us, or so the beringed fortuneteller said, this may be the final article written by yours truly. Money, fame, and career opportunities are right around the corner!

Turns out that what was right around the corner were actually merengue lessons. About a dozen couples filled the dance floor as the instructor directed them through dips and twirls. In just half an hour, 24 people were ready to replace Deney Terrio on Dance Fever.

The room then filled for the grand finale of the "Newlywed/Not-So-Newlywed" game show competition--the resort group's 20th annual such event. Four couples were joined on stage by "Honest Phil," the tall, 60-something, charismatic host. Just as Bob Eubanks had done for so many years, Honest Phil waded through eight questions of varying levels of adult themes. I must say, the Bob Eubanks' version never aired answers like these.

Paradise Stream may seem like a portal to the past, but it gives us much of what we need today. Walk in, pay for your stay, relax... and do whatever it takes to become human again. A little "us time" can make all the difference in the world. All those honeymooners and anniversary couples of yesteryear can't be wrong.

Weekend Wheels: 2011 Kia Optima EX

Before this year, the Kia Optima did not stand out from its Hyundai Sonata cousin. Both cars were good family sedans, especially in the last generation where power was added to an otherwise bland product. When the latest version of the Sonata hit the showrooms, buyers were smitten. How could the new Optima not rain on the Sonata's parade? By being sportier.

Settle in behind the wheel of the Optima, and you forget about Kias of the past. A full gauge cluster peers out at you with a multi-page digital readout in the center. These gauges are surrounded by soft interior trim and aluminum or faux wood trim. The test car's leather-trimmed seats were excellent on our weekend trip to the Poconos.

The push-button start sparks the engine to life. Gone is the V6, replaced by three variations of the GEMA four-cylinder engine co-developed with Mitsubishi and Chrysler. The EX model's 2.4-liter engine produces 200 horsepower and 186 ft.-lbs. of torque, giving the car a great off-the-line feeling and generating enough power for most applications this side of actual racing.

The six-speed automatic transaxle flips through the ratios without any trouble, but can be switched to a manual-style mode; other models also offer paddle-shifting capability. Observed fuel economy was right in the middle of the EPA ratings of 24 city and 34 highway.

That's only the starting point. For drivers seeking more power, consider the 274-horsepower turbo engine. Alternatively, a hybrid model featuring lithium-ion batteries is on the way.

Handling is where the sporting nature of the Optima comes through. Unlike typical mid-sized family cars, the Optima's steering lacks that "over-assisted" feel Americans have come to know. Steering feels tight and heavy, and that's a good thing. It's the kind of feedback you just don't get from a Toyota Camry. This allows you to toss the car around a bit more than you would expect, and it makes driving the Optima fun.

Stepping out of the car, the Optima's new clothes are outstanding. Bystanders were honestly shocked when they noticed the badge on the car. "That's not a Kia!" Oh, but yes it is. Its rakish good looks remind many of the Jaguar XF with its low nose and high tail connected by the fastback roofline. Unless you're a 10-year-old sitting in the back seat, visibility remains good from most angles.

Speaking of the kids in the back seat, three of them found the space to be plentiful. While there aren't too many cars available today in which three adults could ride on a long trip, two adults wouldn't complain and three tweens didn't either. There was enough space back there for three girls and all of the assorted stuff that young ladies of this age consider "necessary." They did find the rear heated seats to be a joy, although they fought over who would sit in the unheated middle seat.

Base price for the Kia Optima is $22,495; as tested, the car was $27,440 including $695 destination. The premium package, included on the Kia we drove, loads up the car with a twin-panel panoramic sunroof, power passenger seat, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats (minus that all-important center seat, according to the girls), and wood and metal interior trim. Adding in the technology package brings the navigation system with back-up camera, Sirius Traffic, and the Infiniti sound system.

The Optima is not expected to rival the Toyota Camry in sales. Lowest common denominator sedans use their nondescript nature to appeal to the widest possible audience. Yet cars like the Optima work to skew the market segment away from complete sleep-inducing boredom.

The Kia Optima is hardly boring. Enjoying the drive and watching the fuel economy gauge hover in the reasonable range gives this car a distinct advantage over much of the competition.

Driving Tour Idea: Pennsylvania's Covered Bridges

Pennsylvania is the covered bridge capital of the world. Also known as kissing bridges, you'll find more than 200 of these romantic structures here. A covered bridge driving tour could be the perfect way to cap your weekend escape.

CoveredBridgeSite.com provides photographs and information on Pennsylvania's covered bridges. Each listing has a map and advice for parking at and photographing the bridge. PaCoveredBridges.com has even more historic information, as well as GPS coordinates for each covered bridge.

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