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Skiing Wisp in March Deep Creek Lake

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

So this is it, the last weekend of skiing at Wisp Resort in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. March’s warm temperatures have encouraged us to put away the skiis, sleds, snowshovels and boots but there’s a pretty cool opportunity presenting itself this weekend with the help of the awesome weather brought by Mother Nature and Wisp Resort’s promise to keep us skiing until Easter.

Skiing Wisp in March Deep Creek Lake — Shredding Wisp Resort

Imagine this…taking runs on the ski slopes in 80 degree temperatures, then suiting up in your spring wetsuit to take the first passes of the season on DCL with your wakeboard or waterskiis. All in the same day, that is. I’m sold! A very cool proposition we’ve been given by some local thrill seekers. That’s where you’ll find me tomorrow. Slopes at 11:00 and lake at 12:00.. Happy Easter!

Swallow Falls State Park, Deep Creek Lake Maryland

There’s a story in ’em ‘er woods…or more like it, a whole lot of stories! Swallow Falls State Park is just outside of Deep Creek Lake, Maryland and stretches to about 257 acres along the scenic Youghiogheny River. Hiking trails will lead you to 2 large falls, Swallow Falls and Muddy Creek Falls, as well as several smaller whitewaters. Tall Hemlocks dominate the silent woods, which are estimated to be 300+ years old.

Swallow Falls State Park, Deep Creek Lake Maryland — Muddy Creek Falls

As a native to Garrett County, Maryland I’ve walked these paths on many occasions but I learn something new about the historical park each time I visit. On my most recent trip to Swallow Falls, I noticed a few things about the trees that adorn its forests.

Youghiogheny Grove is a 37-acre area of virgin Hemlock and White Pine and is the last stand of its kind in Maryland. Another grove of trees a little closer to the river is known as Towering Giants. Because of their age, the trees’ root systems are shallow and particularly vulnerable to storm damage. Some of the treetops and limbs have been stripped over the years, but to look up and see the sunlight glistening through them is a spectacle you’ll want to experience.

Deep Creek Lake Cardboard Box Derby

With just under a month left to ski at Wisp Ski Resort, the Cardboard Box Derby is on everyone’s radar this coming weekend. I have been in attendance the last two years and I have been in awe of the creative design and the speed of the entries. I have seen fire engines, ambulances, motorcycles, bi-planes, and even the Flintstones car straight out of Bedrock. The fun really starts when the contestants saddle up on their cardboard, duct tape, and string creations. This year, Long and Foster Manager Bob Carney and I are trying to build an aero-dynamic speed demon to dominate the speed category. Win or lose, everyone competing or spectating understands that we are doing this to raise money for the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club Blind Skiers Program.

Deep Creek Lake Cardboard Box Derby — Cardboard Box Derby

There are three categories by which the entries will be judged: 1.) Design, 2.) Speed, 3.) Judges Choice. The fun starts at 1:00PM at the Bear Claw Tubing Park on Saturday March 20^th. Bring your family and friends and come experience a fun afternoon watching cardboard creations wrapped with miles of duct tape taking center stage for this gratifying cause. If you are interested in participating you still have time.

Here are the rules:

1. Boxes may be constructed only of cardboard, tape and string.
2. Decorations, painting and flags are permitted and encouraged.
3. Push-off at Start by non-rider is permitted.
4. No limit on number of passengers or size of box.
5. Participants are asked to remove boxes/remnants at finish of race.
6. Each entry will run individually against the clock.

Deep Creek Lake Ski Season Update

Deep Creek Lake Ski Season Update. What an amazing weekend we’ve just experienced at Deep Creek Lake! The skies were blue and the slopes were nothing but corduroy. We couldn’t have asked for better conditions. If you think you’ve had your fill of winter, the last 4 days of sunshine will make you appreciate the exhilaration of spring skiing.

A record snowfall of 262+ inches will easily carry us well into April (and probably even June!), but the one month alarm has just sounded. Wisp Resort will remain open through Easter weekend allowing us 4 more weekends of fun on the slopes. The fresh powder we’ve had has been a dream, but there’s also something to be said for skiing without all those layers. Then again, who’s to say we won’t see one more snowstorm! 🙂

Public Notice for Users of Deep Creek Lake

News Release…Record Snow Fall at Deep Creek Lake May Result in Unprecedented Spring Melt

Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station to Lower Lake Levels; Lake Users Encouraged to Take Extra Safety Precautions

March 3, 2010, Oakland, MD – Sooner or later the record snow fall at Deep Creek Lake must melt and that could cause a record spring runoff. To a limited extent, Deep Creek Lake levels can be controlled by the Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station which operates under a Water Appropriation and Use permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Under the permit conditions, the Station, which is owned by Brookfield Renewable Power, uses water to generate hydropower, but keeps Lake levels within a defined “rule band” with upper and lower limits. This year’s unprecedented snow fall will likely result in an unprecedented snow melt, particularly if temperatures warm quickly.

To avoid serious and potentially damaging high water conditions at the dam and on the Lake, the Maryland Department of the Environment has approved Brookfield’s request to draw the Lake level down two feet below its permitted March lower limit. The draw down, which began on March 1, will take place gradually, with a maximum of 0.5 feet reduction per day. David Barnhart, General Manager for Brookfield’s Mid-America Operations said, “Together with MDE, we are doing what we can to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of the spring thaw. As this winter proves, you never know what Mother Nature will throw you and an early, sustained thaw may result in higher than usual water levels.”

The lowered water levels beneath the ice cover, combined with warming temperatures, pose unpredictable risks to recreational users of Deep Creek Lake. Carolyn Mathews, Manager of the Deep Creek Lake Recreation Area advises, “People should remember that there are always hazards to recreating on naturally-formed ice. Lowering the Lake to make additional storage space for the anticipated above normal spring runoff may destabilize the Lake’s ice and we urge everyone to take special care to stay safe.”

The MDE, Brookfield, and the Department of Natural Resources continue to monitor the Lake levels and weather conditions to determine whether additional actions for safety of recreational users may be required. Lake levels can be found at www.deepcreekhydro.com.

(Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Brookfield Renewable Power Inc., Maryland Department of the Environment)

Public Notice for Users of Deep Creek Lake — melting ice deep creek lake

Sushi Night-Wisp Resort-DC’s

Sushi Night, Deep Creek Lake

Have an appetite for Sushi? If you do, then make plans to be at DC’s Restaurant at Wisp Resort on any Wednesday for Sushi Night and get ready for a mouth watering seafood treat. You’d never think of putting together a first class Sushi dinner with Maryland’s most successful ski resort, but it has quickly become a seafood match made with a winter wonderland heaven.

Sushi Night-Wisp Resort-DC's — DC’s Wisp Resort

Try my favorite, the Tiger Eyes Roll with calamari, spicy tuna, carrot, and cucumber to start off with. I like to add sesame seeds and tobiko with seaweed wrapped around the outside. This marriage of ingredients makes for the best flavors to have ever touched my taste buds. I always order my sushi with seaweed on the outside and DC’s doesn’t mind a special request from their patrons. The menu is extensive with many superb rolls like the Godzilla Roll, the Salmon Roll, the Spicy Tuna Roll and many more of my favorites. Start off with an Asian Salad with ginger dressing, or enjoy Edamames and Seaweed Salad. Whatever you choose will be a winner, guaranteed.

DC’s has three seasoned sushi chefs that have made Sushi Night the go-to place to enjoy a culinary art form that was referenced in Japanese history as early as 718. Order from the bar, or go inside DC’s and enjoy a calming atmosphere and a cozy table down by a warm fireplace. Manager Vicki Buckel has worked for years overseeing and training her accommodating staff to make sure every detail of your dining experience is a memorable one. Make sure the next Wednesday you are at Deep Creek Lake you get over to DC’s to enjoy a good atmosphere, meet some new friends, and enjoy some great food.

Deep Creek Lake Dunk

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

Deep Creek Lake Dunk 2010

Although a surprise blizzard kept a few people from making it to the Deep Creek Lake Dunk, you could hardly tell by the huge crowd of people that came and showed support for the courageous 450+ dunkers, who braved the sub-freezing lake temperatures to raise money for the Special Olympics. Every parking spot within a mile radius was occupied by a pumped-up group of dunkers and supporters who were all there to show support for an exciting event, and a heartfelt cause. Some dunk supporters showed up on snowmobiles and even walked on snowshoes across a frozen snow covered lake.

Dunkers turned up the volume of craziness with wacky costumes from wrestler look-a-likes, gnomes, clowns, kings, wizards, vikings…..you name it. Of course, there were a lot of women in bikinis and unfortunately some men in Speedos! But at the end of the day, everyone involved had a fantastic time supporting all the dunkers who sacrificed a lot of goose bumps and, as the events sweatshirts advertised “shrinkage”, in icy cold muddy waters.

The fun carried over to The Black Bear Tavern through the afternoon and into evening with live music from the Davisson Brothers Band and Poison Whiskey. Everyone involved shared pride in participating in an event that traditionally kicks off the Special Olympics games at Wisp Resort. A total of $95,246 was raised for the cause. Good luck to all Special Olympians who start competition on Monday.

Mali Mae Holcomb Deep Creek Lake

Well, if you haven’t noticed from past blogs, it’s obvious that I’m a dog lover! When we brought our first ever French Mastiff home in May 2008, we thought our lifestyle of living between Deep Creek Lake and the beach would suit her to a tee. What we discovered, after several trips to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, was that Mali didn’t care for the heat, the sand or the ocean water! In fact, it was all we could do to coax her onto the beach, which made it a long day for both her and us. As evidenced by the photo above, Mali would simply plop herself down by the sand fence in hopes we would take her back to the house.

However, when her first winter came around it was quite evident that she was a snow dog. The 2009/2010 winter at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland has given us a whopping 19′ of snow thus far. Our last big storm left Mali’s head barely above the snow when she went out to play. There was a time early this winter that she used to go off the back deck to do her business; now the steps leading off the deck are blocked by a 5′ barrier of white splendor. The photo below was taken just this weekend following her bath. Rather than dry off by the fireplace, like our terrier, she preferred to roll around in the snowdrift soaking wet!

A friend of mine sent me this poem today. Thought I would share…

If you want someone who will eat whatever you put in front of him
and never say it’s not quite as good as his mother’s
..then adopt a dog.

If you want someone always willing to go out, at any hour,
for as long and wherever you want …
..then adopt a dog.

If you want someone who will never touch the remote, doesn’t care
about football, and can sit next to you as you watch romantic movies
..then adopt a dog.

If you want someone who is content to get on your bed just to
warm your feet and whom you can push off if he snores
..then adopt a dog !

If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn’t care
if you are pretty or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, who acts as if
every word you say is especially worthy of listening to, and loves
you unconditionally, perpetually ..
..then adopt a dog.

BUT, on the other hand, if you want someone who will never come
when you call, ignores you totally when you come home, leaves hair
all over the place, walks all over you, runs around all night and only
comes home to eat and sleep, and acts as if your entire existence
is solely to ensure his happiness …
..then adopt a cat!

Now be honest, you thought I was gonna say… marry a man, didn’t you?

The Special Olympics and the Deep Creek Dunk

The Special Olympics and the Deep Creek Lake Dunk

The Special Olympics and the Deep Creek Dunk — Captain America dunking

As Garrett County’s traditional weekend kickoff party fundraiser, the Deep Creek Lake Dunk, edges closer let’s all keep in mind during our entertaining, fun-filled weekend what it is we are all raising money for.

In 1962, Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a summer day camp for children and adults with intellectual disabilities at her home in Maryland to explore their capabilities in a variety of sports and physical activities. In 1968, the 1st International Special Olympics Summer Games are held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA. One thousand individuals with intellectual disabilities from 26 U.S. states and Canada compete in track and field and swimming. This one-woman crusade has bloomed into one of the most loved and respected organizations in the World.

I have heard stories about the athlete’s heartwarming camaraderie, their enduring enthusiasm, and the eternal spirit that burns deeply in the souls of everyone competing. After a guaranteed fun weekend at the Deep Creek Dunk with your family and friends, pick out a few hours early in the week and volunteer a little of your time to learn exactly what The Special Olympics spirit is all about. Share a hug, a smile, and encourage and cheer on these special Olympians as if they were your own. Volunteer Registration starts on Monday March 1st at the Wisp Resort Hotel in the Crawford Room 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Here is The Special Olympics Schedule at Wisp Resort.

Deep Creek Lake Reaching Out to Virginia

Deep Creek Lake Reaching Out To Virginia

People from Baltimore, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Pittsburgh and many other areas that surround Deep Creek Lake all get what it is that makes this place special. After all, Deep Creek is within a three hour radius of 25 million people, many of whom know all too well what this part of the country has to offer. People who have time and money invested in Garrett County have been rewarded with something much more valuable than just that. They have been rewarded with endless, lifelong, family memories that are deeply embedded in their children.

Deep Creek’s reputation has extended its reach down to Hampton Roads, Virginia. Those who had never heard of Deep Creek Lake and Wisp Resort have found a heaven they will never forget. You have heard me over the last few months preaching the gospel of winter sports and an abundance of quality snowfall. Sure, people from Virginia have visited other resorts in Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania when a change of pace is needed. However, none on these ski resorts have a 3,000 acre lake that serves as the backbone to this four-season resort. The people of Virginia are being more and more enlightened to what millions of others have already discovered and call their home away from home for decades. Today at Wisp Resort, we have an icy blue sky that is radiating off a perfect carpet of snow onto smiling faces of a packed Wisp Resort. Some of these happy faces are friends in from Virginia Beach who are enjoying a perfect first visit that will certainly not be their last.

Tag: Betsy Spiker Holcomb Taylor-Made Vacations and Sales