Deep Creek Lake Activities - Deep Creek Lake Blog

Kayaking on Deep Creek Lake

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

Kayaking on Deep Creek Lake

I’m not afraid to be the broken record here at Deep Creek Lake by yet again bragging about perfect temperatures here at the lake. Seriously! You can’t make this stuff up! Late summer mornings on the lake are ideal for your recreation of choice or just kick off your shoes and take a load off.

Here’s a thought…Go rent yourself a Kayak, find yourself a nice glassy shoreline and round up your sweetheart to go for a lazy adventure. Come on people, this is a sport that you don’t have to be a triathlon champ or a muscle head to enjoy. Gently dip your paddle in peaceful DCL and get yourself a nice chill glide going. Take notice of the amazing views that you may have passed before too quickly on a boat. Kayaking is a great way to absorb new things around the lake that you have overlooked before. More importantly it’s a great way to calm your mind while having a delightful experience. Don’t put if off any longer. Come enjoy this special time of the year when the crowds have thinned down and the lake is perfect for this fantastic sport.

Deep Creek Lake Moon-Rise Waning Gibbous

Deep Creek Lake Moon-Rise Waning Gibbous

For the last couple of nights here at Deep Creek Lake there has been a tremendous glow from the moon over our waters that have led to some spectacular moments to be witnessed by those who are aware. There are a total of eight phases of the Moon and last night it was in the Waning Gibbous stage. In this phase, the Moon is less than fully illuminated, but more than half. Funny though, the intensity of the Moon’s glow reveled that of the Sun. I have been woke up the last two nights at 3 am as the Moon crept over the 219 bridge casting a laser beam of light across the water, and slowly rounded over the treetops directly into my window like a blinding lamplight. I may have been half asleep but I was not dreaming as the room was illuminated in some fluorescent bluish glow stick fog that was very surreal and pleasant.

This beautiful spectacle is rarely witnessed to this magnitude in areas that have the glow on the streetlights and buildings. Here in Deep Creek Lake, it almost transforms a simple Moon-rise into what West Coaster’s hail as there Northern Lights show. Maybe not as brilliant but we do have mystical warm late summer evenings that take us back in time of lying on your back and staring at the billions of stars that serve as the background to the masterpiece Moon.

Deep Creek Lake Late Summer

Mystical mornings and crystal clear afternoons have dominated the last couple of weeks here at Deep Creek Lake. Here we are in the middle of August, a month where time seems to slow down with some calculated understanding that slowing your mind down helps your senses focus on what a special time it is here on the lake. This morning the lake was blanketed in a cotton ball fog. From our deck you could see the sun beautifully dissolving the mist revealing another super day here in Garrett County.

Lazy, late summers has a cult attraction for some visitors who understand that the traffic on the lake slowly starts to scatter after last week’s Garrett County Agricultural Fair. Humidity is always low in Garrett County, MD in the summers, but this time of year it seems that it is nonexistent. The clarity and depth of mountain and lake views reigns supreme during the last couple of months before what I hope to be an upcoming Indian summer. Note: Indian summer is an expression given to a period of sunny, warm weather in autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, typically in late October or early November, after the leaves have turned following an onset of frost but before the first snowfall. Source Wikipedia.

I love the soothing lifestyle here on healthy Deep Creek Lake and intend on maximizing every minute away from work enjoying all that it has to offer here in late summer.

Stage Wisp Concerts

We have a couple more weeks left to listen to relaxing outdoor music at the Stage Wisp Concerts held on Wednesdays on belly flop ski slope here at Deep Creek Lake. This is a great opportunity to bring your lawn chairs and blankets and sit down with the family and watch some great live music. Wisp has a grill fired up with a yummy picnic menu on the outside patio nearby or go inside and order some sushi (since Wednesday is always sushi night) and bring it back to the fun. You are always guaranteed a peaceful sunset and a friendly crowd to take the edge off off a stressful day and help you celebrate hump day.

Deep Creek Lake’s Chili Splash

5^th Annual Deep Creek Chili Splash

Wisp Resort will be holding their infamous CHILI COOK-OFF this Saturday August 7^th from Noon-5:30 pm. Come taste many different interpretations of this famous San Antonio dish dating back to 1731…yes, that’s right…Texas that is! I have researched it and there is a misconception that chili is a Mexican dish. The history books will steer you to San Antonio, Texas where early Spanish settlers by order of King Phillips V arrived from the Spanish Canary Islands and made a spicy “Spanish” stew that later became what we now know as chili.

Deep Creek Lake's Chili Splash — 5th Annual Deep Creek Chili Splash

The key ingredient to this world re-known “stew” is hot peppers and in some cases, a lot of them! Some chili enthusiasts pride themselves in preparing a chili that is nuclear hot with the hot pepper being the star. Other cooks like to layer the smokey flavors of cumin, chili powder, onion, beef, and kidney beans, with a hint of spice from the hot pepper. I believe the key to a great chili is a delicious flavor base, and for me that is a bottle of Newcastle beer. I also like to combine ground beef, ground pork, and ground turkey with the other “regular” ingredients. If you think you can take the heat, then bring your brave taste pallet over to the hot pepper eating contest. Size up your hot pepper eating skills against other fire bellies.

General admission is $5 for adults, $3 Children (7-12yrs), 6 and under is free, which includes entrance to the event, Music, Children’s events and 5 tasting kits.

Cooks may contact John McCracken at 301.387.4911 ext. 2211
or email jmccracken@wispresort.com for information.

Here is a schedule of events
11 am Lighting of the Stoves
12 pm Gates Open
1 pm Mr. Hot Sauce & Ms. Chili Pepper
1:30 pm Salsa Turn In
2 pm Splash Contest
2:30 pm Chili Verde Turn In
3 pm Pepper Eating Contest
3:30 pm Red Chili Turn In
4 pm Wet T-Shirt Contest
5:30 pm Awards

Black Bear Tavern Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake has a lot of admired institutions that have earned the respect of patrons from all over the Mid-Atlantic. Black Bear Tavern leads the way in this department with a lively, entertaining, and fun filled atmosphere that will put you face to face socializing with happy people from many different backgrounds and hometowns. Black Bear hosts the only nightclub here at the lake that gets cranking every weekend and keeps everybody in high spirits with a ever changing musical variety. They cover all the musical bases with rock-n-roll, funk-a-delic-disco, and country. No matter what you choose, you will be dancing on a packed dance floor with friends and strangers who will eventually become your friends.

During the warm summertime, Black Bear Tavern shifts some of the fun out on their huge outdoor patio where you can catch some rays, enjoy good food, drink your favorite beverage, and listen to some great music. There is always a daily lunch special and a huge menu to choose from. I suggest trying the crab cake dinner (The best crab cake on the lake in my opinion) with an icy cold Newcastle to wash it down. The staff will make you feel relaxed and hustle to make your experience there a good one. Take a little time off the lake or the ski slopes on your next visit and go check out Black Bear!! Go eat, drink, dance, and make merry!!!

Deep Creek Lake Summer Season

So it’s already the beginning of August and summer is chuggin’ in full swing here in Deep Creek Lake. The summer season is progressing at a light speed pace and is teleporting us toward winter, being funneled through some out-of-control vacuum vortex of accelerated time. As we all take in the beautiful summer here in DCL there is an internal alarm clock deep within our brains that quietly starts to pulse, reminding us that summer is slowly inching toward the end of the season.

Deep Creek Lake always boasts a long, exhilarating summer season with special moments that are unique to our individual tastes. In the early hours, when the day is blooming, some soulful dawn patrollers set up on their favorite fishing spots waiting for that legendary hook set, or slalom skiers throwing massive rooster tails on perfect glass, or wake boarders launching huge airs across perfect early morning wake. Whatever it is that makes this lake special to you, remember to enjoy as much of it as you can before the cold weather settles in on us. Don’t panic! We still have a lot of summer left. Just a friendly reminder for you to plan your next trip, in case procrastination or work responsibilities impede on your recreational time.

ASCI Whitewater Course

Re-Circulating Whitewater Course at Deep Creek Lake

Did you ever want to venture out on a big river in the mountains with a bunch of friends, saddle up on a whitewater raft and plunge through millions of gallons of water on half way out of control rapids? If you start to factor in the class of rapids that would suit you, how much food to bring with you, what lodging you have to secure, and most importantly are you going to survive a trip down some out of control wild river, then you may want to look at a better way to get your rafting career started.

I suggest you pay a visit to ASCI’s (Adventure Sports Center International) re-circulating white water course right here in Deep Creek Lake and charter a tour with your friends on a two hour rafting marathon that will transport you briefly to some desolate rocky gorge in the Rockies and have you upside down at times in a safe but exciting river adventure. ASCI has the ability to change the class of the rapids in a short amount of time and can adjust the way the water cascades over rocks to dial in optimum enjoyment for each customer. They have assembled a veteran crew of real river guides who take you on a trip from mild to wild depending on your boats comfort level. Note; you will get wet, you will have to paddle, you will not be in the boat at all times, you will have the thrill of your life, you will be in safe hands the entire time! Bring the kids, and adults on your next visit to DCL and peel yourself from the lake (I know it’s a hard thing to do) for a super fun afternoon.

Locals Cup Sunset Paddleboard Race Deep Creek Lake

Locals Cup Sunset Paddleboard Race Deep Creek Lake. Tonight on July 24, 2010 is the Locals Cup Sunset Paddleboard Race #2 at Deep Creek Lake State Park sponsored by Wisp Resort. There will be time trials around four different buoys and you can select from different classes to participate in. There is a $10 per person entry fee. The fun starts at 7:00 pm and will continue on until close to midnight. Come out and join the fun and watch the sunset with friends and locals and show your skills stroking to paddle board victory. Call Mike Valach from Wisp Resort at 301-387-4911 ext-0 for entry details.

Wisp Resort Little Tahoe

Deep Creek Lake-Hale Irwin-Lodestone Golf Caddy

Deep Creek Lake Lodestone Golf Caddy

Last year around this time I had a great opportunity to caddie for Hale Irwin when he christened the front nine at Lodestone Golf Club. I felt that I nailed it, but after the round Hale half jokingly told me I was the worst caddie he ever had in his career….Ouch!

Deep Creek Lake-Hale Irwin-Lodestone Golf Caddy — Hale and Steve Irwin

Although I have spent 24 years building golf courses, I never really had time to grasp exactly what a caddie does other than carry the bag. It was news to me that each club actually had a specific place in the bag. Go figure. My take on it was the same as when I play and I just stuff the club wherever it fits. It was news to me that I was supposed to bring a wet and dry towel to keep the clubs and golf ball clean. I had to grasp the critical caddy duties that keep the golfer focused on his game. Thankfully for me, this was a practice round and I wasn’t responsible for taking any food off the Irwin family’s table!

This year I made sure I was on my “A” game so that if I was called to duty in the caddying department I wouldn’t be smacked around for my lack of skills! I got back in the gym, got into strong physical shape and studied PGA game films of caddies who worked for the best golfers in the world. Now I felt I was ready to assume the role as super caddy!

This year it was my responsibility to caddy for Steve Irwin, who is Hale’s son. I had a wet towel ready to wipe down clubs and golf balls, and returned clubs to their proper place with scientific precision. Steve actually used a few suggestions about putting lines and shot trajectories into greens. I think Hale even had a chuckle or two about my born-again effort to be a decent golf caddy.

I have hung up my golf course construction boots for good and have happily put on the real estate cap here in Deep Creek Lake, but there will always be this feeling deep down in my heart wondering if my calling all along was to be the best caddie ever on the PGA tour!

Tag: Deep Creek Lake Activities

Kayaking on Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake Moon-Rise Waning Gibbous

Deep Creek Lake Late Summer

Stage Wisp Concerts

Deep Creek Lake’s Chili Splash

Black Bear Tavern Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake Summer Season

ASCI Whitewater Course

Locals Cup Sunset Paddleboard Race Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake-Hale Irwin-Lodestone Golf Caddy

My Location

Deep Creek Media

Stay Connected