Deep Creek Lake-Wakeboarding. As summer winds down and the kids start to get back to school, there is still time to enjoy one of my favorite summer sports without the mid-summer traffic normally on the lake. The boats on the lake become a little more sporadic helping in producing optimum wakeboard conditions which are no wake and pure glass. There is nothing more exciting than getting up on a wakeboard and having the perfect mirror lake reflecting the mountains off the water while doing 20 or so miles per hour. You don’t have to bust big airs to feel the stoke of wakeboarding. Just kick back with your friends and family and enjoy the experience. I often hear people saying, “Wow, I can’t believe summer is over already” or “summer flies by faster and faster each year as you get older”. Make it a priority to enjoy every moment you can with your family and friends in this gift of life that we are all fortunately given. Take my advice and put wakeboarding on your list of to-do’s in late summer, and find the treasures of memories that are awaiting you and your family.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Deep Creek Lake-Paddleboarding-The Sport-The Lifestyle-The History. I know that you know that this up and coming sport of Stand Up Paddleboarding (or SUP for short) is picking up steam among the masses, but unless you have tried it you will never know how simple it is to have a Zen like experience and keep your body in fantastic shape. Entry level folks need not be discouraged. You do not have to be a triathlon athlete to start your way toward bliss in a sport that discreetly sneaks in fitness while putting emphasis on FUN!
There is a movement happening worldwide involving people who are pushing the limits to the many different activities this sport can touch. You’ll see SUP’s cruising lakes, bays, sounds and oceans, as well as surfing mighty to mild surf breaks. There are racing Sup’s, fishing SUP’s, River Sup’s, and thankfully for you beginners, rental SUP’s!
Stop!Let’s look at the history of the paddleboard..,.
Thomas Edward Blake is credited as the pioneer in paddleboard construction in the early 1930s.
While restoring historic Hawaiian boards in 1926 for the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Blake built a replica of the previously ignored olo surfboard ridden by ancient Hawaiian aliʻi (kings). He lightened his redwood replica (olo were traditionally made from wiliwili wood) by drilling it full of holes, which he then covered, thus creating the first hollow board, which led to creation of the modern paddleboard. Two years later, using this same 16 ft (4.9 m), 120 lb (54 kg) board, Blake won the Pacific Coast Surfriding Championship, first Mainland event integrating both surfing and paddling. Blake then returned to Hawaii to break virtually every established paddling record available, setting half-mile and 100-yard records that stood until 1955.
In 1932, using his drastically modified chambered hollow board (now weighing roughly 60 lbs), which over the next decade he would tirelessly promote as a lifeguarding rescue tool, Blake out-paddled top California watermen Pete Peterson and Wally Burton in the first Mainland to Catalina crossing race (29 miles in 5 hours, 53 minutes). During the 1930s, Blake-influenced hollow boards (called “cigar boards” by reporters and later “kook boxes” by surfers) would be used in roughly equal proportion to solid plank boards for both paddling and surfing until the new Hot Curl boards led wave-riding in a new direction. For paddleboarding, however, the basic principles of Blake’s 1926 design remain relevant even today.
Now that you know more about the history of paddleboarding, lets gets back to how it can relate to you here at Deep Creek Lake. Go to Deep Creek Marina Rentals and rent a 12’0” (which is the largest) Doyle paddleboard and launch the board by getting on your knees and slowly paddling a few strokes on the left then the right side. Get comfortable in balancing and paddling around the quiet coves nearby the rental docks until you feel confident enough to stand up. There is a handle to pick up the board directly in the center that can serve as a guide point as to where you stand. Stand up dead center on the board and slowly pull the paddle easily through the water until you gain a little glide through the water. As you gain speed, you will also gain control just as you do as you start peddling a bike. Now you are all set to start to begin to follow a new road in life that may become a passionate addition.
This morning before work I got out on the lake at 6am sharp and was rewarded with a windless, glassy lake which makes for optimum conditions for many water sports. A friend and I paddled the length of McHenry Cove to the 219 bridge and then turned up toward the direction of the DCL Dam. The sun was peeking through the clouds and there was not a boat on the lake to interrupt our morning therapy. On the way back in, we saw a magnificent Bald Eagle gliding over us in search of his morning snack. I can only think of one other time that I saw a Bald Eagle here at the lake. Take some time out of your busy life before or after work to discover and submerge yourself into a sport that may have you hooked for a lifetime.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Deep Creek Lake-Perseid Meteor Shower. Last night I took my camera and tripod out on the back porch trying to catch a photo of the much anticipated perseid meteor shower that has been all over the news this week. Skies were crystal clear, which made me very hopeful of catching this event using long exposure photography techniques. My eyes took about ten minutes to adjust and to finally get an in-depth view of the billions stars of the Milky Way that exploded overhead. I bumped up my ISO’s and reduced my aperture and focused in on the 219 bridge below with the sky playing background to this special event. Time and time again I randomly pulled the trigger on the camera hoping to be lucky enough to catch a meteor screaming across the sky at light speed. Like clockwork, as soon as the camera finished shooting the shot I would see a brilliant light but MISSING THE SHOWER PHOTO! It was cat and mouse all night trying to get just one photo. At the end of the night the mouse got away with the cheese and I was left with only the memories of this fantastic event and a lot of pictures of airplanes that littered the skies all night. I tried to convince myself that the airplane pics may have been a meteor photo but the dotted red lights where a dead giveaway that I failed. I have one more opportunity tonight to redeem myself and catch one image. Either way, I will be thankful to have another opportunity to do what I did as a child growing up and that is to lie on my back and stare up at the stars with childhood wonder trying to imagine where the universe starts and stops, if there is other life out there, and if the universe goes on for infinity, then what’s after that…?
DAY TWO UPDATE…After clocking 6 + hours of wonderful sky watching, I finally got a few photo’s showing bits of the meteor show! See below my best two efforts… I hope you didn’t miss the show!
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Deep Creek Lake-Chili Cookoff-Wisp Resort. Forget the fact that the forecast was torrential rain and also forget that the fair had been switched to conflict with our beloved annual chili cook-off. The crowds were leaner than normal but the chili and salsa were out of this world delicious! These secret recipes ranged from tomatillo based white chili with chicken or pork to fire engine hot classic red-style beef chili that was hot enough to melt your spoon. It was very interesting tasting the different and sometimes subtle complexities of each contestant’s special blend. One gentleman broke out a 4-story toolbox with secret chili powders, cumins and paprikas and swore that his recipe would win because he used every spice in the toolbox. Another woman with a chili pepper hat pulled out her six shooter vowing to blast me to kingdom come if I didn’t vote for her chili… The rain trickled at times but not enough to tarnish the integrity of this annual event. Is there anyway to mess up good chili and cold beer? I think not!
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest
Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest. It’s easy to see how this event was missed by the masses as I can’t really recall hearing much about it before the event took place. However, High Mountain Sports put together a spectacular event with locals and out-of-town pros alike. The contestants, both men and women, put on an amazing display of what the human body can do attached to a 45-foot rope and a small epoxy wakeboard strapped to their feet. I personally am not up to date with the wakeboard trick lingo but I described them to my wife as being mcflips, el rolos and of course very large airs. Contestants were launching off what appeared to be a 3-foot wake and catching at least 8-10’ airs, which had the crowd along the bank applauding these young daredevils. Boats lined up on the water on the strip of DCL in between Rock Lodge Road and Garrett Highway to witness the Bust Largeness contest that was held directly across the street from High Mountain Sports. Deep Creek Marina supplied a brand spanking new Malibu Wakesetter to help provide the contestants with premium wakeboard conditions. They also brought another state-of-the-art wakeboard boat, a Malibu Axis, for the spectators to check out during the event. To round it out, Johnny Rock provided enough wattage to blast ripples of sound through the water with some hip, energetic background music. Betsy and I have been known to do a few bunny hops over the wake during our summer dawn patrol sessions but we’ll leave the largeness airs to the professionals!
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Deep Creek Lake-Sunrise Pontoon Trip. This morning Betsy and I got up at 5am (well I did, later waking Betsy at 5:20am) with our sights set on our first sunrise cruise of the summer. Normally it’s our weekly ritual to enjoy quality time at sunrise, or Dawn Patrol as it’s referred to by surfers. We loaded all our gear up and set sail for the dock where we had the pontoon boat running and pulling out of the slip by 5:45am. Darkness slowly morphed to a grainy grey and as we hit the 219 bridge the sky turned into a fantastic pink hue that reflected through an early morning fisherman’s wake. Fishermen were the only company we would see for the next hour, as we slowly cruised toward the Glendale Bridge. As we approached the bridge we noticed off to our left the sun starting to surge toward the mountain top directly in between the Deep Creek Lake State Park and State Park Road. We turned the boat off and sat there for a good hour watching another beautiful new day being born in Garrett County. Soon the pink glow started to wake up the blue and white glows of mid-morning which signaled us to start heading to Trader’s Coffee House for a fresh cup of coffee, a sausage bagel and a spinach wrap. What a wonderful way to start the work day! After breakfast it was time to do what we love most…helping people find their dream second home here at the lake!
Deep Creek Lake-Mud Bog-Garrett County Fair. The crowd was amped for the annual mud bog competition at the Garrett County Fair and the weather was fantastic. Classes ranged from stock to modified to super modified. The thunder roared through the fairgrounds as these gung-ho men and women tried to blast off across this 100’ mud pit. This year the mud was extra slippery and deep which made for challenging conditions to say the least. There was also the “dash for cash”, which lines up pairs of ladies in hand holding positions with the mission of running (yuck, yuck) from the start of the mud pit all the way through to the finish while trying not to be disqualified by letting go of your partner’s hand. I am sure that many ladies lost shoes and some had a hard time getting their legs unstuck from theGarrettCountymud. This event is always a success and a heck of a lot of fun to either participate in, or to watch with the family.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite RealtorDeep Creek Lake-Garrett County Agricultural Fair 2012
Deep Creek Lake-Garrett County Agricultural Fair 2012. Garrett County Fair week starts today!!!! Old school living with tractor pulls, horse pulls, mud bogs, crash up derbys, and Dukes of Hazard’s own Craaaaazy Cooter leading the parade in THE General Lee!!! You have to check the schedule as there are many, many other things going on including of course the livestock sale. Garrett County stands tall in providing locals as well as outside visitors with a genuine glimpse into small town Tom Sawyer-ish old town county fair experiences! This event staggers throughout the week giving you no excuse to bail on spending a little time with us here at Deep Creek Lake. The wheels on the car go round and round… so point them toward Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake and get more than your tires spinning on thrill rides like THE TANGO!!!
Artist Studio Tour-Garrett County Arts Council. The 4th annual Artist Studio Tour is on the horizon for this weekend on Saturday, July 28th from 10am-4pm and Sunday July 31st from 1:00pm-4pm and is brought to you by the Garrett Count Arts Council. This event gives everyone a chance to drive around beautifulGarrettCounty and pop by local artists working studios and experience a vast collection of various styles of art. Enjoy watercolors, photography, paintings, jewelry, sculptures, wood crafts and many more art categories for your viewing pleasure. Take some time and talk to artists first hand on how they are inspired and support them by purchasing a piece of their inspirational creations.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Honi Honi Summer Luau Deep Creek Lake
Honi Honi Summer Luau Deep Creek Lake. Saturday has always revolved around the lake – boating and of course the Honi Honi Bar! As we transition into summer, that party is amplified on July 28th at 1PM as people flock to the Honi Summer Luau. Chow down on the classic summertime favorites – pork BBQ made with Honi’s secret sauce, baked beans, and coleslaw. Last year they actually sold out of food because of the huge attendance so make sure you get there early. It is the norm for the Honi-Honi to have 1st class live music during the afternoon, and this year will not be any different as Velveeta will take the stage from 1-5pm. There will be luau-themed drinks to keep you refreshed during our mild summer days here at the lake. Make plans now to pack up the family and head to Deep Creek Lake this weekend and enjoy a super fun event!
