beautiful, decorated the establishment with antiques and art which she collected and refurbished. The inn also boasted a 5 Star restaurant, summer brunch dining area overlooking the canal and river, bar seating area, and a fourth level living suite with spectacular views of the surrounding river valley.

Tom breathed excitement and activity. During the spring and fall he would guide white water rafting excursions on the Tohickon Creek. Winters were spent escorting ski groups to Europe and guiding them down the Alps.

Marie experiences life at a slower pace, with quiet contemplation and reflection. She is the cross country skier to his black diamond downhill. Her home is always surrounded by a beautiful garden, the smell of something cooking, and the anticipation of chatting and visiting with one of their five children, Tom, Mark, Matt, Marie, and Liz, and their nine grandchildren.

Tom passed away in March 2020.