Paddleboarding Deep Creek Lake – Deep Creek Lake Blog

The Fall Foliage Season photographed from a Paddleboard

Taylor-Made Real Estate Betsy Spiker Holcomb-301-616-5022

Throughout the last couple of years as the focus shifts to the upcoming fall foliage season, I have found the most spectacular and soothing way to experience this sought after season via paddleboard. The visitors have slimmed down to next to nothing and the lake shifts from being a physical playground for activities to a visual backdrop for nature’s art. The season also brings calm days mixed in with traditional windy fall days. It is on these calm days that you can witness a spectacular visual ever-lasting gumdrop of emotions that will take you from pure elation to a centered mental calm. It is experiences like these that elevate the lake to spiritual status.

To see the mountains gleaming with fire and glowing with rich hues of the fall season is only magnified when you see a double image reflection mirroring off the lake. These powerful reflections bring the water alive as they transform into a three-dimensional bouquet of seasonal colors. The paddleboard becomes your soul mobile as Deep Creek Lake takes you down a peaceful highway that will recharge your faith in nature. Each quiet dip of the paddle propels you across an amazing and colorful glass-lake, virgin of ripples. The horizon slowly inches toward you like an out-of-reach oasis which gives you plenty of time to enjoy the dreamy conveyor belt that only a few have experienced.

Our nationally respected and loved Fall spectacle is an event here at the lake that a lot of folks have been lucky enough to experience year after year. This year I encourage and challenge you to try it from a different cockpit vantage point. The end of summer does not mean the end of paddleboarding or enjoying an intimate relationship with the lake. Set sail this autumn with your favorite non-powered watercraft and experience the hallowed ground at Deep Creek Lake that is worshiped by only a handful.

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor — Betsy Spiker Holcomb, Deep Creek Lake’s Favorite Realtor

Taylor-Made Real Estate Betsy Spiker Holcomb-301-616-5022

Late Summer Activity – Deep Creek Lake

Late Summer Activity – Deep Creek Lake. Here we are almost two weeks into August and the activity at the lake seems to be in full rpm mode. I took a spin around to get a feel for the number of people here at the lake on a “hump day” Wednesday. I was happily surprised to see people enjoying numerous Deep Creek activities. The summer season is showing no signs of slowing down. It’s fun to see the different ways families enjoy their stay here at Deep Creek Lake.

Cherry Creek Cove had the most activity with folks trying to get out of the breezy mid-point of the lake. I stopped and shot a few photos and became very jealous at all the fun I was missing out on. Families were out on kayaks, paddleboards, water skis, tubes, and jet skis. Smiles and laughter were the mood of the day. Fishing poles were wet, swimmers were being refreshed and boaters were cruising the cove. It all looked like a well synchronized dance.

We are past the 7^th inning stretch and heading toward the end of the summer season here at the lake. Don’t throw in the towel just yet and call Taylor-Made Rentals @ 866-351-1119 X-1 for a wonderful rental property. Enjoy an extended week away from the stresses of work. Call Betsy Spiker Holcomb @ 301-616-5022 with any questions you may have regarding lake activities or real estate properties for sale.

Deep Creek Lake State Park

Deep Creek Lake State Park. Deep Creek Lake and our surrounding county have an immense amount of activities to do in and out of the lake. Continue reading Deep Creek Lake State Park

Enjoying Glassy Deep Creek Lake

Sacred morning glass here at Deep Creek Lake is something to behold indeed. I have become a connoisseur of fine glassy mornings here at the lake. There is nothing more calming and spiritual than waking up very early and looking out on a lake with zero wind and sacrificing a few hours of sleep to enjoy absolute solace. Watch as the sun slowly generates an assortment of warm morning colors and creeps slowly over the mountaintops as the lake starts to come alive. Don’t be surprised if you are all alone during this experience as the lake is underutilized in early morning hours. This makes the journey even sweeter.

Later you can catch up with all your friends who all promised they would get up with you who instead slept in! No worries though, they will have missed out and will never understand what you have experienced until they do it for themselves. Your best explanation of the experience will fall short of something that cannot be defined but has to be experienced.

Years back, my wife Betsy and a few friends would regularly have the boat gassed up and ready to roll for some early morning wakeboard and slalom skiing runs. It’s amazing to see your reflection perfectly off lake glass as you are going in excess of 20 mph. Not one trace ripple impedes the rails of your skis as you carve perfect figure eights leaving wrinkled pulses of wake scattering toward the shores behind you. By the time your run is over and you have switched skiers the waters have again calmed to a mirror surface. Paddleboarding and canoeing take this experience to a hallowed level as the sounds of only your paddle faintly and calmly motor you through seemingly masterpiece sceneries of reflected mountains, trees, clouds and the colorful awakening sun.

Don’t be afraid to bring the fishing poles to anchor and witness the wildlife around as you keep a sharp eye on your bobber. Let the lake’s glass inspire your day before the wind starts to blow and the lake traffic picks up. You will be rewarded with memories that will carry you through the winter.

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Mothers Day-Traders Coffee-Paddleboarding

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake! If these photos do not smell like summer to you then it’s time to get out and enjoy your own slice of paradise here at DCL! For Mother’s Day, we paddled to Trader’s Coffee House – my request– for a café au lait and protein wrap. One of my favorite summertime stops by boat or paddleboard. Griffin enjoyed his first 2015 slice of sweet watermelon just this week and as you can see it made him very happy! Jensen is experiencing one of his first ice cream cones and is still deciding if the brain freeze is really worth it!

There is a change coming to our county building permit requirements as of July 1. Although the sprinkler system ordinance has been around for quite a while, Garrett County was able to work around its enforcement until now. Sprinkler systems will now be required in all new single family dwellings. If you are planning to build in the next year or so, you can apply for your building permit in June to avoid the sprinkler system requirement. A building permit is good for one year. The county will host a seminar on June 3^rd from 3:00-5:00 in Room 205 of the Continuing Education Building at Garrett College. Presentations will be made by two gentlemen in the fire protection industry and the county will also review the permitting and inspection process relating to the installation of residential sprinkler systems. Anyone is welcome to attend.

The Spiker Team’s Featured Listings are two beautiful waterfront homes, neither of which have ever been rented. They are both equally pristine and ready to occupy. Close to the water with nice views and a single dock slip. For additional info/photos/tour: http://mrislistings.mris.com/DE.asp?ID=63044257276.

Deep Creek celebrates its 90^th Anniversary June 11-14. Many events will be taking place, which you can find here 90th Anniversary Events . On June 11^th and 12^th, our very own Ed King (long-time Long & Foster agent and family friend) is presenting “The History of Deep Creek Lake.” The POA is sponsoring the June 11^th event and the announcement can be found here.

Mark your calendar for the very first Craft Beer Festival, Bark & Brew, to be held at Mountain State Brewing not far from Wisp Resort in McHenry. A portion of the proceeds benefit HART for Animals. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking below. Live entertainment, dog events and tastings. Sounds fun!

Enjoy your holiday weekend and remember to thank those who have or are serving our country and honor those who have fallen doing the same.

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Highlands Festival-Real Estate News

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Highlands Festival-Real Estate News. Weather check…PERFECT! I got up at 6:00am and went for a quick paddleboard run before work and can tell you that we are having an amazing day. The lake was mirror glassy with winds non-existent and the temperature is perfect. Check out the view! Get up here soon so you can enjoy these special, early summer days.

A very special McHenry Highland Festival this coming weekend. After 20 years, this will be internationally acclaimed Scottish fiddler Bonnie Rideout’s last year performing at the Festival. Bonnie never ceases to amaze us and music just doesn’t need to be better than this. Don’t miss it! There will be two performances on Saturday, June 1^st at 11am and again at 1:45pm. Also, they will have plenty of crafts and food vendors to make for a full day of family enjoyment. A YouTube video with a sampling of Bonnie’s beautiful music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P129kV3ImN0

The link below is the full schedule of the Festival at the Fairgrounds in McHenry for Saturday, June 1st.

http://www.highlandfest.info/events.html

On a different subject, we, along with most of the country, had interesting weather for the Memorial Day weekend. Although quite a cold weekend, temperatures are transforming to perfect today. I still love this time of year. Our Spiker Team colleague and friend, Kathy Johnson, was able to capture this “secret” garden in Garrett County a couple days ago. What a gorgeous photo of her Zen garden!

This week’s featured listing is a very clean lakefront home, centrally located with 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and a Type-A dock. This home boasts an open floor plan, stone wood burning fireplace, two family rooms, wood floors, hot tub, two waterside decks and wonderful lake views!! What else could you want? Oh, you want to be close to restaurants, shops and Wisp Ski Resort? DONE! Check it out-http://vt.realbiz360.com/MLS-1304262.html

Here what’s gone under contract in the last 30 day-http://mrislistings.mris.com/DE.asp?ID=52640329952.

If you’d like for us to do a customized search for you using our MLS database with every real estate company’s listings just shoot us an email.

Enjoy life on the lake!!!

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Summer Activities

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Summer Activities. It gets easier to be revved up for summer when you start seeing the boats filtering on the lake. Yesterday there was a mix of recreational tubers, fisherman, and marinas tuning up boats for their clients. Weather has warmed up to summer temps this week and you can tell folks are starting to gather into the lake. Last night I did my evening paddleboard between 7:30pm-9:00pm and saw some late evening fisherman and a few boats screaming by trying to ensure that their boats are running smoothly. I cruised past a family of at least a dozen who were throwing football and roasting smores around a fire pit near the water’s edge. I love summer!

Dusk paddle

In case you missed the USA Canoe/Kayak Whitewater Slalom Team Trails this weekend, here is a photo gallery on our Deep Creek Lake, Maryland Facebook page of some of the action. Remember this will determine who will be competing in next year’s ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships of 2014 between September 16-21, 2014. We had three Olympic medalists here competing this weekend. Look ahead in your calendar if you plan on visiting because this is no small event. Word is that lots of people will have to stay out of town because all rentals will be booked. This event will be the biggest event ever hosted here at the lake. The eyes of the world and Canoe/Kayak community will be focused on Deep Creek Lake for a week. Plan far in advance so you don’t miss it!

Intense competition

If you have not visited ASCI or tried to go whitewater rafting I highly recommend it! There are only a few re-circulating whitewater courses in the world and we are lucky to have the best here in our back yard.

Rafting trip at ASCI with my son and his girlfriend

This weekend we have the Tom Wallisch Rail Jam at Wisp Resort on Saturday, May 25^th. Registration is between 6pm-7pm with the competition starting soon thereafter. They say there is plenty of snow to hold this event and I hope you have a chance to go check out some of the skiers and snowboarders competing. The Tom Batcherlor Band will provide the music.

Not sure what direction to go this weekend? A few suggestions…

Go zip lining, ride the mountain coaster, or go for a dune buggy ride at Wisp Resort. Go hiking or rock climbing at Fork Run Recreational Area. Go get some hot wings and a crabcake from The Black Bear. Go visit the magnificent waterfalls at Swallow Falls State Park. Go rent a boat, canoe, kayak or paddleboard from Deep Creek Marina. Go try out Deep Creek Lake’s newest restaurant Aces Run. Go enjoy an eco tour with the family. Go fishing on DCL or the Yough River. Go play golf at the well received Lodestone Golf Club. Buy a home here at the lake!!! Call Betsy Holcomb 301-616-5022 http://deepcreeklakeproperty.com/meet-betsy/

Featured listing of the week: Check out this homesite on hole #13 at Lodestone. Lake and golf views! http://vt.realbiz360.com/Listing-440824.html

Sold Property in the last 30 days- http://mrislistings.mris.com/DE.asp?ID=52524358330

Have a safe & memorable family weekend!!

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-CARC-April Real Estate Stats

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-CARC-April Real Estate Stats. I hope you had a great Mother’s Day Weekend with your family. Betsy and I had an event-filled weekend. First off, Betsy had the opportunity to enjoy her first Mother’s Day being a mommy! She is and has been very excited since the birth of Griffin Rhea Holcomb and I can’t tell you how proud I am of the amazing mother she is. Also, my sister and her husband came up from Virginia Beach this weekend to witness the baptism of our 5 ½ month old Griffin and to become lifelong sponsors/Godparents for him.

Although they had a quick visit, we did find time to go for a hike at Swallow Falls and take a few memorable photos. My sister and her husband had a blast witnessing the raging YoughioghenyRiver, which is pretty common in the spring here in GarrettCounty.

Little Griffin had his second swim lesson here at the new Garrett College Community Aquatic and Recreation Complex (CARC). Please check out their website and get familiar with just one more family amenity here at the lake.

The first ever Paddlin’ for PAWS went off without a snafu even though the weather was not perfect. Luckily, on race day Saturday morning the winds were down and the rain had cracked to a trickle. Stand Up Paddle Annapolis, who is a group from Annapolis, showed up with a huge group of people and some of the most cutting-edge equipment to lead the race with experience and class. Please take a moment and read about this wonderful event and see some photos I captured during the 6-mile race.

On the real estate front, you can see from our April MLS statistics that our closed/sold & pending/under contract sales are up and our inventory is down, all of which point to a recovering market. But don’t feel like you’ve missed the boat if you are still searching for a vacation home because prices haven’t begun to climb yet. We are hearing how quickly properties are moving in the DC/Balt/N.VA areas. This activity will ultimately work its way west but there are still some great bargains on all sorts of water-oriented, slope-oriented and other Deep Creek Lake vicinity homes & homesites.

The Spiker Team’s featured listing of the week is a beautiful French country home on 14 acres on the outskirts of DeepCreekLake within ~7 minutes to the DCLState Park. Three levels, large rear deck, wonderful mountain views, 2-car attached garage, 3 family rooms and the list goes on. Here is a link the visual tour: http://vt.realbiz360.com/Listing-1075650.html.

Enjoy your week and call on us anytime we can be of help in Deep Creek!

Paddlin for PAWS… Paddleboard Race… Wisp Resort

Rain and foul weather could not keep the diehard Paddleboarders from making the trip up to DeepCreekLake this weekend to brave the 3 mile or 6 mile race courses right off the DeepCreekLakeState Park. Friday afternoon I took a trip out there to participate in the group paddle. The winds and rain were in high gear so there was only a few of us that tried to navigate the three mile course. On the home stretch to the state park the tail wind/cross chop put me (falling) in the lake for the first time of the season. To be honest, it was not super cold, just a mild chill.

Paddlin for PAWS… Paddleboard Race… Wisp Resort. Wisp Resort event organizer, Mike Valach, who is an avid paddler and my paddle partner is hell bent on promoting a sport that he has a deep passion for. He and co-worker John McCracken rolled out the red carpet for the locals and out-of-towners bringing in some 1st class racers. The crew from Stand Up Paddle Annapolis came up and raced world class times in fair, drizzling conditions. They brought with them top of the line/state of the art racer gear. Carbon Fiber boards and paddles with different design elements. Remember, paddleboarding although having roots back to Tom Blake in the early 30’s, is evolving into many different hybrids ranging from surfing, racing ,cruising, fishing…you name it. And with this, evolution of the design is still being tweaked to maximize speed and performance. I noticed the displacement hulls are the norm with bottom contours ranging from flat, to having vee/concave with various tail and nose rocker, and carbon fiber paddles that only weigh 14 ounces.

I missed the beginning of the race as I had swim lessons for my 5-month old but was lucky enough to round State Park Road right as the leaders were dueling it out halfway through the race. It was interesting to see all the different stroking and turning techniques that separate the competitors although there is no right or wrong. Board and paddle technology, paddling and turning techniques, and physical conditioning all come into play, but like any sport, mental endurance separates the top racers from the rest. Let’s not forget that winning is definitely not everything! Just to spend time on a paddlboard is spiritual and healthy as I have preached in the past. You also have the opportunity to meet a lot of great new friends.

It was exciting seeing the camaraderie at the finish line as all the racers cheered and congratulated each and every contestant as they made their way on shore. Chances are that whatever town you live in you will have the enthusiastic paddlers stoked on promoting and enjoying a sport that has taken over the world. If you can’t join us here at Deep Creek Lake then look around your own community and get revved up on a fantastic life-changing sport. If you want to keep up with local group paddle sessions, check out our newly formed Stand Up Paddle Group Facebook page. I will try to organize some sunrise/sunset paddles when the lake is glass as we transition into the season. Also, if you want real time information about the lake visit our page Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. See you on the Lake!

“Paddlin for Paws” Stand Up Paddleboard Race

Wisp Resort hosts fundraising Paddleboard Race at Deep Creek Lake State Park
Paddling for PAWS to benefit HART for Animals, Inc.

Weekly updates by Betsy Spiker Holcomb of Taylor-Made Vacations and Sales, Deep Creek Lake. Deep Creek Lake, MD (May 2, 2013) – Wisp Resort will host Paddling for PAWS, a fundraising paddleboard race, at Deep Creek State Park on May 11, 2013 starting at 9am. A portion of the race fees will benefit HART for Animals, Inc. This event will help promote Stand Up Paddleboard racing in the Deep Creek Lake area, bring awareness to HART’s cause and raise funds to support the non-profit organization

The general public is encouraged to participate and race in this fundraiser. There will be a 5K and a 10K race with three different divisions for each. Pre-registration race fee is $45 and can be done online at www.wispresort.com. Registration on the day of the event is $55. Children ages 12 and under may participate in our Children’s Race for free. The event is open to all levels of paddleboaders.

A portion of the race entry fees will be donated to HART for Animals, Inc. A non-profit organization dedicated to savings the lives of homeless pets. Michael Valach, Director of Wisp Outdoors, created this event out of his own passions: he is an avid paddleboarder, animal advocate and on the board of HART for Animals, Inc. “This event will bring good exposure for both HART’s cause and paddleboarding, a watersport that is still fairly new to Deep Creek Lake,” stated Mr. Valach.

About HART for Animals, Inc: HART for Animals, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of homeless pets in Western Maryland. Through a network of volunteers – individuals and rescue organizations – HART is able to rescue animals from the Garrett County shelter and give them an opportunity to find a forever home. HART has been raising funds for an Animal Adoption Center located on Bumble Bee Road and most recently opened Pick of the Liter Thrift Store to help raise additional funds. The HART Spay/Neuter Clinic, opened in 2009, provides low-cost spay and neuter services to the pets of individuals whose income level would otherwise prevent them from spaying or neutering their pets. www.hartforanimals.org

About Wisp Resort: Wisp Resort if a four-season mountain resort by the shores of Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland. Wisp offers skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, 36 holes of golf, 2 canopy tour zip lines, lift-served mountain biking and a variety of other mountain recreation activities. The ski resort has 10 lifts and 32 trails on 132 acres, more than 90% of which is lit for night skiing. The on-site Wisp Resort Hotel offers 169 guest rooms, indoor pool, hot tub, fitness and business center along with 17,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. www.wispresort.com

“Paddlin for Paws” Stand Up Paddleboard Race

The May 11^th, 2013 event at Deep Creek Lake is a grassroots Stand Up Paddleboard race event to promote SUP racing to the Deep Creek Lake area and to bring awareness to the SUP communy the great opportunities to enjoy paddleboarding in the mountains of Western Maryland on Deep Creek Lake and other nearby lakes. This event will also donate a portion of the race entry fee to HART for Animals charity for pets located in the Mc Henry area. The race course is a three mile loop with three buoy turns, the event will have a recreational class ( 1 lap) and elite class (2 laps) and a fun race for kids. The race is expected to attract SUP racers from the mid-Atlantic area and is part of Mid Atlantic Stand Up Race Association Point Series 10 race location series in the mid-Atlantic area. This event is a nice start to the spring paddleboard session and has something for the first time to elite paddleboard racer, various paddleboard companies will be on hand for the event, there also will be some demo boards to test and first time paddleboard clinics to let people try the sport of paddleboarding.

Friday, May 10

Local paddle on DCL 3pm – 5pm – Deep Creek Lake State Park – Beach Area

Sunset Paddle (ride the course) 6pm – 7:30pm Deep Creek Lake State Park – Beach Area

Sunset Yoga with Dawn 6pm – 7pm Deep Creek Lake State Park – Beach Area $10

Packet pick up and welcome party/bonfire at Adventure Park at Wisp Resort 7:30pm – 9:30pm – Wisp Resort

Saturday May 11 –

Prerace meeting – 8:30am Deep Creek Lake State Park – Beach Area

3 mile and 6 mile race on Deep Creek Lake – 9am Deep Creek Lake State Park – Beach Area

Kids Race – 11am Free- Deep Creek Lake State Park – Beach Area

Cookout and Awards – 12noon – Wisp Resort – Wisp Outdoors Adventure Park

Race classes:

Female:

5K race for under 12.6, 12.6 and 14 class and (Kids – fun race ¼ mile)

10K race for under 12.6, 12.6 and 14 class, also 50+ legends 10K open

Male:

5K race for under 12.6, 12.6 and 14 class, and (Kids – fun race ¼ mile)

10K race for under 12.6, 12.6 and 14 class, also 50+ legends 10K open

Entry fee $45 includes race fee tech race t-shirt and cookout

Discount hotel rates are available to racers at Wisp Resort Hotel – $79 per night, ask for the SUP race rate

Tag: Paddleboarding Deep Creek Lake

The Fall Foliage Season photographed from a Paddleboard

Late Summer Activity – Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake State Park

Enjoying Glassy Deep Creek Lake

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Mothers Day-Traders Coffee-Paddleboarding

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Highlands Festival-Real Estate News

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Summer Activities

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-CARC-April Real Estate Stats

Paddlin for PAWS… Paddleboard Race… Wisp Resort

“Paddlin for Paws” Stand Up Paddleboard Race

Wisp Resort hosts fundraising Paddleboard Race at Deep Creek Lake State Park
Paddling for PAWS to benefit HART for Animals, Inc.

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Wisp Resort hosts fundraising Paddleboard Race at Deep Creek Lake State Park Paddling for PAWS to benefit HART for Animals, Inc.

My Location

Deep Creek Media

Stay Connected

Wisp Resort hosts fundraising Paddleboard Race at Deep Creek Lake State Park
Paddling for PAWS to benefit HART for Animals, Inc.