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Hiking Deep Creek Lake-Garrett County

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

Hiking Deep Creek Lake

Hiking Deep Creek Lake-Garrett County. Hiking Deep Creek Lake can be a very refreshing experience as we transition into spring here in the next couple of weeks. Garrett County is made up of 420,950 land acres in which 383,065 is assessed as agricultural lands. State parks, forests, and wildlife management areas assist in the preservation of approximately 20% of the total acreage, which is close to a staggering 85,000 acres of recreation area. You can understand why hiking may be an activity that may pique the interest of people wanting to get off the everyday path of life and to be teleported back in time when this great land of ours was undeveloped and abundant in natural beauty. It takes minimal research to find some amazing trails to get away to and enjoy the finest scenery in this part of the country. You can hike along many pristine rivers, perhaps stopping to wet a fly and catch a few native trout for supper. Maybe you just want to take in the stunning views and share them with your friends and family while you keep your heart pumping with a healthy happiness throughout your veins. Pack your trail boots on your next visit to the lake and set foot on the vast labyrinths of hiking trails dissecting our unique county here in Western Maryland.

Springtime Rain-Thunderstorms-Deep Creek Lake

Springtime Rain-Thunderstorms-Deep Creek Lake. This morning at 5:30am I was awoke by the comforting sound of thunder rumbling through the valleys and across Deep Creek Lake. It has been a long time since I have heard the soothing rain outside my window, which signals that spring time is moving closer. The snow shovels are idle, the Christmas trees are put aside to make a fishing structure for the summer, and flower pots are ready to be cleaned up and planted. The lake still has a thick layer of ice and the ski slopes have a good base to play on, but Mother Nature’s setting up a beautiful spring with adequate amounts of rains to boost the vegetation here in a couple of months. There are stubborn, small pockets of snow around the county that still are undecided about the end of the winter season but the rain at the moment is slowly etching them down to size. Rain has different effects on different people. I love a nice peaceful rain to bring that relaxing calm that seems to smooth out my day. Temperatures are forecasted to drop back below freezing during the week and who knows, it could snow for the next couple months. However it works out, today is a great day because it started with the gentle rumblings of a springtime rain and a thunderstorm here in Deep Creek Lake. If you focus on the little things in life that bring you joy and comfort, you are destined to live a long and happy life. Deep Creek Lake’s early spring has my attention at the moment.

Deep Creek Dunk Costumes-Deep Creek Dunk-2011

Deep Creek Dunk Costumes, Deep Creek Lake 2011

Deep Creek Dunk Costumes-Deep Creek Dunk-2011. This year’s Deep Creek Dunk costumes really exceeded anyone’s imagination, a total participation by everyone and once again raising big numbers for The Special Olympics. My understanding is that the total amount of money raised is around $160,000 + for this wonderful charity. There were at least a thousand or so people outside the Honi Honi bar in full support of this growing event. This year the costumes were over the top and the amount of dunkers in costumes certainly increased. A few great ones that come to mind: Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, ZZ Top, Hank Williams, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, Brett Michaels, Eton John, Prince, 7 Michael Jacksons, Captain America, Finding Nemo characters, Dreadlocks, speedos, spacemen, ice cube people, masked wrestlers, feathered masked woman, a cat woman, Indians, Hugh Heffner and his ladies, drag queens, The Village People, doctors, nurses, just to name a few! It was standing room only to see the judging of the costume contest. The “Legends of Rock” took top honors in the contest and were a heck of a lot of fun. I don’t think I have witnessed so many smiles and people having fun in a really long time. It was a great charity and family event and I have this strange itch brewing to maybe partake in the actual dunk next year.

Diving Deep Creek Lake in the Winter

Diving Deep Creek Lake in the Winter

Diving Deep Creek Lake in the Winter. Deep Creek Lake has it all, as I have mentioned in numerous blogs in the past. And, as I have said before, you can’t make this stuff up! Today I was coming home from an appointment on State Park Road and I happened to notice a group of people on the ice outside the Discovery Center near the Deep Creek Lake State Park. I am a fairly curious guy so I drove over to check it out and found out that there were a group of people diving in the Lake. You may find that a little odd considering the 18 or so inches of ice on the lake at the moment. I was invited out on the ice to get a closer look at the action and was led to triangular hole that was previously cut out and that had scuba gear all around it. Ten or so locals and out-of-towners were preparing to get suited up and do a dark and ominous dive under the ice. It may seem dark and spooky but the fact of the matter is that these divers were beaming with excitement. Two divers attached to one rope dive as another person would keep tension on the rope and feed it to them as they plummeted 40’ deep in the deepest part of the channel. All of this is being supervised by a master diver instructor. I have surfed in ocean temperatures a hair warmer than the lake, but could not imagine the sensations that these divers experience in freezing waters, clouded visibility, and under a layer of ice and snow. Once submerged in the depths of ice water, the only directional lifeline to the small exit-hole in the ice is a rope clasped to their scuba harness about 150’ in length. Talk about living on the edge! I definitely have all intentions of trying the sport of diving sometime in the future but I think I will leave the extreme diving to the experts.

Spring Warm Up-Swallow Falls-Deep Creek Lake

Spring Warm Up-Swallow Falls-Deep Creek Lake

Spring Warm Up-Swallow Falls-Deep Creek Lake. Last week, Deep Creek Lake and the rest of the East Coast saw a huge spike in temperatures which put an end to the activities on our frozen lake. The spring thaw at Swallow Falls State Park can be a very spectacular thing to witness after such a warm up. For the moment, the ice fishermen have cleaned up their gear and are reflecting on the wonderful moments that were had during this stellar winter season on the ice. The snowmobiles are all cleaned up and are being stored in their trailers or garages. This year’s week long surge in temperatures really accelerated the major spring thaw that by Friday 2/19/11 had the rivers and streams flexing with power that is hard to comprehend. My husband and I were at Swallow Falls State Park witnessing this quantum power when believe it or not a kayaker came barreling through the falls at mach speed. Unfortunately, we did not get a photo of this exciting experience as it happened so fast. The spring thaw is a really a fun event to witness when you are here at DCL. Don’t fret if you missed the start of it last week. The water has already cleaned up, and there are some spectacular sites to be witnessed over the next couple of months as we ease into spring. Take a moment to witness the relaxing sites and sounds of the water and streams here at Deep Creek Lake.

Winter Fest 2011-Deep Creek Lake

Winter Fest 2011 Deep Creek Lake

Winter Fest will be held again this year in Oakland, Maryland on February 18-20 and will kick off Friday with the annual Progressive Dinner. Diners will be treated to sleigh rides skipping from one restaurant to another ending up at the Oakland Historical Museum. Temperatures are forecasted to be in the mid 50’s until Saturday where they will drop in the 30’s and begin to feel like winter again.

During the weekend, Bill Sandusky form Frozen Assets Ice Carving Company will returning to wow you with his amazing carving skills. Kids will be treated to a personalized block of ice with their names carved in it. Ice sculptures will be lit at night and be on display the entire week until they melt.

Are you a scratch bowler? Try your hand at bowling frozen cantaloupes down an ice ally knocking down traditional bowling pins. Now that’s something you don’t do everyday! Horse-drawn sleigh rides will be available to the public throughout the event. The Oakland Trail will be open during the day and well-lit at nigh for cross country skiers and snowshoe’ers. Don’t forget to drop into Marvin’s to vote on the Prince and Princess “Snowflake Toddler”. Get your creative juices flowing and bring your props to enter the snowman making contest. Prizes will be awarded to the master snowman artist. As you enjoy the lighted snow sculptures dispersed around town don’t forget to gather around the huge bonfire and cook up a few smores.

The highlight for me will be the snowmobile races on Saturday at The Armory. Bring your hotrod and saddle up on the race track to see if you have what it takes to get the checkered flag. Winter Fest is destined to be another spectacular event around the Deep Creek Lake area for your family and friends so don’t miss it!

Willy Wisp,Wisp Resort Ski Lessons

Willy Wisp,Wisp Resort Ski Lessons. I know we have a lot of young families that are choosing Deep Creek Lake as their second home get away. Young families need a special place they can count on to help instill confidence and love for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. The Willy Wisp program at Wisp Resort will provide your youngsters with professionally trained instructors teaching groups from 3-7 years old to 8-14 years old. Believe me, you will be amazed how quickly the young ones latch on and learn these sports. Even if your children are grown you should still drop by and become a spectator of some heartwarming moments.

My mother-in-law, wife and I brought down our niece who is a hair past 2 years old for her first attempt at skiing. It didn’t take long at all before she was cruising down the slope by herself! What a wonderful experience to be involved in. Check out the rates so you can be prepared on your next visit to DCL to start your child on a lifelong love for winter sports.

Deep Creek Lake, Maryland Market Update

Deep Creek Lake, Maryland Market Update. Our market seems to be stabilizing and the average sales price is consistently climbing. The graph below shows the latest data on Sold listings for the last nine quarters in Garrett County, Maryland. The flattening of the arc is encouraging, as well as the increase in Sales Price. Feel free to contact me anytime for a specific market update on the property-type you’re most interested in buying or selling (waterfront homes, slopeside homes, homesites, condos/townhomes at Deep Creek Lake)

www.DeepCreekLakeProperty.com.

Category: Taylor Made Real Estate