I have had the privilege of living in Como Italy and exploring many European Countries. One of my favorite things that we did was to attend Oktoberfest in Munich Germany. We traveled from Como Italy by bus with folks from the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Some of my favorite stops along the way was eating German food and traveling through the Black Forest. The Black Forest is a place where fairy tales are born. It is a week of celebrations, beer tents, rides, lots of food and entertainment from German and Bavarian Artists.
The week of October 12-16th at Deep Creek Lake celebrates Autumn Glory and there are many similarities to the German Oktoberfest. This is a week of celebrating the fall foliage. A beer tent, 2 parades, crafts and car shows, glassblowing and a Farmers Market give added excitement to our area. Folks travel quite a distance to share in this celebration and to enjoy our beautiful foliage. This is one of my favorite times of the year. The air has fresh smells, the leaves are brilliant colors of red, yellow and orange and the temperature is perfect. The area offers a wide variety of things to do indoors or outdoors.
The ASCI whitewater course has my favorite event which is the Great Pumpkin Regatta, where numbered pumpkins are released to ride the rapids. Another favorite event is the Haunted Mountain Coaster at Wisp Ski Resort. This is simply a fun week for all ages. I hope you will join us for a week of fun and celebrations.
Sep 2 - Sep 5 41st Annual Rudy’s Labor Day Sale
Celebrate the official kickoff to the 2011 ski and board season at the 41st annual Rudy?s Labor Day Sale! The area’s largest ski & snowboard sale offering an extensive selection of wintersports equipment, apparel & accessories at discount warehouse prices.
Date: September 2, 2011
Website: http://www.rudysclothing.com
Location: Wisp Resort in the Main Lodge
Contact: 301-387-4640
EMail: info@rudysatwisp.com
Date/Time Details: Friday & Saturday 9am to 8pm
Sunday 9am to 6pm
Monday 9am to 4pm
Fees/Admission: None
Sep 2 - Sep 5 Wisp Outdoors Used Equipment Sale.
Date: September 2, 2011
Website: http://www.wispresort.com
EMail: info@wispresort.com
Sep 2 Little Yough Summer Music Festival
Concerts are free…..bring your lawn chair & enjoy the music. Food Vendors On Site 6:00pm - ?. Tonight - Remedy
Date: September 2, 2011
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: MountainFresh Pavilion, Second & Alder Streets, Oakland
Contact: Lillian Steele (301) 616-9790
EMail: steelebeatrice@gmail.com
Date/Time Details: September 2, 2011 - 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Fees/Admission: Free
Sep 4 Dogsledding Presentation and Kennel Visit
Enjoy an educational and entertaining dogsledding presentation. Grill mushers; see equipment; hug Huskies; watch films. No reservations needed today.
Date: September 4, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Website: http://www.HuskyPowerDogsledding.com
Location: Husky Power Dogsledding at Mountain MD Kennels, LLC
Address: 2008 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, MD 21520 — Three Miles from Wisp – near the Airport in McHenry
Contact: 301-746-7200
Date/Time Details: 10 am - noon
Fees/Admission: $20
Sep 4 Family LEGO SuGO Event
Come design, create, and build a LEGO robot that will push your opponent off the SuGO ring. All ages are welcome. The G-FORCE FTC team also demonstrates their robot. http://sugo.gearsinc.org/.
Date: September 4, 2011
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Website: http://sugo.gearsinc.org/
Location: GEARS Center in Accident
Sep 10 Art & Wine Festival
Benefiting the American Red Cross, the festival includes wine, regional artists, children’s area, silent auction, live music and lots more!
Date: September 10, 2011
Website: http://www.deepcreekwinefest.com
Location: Garrett County Fairgrounds
Sep 11 Dogsledding Presentation and Kennel Visit
Enjoy an educational and entertaining dogsledding presentation. Grill mushers; see equipment; hug gorgeous and friendly HUSKIES; watch an exciting film of them working/pulling (or see a real team run if it’s cold enough) and learn a lot! No reservations required this day. It is a two hour program starting at 10 am. Price: $20 each.
Note: We offer this same tour (but by reservation only and with a minimum price) almost every day. Please see our website for more info: “Tours” page.
Date: September 11, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Website: http://www.HuskyPowerDogsledding.com
Location: Husky Power Dogsledding at Mountain MD Kennels, LLC
Address: 2008 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, MD 21520 — Three Miles from Wisp – near the Airport in McHenry
Contact: 301-746-7200
Date/Time Details: 10 am - noon
Fees/Admission: $20
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold an upcoming public hearing to discuss noise levels for boats using Deep Creek Lake. The hearing will be held on Thursday, May 26 at 6:00 pm at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center at the State Park.
If you can not attend the meeting and still want to voice your opinion you can contact Mike Grant who is the Regulations Coordinator for Boating Services. His e-mail address is mgrant@dnr.state.md.us.
Now in its 4th year, the annual Savageman Triathlon Festival will be held this weekend in Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake. The Savageman 30.0 Triathlon will be held on Saturday and features a 0.9 mile swim in Deep Creek Lake, a 23 mile bike, and 6 mile run. On Sunday is the full Savageman Triathlon 70.0 race which features a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and 12 mile run. The 56 mile bike includes a portion on the Westernport Wall which has a 31% grade and other numerous areas with 20% grades. Six time Hawaii Iron Man World Champion and racing legend Dave Scott is also participating in this year’s race which has now grown to over 1,100 competitors from all over the world. With Garrett County such a beautiful and challenging venue, this race is now ranked #1 as the World’s Hardest Triathlons by Triathlete Magazine. All proceeds from the race and sponsorships support melanoma research.
Many locals and Railey Realty agents are participating in the race. They include:
Jimmy Railey - True Savage Double, competing solo in both Savageman 30.0 and 70.0 Courses
Mike Kennedy - relay team, bike portion, Savageman 30.0 Course
Brian Homberg - relay team, swim portion, Savageman 30.0 Course
I spent Wednesday evening at the Garrett County Fair, working the Railey Realty booth. There were a surprising number of people who stopped by to check on the real estate market, pick up our summer sales guide and to get some free gifts. By far the most popular giveaway this year is our new frisbee:
We have plenty - stop by and visit our booth in the upper exhibit barn and get your frisbee!!!
I know it’s a little late but I keep getting emails from folks looking for the fireworks video from the 4th of July. It was perhaps the best display ever put on at Deep Creek Lake - many thanks to Hugh Umbel for the sponsorship! It’s been over 3 weeks and people are still talking about them! Ski Harbor is among the best places to see them in person, surrounded by hundreds of boats and people cheering - quite a scene!
Come join us this Sunday, September 20, 2009 between 10 am and 2:30 pm at the “Killer Miller” Hill Aid Station on the bike route of the upcoming SavageMan Triathlon.
If you have friends or family who are racing in the SavageMan this is a great location to take pictures and cheer on the racers! There will also be music with a DJ and free bottled water - basically a good time for all!
If you are traveling from the Deep Creek Lake State Park here are directions;
Driving Directions from Deep Creek Lake State Park:
1. Start out going SOUTH on STATE PARK RD toward BRANT RD. (approx 0.2 miles)
2. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto TOOTH PICK RD. (approx 0.1 miles)
3. Turn LEFT to Stay on TOOTH PICK RD. (approx 0.2 miles)
4. Turn LEFT onto GLENDALE RD. (travel approx 3.4 miles)
5. Turn LEFT onto BITTINGER RD/MD-495. (travel approx 1.7 miles)
6. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto NEW GERMANY RD. (travel approx 6.9 miles)
7. Turn LEFT onto OTTO LN. (travel approx 1.3 miles).
8. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto MAYNARDIER RIDGE RD. (approx 0.6 miles)
9. Turn RIGHT onto MILLER RD. (travel approx 0.3 miles)
10. 263 MILLER RD is on the LEFT. Look for the aid station at the Railey Realty banner sign.
Now that the 53rd annual Garrett County Maryland Fair is well underway - here is a list of the top 5 things you must do at this year’s fair located in McHenry on the northern end of Deep Creek Lake.
5. Ride The Casino - tunes are blaring during this rock-n-roll type ride. It’s so popular long lines are common.
Jimmy Railey Enjoying Rotary Fries!
4. Eat a Funnel Cake - just hit the food row to buy one and you’ll soon be understanding why they are so popular.
3. Watch the Livestock Auction - held on Saturday night. Many prize winning cattle and pigs are auctioned off raising money for many local youths and charities.
2. Get some Rotary French Fries - freshly cut french fries prepared on site by the Oakland Rotary Club - best served with ketchup or vinegar.
1. The Demolition Derby - will be held this Saturday evening. Nothing quite like watching a bunch of locals smash up cars until only 1 is left running!
Fair Week is very popular for both locals and vacationers - many second homeowners and families renting a vacation home plan their summer vacation around this week. You can certainly tell that more people are in the Deep Creek Lake area this week than most other times - more cars are on the roads, the lake is a little busier, and the restaurants are more full.
Railey Realty - Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County’s leading real estate brokerage - has a booth at the fair. Stop by and see us whether you are considering buying in western Maryland’s premier four season resort - or if you are thinking about selling. We can handle all your real estate needs!
Spotlight: The Youghiogheny River, The ASCI Whitewater Course, & Upcoming Summer 2009 Whitewater Events
Looking for an unforgettable Deep Creek Lake area and western Maryland experience? Try the exhilarating sport of whitewater paddling and experience the world class whitewater found right here in Garrett County - just a few hours from Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. Rushing water and adrenaline race together in the mountains… Been there, done that? Consider revisiting the thrill, energy and physical and mental challenge of working as a team or individually to navigate a boat on turbulent whitewater. When you do this, you learn something about life…and yourself. Water is a life force - and a teacher. It fully absorbs you for awhile. Try it and learn what you can do!
It’s no secret among whitewater enthusiasts that Garrett County and it’s spectacular rivers make it one of the premier whitewater sport destination areas in the country. Local residents warmly and skillfully hosted the 1989 World Canoe/Kayak Championships on the Savage River (first time held in U.S.) for an incredible event that many remember.
The real “gem” in the Garrett County whitewater collection is the Youghiogheny River. (pronounced: Yock like rock)
Upper Yough Rafting
It was designated as Maryland’s first Wild and Scenic River in 1976 which protects a 21 mile long segment from just north of Oakland Maryland to the town of Friendsville. This corridor is managed by the State Forest and Park Service to preserve the river’s wild and natural scenic, geologic, historic, ecologic, recreational, fish, wildlife, and cultural resources. To learn more about the river and access points visit: Maryland DNR - Youghiogheny River
Whitewater rafting or kayaking on the 10 mile section from Sang Run to Friendsville is an amazing experience also known as the “The Upper Yough“. This section is world renowned for continuous whitewater, impressive gradient averaging over 100 ft per mile, and huge boulder strewn, tight and technical passages. This is a physical run with non-stop intensity and adrenaline pumping action through a rugged, beautiful gorge right here in our backyard.Precision Rafting is the most experienced outfitter, located at the take-out point in the quaint town of Friendsville, MD. Owner, Roger Zbel is an expert kayaking legend and winner of many, many Upper Yough races and entrepreneur who pioneered commercial rafting here in 1981 with whitewater legend Phil Coleman.
Whitewater releases are guaranteed from Deep Creek Lake. Go to www.deepcreekhydro.com for the recreational release schedule and current Deep Creek Lake water levels. Mellow float (kids) trips are also available on the easy sections of the river. You can monitor local Garrett County river levels at: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/rt
The Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI) WHITEWATER COURSE
Brian Homberg Racing At ASCI
Garrett County’s newest, most interesting and beautiful spectator park - and engineering marvel! Have a picnic and scout the 1,700 foot twisting, foaming course and watch participants up close. Like what you see? Get in and test your timing, reflexes and teamwork on the world’s only adjustable mountaintop whitewater park that offers class I - IV whitewater in a “controlled” environment without typical river hazards such as downed trees, undercut rocks and places for foot entrapment. Perfect for first-time family, friends, groups and younger ones. Experience the swirling rapids with ASCI’s expert guide staff. An effortless conveyor takes you from bottom to top while taking in spectacular panoramic views. Take it to the next level by paddling an inflatable kayak (ducky) or learning how whitewater kayak. Whether you are a participant or spectator, the ASCI Whitewater Park is a really cool place to visit in Garrett County on hot summer day. Location: On Top of Wisp Ski Resort. Great practice for the Upper Yough River.
The real showcase is the public awareness side of preserving and conserving our free flowing rivers and streams as recreation areas. Get involved at: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/
Upcoming Summer Whitewater Events in Garrett County
July 25th, 2009 - 4:00 p.m. start, 1 minute intervals, approx. 30 min. race
Upper Yough Extreme Race (great event to watch - for experts only) - some of the best paddlers in the country will be racing, and the hike into the gorge is fantastic. Details at: http://www.immersionresearch.com/upperyoughrace/
August 15th-16th
U.S. Whitewater Rafting National Championships - this will be held at ASCI on Saturday and on the Lower Yough on Sunday (details at www.adventuresportscenter.com). There will be a Junior class, and no equipment is necessary. I had a great chance to become a National Champion at an early age, and these raft races will grow over time.
Brian Homberg - Expert real estate consultant - whitewater pro/guide/instruction.
Get on the cutting edge of the Deep Creek Lake area real estate market - Cabin in the woods by a stream, a lake house, your gateway to adventure.
Request a consultation and receive auto email updates with property photos and the latest market conditions direct from MRIS, Deep Creek Lake’s multiple listing service, and see all available property listings.
If your considering acquiring your piece of Garrett County and/or learning more about whitewater sport, call me 301-501-0131 or email bhomberg@railey.com.
Brian Homberg, an expert whitewater kayaker for over 30 years and a former National Team Member, narrowly missed both the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Teams. He enjoyed competing in international races in Europe while on the team. He loves Garrett County and has been his home for the last 12 years.
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