Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Wisp Resort’s Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour-Deep Creek Lake. The newest adventure activity to hit Deep Creek Lake, Maryland…a Canopy Tour attraction! I had the great opportunity to experience Wisp Resort’s Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour for myself a few weeks ago. It was a blast! There are 5 zips plus a training zip at the beginning of the course. It’s important to pay attention in the practice area and listen to all of the guides instructions, it will make your tour go smoother and safer.
Remember to bring your handheld recording device or camera to bring the experience home with you. It takes approximately 1 1/2 hours to get through the course and they can take up to 8 people and a Guide at a time. The cost is $39/pp. Happy zipping
Wisp Resort’s Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour-Deep Creek LakeWisp Resort’s Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour-Deep Creek Lake
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
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.
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.
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.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Zip Lines at 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.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Marina
The countdown starts today and we are a mere three weeks away from Memorial Day Weekend. Do yourself a favor and visit the areas favorite Marina, Deep Creek Marina. With the coming of spring comes the responsibility of preparing your boat for the water with basic spring maintenance. Let D.C.M. and there 5 star certified mechanics get your boat running smoothly and start your season with confidently and safely.
If you are in need of a boat, D.C.M. has a large assortment on both used and new boats. Choose from new boats like Chris Craft, Sea Ray, Bennington, and Malibu. They also carry slalom skis, wakeboards, wake surfers, paddleboards, tubes, and any other kind of accessory you may need. They also have a huge inventory of rental boats. Do yourself a favor and pay them a visit on you next trip to Deep Creek Lake.
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.
Roger Skipper Deep Creek Lake
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.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
The Taylor-Made Vacations and Sales are proud to introduce Bob Holcomb as an integral part of our team. After 23 years of working around the world in golf course construction, the epiphany in Holcomb’s career came when he was hired to supervise the construction of Lodestone Golf Club at Wisp Resort. He subsequently fell in love with Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County. “I haven’t experienced any place that offers the variety of activities such as fishing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, waterskiing, snowmobiling and hiking”.
Jack Nicklaus Bob Holcomb
Bob has had a lucrative career working with some of the world’s legendary golf design greats, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Fred Couples, Rees Jones and most recently… Hale Irwin, at Lodestone private course atop Wisp Mountain near Deep Creek Lake.
Arnold Palmer Bob Holcomb
While the world’s greatest courses are typically designed by these legends, its guys like Holcomb who take the blueprints and bend them to fit the earth. The result is “a very artistic interpretation of the plans,” Holcomb said. “Having experienced different design philosophies, its enjoyable for me to apply this knowledge in the field…it’s like a hybrid in your mind”. Bob has gained acclaim as perhaps the industry’s finest in golf course construction. His creativity led one architect to describe him as “Picasso” using the earth as his canvas.
Fred Couples Bob Holcomb
He has shaped or reshaped courses that have hosted some of the world’s mightiest tournaments, including Hazeltine, the Atlanta Athletic Club (which hosted both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship), the critically acclaimed Brandon Dunes in Oregon and The Victoria in Portugal (which was host of the 2005 World Championship World Cup and the Portuguese Masters).
arnold palmer bob holcomb
Bob’s role with the Spiker Team and Long & Foster will center on Real Estate Sales, as well as being available for questions at Lodestone Golf Information Centers. Please feel free to talk with Bob and learn the Lodestone “behind the scenes” stories that relate the process that blends the brute force of heavy equipment to rip the earth like bulls, then sculpt it like plastic surgeons.
David McLay Kidd Bob HolcombHale Irwin and Bob Holcomb Lodestone
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Lodestone Golf Course Opening May 1, 2010
When word broke of the new Lodestone trial membership opportunity there have been a lot of questions regarding the timeline for the golf course opening. I just spoke to Karen Myers, general partner of Wisp Resort Development, Inc., and she has informed me that the front nine will start play tomorrow, Saturday, May 1st 2010 for Lodestone members and trial members.
#3 Lodestone Golf Club
Lodestone Golf Club play is also available for visitors to try out, for a greens fee of course. For more information you can contact the Membership & Club Director, Karen Forsythe, at 301.616.4035.
The back nine is scheduled to open tentatively in early June, and already has golfers chompin’ at the bit!!
Also, I have been informed that Hale Irwin will be here to christen the back nine July 9th & 10th. Members and trial members will be a part of a small entourage that will be allowed to walk with Hale as he plays for the 1st time a certain classic.
Sign up now and don’t miss your opportunity to play summer golf on this masterpiece, and have a chance to meet Hale Irwin. Feel free to call me, Bob Holcomb 240.321.5335, if you have any questions about the design, construction process of Lodestone Golf Club.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Karen Myers inducted in the Maryland Business Hall of Fame
Last night I was fortunate enough to attend the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Award Ceremonies. Deep Creek Lake native and a 10th generation Frazee, Karen Frazee Myers, was inducted into Maryland’s Business Hall of Fame. Karen was recognized by her peers for her decades of promotion of the one-time sleepy Deep Creek Lake/Garrett County area, which has become a go-to destination for Mid-Atlantic residents.
Karen Myers Business Hall of Fame
Karen’s “nose to grindstone” work ethic has bloomed several successful businesses throughout her lengthy career. Her flourishing businesses, Mountaineer Log & Siding www.mountaineerlog.com, Wisp Ski & Golf Resort www.wispresort.com, Deep Creek Marina www.deepcreekmarina.com, and real estate business are products of her relentless determination.
Even during the big moment in her life, Karen still recognizes her partners, her family, her friends and her employee’s who have supported her through sometimes difficult years. Her resiliency through the hard times (and the good times) along with her insight into what would make her endeavors successful has paid off long term.
Karen’s career really started 35 years ago in the real estate business when the lake was “undiscovered” as a resort and second home destination. It took many years for Karen to put Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake on a mainstream map.
Her daughter, Betsy Spiker, took over the reigns from her mother to become Deep Creek Lake’s trusted real estate guru.
She has mentored her children throughout their lives to be positive community role models and successful business leaders. Her son, Adrian Spiker, has taken a dream of creating the best marina in Deep Creek Lake and made it a reality. She has influenced and guided him into making the most thriving marina on the lake.
“Not too bad for a country girl” says Karen Myers at the awards podium in Baltimore, Maryland. Not too bad at all for a woman who grew up in a family from White Rock who exceeded, by anybody’s standards, personal success…business success…family success…community success…spiritual success… I have been fortunate to be in Karen’s circle for the past 3 years and understand and respect why the State of Maryland has chose to recognize this special woman with such a prestigious honor.
