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Paddleboarding Deep Creek Lake

 

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

Paddleboarding Deep Creek Lake

Paddleboarding Deep Creek Lake
Paddleboarding Deep Creek Lake

 Paddleboarding Deep Creek Lake. My passion for surfboard construction tipped me off to paddleboarding many years ago, as builders looked for new ways to experience the soulful glide of surf crafts.  Basically, the boards were stretched out a bit longer than their modern longboard cousins and widened by about a foot around center. The curve in the bottom of the board or “rocker” dictates if it’s going to be good for paddling/speed or performance and ability to turn. At my favorite surf break at my second home in the OBX, high performance paddleboards are the norm and have been in the line-up for many years. The surfers there are taking the sport to extreme levels surfing waves in excess of 10 feet. This sport is constantly evolving and being refined by the board builders and wave-riding community.

This year paddleboarding has made its way to Deep Creek Lake. Both Deep Creek Marina and Wisp Resort rent an array of different paddleboards to suit your taste. I had my first attempt at it last night and can tell you that it is a blast. Being very tall does offer a disadvantage for balancing as you can be a little top heavy but it doesn’t take long to master it and be off on your way. I suggest starting off on both of your knees facing the front of the board until you get stabilized, then stand up at about the center of the board. I found it easier to keep your eyes on the horizon as opposed to looking down at the board, to maintain your optimum balance. Start sweeping your paddle through the water gently and you’re on your way to a peaceful glide across beautiful Deep Creek Lake. A word of warning, you are required by law to wear a life vest at all times when on a paddleboard; you can be ticketed and fined for not wearing one. Be safe and have a fun time this summer enjoying DCL’s newest craze.

 

Paddleboarding Deep Creek Lake
Paddleboarding Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake’s Got Talent

 

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

Deep Creeks Got Talent

Last year around this time I was breaking out my Taylor 810 guitar and rehearsing and little bluegrass jam that I have played through the years to get ready for my first stage appearance to support  Deep Creeks Lakes one and only talent show. Lodestone Golf Club’s superintendent Scott McMillion, who is a master mandolin player, had the responsibility of painting over top of my simple bass run rhythms with some spontaneous brushstrokes of finger picking heaven

People showed up with acoustic and electric guitars, harmonicas, tap shoes, or just their best stage outfit and voice’s to impress the judges. At the end on the day it is all about raising money for the which ended with a total of $13,000. Not bad for a three hour event. This year they are also going to raise money for the Deep Creek Lake Volunteer Fire Department.

Come join us on Saturday June 19th from 6pm-9pm for a fun filled exciting event and wonderful cause. 

Deep Creek Lake's Got Talent
Deep Creek Lake’s Got Talent

Deep Creek Lake Farmers Market

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

Mountain Fresh Farmers Market – Oakland, Maryland

My family in Virginia has been boasting about the abundance of strawberries and other fresh produce and to be quite honest I am very jealous. Growing up in Virginia Beach I have been accustom to eating fresh vegetables out of my dad’s garden as long as I can remember. Thankfully for me from June 6th through October 31, Oakland, Maryland hosts the Mountain Fresh Farmers Market from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, mushrooms, kale, green onions, asparagus, and the list goes on and on.. All fresh out on the garden and ready to tickle your taste buds. There are also homemade baked deserts, fresh spices, and handmade quilts and purses and a wealth of different items of interest. I hear that when the peaches come into season people get there 30 minutes before it opens and wait in long lines to get a taste of some delicious peaches. Check it out next time you are in need of truly fresh farmers market produce.

Deep Creek Lake Farmers Market
Deep Creek Lake Farmers Market

 

 

Deep Creek Lake Farmers Market

 

Deep Creek Lake Farmers Market
Deep Creek Lake Farmers Market

Zip Lines Deep Creek Lake

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

Zip Lines at Deep Creek Lake

Zip Lines Deep Creek Lake
Zip Lines Deep Creek Lake

Last night I had the opportunity to try out the new Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour at Wisp Resort. It was the best hour of excitment that I have experienced this spring. After a short trip up the conveyor belt at the snow tubing park you have your first crash course in zip lining on two very short training runs. Next you get to climb a rope ladder up to your first platform for a fun descent through the trees next to the famous mountain coaster. The feeling of flying through the air on a zip lines is both calming and exhilarating at the same time. After conquering the first three runs and walking over a few cable bridges it’s time for you to experience the tallest, longest, and fastest run of the tour. You are standing on a little platform over 50’ off the ground overlooking the most amazing views of Deep Creek Lake. After a few safety checks by a knowledgeable Wisp staff it’s time to launch across a 400’ zip trip which takes you the width of the entire tubing park. This will surely get your motors running! Finish up with another long zip run and slide into home plate with your endorphins cranking  maximum RPM’s. Well worth the $39 for admission.

Call for details @ 301.387.4000

Bluegrass Night at JG’s

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

Bluegrass Night at JG’s

 I’m going to let you in on a Deep Creek Lake secret… On the first Tuesday night of every month at JG’s Tavern, local guitar Luthier Roger Skipper brings his assembly of musicians to host bluegrass night. The fun starts at 7:00pm, but you had better get there at least an hour early to get a place to sit or you may be listening from the parking lot. That is if you can find a place to park… This is ole school bluegrass from one warm group of good people.

Bluegrass Night at JG’s
Roger Skipper Deep Creek Lake

 

Bluegrass Night at JG’s
Bluegrass Night at JG’s

I worked with Scott McMillion, the superintendent of the new Lodestone Golf Club on top of Wisp Mountain for over a year before I heard that he played mandolin on bluegrass night. This transplant from the Pacific North West has a natural ear and talent for playing some amazing mandolin. Roger, his wife and Scott are the nucleus of a local group of musicians that take you on a journey to the heart of bluegrass roots. There group consists of ten or so musicians who gladly share their stage with any pickers who may walk through the door. They rotate around the microphone each getting a chance to sing some of their bluegrass favorites’. The tempo goes from beautiful old ballads, to some hand clapping toe tapping banjo fiddle jams.

Great music. Good people. Fun times.

Bluegrass Night at JG’s
Roger Skipper Deep Creek Lake

Wisp Community Yard Sale Deep Creek Lake

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Wisp Community Yard Sale Deep Creek Lake
Wisp Community Yard Sale Deep Creek Lake

   Wisp Community Yard Sale at Deep Creek Lake

 

Have you had a chance to get the garage cleaned out and finish your spring cleaning? Chances are you have a bunch of stuff cluttering your house, we all do.  You know how the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure (or woman’s for that matter)”. “Trash” can be substituted with “cool stuff”. Wisp Resort has a solution to your muddled garages and storage areas. Rent a table and bring things that you have no need for to sell them to people who may love them. Kind of recycling if you may. I can tell you from past events to get there early because you will be rewarded with a vast selection of “stuff” that you will throw down the green for.

 

On May 18th 9:00am – 3:00pm they will be holding a garage sale for your extra items that will surely help it find a home. Who knows, you may find some neat things and come home with more than you bring. Tables will be rented to host your sale, or just drop by to go shopping. Call 301-387-4911 to reserve your site!

 

Wisp Community Yard Sale Deep Creek Lake
Wisp Community Yard Sale Deep Creek Lake

 

The Spiker Team supports PAWS

 

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

The Spiker Team supports PAWS

 The Spiker Team supports PAWS. I am very proud to work for a team here on Deep Creek Lake that continually helps raise money for heartfelt causes and charities in our community. Long and Foster employees and The Spiker Team consistently lead the way in volunteering in events like The Special Olympics, The Deep Creek Dunk, The Lions Club, The Cardboard Box Derby and many other rewarding causes.

Last night at Wispers Bar at Wisp Resort, Long and Foster showed up again to support PAWS aka Partners of Animal Welfare and Safety. This nonprofit volunteer organization has been around since 2001 and has led a crusade to protect the interests of animals here in Garrett County. They help end the suffering of unwanted animals by reducing pet over-population through spay/neuter and feral cat programs. They assist low income residents by paying for portions of vet bills for neutering and spaying their animals. Check out their website and learn a lot more about this wonderful organization and also upcoming fundraiser events.

Legendary and loved Long and Foster agent Ed King was behind the bar with Betsy Spiker volunteering their time as guest bartenders. The PAWS donation bucket was filled up by the end of the night and the raffle tickets that cluttered the bar and restaurant area also raised a lot of money. Thanks to all who made it out and contributed to a fun time for another great cause.

Wild Ramps Deep Creek Lake
Wild Ramps Deep Creek Lake

Wild Ramps Deep Creek Lake

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

Wild Ramps at Deep Creek Lake

Wild Ramps Deep Creek Lake
Ramps deep creek lake

Wild Ramps Deep Creek Lake. April is here, and for the Mountains surrounding Deep Creek Lake that means that wild ramps, which are classified as wild leeks, are just about ready to harvest. These wild leeks have a very strong and pungent flavor that taste to me like a mixture between onions, garlic and leeks. My favorite way to eat them is to put them in fried potatoes with some salt and pepper. Cooking them tames down the flavor some but understand they always pack a delicious punch. Eating them raw is another matter. Only the hardcore brave eat these wild treats fresh from the ground. The intense flavor will have you committed to its enjoyment for many, many hours…or days. I’m not sure if tooth brushes and toothpaste ever have a chance at getting the bold taste of ramps off your breath, but when you are up here in the Mountains you are among the majority!

Wild Ramps Deep Creek Lake
ramp honey hole

Deep Creek Lake fundraiser for The Little Youch Music Festival

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Deep Creek Lake fundraiser for The Little Youch Music Festival
Deep Creek Lake fundraiser for The Little Youch Music Festival

Deep Creek Lake fundraiser for The Little Youch Music Festival. Come join the fun at Deep Creek Lake at The Mountain State Brewing Company on April 9, 2010  6 pm – 9 pm for a fund raiser benefiting The Little Youch Summer Music Festival. Come join Guest Bartenders Rob Michael, Scott Lohr, and Arlene Murray for what is sure to be another successful event. Local favorites The Hillybilly Gypsies will be throwing down the bluegrass jams throughout the night. All bar tips will be donated to the Little Youch Summer Music Festival. Come out and have a homemade brew and munch on some flatbread while tapping your toes to the Hillbilly Gypsies and supporting a good cause. I’ll see you there.

Deep Creek Lake fundraiser for The Little Youch Music Festival

Deep Creek Lake fundraiser for The Little Youch Music Festival

Deep Creek Lake fundraiser for The Little Youch Music Festival

Springtime Water Skiing on Deep Creek Lake

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

Springtime Water Skiing on Deep Creek Lake

 After a record breaking snowfall this past winter which led to epic skiing and snowboarding conditions, spring has opened up the window to warmer summer sports. “Warmer” might be a stretch when talking about water temperatures, but the air temperatures have been midsummer- like for the last 3 weeks. A couple of passionate water skiers disregarded talk about the ice cream headache cold waters here at Deep Creek Lake this time of year and decided to have a go at being the first ones on the lake. The only unorthodox detail that I left out is that these skiers would have to saddle up in 3mm dry suits to be able to tolerate the 45 degree temps the lake is serving up this early in the season.  The only vulnerable body parts were the feet, hands, and head which didn’t keep these hardcore guys from enjoying an exciting Easter Weekend on the lake. What a great experience to see friends enjoying a wonderful day of water skiing while watching the snow skiers enjoying the final weekend  of winter sports at Wisp Resort.

Springtime Water Skiing on Deep Creek Lake
spring skiing deep creek lake