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Author: Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations

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Soups On! Who’s Hungry?





Taylor-Made 5th Annual Soup Cook Off
 
Yesterday was Earth Day. Mother Nature played a little surprise trick on us by decorating our mountain tops with some fresh fluffy snow. Just another part of the adventure of mountain living! Speaking of which, our spring generally comes a little later than most places but the reawakening has started and we are so excited. Buds are forming on trees, the grass is getting darker and brighter, and the wildlife is starting to come out and play! Now is the perfect time to get away for the weekend and come to Deep Creek to play. Our local golf courses are open and Wisp is still running the mountain coaster (a single ride coaster that winds down the mountain and you can control the speed. So much fun and a Must-Try!) Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales is offering some fabulous last minute discounts! Give us a call and let us help you find that perfect vacation home for you and your family (1-800-851-1119 or online www.deepcreekvacatons.com).
Today marks an important day in the Taylor-Made world as we held our 5thAnnual Company Soup Cook Off! This is where we call on all Taylor-Made employees to show off their culinary skills by bringing in their favorite soup in an attempt to win the coveted title of Soup Cook Off Champ! Over the years, we have seen many different soups from Jambalayas, Seafood Bisques, Veggie, Chili, etc. Basically if it can be made in soup form, it was at some point entered into the contest. The one conclusion we come to each year is this: our employees have some mad cooking skills! Each year we pick our “Celebrity Deep Creek Judges” who are responsible for judging each soup and rating them accordingly. They must then get together and judge who the real winner is going to be. Not an easy task for any man, I can assure you of that. This year our grand prize when to Chris R in Reservations for her entry of Creamy Crab Soup. This was followed up with 2nd prize to Rita in Accounting for Potato Bacon & Tied for third, Jason and Heather from Housekeeping/ Laundry with their soup entries of Mexican Tortilla and White Chicken Chili!
Winners!

It’s also just a fun way to take time away from the usual hustle and bustle of a daily schedule to mix and mingle with coworkers. We love it when all of our departments can take a short time out to get together and enjoy each other’s company. (Throw in yummy food and it’s a win-win for everyone!) A great deal of fun was had by all and a huge thank you to all who participated, both by entering and judging!)
Signs of Spring!
Have we mentioned that now is the ideal time to plan a short getaway? So close to Pittsburgh, Washington D.C. & the surrounding areas, why not just take advantage of some awesome deals, pack up the car, & in just a few short hours spend an amazing weekend resting and relaxing with your favorite people! We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #taylormadevacatonrentals #springfling  

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Springtime and Fine Dining!



We are heading into the weekend with promises of sunshine and temps into the 70s. For those that will be visiting our area, it’s the perfect time to get out to one of our state parks and enjoy a nice hike. Although we are always eager to get our guests to see Swallow Falls State Park as it is one of “must see” spotlights (housing the largest waterfall in the state of Maryland), we also highly recommend Deep Creek State Park as well. You can stop in their office, located across from the Deep Creek Discovery Center, http://www.discoverycenterdcl.com/home_-_about_usand pick up a trail guide but they have trails for those that are just looking for an easy walk to those looking for something more challenging! Regardless of where you choose to go, outside seems like an awesome idea after such a long winter!
Dutch’s Dining Room

Today we want to give a shout out to one of our favorite local restaurants, Dutch’s at Silver Tree. Offering lakefront dining and gourmet style food, it’s definitely the kind of place that you want to go if you are celebrating something special with family and friends. Beautifully decorated throughout, the restaurant definitely has a warm and cozy feel. The main dining area showcases a massive stone fireplace while the vibrant hues of colors in the bar area create a lively atmosphere. I met with Stephanie, one of the main gals that helps run the show, and she was kind enough to give me the grand tour. This included heading to the banquet dining area located in the lower level. It would make a wonderful place for a wedding reception or family gathering of some sort. While the lakefront dining is certainly an appealing concept, the food is definitely another. The crab cakes are often a recommended selection by locals and visitors alike while the sandwiches on the lunch menu are widely known “huge” and overly filling. Next time that you are in the area, I highly recommend that you stop in and give Dutch’s at Silver Tree a try.
Dutch’s Bar Area

Need a relaxing weekend away? 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 plan your next mountain getaway. We are now offering fantastic Spring & Summer discounts so call now to take advantage. We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #taylormadedeepcreekvacations #springtime
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Getting Real about our Real Estate Team!



Taylor-Made’s Real Estate Team!
The promise of summer is finally around the corner and as every year, we get so excited to start seeing docks appear in the water! Yes, that’s right, the ice has finally melted and docks are starting to be put in the water. Visions of children giggling uncontrollably as they are being pulled on a water tube and families taking a scenic pontoon boat ride around the lake are easy to see! In other exciting news, it’s hard to believe that we are quickly approaching the one year anniversary of when we officially added our Real Estate division and became Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. When owners Joe, Jodi, & Chad got together with Real Estate agent Jay Ferguson, it just seemed like a natural move to start up a sales team. They had all known each other for many years, were already friends, and had a solid history of working together for 12+ years in overlapping industries. From the vacation rental side, this seemed a sensible way to help vacation rental homeowners make a smooth transition into the real estate market if they would choose to do so. For Jay, it was an opportunity to provide the best service to both buyers and sellers and to also become a co-worker of an established, successful business. Together, they are able to provide a true “Taylor-Made” experience for both buyers and sellers. This is everything from setting up showings and open houses for the agent to making a call to our Property Service Department to take care of the lawn. Perhaps there are potential buyers who want to come in at the last minute and the home could probably be “freshened” or cleaned up a bit? No problem, as our Housekeeping Department is on hand to take care of the job! By utilizing all resources and working together, you basically have a one stop shop for all of your needs.

Apparently something seems to be working as we have already branched out and expanded our Real Estate Department. What started with Jay as our agent and broker quickly expanded to include Chad (mentioned above; brother of Jodi & brother in-law to Joe). Next, Pete Stein and Sean Sober, joined the team. Pete raised in the northern area of Garrett County and Sean having lived here in McHenry for many years both bring extensive and valuable information regarding Deep Creek Lake and the surrounding areas. Finally, we are also happy to announce father and son real estate agents, Larry & Brad Nesline, have also joined our group. Having resided in the northern end of Garrett County for many years, they both are extremely knowledgeable about Garrett County and together contribute over 20 + years in the Real Estate Industry. So, needless to say, it has been a very busy and impressive year here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. Keep checking back each month for a feature article on each of our agents (find out why they love Deep Creek Lake so much and how you too can also call it home!) We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #DCLishome #lakelife   

 

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Time to be “Rest Assured”!



It’s a TGIF kind of day here at Deep Creek Lake! I think the warmer weather has everyone going a little stir crazy lately. It’s that time of year where you see the lawn crews begin to come out, small little armies of men (and women!) packing rakes and backpack blowers! It may sound silly but I love it! Soon the grass will begin to get green & grow lusher, daffodils are slowing starting to peek out, and I love the sight of a freshly cleaned spring lawn! If you haven’t made plans yet for the Easter Holiday than you should consider bringing your family to the mountains. We are just over 3 hours from the Washington D.C. area & 2.5 from Pittsburgh. Easy drive. We are being overly generous with last minute discounts on our Deep Creek vacation homes so call us today (1-866-351-1119 or online www.deepcreekvacations.com)
Rest Assured Dining/ Kitchen Area

Speaking of visiting Deep Creek Lake, I would like to give a shout out to one of our newest homes to join the Taylor-Made family. “Rest Assured” is a phenomenal 5 bedroom home that sits on some of Deep Creek’s most premiere lakefront locations! From the moment that you step inside this luxury home, you will be taken in by all of the very many special touches that the homeowners has put into the home. Personally, I fell in love with the many cute and funny signs throughout the kitchen while admiring the fact that it looks like something out of Pinterest. The Great Room offers elegant furnishings, gleaming hardwood floors, and an impressive stone fireplace. However the real eye catcher is when you walk further into the room and are suddenly drawn into a 180° degree view of Deep Creek and the surrounding mountains. It’s one of those views that never ceases to amaze. Each bedroom has been lovingly decorated. Offering 3 Master Suites and 2 bedrooms with singles/ bunk beds makes this home the perfect choice for the multi-family getaway! Easily enough room for everyone!
Great Room with amazing lake views!
That being in mind, imagine bringing your family here for a full week in the summer. The kids will be thrilled and boredom is never an option. Not to mention the numerous activities to do in our area, in the summer, you can just spend your days swimming, fishing, and lounging at your own private dock! It’s also located off a quiet little lane (this home is almost at the end) so the kids can bring their bicycles and the parents don’t need to worry about a lot of road traffic! Choose another season to visit and you will also fall in love with the close proximity to Wisp Ski Resort and area shopping and dining! We are so excited to welcome “Rest Assured” to our rental market! We know that this is going to be a home that so many families will call their “Home Away from Home” and will want to return time and time again. The summer weeks are going to fill up very fast for this vacation home so please call soon to book your stay! We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #summertime #familyfun
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I Want Candy!!!



CANDY!
    We still officially have 1 day to go until spring but Mother Nature has been very kind in providing us with some sunshine & warmer temperatures.  Life in the mountains can be very unpredictable so we know that we are in no-way out of snows way but for now, it feels wonderful. We are even starting to get notifications from the local golf courses of possible opening days. There are so many fun activities to do here in the spring.
    Speaking of things to do, I recently took the afternoon off to check out some of our local shops. While I can go on and on about all of the great little shops here at Deep Creek Lake & the surrounding area, one my very favorite and one that I feel it is my duty to tell you about is Candyland/ Farmer’s Market in Oakland, our county seat. While many visitors coming to our area make a stop at our local Wal-Mart, many of them are unaware that just 2 minutes farther away is a store filled with hundreds of different kinds of candy which can be purchased already bagged or by the pound. A true plethora of sugary goodness! Starbursts, Swedish fish, Snickers, Laffy Taffy, chocolate covered everything! Allow yourself one day of totally indulge your sweet tooth! Who doesn’t love Candyland?
   
Fresh produce
Conveniently and as if they knew the guilt would hit you at some point, the other half of the store is the Farmer’s Market! Stocked full of fresh fruits and veggies, many of which are grown locally, a win-win all around! They also have specialty dips, jams, soups, and large bins filled with a variety of different nuts! You will also find a nice assortment of cheeses including a small selection of goat cheeses. A very uniquely divided store; gather as much candy and chocolate as possible on one side and stock up on your much needed fruits and veggies on the other side! You definitely want to stop here!
Have you planned your spring getaway yet? Spring in the mountains is a must! It’s just a nice and peaceful time to visit while still having a ton of choices for things to do whether you choose horseback riding, mountain biking or hiking, golf, fishing, or just simply want to get away!
Spring Time!
Give us a call here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales and let us help you find that dream vacation home (1-866-351-1119 or online www.deepcreekvacations.com). Don’t forget that we also expanded to include Real Estate Sales for those of you who may have considered buying a home or property in our irresistible mountainous region! Our Real Estate team is in the office 7 days a week and also very quick to answer any and all phone calls or e-mails. Give us a call, you will be glad that you did. We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #lakelife #springtime
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It Wasn’t an Accident!



The Drane House
It has been a little easier these past few days to #thinkspring since we are finally beginning to see some warmer temperatures here in our Maryland Mountains. March definitely came roaring in like a lion as just last week we were hit with another big snowstorm. Today, however, is nothing but bright blue skies and a high of 40°+, it feels like a tropical paradise (okay, so that may be a slight exaggeration but compared to those negative temps, we will happily take it & enjoy!)
 I recently had an opportunity to make a few stops in Accident Maryland, a small town just a short 10 minute drive from Deep Creek Lake and one that many visiting us pass through on their way in or out of McHenry. If you haven’t been there ever or in a while, I recommend checking it out. For those history buffs, a must see stop at the historical Drane House which is thought to be the oldest standing structure in Garrett County and a key part of our Western Maryland heritage is needed. It holds significant importance due to its architectural significance that used a unique combination of log and frame structure techniques. It is suggested that you go onto their website to check time for tours of this wonderful old home. http://www.accidentmd.org/accidentmd/AroundTheTown/TheDraneHouse/tabid/62/Default.aspx. 
Goodies from Firefly Farms
 
 Your next stop is Firefly Farms off of Main Street. Here you can taste and buy their award winning goat cheeses most of which are made on-site. Artfully handcrafted and aged to precise perfection, many of Firefly’s cheeses have won numerous national and international cheese awards. The shop also features many types of wine and specialty items, basically everything you need to host a small gathering with friends or family. My personal recommendation is for the Black & Bleu goat cheese which offers a buttery and dense texture with a creamy robust flavor. Not sure which one to choose? They are very generous is allowing their patrons to taste the different varieties and then offer stellar advice on which pairs best with which wines and specialty food items. Trust me, you want to stop here.
Don’t feel like cooking but in the mood for a good old fashioned home cooked meal? Annie’s Kitchen Country Restaurant serves everything from enormous portions of subs and sandwiches to bakery items, breakfast served all day and so much more. A warm and cozy atmosphere, this relaxing little diner is well worth the stop and very friendly on the wallet. http://www.annieskitchenrestaurant.com/
Blue Skies & Sunshine
Next time you are heading to Deep Creek Lake, don’t forget to check out these true gems on your way in or while you are here. In the meantime, Wisp continues to keep the slopes open and the skiing conditions are awesome. We are running some fantastic last minute discounts or are always happy to help you plan your summer getaway. Don’t forget to give us a call here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales (www.deepcreekvacations.comor 1-866-351-1119) and let us help you plan your next Deep Creek stay. We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #westernmaryland #springgetaway #lakelife

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Let’s Spring Forward Already!



Swallow Falls State Park
As February crawls to a close, we are officially entering that time of year where the zeal for winter is just about over and need for spring is here. Record snowfalls have been hitting the East Coast for a while now. People are jumping out of windows into snow banks (those crazy Bostonians) and now that all the major winter festivals and holidays are over, it just seems like time to move on. What better way to ward off the winter woes than to plan a spring getaway. Somewhere fun. Somewhere fresh. Somewhere like Deep Creek Lake. If you have not experienced spring in the mountains then I highly recommend that you put this on your Must Do list! Whether you are witnessing the lake beginning to peak out of the ice or the deer & other wildlife venturing out, you will definitely appreciate the beauty of watching the mountains “spring” to life. “Doesn’t seem like there would be anything to do?” We hear this sometimes and can’t wait to tell our guests how wrong they are! J If you enjoy the outdoors, it is the perfect time to walk and hike through our state parks. Always #1 on that list, of course, is Swallow Falls State Park which houses the largest waterfall in the state of Maryland. Muddy Creek Falls is a crashing 53 feet, a breathtaking sight any time of the year. The main trail that winds down around the falls will also lead you to several smaller waterfalls and some insanely gorgeous photo ops! Many of our state parks also have some great mountain biking trails! Looking for something a little more soothing?
Hole in One!
Fore! Golf, anyone? We have several top notch golf courses here in our area and many of our vacation rental homes are within walking distance or just a short drive away adding to the convenience. Always a great escape for a guy’s weekend away! For the ladies, maybe they just want some time to gather and catch up, check out some our wonderful little shops, plan a massage? Many of our vacation homes are specifically designed with a nice open floor space making gathering with friends fun and easy!
 
Spring Sunrise!
Call us here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales (1-866-351-1119 or online www.deepcreekvacations.com) and let us know what type of spring getaway you are planning and we would be more than happy to help. Tell us about your group and we will find the perfect home to fit the needs of you and your guests! Don’t forget to ask us about any last minute or spring discounts that we may be running (3 nights for 2 now through the end of April!) In the meantime, for those of you that are visiting us this weekend or in the next several days, enjoy the sunshine! The slopes are freshly groomed and currently the weather is calling for warmer temps and lots of Vitamin D over the weekend. We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #springfling #weekendgetaway
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Welcome Aboard Archie’s BBQ!



A True Winter Wonderland!
 We here @ Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales are busy gearing up for another exciting holiday weekend. Hard to believe that we are half way through February and President’s Day weekend is already upon us. The following weekend (February 20th) is the 17th Annual MSP/NRP Deep Creek Dunk where people donate money to watch their friends jump into the frigid waters of Deep Creek Lake in the winter! It’s such a fun event and the money that is raised by the Maryland State Police and Natural Resources Police goes toward the Maryland Special Olympics! It’s held at The Honi-Honi Bar/ Uno’s Pizzeria and starting at 2 pm, all the dunkers start being lead in to the water in waves! People come from Maryland and surrounding states and they usually “Dress to Impress” meaning there are some extremely creative costumes to witness! If you haven’t made plans to attend this event then give us a call (1-866-351-1119 or online at www.deepcreekvacations.com) and let us help you find that perfect vacation home for you and your friends.
“I Got This!”
Archie Fans!

Many of our past guests may already be aware of this but when renting with us here at Taylor-Made, we offer those staying in our homes a “Local Vendor Discount Card” which is a card that they can take around to some of our area’s participating establishments and receive a certain discount or specialty item. The list of the participating businesses is listed in the home’s “House Book” and explains what each one offers. We are proud to add this expanding list and this week we are adding Archie’s Barbeque (http://www.archiesbbq.com/index.php) which is a dining restaurant here in McHenry. This is your go-to if you are craving some authentic smoked barbeque food. Ribs, wings, chicken, turkey, brisket; the list is long, the servings are insanely huge, and the food is awesome. Locally owned and operated since 2007 and proud to announce that they were “Awarded the “Best of the Best” across America for our Pulled Pork, Beef Brisket and Baby Back Ribs by the National Barbeque News Magazine!”, the Archer Family is committed to providing exceptional service to their guests whether they are now just stopping by for a meal or if they are considering having an event catered. They are also now using a really neat new system where you can earn points for every dollar you spend. Your points can then earn you free food or merchandise. Definitely a win-win for the customer! (We would suggest checking out their website or asking about this the next time you visit for full details!) So, Welcome Aboard Archie’s BBQ! We love your food & can’t wait to tell our guests to stop by for a great meal! In the meantime, the snow is falling and we can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #winterwonderland #yummybbq #deepcreekdining #MarylandMountains
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Wisp Ski Resort~ A Little Look Back!



Today’s snow making equipment

As I sit here daydreaming & staring out my office window, I can’t help but watch the people zig-zag their way down the ski slopes. For the most part, they all seem to be floating gracefully although on occasion you will witness a bit of a crash and burn. As we here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales gear up for another busy weekend, we can’t help but feel proud that so many people have chosen Deep Creek Lake as their choice for a weekend winter getaway! Granted, our location is key since we are only a mere 3-4 hours away from Washington D.C and 2 ½ from Pittsburgh. However, most come to enjoy the outdoor adventures that our area has to offer. While hiking and snow shoeing are my preferred activity choices, most come to spend the weekend at Wisp Ski Resort which offers skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating and more!

Helmuth “Ace” Heise

It is with this thought that I can’t help but think of how this all came about because one man had a dream to make Deep Creek Lake a four season resort. Helmuth “Ace” Heise began vacationing with his parents and sister at Deep Creek Lake in the 1930s. He and his wife, Evelyn, later went on to buy property and construct a year round 10 unit motel. After noticing that there was very little money to be made in the winter months, Ace knew he needed to find a way to attract guests to this area for potential winter sports. He along with some other local business men formed Recreational Industries, Inc. and leased a farm pasture on Marsh Mountain. Winter skiing began the winter of 1955-1956 with one ski slope of which the skiers were pulled to the top of the mountain via a rope tow. The “Lodge” at the time was a one room hut warmed by a coal fired potbellied stove. The ski equipment was rented out of the bed of a pick-up truck. But, people came. Over the next decade, Mr. Heise went on to add additional slopes and lifts and even purchased state of the art snow making equipment (which at the time resembled lawn sprinklers that spat out pellets of frozen water). Wisp continued to grow and improve and as of today has over 34 slopes located on 172 acres. The lawn sprinklers have since been replaced by the world’s most energy efficient snowmaking equipment with computerized weather and pumping stations. Of course, over the years, they also added the snow tubing park, ice skating rink, and more! Again, this started because one man knew how to tun his dream into realty. Although Mr. Heise is no longer with us, we owe him a big thank you for helping make Deep Creek Lake a vacation destination all year long.


Vintage Wisp Lodge


With that being said, the sun is shining, the temperatures are warming up and Wisp is ready for the weekend! We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #skiwisp #winterwonderland #deepcreeklake #dreamsintorealty #AceHeise

 

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The Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift



The view from the Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales office states that someone clearly shook the snow globe. Our area has been covered in a few inches of fresh snow almost daily this week which makes for awesome outdoor play! I think it would be easy to say that now is the perfect time to visit our area since there is such a wide variety of activities to choose from. Do you just want gather some friends for a weekend away tackling the slopes skiing or snowboarding? Maybe you want to bring the kids and try out that cool mountain coaster or spend the afternoon snow tubing? Snowshoeing, hiking, cross country skiing, ice skating, or just a good old fashioned snowball fight! So many choices! However, now is also a great time to plan that romantic weekend getaway with your special loved one this Spring! Aaahh, spring! Flowers begin to bloom, the grass starts to peak out as the snow begins to melt, wildlife awakens, and love is in the air. (Insert Music Montage!) Actually, our Maryland Mountains are quite beautiful in the spring! Things are a little quieter around Deep Creek then so you can have that quiet, serene escape that is so needed after a long winter. Rates are also lower. True. It’s a good time to take advantage of lower rates and we tend to be more generous with last minute discounts. Imagine whisking your loved one away for a weekend escape (only 2 ½ hours from Pittsburgh; 3 from Washington DC) to the mountains. Spend your afternoons hiking in one of our many state parks (Swallow Falls State Park houses the largest waterfall in the state of Maryland and is absolutely breathtaking throughout the year!) Perhaps you want to spend some time strolling the streets of downtown Oakland which alludes friendly small town charm.  Have a quiet romantic dinner at one of our many great restaurants or prepare your own special meal at your vacation home in the fully stocked kitchen. Hmmm… starting to sound like a very nice way to ease into spring, don’t you agree?
 Want to vamp it up just a little more? Add our Honeymoon or Romance package to your reservation and we will have it as the home waiting to surprise your loved one when you arrive! The Romance Package (@ $35) gives you a $25 gift certificate to one of our local restaurants, a Specialty Item from Telli’s Deli, 2 Taylor-Made wine glasses, and a free early check in or late check out (If available & sorry, not applicable over the Summer season). The Honeymoon Package steps is up even further (@$55) and also adds 2 movie tickets, flowers, and chocolate truffles! Again, don’t forget that wonderful element of surprise that will definitely kick your weekend off to a wonderful start. Come play today for winter madness or surprise your loved one on Valentine’s Day with the promise of a romantic mountain getaway.
Call today and let us help you plan your next Deep Creek adventure (www.deepcreekvacations.com or 1-866-351-1119)! We can’t wait to see you at the lake!
#lovedeepcreek #romanticgetaways #valentinesday #moutainmemories