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When you hear the name Deep Creek Lake, certain images spring to mind: swimming, boating, fishing. All these are definitely true in this remote art of western Maryand,
What you might NOT expect is the winter adventures that also await. I spent a few days here, exploring a cold weather itinerary and making plans for a future trip in summer.
Deep Creek Lake
This reservoir, which was created in 1923, is a hub of activity year round. The elevation provides the right conditions for freezing, and snowmobiling and ice fishing are popular winter pastimes. It is also a great place to go snowshoeing. It is both exhilarating – and a bit terrifying – to traverse a frozen lake. Deep Creek Lake reliably has about 18 inches of ice, so it is pretty safe to head out there most of the winter.
In summer, the lake is a hub of activity. Kayaks, paddle boards, pontoon boats and boats pulling water skiers dot the water. There are protected coves where you can swim.
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State Parks Galore
Deep Creek lake is surrounded by state parks. We visited Swallow Falls State Park and hiked to the frozen Muddy Creek Falls. This short but treacherous hike rewarded us with spectacular views. For those who didn’t think hiking was strenuous enough, we saw people rappelling over the frozen falls.
Deep Creek State Park has 20 miles of hiking/biking trails, open year round, two swimming beaches, and a Discovery Center. Herrington Manor State Park offers cross country skiing and snowshoeing (with rentals), hiking, swimming and canoeing and kayaking (also with rentals). You can also rent fat tire bikes year round.
Home Base
I stayed at the newly renovated Cove Creek Lodge. This family and pet-friendly hotel – the area’s only luxury boutique hotel – has rooms with kitchenettes so you can make your own breakfast and snacks. Lounge areas have fireplaces, and you hang out there with one of the board games provided by the hotel.
SheBuysTravel Discount: Book by May 8th using this code for 10% off your stay! SBC-10
The large rooms have new bedding, linens and incredibly soft bathrobes. And the rooms have balconies or outdoor patios, with furniture (not really usable in winter, but pretty).
In warm weather, the hotel has an outdoor pool and kayaks and paddleboards you can use for free. There are also fire pits, hammocks and grills for guest use.
Cove Creek Lodge has a bar just for guests, and the bartender makes great cocktails There is live music every Saturday night year round; in summer, the music moves outside.
Another option for families or groups is a home rental through Railey Vacations. You can get over-the-top amenities like an indoor basketball court, indoor pool or home gym. We toured a house with about a dozen bedrooms, including a room with two sets of bunk beds for kids. This ski in/ski out house also had a giant kitchen, bathrooms galore and a tremendous dining and living area.
SheBuysTravel Discount: Book by May 8th using this code for 10% off your stay! SBC-10
Wisp Ski Resort
Who knew Maryland had a ski resort? From the looks of the lift line (or lack thereof) not too many people. So this little known gem is ideal for beginning skiers. And it gets over 100 inches of snow a year!
Wisp Ski Resort offers a full array of winter activities: snowtubing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and a mountain coaster.
When the weather warms up, there are two golf courses, Ziplining, mountain biking, hiking and boating.
Eating Well
Deep Creek Lake may feel remote, but it is three hours from Washington, DC and two hours from Pittsburgh. So it has restaurants and bars that serve a sophisticated clientele.
Firewater Kitchen & Bar made my day with a smoked old fashioned, miso roasted Brussels sprouts and a vegan entree called “Bowl of Soul” – farro, sweet potato, collard greens, beans and slaw. And then there was the chocolate fondue!
We also ate at Dutch’s at Silver Tree. In summer, you can bring your boat right up to the restaurant, and eat on the patio. Since it was winter, we cozied up in front of a fireplace. Dutch’s specializes in seafood, but there are three vegetarian pastas and lots of meat, so everyone is happy.
Breakfast Time
Trader’s Coffee House has a wide selection of baked goods daily, with plenty of gluten free and vegan options. Quiche always has a vegetarian option and you can really fuel for outdoor adventures with the protein wrap: peanut butter, banana, homemade granola, and local honey in a whole wheat wrap. The cinnamon rolls should be tried, even if you don’t have a sweet tooth at breakfast (they make a nice afternoon snack as well). The chocolate croissant is flaky and decadent and again, perfect for later in the day. And the chocolate chip cookies and black and white cookies are not to be missed
Cheese and Wine
Firefly Farms makes its own goat cheese, and offers wine and cheese tastings of both local and other artisan cheese. The shop in Accident, MD (can’t beat these names!) also offers sandwiches, and cheese, bread and wine to go so you can create your own gourmet meal. We sampled absolutely delicious cheese along with crostini, little cheese tarts and a decadent brownie bite paired with Madeira.
Small Town Charm: the Other Oakland
My middle daughter lives in Oakland, CA, which is quite different from Oakland, MD. This Oakland has a few local boutiques and cafes, and an antique store with a charming lunch counter in the back (just don’t look for any vegetarian options here).
Oakland, MD also has several small museums, including The Garrett County Historical Society Museum and The Garrett County Transportation Museum. I explored the one that was open, the Oakland B & O Museum & Train Station. The building on the National Register of Historic Place, has a 1920 steam locomotive out front. The beautifully restored building includes original stained glass and separate men’s and women’s waiting rooms.
There is a ‘working’ model train set (it refused to turn on the day we visited) plus train sets that kids – or transit obsessed adults – can play with.
Time to Shop: Local Boutiques
Railey Design, a furniture and home decor store, partners with nearby boutiques for market days in warm weather, with food trucks and live music. Railey (related, of course, to Railey Vacations) is used to decorate many second homes, but no one is stopping you from finding furniture for home. And the friendly design advice makes sense – the store is located in Friendsville.
Don’t miss Schoolhouse Earth, which offers jewelry, gifts, local jams and a petting zoo. We met the resident donkeys, goats and a horse.
If you want to fill your home with luxury glass designs, head to the Simon Pearce factory store. The local artisan glass blowers make Christmas trees, serving pieces and stemware. You can take a tour and watch the artists at work. And shop the selection of ‘seconds’ which have miniscule imperfections but discounted (and still lofty) prices.
What are you waiting for? Grab your discount code – SBC10 – and plan a trip today!
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