May 11th is the Wisp XC Challenge, presented by Appalachian Bicycle Racing Association. It is a fast, fun and exciting new course at Wisp Resort and ASCI!  For more information, visit www.wispresort.com

We’ve transpired from the madness of March to the wildness of the Deep Creek Maryland Ramp season. Visitors who enjoy participating in Deep Creek Lake local events should get ready for this year’s harvest and delectable dishes that are sure to follow. Technically a leek, these wild roots have a strong and pungent flavor to shake the cold doldrums of winter and deliver us into the wondrous rebirth of spring.

Guests of Long & Foster vacation rentals should plan to arrive hungry at this year’s Wild Foods and Ramp Cook-Off in order to taste the varietal ways these aromatic, wild spring leeks can be prepared. Better yet, compete with the locals and enter your own unique Ramp dish for a chance to win and support the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers.

Take a break from the ordinary, gather your friends for the harvest and prepare to taste the wild side of a Deep Creek Lake tradition. You’re sure to come back for more!

Some fun facts:

Open year round, rain or shine, snow or sun-at Wisp Resort!

The coaster at Wisp was the 4th Coaster built in North America, and only the 2nd one built on the east coast.

Wiegland of Germany built the coaster.

$1.2 million was put in the design, material and installation.

It opened in late 2007 after 4 months of construction.

  1,300 ft uphill track, 3,500 ft downhill track and 350 vertical ft drop

 50 Coaster Carts can carry 1 to 2 passengers

Children must be at least 3 yrs old and 38″ tall to ride as a passenger

Children must be 8 yrs old and 51″ to drive as a single person

The Chipmunk Challenge Course is a canopy tour intended to test children’s athletic prowess and skills while creating an educational atmosphere.  Built for children ages 4 and up weighing at least 40 pounds, the Chipmunk Challenge Course is a continuous belay system covering over 500 feet of cable featuring 2 zips and 6 obstacles along the way.  Participants will be fitted with a harness and helmet before they begin with a small stair climb to the ‘Staging Area’ where they will be clipped into the Saferoller® belay system.  The first challenge is the Spider Web, a 30 ft long net that participants will creep across to get to the Rickety Bridge.  Once across the 30 ft long bridge, adventurers will encounter the Tarzan Vine Walk, a log walk with hanging vines (or ropes) overhead.  Next is a 60 ft zip that will carry participants to the Taco Net.  After navigating the net, guests will be perched at the highest point of the challenge course with views of Deep Creek Lake and the ideal set up for the second zip of the course.  A plunge across 200 ft of cable will deliver guests to the Log Jam, a set of stairs down a log.  The final feature, Newton’s Cradle, is a series of hanging and swinging platforms that one must navigate to get back to the Staging Area. For more info and pricing, visit www.wispresort.com. 

Photos of Jasey and Jazzlyn having fun on the Chipmunk Challenge Course at Wisp Resort!                                                

Did someone yell Fire?  Yes-at Wisp Resort’s annual Chili Splash!

If you’ve never competed in a Chili Contest, you are in for a treat.  Not only is it entertaining, but very competitive.  Some seasoned cooks live for the cook-offs!  Not only are they hard core competitors, but most have humorous themed tents they cook under and have a very comical time during the day!  For the public, it is $5 to get in and that gets you a tasting cup and spoon.  Don’t forget to vote for people’s choice!   Above is a photo from a few years ago where my team competed! We did not win, but we had the hottest chili on the lawn!  Hope to see you at Wisp Resort this summer to help celebrate this incredible event!  If you are feeling up to it, why not sign up for one of the games, like the hot pepper eating contest?  That is one our team will gladly pass on to the much braver souls attending!  For more info on how to sign up and for the rules, visit the Wisp Resort website or contact John McCracken at jmccracken@wispresort.com.

 Listed as the #1 Fall Festival in the World in 2007 by travel.msn.com, this five day event features craft shows, grand parades, contests, dinners, food peddlers, vendors, and much more!  Not only will you get to enjoy the festival, but this is the best time of year to see the fall foliage of Garrett County!   

The Event of the year at Deep Creek Lake!  Local and regional artisans, over 200 wines from Maryland and national wineries, lots of kid’s activities, live music, silent auction,  local celebrity pourers-and some from right here at Long and Foster, food galore and just an overall incredible time.  Benefits HART and GLAF.

Get your tickets and a deal on lodging here at Long and Foster when you book for vacation home!

July 27-August 3, 2013.  Stop by the fairgrounds to take in some Deep Creek Lake Fun!  The 57th annual Garrett County Fair proves to have something for everyone.  Midway rides for kids, and the kids at heart, Rotary French Fries and the best Pit Beef Sandwiches.  They also have Pet Shows, 4-H exhibits, livestock and Cow Patty Bingo and a Horse Show Pitching competition-just to name a few of the fun things you will find there.  Looking for some entertainment?  Look no more-take a  gander at the tractor pulls or the mud bogs, or catch one of the nightly concert shows by some incredible bands.

  Visit their website for more information.  Gates open at 8 am each day.

Again, back to our furry friends and one of the coolest events at the lake!  DockDogs is a fun, performance sport for dogs.  DockDogs Events are held Regionally, Nationally and Internationally.  Come to compete, or just come to watch.  Either way, this event will be sure to make your day if you are an animal lover, or of the competitive nature!

Snow in May!  Competition, prizes, fun and games!  Join the Jam on Memorial Day weekend at Wisp Resort.