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On Top of The World



The Garrett County Agricultural Fair has once again come and gone which always seems to symbolically be a sign that summer is coming to an end and the kids will be heading back to school (I suspect that some parents may be looking forward to this.) While it is always sad to see summer ending, it also brings the promises of all of the wonders and joys of fall. Leaves changing, festivals, fall sports, and the list goes on! Not to mention that to see Deep Creek and our mountainous region in a blaze of red, yellow, and gold is absolutely breathtaking. Many of our homes offer stunning lake and mountain views and we look forward to capturing numerous pictures from their decks each year!
Speaking of a home with an extraordinary view and one that is new our vacation rental market, On Top of the World, will simply stop you in your tracks. Taylor-Made employees were honored and thrilled to be invited to a luncheon yesterday hosted by the homeowners, Ray & Diana. Held at their home, this was the first time many of our employees had visited the home and there was not one person who did not “Ooh and Aahh over the sheer grandeur of this magnificent mountain home. Large, expansive windows provide you with one of the most panoramic views of Deep Creek Lake including that of the Glendale Bridge (which looks amazing lit up at night). Luxurious furnishings and décor flow throughout the home including lavish bedding throughout the bedrooms. You will truly feel like you are living like royalty when you stay here. The gourmet kitchen truly looks like something out of Pinterest or a magazine. Additional amenities outside include a fire pit, a gazebo, and a huge hot tub which lights up at night as well! Absolutely amazing! To Ray & Diana, we thank you so much for your kind generosity. The food was delicious (everything from the pasta to the salad to the cookies was divine!) and your company was delightful. Quite simply, we love your home! We are excited to give our guests the chance to experience Deep Creek in a truly premiere home such as On Top of the World!
Labor Day will be here before you know it and our homes are booking quickly. We are now offering 3 nights for the price of 2 so call today! We can’t wait to see you at the lake!

A Fair Deal!



Ferris Wheel!

Spoiled is essentially the best way to describe those that are visiting Deep Creek today and this weekend as the weather is near perfect with bright blue skies and lots of sunshine. I’m pretty sure that people think that I must be exaggerating this but it’s true. I think that since Mother Nature gives us such a long winter season, generally, that in order to balance it out, there must be postcard picture perfect ones in the warmer months! Tomorrow starts the 59thannual Garrett County Agricultural Fair held here at the fairgrounds in McHenry. If you are lucky enough to be visiting us this week then I highly suggest you put this on your list of things to do! If you have ever had the opportunity to visit an old fashioned agricultural fair then you know how much fun it can be for the whole family! Starting off with rides for the wee ones, there is usually a little toddler size roller coaster, Ferris wheel, spinning tee-cups, speed cars, and more! As they grow out of those, they move up to some of the larger rides such as the Scrambler,  a ride known for squishing those that are unlucky enough to pick the wrong side to ride on as it whips you around in a frenzy. The Swings, which swoop you out and about, overlooking the crowd below you!

Finally, you have graduated to the Big rides where you may meet The Zipper, a crazy looking contraption known for hurling you through the air at high rates of speed while turning you in a hundred circles until you feel completely nauseous! The Perks and sense of adventure of Fair Rides! Not for you? Then the food is as good of a reason to go as any! Fresh cut and made Rotary French Fries are a must if visiting our fair. With ketchup or vinegar, they absolutely delicious and well worth the calories! Candy apples, hamburgers, pizza, cotton candy, the list is long and worth trying one of each! Funnel Cakes! I almost forgot about the awesome Funnel Cake, varies in size and flavor, and sinfully good! Entertainment? Well, I always like to lose my money by trying to win some ridiculously large and often distorted stuffed animal by throwing a basketball in a teacup or squirting a water gun blaster into the mouth of an alligator.

Yummy…..
Gorgeous Sunflower Field in McHenry!

 Don’t forget The Derby! Highly popular, cars and drivers compete by smashing into each other until only one last car remains running. It seems rather silly but is actually quite exciting and a fun event to attend. There is also a great variety of entertainment, usually a musical act or a singing group that performs on a main stage. Don’t forget the barns full of livestock! Cattle, pigs, chickens, bunnies and then several barns full of people entries for their crafts, pictures, flowers, and much more! Take a day or evening and bring the family to the fair! Ride lots of rides, eat food that is not good for you (but worth every bite!) play silly games and just enjoy the atmosphere! It starts tomorrow August 1st and goes until the following Saturday so you have plenty of days to check it out.
Still haven’t made your plans to visit Deep Creek Lake this summer? I really don’t know what you are waiting for? Almost all homes are now offering partial week stays which is ideal for those that can’t get a full week off of work but still want to take a relaxing vacation, if at least for several days! For those that are trying to stay within a budget, townhomes and lake access homes generally rent for less but you may still have the lake just a short stroll or drive away. Give us a call here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales (1-866-351-1119 or go online www.deepcreekvacations.com) and let us help you plan your Deep Creek getaway.   

What you can Discover @ Deep Creek!



Exhibit of Brant Coal Mine
While most of the East coast is suffering in a July hot spell this week, life up here in the mountains is looking & feeling close to perfect. With temperatures in the comfortable mid-70’s, we have also escaped the high humidity that everyone is experiencing! Just another perk to living in the mountains and on a lake! I had the pleasure of stopping by the Deep Creek Discovery Center yesterday and if you haven’t been there before or it’s been awhile, I highly recommend that you check it out. Located right beside the Deep Creek State Park, it is a great place to take the kids for a chance to learn a little bit about Deep Creek Lake and some of the wildlife and history of our area. When you first enter, there is a neat little room to the left that showcases the Brant Coal Mine which was located within Meadow Mountain and was formed in the early 20’s by two local Garrett County men who were looking to make the fortune in the coal mining industry. Very interesting story and facts and the room is visually interesting as well. Walking further into the Discovery Center, you will see various types of aquatic life on exhibit. There is an aquarium which features some of the different types of fish that can be found in Deep Creek Lake, as well as a few turtles. There is also examples of some of the wildlife such as a stuffed bear, fox, and even a rattlesnake skin and an actual big black garden snake! (At least that is what I think it said. Cage or not, I like to keep a considerable distance from anything slithery!) The lower level has an exhibit room and an area where the kids can go around and try some educational games like trying to identify certain paw prints from the charts that are given. Definitely a unique and fun way for the kids to learn while enjoying themselves on vacation.
 
Mr. T
A Typical Day @ Deep Creek Lake
From here, I strolled outside where you can walk down to the provided docks! This is very convenient for those that are traveling by boat but still want to stop by. I also checked out their outdoor aviary which was located in a quiet wooden area at the end of the parking lot. While the eagle station was down for the day due to maintenance, I did enjoy checking out the Red Tailed Hawk and Peregrine Falcon, both quite beautiful and magnificent to see. These birds are generally here because they have a handicap of some sort and it is safer for them to be cared for in captivity, then to be in the wild (for those that may feel guilty to see them in a confined space). In hindsight though, they both seemed very comfortable and were kind of showing off a bit, in my opinion! My suggestion would be to pack a nice picnic lunch, gather the family and head to the Discovery Center for something new to do. Afterwards, head over to the beach area for lunch and day of playing at the beach and swimming! A complete afternoon of family fun and worth checking out! Have you made your summer plans to visit us here at Deep Creek Lake yet? It is postcard picture perfect outside today and it looks like the weekend is just going to continue to give us nothing but blue skies and sunshine. Call us here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales (1-866-351-1119 or online www.deepcreekvacations.com) and let us help you find that perfect vacation home rental! Offering everything from 1 -8 bedroom cabins, chalets, townhomes and more, we have something to suit everyone. Make Summer 2015 one to remember! We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #DCLlakelife #vacationrentals  

Hey Chipmunks! We Challenge You!



Today is one of those days at Deep Creek that look like it could come straight from a postcard. Bright blue skies and lake sparkle against the lush mountainside, truly a breathtaking sight. Watching so many people having such a fun time, whether they are speeding along on a speed boat, hitting the waves on a jet ski, or taking the family tour on a pontoon boats, the squeals of joy and laughter are ringing loudly across the lake! For those that may be wandering if there are any activities to do that are not on the lake and the answer is “Of Course”! One place I love to suggest to families is to head over to Wisp’s Adventure Park. Generally when we speak of Wisp, we think of the mountains heaped in snow as people take on the ski and snowboarding trails but in the warmer months, Wisp offers a large variety of activities for all ages. For the young kids, the Chipmunk Challenge Course is a must try! This canopy tour is designed to test your kid’s prowess and athletic abilities while having at a blast at the same time. Participants are suited up with a harness, helmet, and are given the needed safety instructions. They then begin to maneuver the course which consists of everything from a Spider Net that must be crossed to a Tarzan Vine Rope. Each task requires the participant to pay close attention to their surroundings while using precision in balancing. They finally finish with the final zipline which sends them plummeting down 200 feet of cable. While the kids may not take in as much of the scenery, they do get to witness some of the most breathtaking views of the McHenry Cove when perched on top of the course. A fun activity that the kids will talk about for months afterwards and parents get some fantastic photo and video ops as well! While there are many more things to do at Wisp (golfing, disc golf, mountain biking, etc) this particular activity is perfect for kids 4 years and up that weigh at least 40 pounds.
 
If you have not made your summer plans to come and visit us here at Deep Creek, now is the time to do so! We have opened all homes up for partial week stays in July, ideal for those that are not able to get a full week off of work but still deserve a relaxing getaway. Give us a call here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales (1-866-351-1119 or online www.deepcreekvacations.com ) and let us help you find your families vacation dream home! We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #DCLlakelife #DCLvacationrentals

We Welcome You!



The Lawn @ Uno’s & Site of Welcome Party Mondays!

We have been experiencing some unpredictable weather here at Deep Creek the past few weeks but this Friday is providing us with lots of sunshine, perfect for the Fourth of July weekend! To me, July is when summer really explodes around Deep Creek Lake and every day is a chance for a new, exciting adventure. Swimming, fishing, basically all lake activities, hiking, golfing, white water rafting, playing at Wisp, the list is endless. If you are visiting us for the week, I recommend that you stop by and see us at the Welcome Party Mondays, a fun event held on the lawn at Pizzeria Uno’s and The Honi-Honi Bar from 3-5pm. Hosted by Uno’s, they serve some finger foods & beverages and have live music that usually starts around 4 pm. Many local vendors show up to tell you about some of the services they offer to guests visiting our area. Crede Calhoun from All Earth Eco Tours http://www.allearthecotours.com/ is always there to tell guests about his amazing guided kayak/ canoe tours on the Savage River Reservoir. The Taylor-Made staff had the opportunity to do this a few years ago and it was definitely an experience that I will never forget. On that note, if I am able to manage a kayak without falling over than anyone can! It’s great for families and couples and the sheer beauty of the Reservoir is absolutely mind blowing! The CARC (Community Aquatic Recreation Center) has also been making an appearance each week. They open up “Community Swim Time” to non-members throughout the week so even if the home that you are staying in does not have access to a pool, this is an excellent alternative. Lakeside Creamery is there each week with free samples of popcorn. Of course, they also have the enticing promise of tasty, yummy ice cream if you stop by to see them at the Creamery during your stay. There is always free giveaways and the kids love to pose on the giant elephant or play on the little playground. Conveniently you can also arrive by boat if need be. Because they offer outdoor dining at the Honi, you can also bring your best furry friend as it is a pet-friendly environment.
What’s SUP?
Trivia & Prizes
 At the Taylor-Made booth, we play Deep Creek trivia games and give you a chance to win free prizes! We will also be doing a drawing at the end of the summer for a free 2 night getaway in one of our vacation homes. If interested (any who isn’t interested in a free stay @ Deep Creek Lake?) stop by and fill out one of our cards to enter! It’s a fun afternoon of games, entertainment and prizes and gives you and your family a chance to find out about some of the fun and adventure our area has to offer!

We have now opened up all of our vacation homes for partial weeks during the month of July so if you are one of those unfortunate individuals that are unable to take a full week off of work, now is your chance to visit the lake for a shorter stay (3 night minimum requirement). Give us a call @ 1-866-351-1119 or go online (www.deepcreekvacations.com) and let us help you plan your next Deep Creek adventure. We can’t wait to see you at the lake!

Deep Creek Lake’s 90th Birthday Bash!



The Dam was completed in 1925.

This year Deep Creek Lake is celebrating its 90thBirthday! How wonderful is that! In the early 1920s, the Youghiogheny Hydroelectric Company purchased land in Garrett County for the purpose of power generation. The tract that was chosen was where a large stream called Deep Creek flowed into the Youghiogheny River. A large earth and rock wall dam was built and completed. The 12 mile long reservoir filled with water and formed Deep Creek Lake, the largest inland body of water in the state of Maryland. Over the years, Deep Creek has grown in popularity as many continue to discover the scenic beauty of our area and of course the many recreational activities that one can do on the lake! We were recently named by TripAdvisor as one of the “Rising Vacation Rental Destinations of 2015” and it’s easy to see why. Summer days are spent swimming and playing on the lake. Cruise the lake by boat, take the kids for a ride on the water tubes or rent a jet ski for a morning of adventure. Canoes, kayaks, Stand Up Paddleboards, water trampolines, the list of toys is long and plenty! For those that are looking for something a little more tranquil, bring your fishing boat for a quiet morning out on the lake! Even in the winter months, people take advantage of the frozen lake for ice fishing and snowmobiling. All of these awesome activities because man decided to create a lake and this year marks 90 years that people have been enjoying that choice!
 
Water skiing in the 70s!
In celebration of this historic event, Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales is hosting a FREE outdoor family movie night tomorrow evening here at our office (Saturday June 13th). We will be showing ‘Night of the Museum 3’! Bring your lawn chairs, enjoy fresh popcorn and a fun night watching the movie under the stars!
Water Skiing Today!

 
 
 
 
 
Still haven’t finalized your plans for summer? All of our vacation rental homes are now allowing for partial week stays (3 night minimum) for the next two weeks of June so it’s the perfect time to visit for a few days! With the warmer temperatures, take advantage of that lake that we are celebrating and spend a few days on it!
Give us a call (1-866-351-1119 or online www.deepcreekvacations.com) and let us help you find that perfect vacation rental home. We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #lakelife #livingthedream #closetoDC

Shop Till You Drop @ Schoolhouse Earth!



As the sun continued to dance through the clouds, my need to escape the office and enjoy it become a possibility today when I had to make a stop at Schoolhouse Earth to pick up some flyers for our office. Enjoy the sun and get to go to one of my all-time favorite shops in our area? I love the perks of my job! Even pulling into the parking area, you can see that there is a large array of lawn ornaments on display outside. I am a true sucker for outdoor décor including flags, wind chimes, you name it! (And yes, even garden gnomes!) Here you will a large variety to choose from. With 3 separate buildings, it feels like a bit of a magical village! I head to the first building and I am lost in shopping heaven! So many jewelry choices! Big loud bold necklaces or dainty little birthstone chains, rings, earrings, something for everyone’s taste! Walking in further and here you will find a variety of beautiful scarves and purses! Completing this circle I find a wall of candles to choose from! It’s like finding all of my favorite things in this one little spot! I basically just walked in a daze throughout all of the buildings simply in awe over how many things I saw that I suddenly desperately felt that I needed and must have immediately! The building to the right was another delight! Here you could find an expansive collection whether you were looking for some home décor such as curtains or specialty dishes for your kitchen collection. Speaking of which, for those Foodies out there, they have an amazing collection of specialty dips, mustards, crackers, etc. Also for the wine lovers, they have a fun and unique array of wall plaques, wine glasses, wine glass accessories (these apparently are quite popular), and more! For the kids section, they have a great collection of games, puzzles, books, and toys to choose from! I try to think of myself as a grown up but I saw A lot of kid’s items that I was ready to rip open and play with! So many cool things to choose from!
Your fun continues to flow outside when you walk to the back area of the shops to see the little petting/feeding area. While they do have a few alpacas and a donkey on site, they chose to stay back and just do their own thing. I did however, get to witness Spencer, the Rooster as he strutted about. Charlie Brown the goat also came by to say Hi! Both seemed more concerned with the fresh watermelon rine they had been given just a few minutes prior to be completely honest but it was nice that they were willing to swagger by.
Schoolhouse Earth is not just an average stop that you come across, it’s an entire shopping experience. It’s the kind of specialty shop that you go to and are able to find that one perfect gift that you know will make your best friend’s day. It’s a neat place where the cashiers are pleasant and helpful and you just know that they really like their job. If you are lucky enough to meet Stephen, the owner, he will happily guide you around and help you find exactly what you are looking for! We always believe it is important to support our local shops but we also recommend Schoolhouse Earth because it truly is one of our favorite shops around Deep Creek Lake and we want you to experience the best while you are here!
 
 

There is still time to find your dream vacation home rental for your summer stay here at Deep Creek Lake. Give us a call (1-866-351-1119 or online www.deepcreekvacations.com) and let us help you! We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #vacationrentals #lakelife #shoptillyoudrop

A Birthday Celebration! You’re Invited!



We here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales are gearing up for an exciting Memorial Day weekend. We are fully booked and with a forecast calling for lots of sunshine, we are wishing are guests a wonderful weekend here at Deep Creek Lake. We are also extending an open invitation to the public to join us on Saturday June 13th to celebrate Deep Creek Lake’s 90th birthday! Yes, it was 90 years ago that the Deep Creek Station hydroelectric project was placed in service by a predecessor company of Pennsylvania Electric Company. It was then filled with water forming the largest man-made lake in Maryland. Obviously since then the lake has continued to bring visitors from all over! Now people come from all over to enjoy the lake and the many activities that can be enjoyed on it (swimming, fishing, tubing, jet skiing, and more!). The fact that we are also located in the mountains, have much less humidity than our surrounding cities and clean fresh mountain air, is also an added bonus! So in celebration of this important event, we are hosting a “Movie Night” to be held outside of our offices (35 Towne Centre Way McHenry). We will be showing Night at the Museum 3. This event is held outside and is free to the public (we will have some fresh popped popcorn as well!) We do ask that you bring your own lawn chairs though! We think that’s it is going to be a lot of fun and we look forward to seeing everyone there!

For those that still haven’t planned their summer stay here at the lake, give us a call here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales (1-866-351-1119 or online www.deepcreekvacations.com) and let us help you find your dream vacation home! Many of our homes have now opened up and are allowing partial week stays during the month of June. This is perfect for those that want to get away but are unable to stay for a full week. As I mentioned above, there are so many fun activities to do here on the lake in the summer so boredom is not an option. Bright blue skies and lots of sunshine are in the forecast for this weekend. We can’t wait to see you at the lake!

 

 

Prepping for Deep Creek Lake Summer Vacations!



 

Everyday seems to be a new whirl of excitement around the Taylor-Made offices. We are enjoying some amazing spring weather lately with temperatures in the low to mid-70s. Bright blue skies and lots of sunshine, almost like something out of postcard. We are very lucky.
Each department has been gearing up and prepping for guests who will soon be arriving for their Deep Creek Lake summer vacations.
Reservation Specialists have been busy helping families plan their last minute summer vacations, from finding the perfect vacation home to planning activities to do while they are staying here at Deep Creek Lake. Luckily they are all very familiar with each home, the location, and the amenities each one has to offer. As we all like to “Play where we work”, they are also very knowledgeable about the various restaurants and activities to do in the area. Best place to get fresh produce in the area? Ask, we can tell you. Aunt Bessie likes quirky, off the wall shops? Yep, we know that one too! This is what makes our Reservationists so spectacular at their jobs!
Still speaking of busy, our lawn crews have been crazy doing spring clean ups! We love it when guests pull up to our vacation rental homes and say “Awww…it feels like home!” We want our homes to look manicured and inviting and that is why our lawn crew puts so much time and energy into each job. New mulch, cleaning up debris, fresh cut; just to name of few of the many tasks they take on daily! They are greatly appreciated for their hard work.

Our Owner Reps/ Inspectors may be taking on the toughest job of any right now as they are multi-tasking the many jobs that need to get done to prepare the home for summer rentals. Hours are spent pouring over kitchen items in order to make a full inventory of what is needed for the fully stocked kitchen! Carpet cleanings are being scheduled as well as window washing! Deep cleaning throughout the entire home including all comforters and other bedding. A lot of items to keep track of for each home! It’s because they know the homes inside and out that help them pull all of this together so efficiently.

As I mentioned, a whirl wind of activities going on here at our Taylor-Made home base these days. We kind of like this way. As always, we are offering some awesome last minute discounts for your spring getaway! Visit for 3 days and stay for the price of 2 for the remaining month of May. Give us a call (1-866-351-1119 or online
www.deepcreekvacations.com) and let us help you plan your next “Deep Creek Excursion”! We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #readyforsummer #familyfun

 

Plan your “Spring Fling”!



If you are at all familiar with Deep Creek Lake and our mountainous region, then you may know that our seasons tend to run a little different than most areas. While most regions get to experience Spring in March and April, our Spring starts closer to May. Once it finally comes to bloom, it is nothing short of spectacular. It’s the simple acting of waiting. Now the wait is over and it’s time to call to book your family’s spring getaway at the lake! Docks are in the water and most marinas are now open and ready to start the boating rental season. Rent a pontoon to take the whole family out and experience Deep Creek from the “inside perspective”! Truly a delight! The trees have buds, wildlife is scampering about, and the mountains are turning a beautiful lush green! Don’t think that there is anything to do? Hiking at one of the many state parks, golfing at our top notch golf courses, boat rides, horseback riding, and our list of activities is long and full of all kinds of family fun!
 
 We are running some amazing specials now as well. If you haven’t made plans for the Memorial Day weekend, you can now reserve 3 nights for the price of 2! Give us a call and let us help you find your dream vacation home (1-866-351-1119 or online www.deepcreekvacations.com) Speaking of “Dream Home”, don’t forget that we also now sell real estate. Imagine not only getting to visit your favorite vacation area but you get to live there too!
 
 
Spring is finally upon us! Come experience the true beauty that Mother Nature offers us here at Deep Creek Lake! Call today, we can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #taylormadevacationrentals #springfling #marylandmountains