The Deep Creek Blog

Herrington Manor Cabin Renovations to Start Mid-July

Herrington Manor State Park will be renovating 10 of its 20 historic cabins starting mid July. The maintenance was originally scheduled to start in March but has been postponed. All of the cabins will be open for reservations now through July 8, 2013.

The renovations, to be complete in December 2013, will completely makeover the cabins’ interiors.

Those interested in making a reservation at Herrington Manor State Park should contact the park directly at 301-334-9180 or the reservation service at 1-888-432-2267. Some of the cabins may be reopened earlier as the work is completed. 
 

Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Travels to China

Join the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce on a fabulous trip to China, October 25 – November 2, 2013, visiting such cities as Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou.  Priced at just $2,199 for members and $2,349 for non-members, this all inclusive trip is a cost effective opportunity to discover and explore some of the leading cities in China and experience their centuries old customs and history while witnessing first-hand their rapidly changing economy and their expanding role in the global marketplace.

Pictured at the Great Wall, Nicole Christian, President & CEO of the Chamber experienced this trip in 2009.  “The Citslinc China Tour was a fantastic experience.  The trip was a perfect blend of history and culture at a very affordable price,” says Nicole.  “The guides were outstanding, the hotels phenomenal, overall a great way to see China.”

This nine-day tour will include round trip international airfare from New York’s JFK International airport, Chinese domestic airfare, all airport taxes, air fuel charge, transportation to and from the airports in China, 5-star hotel accommodations, 3 full meals daily, deluxe bus tours, English speaking tour guides, and admission to all tours and attractions on itinerary.  Passengers will fly into Beijing, the capital of China.  Attractions in Beijing will include a visit to Tian An Men Square, Temple of Heaven, the Place Museum (also known as The Forbidden City), Kunming Lake, and the Great Wall.  The next stops include Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou to see the centuries old Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, Hanshan Temple, Lingyin Temple, Yu Garden and the Bund, a famous waterfront park.

An orientation meeting is being held on May 2nd at the Visitor’s Center Conference Room.  Anyone interested is invited to attend and hear first -hand from Leo Liu, tour director, the details of this once in a lifetime opportunity.  Mr. Liu will cover topics including the trip itinerary, visa application, currency exchange rate, travel insurance and much more leaving plenty of time for questions and answers.

For more information regarding this trip or to register for the orientation please contact Paula Thomas at 301.387.5237 or by email paula@garrettchamber.com.

Chamber Hosts Next Business After Hours at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations will be hosting a Business After Hours on March 14 from 6 – 8 pm at their new location in McHenry along Rt. 219 at 35 Town Centre Way.

The cost is $6.00 for members paid in advance and $10 for non-members and members paying at the door. Register online at visitdeepcreek.com or contact Charlotte Sebold by March 12 by emailing charlotte@garrettchamber.com or calling 301.387.6171.

New Germany's Chili Cook-Off

Put your chili to the test at New Germany State Park's 2nd-annual Chili Cook-off.

The 2nd-annual Chili Cook-off will be held at the New Germany Lake House on Saturday, February 16th, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM.  Participants must pre-register for the cook-off no later than February 15th.  Registration is free and electricity will be provided.  Prizes will be awarded in three categories:  Home-style, Fiery Cauldron, and Ladle of Glory (Best Overall).

Cross-country skis and snowshoes will be available for rent at the New Germany Lake House (weather permitting).  A service charge of $3/ person for Maryland residents, and $5/ person for out-of-state residents will be collected at the park entrance.

For more information or to register for the Chili Cook-off, please call 301-895-5453.

Garrett Chamber Announces 2012 Autumn Glory Fall Foliage Tours

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2012 Autumn Glory Fall Foliage Tours.


Travel along some of Garrett County’s most scenic routes. Enjoy spectacular fall foliage, panoramic vistas, historical landmarks, museums and stunning natural features. This year, the Chamber is offering two Fall Foliage tours. The Long Tour Fall Foliage Highlights include: Casselman River Bridge State Park, Spruce Forest Artisan Village, Savage River State Forest, New Germany State Park, Scenic Overlooks, Deep Creek Lake State Forest and Discovery Center and the Historic National Road. The Short Tour Fall Foliage Highlights include: Youghiogheny River, Ginseng Run, Deep Creek Lake Scenic Overlook, Garrett State Forest, Swallow Falls State Park, Muddy Creek Falls and Deep Creek Lake Dam.

“Our new driving tour is the perfect way to take in the colors of the fall season and experience Garrett County in all its splendor,” said Nicole Christian, President & CEO of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “Be sure to bring your camera – you’ll have plenty of scenic photo opportunities during the tour.”

For more information on the detailed tour routes, accommodations and more, please stop in or call the Garrett County Visitors Center at 888.387.5237 or follow the link at visitdeepcreek.com.


Garrett County’s annual Autumn Glory Festival landed in the international spotlight five years ago, when the popular travel website, MSN.com listed it tops among fall festivals in the world. To the delight of locals and visitors alike, Autumn Glory in Oakland, Maryland, beat out Paris’ Festival d’Automne (#5) and Munich’s Oktoberfest (#7) – in addition to a bevy of domestic celebrations, including San Francisco’s Dias De los Muertos. “Music, parades and awesome colors are at the center of this festival,” noted the site, plugging in particular the Grand Feature Parade, the Maryland State Banjo & Fiddle Championships and the Tournament of Bands. Travelchannel.com has also listed the Autumn Glory Festival & Garrett County as one of America’s 3 Best Autumn Road Trips in 2008, 2009 & 2010 and in 2008, the baltimoresun.com listed Garrett County as one of the top 5 locales for Fall Foliage.

New Germany State Park Open for Camping

New Germany State Park is celebrating the beautiful spring weather by opening the campground three weeks early.  New Germany now has fifty campsites available for tent or RV camping, including nine pet-friendly campsites in the Hemlock Loop.  Clean restrooms with hot showers are provided.  Reservations are recommended, but walk-in campers are welcome.  For reservations, call 1-888-432-CAMP, or visit http://reservations.dnr.state.md.us/. 

Garrett County Chamber Holds Viewing Party for "Getting Away Together"

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is holding a viewing party of the Deep Creek Lake area/Garrett County episode of “Getting Away Together” on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 6 pm in the lower level of Uno Chicago Grill Deep Creek.

The episode filmed in Garrett County was made possible by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, Garrett County Economic Development, Railey Mountain Lake Vacations, Bill’s Marine Service, Bill’s Outdoor Center, Honi-Honi Bar, Uno Chicago Grill Deep Creek Lake, Arrowhead Market, Garrett 8 Cinemas, Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations and Long & Foster Resort Rentals. The episode will serve as a valuable marketing tool for the region to use in the years to come. 

Complimentary appetizers will be available and drink specials will be available for purchase during the episode. To RSVP, register online at visitdeepcreek.com or call Charlotte at 301.387.6171 by 3 pm on Monday, March 26.


"Getting Away Together” follows participants staying together underneath the same roof in vacation rental homes, villas and condos across America.  The series is produced by Emmy Award-winning PineRidge Film & Television Company for distribution exclusively on PBS member stations nationwide. The first season will feature 10 dynamic travel destinations, including Garrett County and the Deep Creek Lake area episode, during the series run.

A military family, Mike & Alexis Piet from Arlington, VA were selected to be featured in the episode. The episode follow Mike & Alexis, their parents and family friends John, Mara and their son Jack as they visit Wisp Resort, the Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival, Adventure Sports Center International, Honi-Honi Bar, Swallow Falls State Park, a local Farmer’s Market and training for the annual Garrett County-based annual SavageMan Triathlon, a world-acclaimed triathlon that fights skin cancer.

For more information, please visit www.visitdeepcreek.com

Military Family Films Reality Travel Show at Deep Creek Lake

A Washington DC area military family was chosen to film their vacation experience on a new travel television show, Getting Away Together.

Michael Piet, from Arlington Va, entered his family and friends’ story to win the Dream Vacation contest at Deep Creek Lake and the opportunity to share their trip on an episode of the new PBS show Getting Away Together. The series has begun to air in select cities across the country. 

Each episode features a different group of travelers at vacation destinations across the country. The Deep Creek Lake episode features the Piet family who is usually scattered across the globe on military deployment and work for the Foreign Service. Michael Piet, an Afghan War veteran and his wife, a US Naval Academy graduate and Marine, have served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. The family has served the country for over 30 years all over the world making this a rare opportunity for them to come together. Michael, who became familiar with the area while participating in the annual Savage Man Triathlon, submitted his entry in honor of his wife and to give the family a vacation where they could get together one last time before Michael and his wife relocate overseas.

The show filmed the Piet family as they enjoyed a weeklong vacation at the lake,  where they stayed in a rental property provided by Railey Mountain Lake Vacations. 

Getting Away Together is being filmed exclusively for PBS member stations. For more information on the series, visit www.gettingawaytogether.com

Here's a great preview. 

 

Savage River Lodge on Going Green

The Savage River Lodge, winner of the MD Office of Tourism's 2011 Green/Sustainable Tourism Award, shares on "going green" in Maryland Life. 

New 511 Offers Live Tourism Information in MD

Travelers can now call 511 from any mobile or land line, or visit MD511.org, for free travel information. Launched by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA), the information system allows callers to speak with state tourism representatives, seven days a week during normal business hours.

"We can provide travelers with real-time information about things to do and places to see as they drive in and around Maryland," said Jennifer Jones, manager of the Office of Tourism's Welcome Center program.

The voice-activated system also allows travelers to access information about traffic, weather, road conditions, public transportation and tolls. SHA is promoting the 511 program as a tool to "know before you go." The new system meshes with a network of similar systems between Maine and Florida.
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Green Travel adds Savage River Lodge as Lodging Partner

Maryland Green Travel (MGT) has recently designated the Savage River Lodge as a lodging partner. MGT is a free, self-certification program that guides businesses toward practices that promote environmental sustainability.

Also, AAA now recognizes lodgings in the MGT program as eco-certified. Those lodgings will have the AAA Eco Program icon by their names in AAA Tourbook guides and AAA.com listings.

World Next Door TV Visits Deep Creek Lake

This video will make you want to get to Garrett County pronto before the snow melts!  Sonja Lowery's World Next Door TV visited Wisp Resort, hosted by Railey Mountain Lake Vacations.  

Spend Valentines Day Weekend at Deep Creek Lake

Sunday's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette features Deep Creek Lake's Lake Pointe Inn as a great place for a romantic getaway.  Some other great locations would include Bear Creek Crossing B&B and Haley Farm.  

Budget Travel Names Deep Creek Lake One of the Top Summer Lake Towns

Deep Creek Lake and the town of Oakland in Garrett County, Maryland has been selected by Budget Travel as one of America’s Top Summer Lake Towns of 2010.
 
“We are thrilled that Budget Travel has chosen Deep Creek Lake and Oakland for this honor,” said Joyce Bishoff, Interim President of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “As one of only eight towns selected in the country, we are honored to be included in this prestigious national listing.”
 
The article notes area eateries, lodging, marina offerings, state park activities and the Garrett County Historical Society along with photographs of Deep Creek Lake and downtown Oakland.  Deep Creek Lake/Oakland is the only town selected from the Mid-Atlantic region and one of only two towns selected on the east coast.
 
For more information about Deep Creek Lake, Oakland, Garrett County, Maryland and to see the full Budget Travel article, please head to visitdeepcreek.com.
 

Savage River Lodge Recommended in "10 Short Trips"

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette lists the Savage River Lodge in "10 short trips from Pittsburgh for the long summer".