The Deep Creek Blog

Hunting Update in the Savage River Forest

To follow up on my post regarding the Savage River Forest debate back in November, the Maryland DNR issued a press release today updating their position with regard to signs and hunting use of the area. 

The Maryland Alps

Do you know what place in Garrett County was referred to as "The Maryland Alps" by newspaper reporters in the 1940s and 1950s?  If you're thinking Marsh Mountain, like I first did, think again. It turns out that New Germany State Park and the Savage River Forest is where skiing started in the area.  I found this interesting article by Francis "Champ" Zumbrun on the DNR's website.   

Your Vision for Deep Creek Lake

We've been looking at pictures of "old Deep Creek "lately, but maybe we should turn our attention for a few minutes to "new Deep Creek"...If you have a vision of what Deep Creek Lake should look like twenty five years from now, or would like to know what others think it should look like, you should attend these meetings as reported in The Republican last week. 

The Garrett County Planning Commission has scheduled two separate public information meetings for Monday, Feb. 26, and Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Garrett College from 7 until 9 p.m. each evening. The purpose is to solicit public comments on the 2008 Garrett County Comprehensive Planning process

For more information, here is the detailed press release from the Planning Commission.   

Old Deep Creek

I have to share this fantastic article, Lake Reflections, that I found on line at Mountain Discoveries Magazine today.  I was searching for information on Thayer's Barn, since The Bluegrass Painter just sent me this picture.      

There are some great quotes from locals in here, but my favorite is from Johnny Marple, talking about fishing off the dock at his Baithouse. 

I always did say that you would never need a psychiatrist if you fished.  I solved a lot of problems from that dock. 

The only big change that I could think of since this article was published would be the sale and development of the Holy Cross property.  It's a good thing they have a picture of the old white farmhouse, as I have a feeling it won't be standing for much longer.   

I think the postcard from page six was probably taken on the shores of what is now the Deep Creek Lake Yacht Club at Turkey Neck.

This is a must read if you're new to the area.  If you've been around the lake a while but haven't seen this, you'll probably find something in here that you didn't already know.  At the very least you'll enjoy reliving some memories from your past.   

 

Old McHenry

I've been a little bit busy the past couple of days, so I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce you to some artwork from Bob Yonke, aka The Bluegrass Painter.  You can see more of his work at Appalachian Studio.  You'll see that he does some nice work with Garrett County scenes.  If you like his art, bookmark the site, as I know he will be adding more material on a regular basis.  He also blogs at The Bluegrass Painter.  Check in with his blog in a couple of days as he's been out of town and having some computer difficulties. 

This is Old McHenry from his  Appalachia/Garrett County series.  The artist tells me that this is his rendition of McHenry, Maryland in the late 1970s...before the developers turned it into "Condoville" - his quote, not mine....

Spicing it Up at the Farmers Market

If you've been to the Oakland farmers market, you know that it is chock full of all kinds of vendors selling produce, baked goods, crafts and more.  I love heading into town on a crisp Saturday morning with my mom and daughter to visit the market.

Thanks to Cheryl DeBerry, Agricultural Marketing Specialist for Garrett County, visiting the farmers market might be even more fun this summer.   The Cumberland Times-News recently reported on the "Shop With a Chef" Program that Cheryl is spearheading in Chef may be part of Garrett farmers markets.

"Shop With a Chef" sounded like a great idea to me, so I contacted Cheryl and asked her for some more detail.    The current plan is to schedule one event per month for July, August and September at Mountain Fresh Farmers Market locations in Oakland and Grantsville.   Cheryl's plan goes something like this...The chef will come to the market and walk around with a group of interested customers, talking about the different kind of produce offered for sale that day.  The chef will then gather some food and take it back to a preparation station where he or she will show people how to prepare it.  If you've been to a cooking class, you know the best part is getting to taste the finished product, so of course "Shop With a Chef" will include some taste testing-kind of like Emeril meets Garrett County. 

The goals for the program are to educate customers on how easy it is to prepare vegetables and to encourage new people to come and shop at the farmers market.   Cheryl hopes the chef could encourage patrons to try some of the more exotic vegetables that people tend to look at rather than buy.   

The program has received a small grant from the Maryland Agricultural Council for this summer's pilot program.  I asked Cheryl about donations, and she confirmed that the program would benefit from the donation of a grill, cooking supplies or money.  Anyone willing to donate can contact Cheryl direct at cdeberry@garrettcounty.org.  The Garrett County Extension Office will administer the grant. 

Pending some final details, look for a chef coming to the farmers market sometime this summer.  Cheryl hopes to put information up on the Garrett-Preston Rural Development Coalition website.   I'll report back when a date is set, and hope to provide a report after I've been to "Shop With a Chef". 

   

   

No Trout for Deep Creek Lake This Year

You've probably read the news about whirling disease, which has affected trout production Maryland.  The DNR reported this week,

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries officials announced today that trout production at two state rearing facilities will be reduced by approximately 20 percent this year, due to the discovery of the parasite known to cause whirling disease at the previously uninfected facilities in Garrett County. In order to reduce the possibility of the parasites’ spread, all infected fish at the facilities will be destroyed and the facilities will be sanitized to eradicate the parasite

For Deep Creek Lake, this means it won't be stocked with any trout this year.  Fisherman will have to set their sights on other fish in the lake like perch and pike.

The DNR recommends the following to anglers so as to not spread the disease:

To reduce the likelihood of spreading the spores of the organism, DNR is asking anglers not to move caught fish from one stream to another, not to discard carcasses in the stream or on the stream banks, and to remove mud from boots and equipment before moving from one stream to another.

You can learn more about whirling disease at the Whirling Disease Foundation.   

Try An Off-Season Rental at Deep Creek Lake

New York Times Great Homes has another good article from Amy Gunderson, Taking Advantage of Last-Minute Rentals, that makes a good case for experiencing a resort area in the "off season" . 

My favorite time of the year at Deep Creek Lake happens to be in the off season, when things are quieter.  There are always plenty of things to do such as visiting state parks, going antiquing and to auctions, fishing, hiking or biking.  Restaurants and businesses are not as crowded.  In fact, good friends of mine from Connecticut have spent the last two years visiting the Big Bear Lodge for a week in April.  They have had the time of their lives and consider it one of their favorite vacation spots.   It is worth mentioning that the head of this particular household has a job that affords them travel just about anywhere they want to go - and DCL is their top choice.   

If you're looking for deals, you can check out the local rental agencies.    Railey Mountain Lake Vacations offers a weekend discount page where you can search for deals by  month.  Long & Foster's website has different categories of specials such as Internet Specials, Seasonal/Holiday, Special Events and Romantic Packages.  Coldwell Banker's rental site tells visitors to call for last minute reservation specials and free nights.

With  snow arriving late in the season and Presidents Day weekend upon us, you might not find any big bargains just now.  But look to March, April and May for some good deals and a good time in Garrett County.      

DNR Issues Warning for Deep Creek Lake

If you're planning on going out on the ice for some winter activity, especially snowmobiling, you should be aware of the warning posted yesterday from the DNR.

Last Minute Valentine for the Treehugger in Your Life

If you're stuck inside today, panicking because you haven't yet purchased a Valentine's Day gift for that special someone, have no fear...The DNR provides the opportunity to give the gift of a tree, or even a grove.     This works especially well for the nature loving spouse or partner.  I'm guessing a grove will win you more points than a single tree.  Best of all, you don't even have to leave your house to make the transaction. 

You may purchase the Gift of Trees at $35.00 for each tree. A grove of ten trees at $350 lets you decide where you would like to have the trees planted. A beautiful certificate, suitable for framing, is sent to the recipient announcing your gift.

A personal note to my spouse:  Not advised for gift-giving if your loved one has been on a strict diet and is expecting her annual splurge of Betsy Ann Paras Truffles tomorrow night.

For The Fisherman

I know today is not a day that most people in the Mid-Atlantic region are thinking about fishing.  If fishing is your bag, however, and you're stuck inside today like I am -  you can check out the  DNR's Final Fishing Report for 2006.  There's a lot of information in here and the fisherman in my family seems to find this interesting.   It covers the entire state, with a lot of information on the Bay Area, but Western Maryland is represented.

Freshwater fishermen who like to fish in western Maryland have not seen much in the way of ice fishing this year but have been treated to some outstanding open water fishing. Fisheries biologist Alan Klotz sent in this report of a recent unscheduled stocking of some real whopper-sized rainbow trout for fishermen to enjoy.

Make Your Second Home Your First at Deep Creek Lake

Traditionally, its been thought that a second home is the purchase you make once you've established your primary home and are at a place in life financially where you can afford this type of luxury.  You make your primary place of residence where you work and strive to make this home base as desirable as you can afford.  Then you start thinking about the second home.  Well, think again.  In For Them, The Second Home Comes First, from the Los Angeles Times, creative young couples are taking a different path.  With the cost of vacation homes skyrocketing and the ability to own two "dream homes" attainable to a select segment of the population - the concept of making your vacation home primary while maintaining a small apartment or home near your workplace might make sense. 

For most people, home is the place you return to every night, the place you leave when you want to get away. But for this creative, high-energy group, home is the place you drive to on weekends. It's where you feel at home, rather than where you actually live during the week simply to be near your office.

These couples are in California, but this would work at Deep Creek Lake if you have a flexible job where you only have to be in a city for a couple of days a week or can telecommute.  Having kids gets a little more complicated.  As they get of school age they will need to stay in one place - one parent has to be home based or not work.

Is there anyone out there at Deep Creek Lake that's doing this? Where do you commute to for work?  How is it going for you? We'd love to hear from you on the experience.  

 

Virtual Tour of Swallow Falls in Winter

If you can't make the trip yourself, you should check out The Voltage Gate by FSU student Jeremy Bruno.  He has some great pictures of Swallow Falls in winter here that he took on a recent hike.  Plus, he provides interesting information about the area.

New License Plate Highlighting Western Maryland

A new license plate is on the table for Maryland.  You might be able to eventually drive around with a one that is tagged "Mountain Maryland".    What do you think about this?  Would you spend money for this special tag?