Archive for the deep creek lake activities Category

Reflecting On The Winter Deep Creek Lake

Posted in deep creek lake activities with tags , , , on March 25, 2011 by Betsy Spiker

Today, I reflect on a wonderful winter that I’ve had here at Deep Creek Lake and all the wonderful adventures that came my way. I finally put down my old-school 10-year old parallel skis and stepped into a set of modern shape skis and had a go on perfect powder at Wisp Resort. I can’t believe that I went this long without experiencing the amazing engineering and control that this has brought to my skiing.  As always, Devils Drop is my go-to slope when I want to carve through the trees and experience that “out west” feeling that Wisp can give you in certain areas of the mountain.

 

I have also had a lot of “first time” experiences this winter which has me buzzing more than my norm with excitement over other winter activities.  Since I was a very young girl, I have always loved ice skating and thankfully I had the opportunity to put the skates on again at Wisp’s Ice Rink this winter.  I felt exhilarated gliding across the ice with a bonfire roaring along the outside of the ice rink and dozens of people sharing the experience.  

 

Make no mistake about it; my absolute new favorite sport is snowmobiling!  For years I have heard from my local friends how they routinely drive their “sleds” across the lake; the safety net in my mind always spoke to me when I would hear this wondering “if these folks were a little short of common sense?!”  The old question, “Why would you jump out of a perfectly good plane?” comes to mind as I contemplate driving over frozen Deep Creek Lake waters.  I mean, there are plenty of trails around the county on perfectly solid ground that would serve as a safer outlet for me and this sport.  The fact is that the lake is impeccably safe after it gets 6+ inches of ice buildup and it’s strong as solid ground when it gets 15+ inches, as it was when I when crossed it for the first time.  I’ll never forget the rush of just casting aside my fears and hitting the throttle wide open launching straight across the center of the lake.  The change in perspective in viewing the lake in the winter from the middle looking inward while racing at 100mph is something you have to experience to understand.  It’s cool because you can cover 60-70 miles around the lake in a very small amount of time and the sights you see are some that many life-long residents have never and will never see.  I urge you to put it on your list of things to experience here in Garrett County.

I feel fortunate every morning I wake up and relish every experience that is available throughout all the wonderful seasons we are blessed with here.

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The Spring Thaw, Deep Creek Lake

Posted in deep creek lake activities, The spring thaw deep creek lake maryland with tags , , , on February 21, 2011 by Betsy Spiker

 

The Spring Thaw, 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. 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 weeklong 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.

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Snowmobile Drag Races Deep Creek Lake

Posted in deep creek lake activities, Snowmobile drag racing deep creek lake with tags , , on February 9, 2011 by Betsy Spiker

 

 

Snowmobile Drag Races Deep Creek Lake

Let’s get ready to RUMBLE! Leave the boxing gloves at home this weekend, fuel up your snowmobile and head on down to the big drag races this Saturday February 12th, 2011.  This weekend the crowd will be at Harvey’s Farm, 2482 Sandflat Road watching the bold and brave flex their ego’s and horsepower at this classic Garrett County event.  I am bursting with excitement because this is my first sled drag race other than racing my husband Bob for bragging rights on the lake.  I’m still on the fence whether I will suit up and represent the ladies in this all day event.  Watching my new husband race may be about all the excitement I can stand in one day, personally.  I can’t wait to watch the thunder in all the different classes which go from Stock, Super Stock, and Pro Modified.  Word is that the big dogs are bringing in their super hot rods that will be thrilling to watch as they can reach some rally insane speeds.  Bring your family, and tell your friends about this supercharged winter event.

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Four Season Deep Creek Lake

Posted in deep creek lake activities, deep creek lake four seasons with tags , on February 7, 2011 by Betsy Spiker

Four Season Deep Creek Lake

Imagine with me for a minute a beautiful lake nuzzled into majestic mountain ranges that boasts four spectacular seasons with literally hundreds of different activities  to quench your thirst for living.  Close your eyes and spin an imaginary wheel with the four seasons on it, and wherever it lands you will be rewarded with a special time to visit us here at the lake.  Deep Creek Lake is truly an amazing four season area to come explore with your family and friends.  It will not take long for Garrett County to feel like home as you experience year-after-year perfect mountain conditions, one season at a time.

 

Winter time here at the “Little Tahoe of the East” can be more fun and excitement than you can take.  There is plenty of snow to provide a picturesque background to many winter activities.  I suggest after getting your fill of skiing or snowboarding that you go take a hike in one of Garrett County’s 7 State Parks. Swallow Falls State Park is my personal favorite in the wintertime because of the partially frozen falls that are covered with hundreds of little icicles.  Bring a camera and some snowshoes after a big snow and be prepared to enter a winter wonderland.

 

As spring starts to slowly melt the snow, again the waterfalls and Youghiogheny River swell dramatically and you will witness some of the most spectacular waterfalls the East Coast has to offer at Swallow Falls State Park.  Listen to the sound of water flowing that rivals that of thunder and feel the freight train power of the Yough exploding all around you.  Spring is also a good time to get your boat tuned up and head to the lake to begin capitalizing on some productive fishing.

 

As summer arrives, you are in the heart of my favorite time of the year here.  Enjoy low humidity, warm air and lake temperatures, and a zillion things to do.  Every day here during the summer season is sacred to me and I count my blessings every car ride to work.  Summers here possess a positive, beautiful aura for being alive.  Activities?  Hmmm…it would take days to list all the things I enjoy doing here during the summer.  For a start, go on a hike, go Kayaking, go wakeboarding, go fishing, those are the obvious.  Go chase every day with the eyes of an explorer and you’ll be amazed at what you uncover.

 

Fall here brings people from all over the East Coast to enjoy the stunning fall foliage as the trees prepare to shed their leaving and turn into the most amazing kaleidoscope of colors.  Find a spot on Wisp Mountain that has mountain views and you’ll be in awe of colorful mountainscapes.  It is also a prime time to go fishing on the lake and in the rivers so don’t forget your fishing gear.

Come visit the only home I’ve ever known and see the brilliance of all four seasons.

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Snow Tubing at Deep Creek Lake

Posted in deep creek lake activities with tags , , , on January 18, 2011 by Betsy Spiker

No other Deep Creek Lake activity screams family fun like Snow Tubing at Wisp Resort.  Take a little time away from skiing or snowboarding and head down to Wisp Outdoors Adventure Park and get the family signed up for a fun afternoon of snow tubing.  This takes very little effort, other than bringing your enthusiasm with you, and a smile on your face.  Just grab a tube (the firmer, the faster) and head up the magic carpet to the top of the park.  Stop and look around at the top because you get an amazing view of McHenry Cove from that vantage point.  Don’t be intimidated in any way shape or form.  Plant your bottom in a tube and get  ready to slide and spin your way up and down the dump-dee-dumps to the bottom.  Try it on your belly on your next run if you want to mix up the excitement.  Don’t put it off another minite on your next visit to Deep Creek Lake.  Watch the kids’ smiles, on both young and adult, at the end of every run and see how they scurry with excitement to their next turn down the mountain.

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Meet Bob Holcomb… The Spiker Team…Deep Creek Lake, MD

Posted in deep creek lake activities with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 2, 2010 by Betsy Spiker

The Spiker Team and Long & Foster REALTORS® 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”.

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 the new Lodestone private course atop Wisp Mountain near Deep Creek Lake.  

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. 

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).  

 

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.

View Bob’s Deep Creek Lake Blog

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