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Deep Creek Lake hosts the Winter Olympics?

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Deep Creek Lake hosts the Winter Olympics?
Deep Creek Lake hosts the Winter Olympics?

Well….maybe we are never destined to hold the Winter Olympics here in Deep Creek Lake, but we have had enough snow to contend some of the finest resorts in Canada. The world has their eyes set on center stage today as the 2010 Winter Olympics Games begin today. Some people have decided to forego the televised opening events so they can strap on their equipment of choice and compete against their family and friends on Wisp Mountain. As we speak, as far as the eye can see, there is a line of cars filing into Wisp Resort to enjoy a spectacular President’s Weekend.

I remember as a child being fascinated and excited by the start of the Winter Olympics and my heart warmed by the solidarity of the World’s spirit. I couldn’t wait for the start of the giant downhill ski events and I had tremendous respect for the men and women who put their faith in a tiny steel edge on their skis going in excess of 70 mph downhill. I would beg my parents to stay up past my bedtime to be able to watch the long jump skiers explode off the launching ramp and soar like birds over the distance of football fields landing with grace and precision on a groomed corduroy ski slope. My favorite of all, hands down, was and still is the four man bobsled competition. These fiberglass sleds are propelled by gravity on razor steel runners down a frozen ice track going speeds in excess of 90 mph. I was fortunate last year to man the brake-mans position in Salt Lake City and bomb the infamous Olympic run in a four man bobsled.

If you are not here with us on the slopes in Deep Creek Lake this weekend take some time to reflect and enjoy some of your favorite Olympic memories and tune in during the next two weeks to make some new ones.

Deep Creek Lake hosts the Winter Olympics?
Bobsled crew

Deep Creek Lake Winter Revisited

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

Deep Creek Lake Winter Revisited

 I have heard a lot of chatter from people on the East Coast and a lot of the country who are voicing their desires for springtime to blossom tomorrow (if possible!) with the wave of a magic wand. Here in Deep Creek Lake we had 36 to 40 inches this past weekend with another 20 inches coming in the next couple of days. My love for winter activities segregates me to a different perception of cold snowy winters, and I could tell by the sea of smiles I encountered this weekend that I am not alone. The amount of snow we are receiving here in Deep Creek Lake and the quality of powder that we have seen makes it all too difficult to throw in the towel for the winter season. I know there are some “powder junkies” like myself that look at a big winter snow storm in the same light as a surfer sees a hurricane and its  potential for bringing a large clean swell or in our case, some fresh powder.

You won’t be disappointed if you make it to Garrett County from your hometowns this weekend (some of who are still digging out from the last storm last weekend).  Rest assured that the roads here are masterfully manicured and most of all safe to bring your family for a visit.  I see the snow starting to fall this morning and I’m already getting excited about getting a couple of quick powder runs in tomorrow morning before work. Be one of the many who get out of the gates early and come chase the fresh snow during our self proclaimed “powder hour” and make sure you get your fill of fun before spring does officially take over.

 

Deep Creek Lake Winter Revisited
Deep Creek Lake powder run
Deep Creek Lake Winter Revisited
Wisp Resort North Camp

Deep Creek Lake Winter Extension

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

 

Deep Creek Lakes Winter Extension

 Deep Creek Lake Winter Extension. Well the groundhog has extended our winter season, which is fine by me considering I have not had my fill of snowboarding this year. Wisp Resort was jam-packed this weekend with happy skiers and snowboarders. The talk among the local winter sports enthusiasts is that it has been some of the best snow that we have had in decades. The recipe for that perfect champagne powder is cold temperatures, low humidity, and snow, snow, SNOW. This is something we have had plenty of. Bring your family to Deep Creek Lake and come join us and the winter extension. See you on the slopes!

 

Deep Creek Lake Winter Extension
Deep Creek Lake

 

Deep Creek Lake Winter Extension
Wisp Resort

The Davisson Brothers Deep Creek Lake

 

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

 

 The Davisson Brother’s at Deep Creek Lake

 

The Davisson Brothers Deep Creek Lake
Black Bear Davisson Brothers

 Ok…You just spent the day skiing in perfect powder at Wisp Resort in Deep Creek Lake. You just finished having the famous Wednesday night sushi dinner special at DC’s Bar and you are looking for something to capture your attention and enhance your already amazing vacation experience. Thankfully, you are already nearby to an incredibly entertaining musical experience that has become the place to be for many McHenry Locals.  Nothing stirs up more enthusiasm for locals and visiting Wisp patrons then the one and only Davisson Brothers Band.

The Davisson Brothers Deep Creek Lake
Davisson Brothers Black Bear

This Clarksburg, West Virginia band is a fusion of bluegrass, country, blues, and rock and roll that is fueled by the lead singer/guitarist Donnie Davisson, who stomps the crowd in the ground with his hardcore country boy personality. His facial interaction taunts the crowd while he slings and swings around the stage smiling and singing proudly of self-proclaimed Hillbilly Honky Tonkin. “ Are there any hillbilly’s out there” he laughs in-between songs. The rhythm section is led by the ear-to-ear smiling master bass player Sammy Davisson, whose country/rock funkadelic grooves are in perfect cadence with the solid drum beat of Aaron Regester.

The Davisson Brothers Deep Creek Lake
Owen Schmitt Black Bear

The whole sound is pulled together by the soul-cleansing force of mellow Davisson Brother lead guitarist Chris Davisson, who is in command of the Allman Brothers-styled southern blues slide guitar licks that relax the crowd during one guitar riff and has them shaking their hips on the next. He stands as the “quiet Beatle” of the group whose stage maturity serves as the backbone to the Davisson Brothers sound.

The Davisson Brothers Deep Creek Lake
Donnie Davisson

Put the Davisson’s Brothers webpage in your favorites and be sure to schedule a visit to Deep Creek Lake to catch their next performance (February 17, 2010).

The Davisson Brothers Deep Creek Lake
Davisson Brothers

 

 

The Hillbilly Gypsies

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

The Hillbilly Gypsies

 I’ve picked guitar for the last 20 years and I can tell you it’s not my strong suit. I have always loved the sounds of a guitars flat picking bass runs, a screamin fiddle, and the spine tingling banjo following the pulse of the standup bass. I have always had great respect for the people who instinctively possess the ability to dissect the frets of any bluegrass instrument and use it as a tool to pull people together from all walks of life and have a great time.

The Hillbilly Gypsies
The Hillbilly Gypsies

This summer I stumbled in on a bluegrass jamboree hosted by The Mountain State Brewery and starring the Hillbilly Gypsies. This group of five brings you back to old school foot stompin/hand clapping back woods bluegrass. They are true to a style of music that I’ve read has roots back to Ireland, Scotland and England and that evolved throughout American history in the mountains and country of this great land.

Check out their schedule before you make your next trip to Deep Creek Lake and be sure not to miss one hell of a good time.

The Hillbilly Gypsies
The Hillbilly Gypsies

Deep Creek Lake Maryland Living-2010

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

Don’t get too cozy next to the fireplace with your usual favorite beverage on your next visit to Deep Creek Lake. The winter has consistently produced an abundant amount of snow and it shows no sign of giving up anytime soon. We all love Deep Creek Lake in the wintertime for the excellent skiing and snowboarding but don’t be afraid to step out of your normal routine on occasion and get out there and explore Garrett County and all it has to offer. Take a trip down to Swallow Falls State Park and go for a long walk around a magical winter wonderland where the waterfalls are frozen like arctic stalactites. I didn’t realize you could actually smell clean air and how invigorating it is.  Get over your fear of the cold and get outside and discover a county that has an enormous amount of acreage set aside (never to be developed) for you and your family to enjoy. Load up the kids and the dogs and head down to Fork Run Recreational Area to walk the trails around the rock climbing areas.  This is a great place to snowshoe in the wintertime after a huge snowstorm.  Challenge yourself this New Year to excel in life and to live every day as if it was your last; let Garrett County be the catalyst for your change. I can’t think of too many areas in the world that offer you such picturesque scenery that pulls you back into nature and the feeling of being alive. Bob Dylan wrote in song once; “He not busy being born, is busy dying.” Make 2010 your year for living..

Deep Creek Lake Maryland Living-2010
Mali deep creek lake

Deep Creek Lake Maryland Living-2010

Deep Creek Lake Facts

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

 

 

1.       How large is the lake?

 

Deep Creek Lake is Maryland’s largest freshwater lake encompassing 3,900 acres with 65 miles of shoreline. Its average depth is 26.5 feet and 72 feet at it’s deepest. 

2.       What type of activities go on around the lake?

A few…Boating, Swimming, Kayaking, Water-skiing, Alpine-skiing, Rock-climbing, Wake-boarding, Dog-sledding, Whitewater-rafting, Golf, Mountain Coaster, Hiking, Biking, X-country skiing, Snowmobiling, Fishing, Ice-skating, etc. Nearly every outdoor activity you can think of.

3.       Does Garrett County have any state parks or forests?

Do we ever! We have 7 state forests and parks. Savage River State Forest is the largest in Maryland. This county has over 90,000 acres of publicly owned lands.

4.       What is Wisp Resort?

You haven’t heard about it yet? Wisp Resort is the Mid-Atlantic’s premier four-season resort. It is becoming known as “The Little Tahoe of the East.” There are too many things happening at Wisp to list here: from a world-class whitewater course to the best snow-making capabilities in the world. Call for a complete update on Wisp Resort.

5.       How far away is Deep Creek Lake?

Here are some distances from nearby metropolitan areas: Baltimore-177 miles; Washington, DC.-161 miles; Pittsburgh-96 miles; Cleveland-255 miles; Philadelphia-282 miles; Richmond-224 miles; New York-355 miles.

 

Deep Creek Lake Facts
Snowboard air

Garrett Community Concert Band-Deep Creek Lake

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

Last Sunday afternoon, I had the pleasure of catching Garrett Community Concert Band’s Holiday Concert titled “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”.  It was a splendid performance with traditional Christmas music as well as Hanukkah favorites.  One in particular that was new and enjoyable to me was “Fum, fum, fum”.   The concert was held in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland at Garrett College’s auditorium and it was a full house.

The band, led by Musical Director Moe Turentine, is a volunteer group of musicians that was formed in 2000 and presents 3 concerts a year.    Their members are from all walks – business professionals, teachers, homemakers, retirees and students.  They are a volunteer organization supported by Garrett College and donors.  The band also offers scholarships to students pursuing advanced music education.  Their motto: “We play together out of love of music and to enjoy the company of others with a similar interest”.

They also play a July 4th concert outdoors at Garrett College, which I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy many times and highly recommend.  For more information www.garrettband.org.  And, for Deep Creek Lake, Maryland information visit www.DeepCreekLakeProperty.com.

Garrett Community Concert Band-Deep Creek Lake
Garrett Community Concert Band-Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake Major Snow Event

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

               

                                           Deep Creek Lake Snow Event

 Deep Creek Lake Major Snow Event. Alright folks, this is what we have been waiting for. There is an intense snowstorm howling across the nation that will be at our door steps while we are sleeping tonight.  We have limped through this mild fall together and now it’s time to claim the spoils of our first legitimate snow event of the year

Deep Creek Lake locals are buzzing about the possibility of the 12’+ inches of snow that is forecasted to fall from the skies over the weekend. For all of you out of town ski/snowboard junkies I have this advice for you: Drop everything you are doing at work, round up your family and friends, and high tail it to Wisp Resort before the snow starts to fall. Tomorrow you’ll be rewarded with a nourishing helping of sacred powder that Deep Creek Lake has become famous for.

 I will be getting under the covers early tonight so tomorrow morning I can race to the bottom of the chairlift with a child-like smile to see if I can be one of the first down the mountain on virgin powder. If you make it there and hear some tall snowboarder yelling at the top of his lungs bombing the run “squirrel cage” that would be me!

Deep Creek Lake Major Snow Event
Deep Creek Lake Major Snow Event

 

Deep Creek Lake Major Snow Event

Skiing-Deep Creek Lake

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

Skiing at Deep Creek Lake

           Skiing-Deep Creek Lake. After going through a very mild fall here in Deep Creek Lake, we finally had a significant snow event over this past weekend here on Wisp Mountain. Hopefully you have already had your skis and snowboards waxed and had the edges tuned up in anticipation of getting on the slopes to carve up some fresh powder.

Skiing-Deep Creek Lake
Skiing-Deep Creek Lake

           Wisp Resort hands down has one of the best snowmaking systems in North America and the temperature and humidity now are perfect for making champagne powder. Although the skies have stopped snowing for the moment, Wisp Resort’s snow making operation is steady blowing a blizzard on the mountain getting ready for the grand opening on Friday December, 11th.

           Snowfall has traditionally signaled Garrett County of the upcoming holiday season focusing on winter sports, good friends, family, and memorable times. Pack up your family and come join us this weekend in christening the mountain and getting a festive start to the great month of December

Skiing-Deep Creek Lake
Skiing-Deep Creek Lake