Deep Creek Lake's maximum depth is 72 feet, and the average depth is 26 feet. I suppose the water skiers considered us sissies. Samantha, 7, proved to be our bravest raft rider, achieving a top rafting speed of 21 rpms. Novices at water sports, we eventually mustered the nerve to tether a sturdy raft to the rear of our boat so that the kids and could take turns getting towed through the tannin-stained lake water. All types of boats are allowed to anchor nearby and watch. Checking a brochure back in the chalet that night, I confirmed this suspicion and read that sailing races are held there on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Venturing south of the Glendale Bridge during an afternoon of boating, we discovered that sailboats seemed to cluster in Deep Creek Lake's southern waters. Rafting floats down calmer river waters are also available. Local outfitters rent vessels and supply guides to assist you through class IV and V rapids (VI is the toughest) with names like Rocky III and Meat Cleaver. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are available on local rivers, such as the Youghiogheny (the Yuck) and the Savage. One afternoon at Deep Creek State Park, we rather enjoyed spying on a father-son team of kayakers perfecting the trademark kayak roll under the water and back up again. (Our brochure listed seven sources for boat rentals here.) Pontoons, powerboats, bass boats and personal watercraft (i.e., jet skis) dominated the water traffic in the northern section of the lake where we stayed.Īs for nonmotorized vessels, canoes commonly hugged the shores of coves. We headed to bed in our loft and drifted to sleep watching fireflies blink on and off outside the cathedral window.Īlthough there are alternatives to boating, you certainly can maximize your fun at Deep Creek Lake if you bring a boat or rent one. Only one party mentioned a bear sighting. Lots of folks reported swimming with their dogs, exploring nearby state parks and making caloric trips to the local ice cream parlor. Mom and Dad unpacked novels and read by the fireplace.īefore turning in, we checked out the entries other tenants had made in our chalet owner's guest book. The kids lobbied for and won a few rounds of Go Fish and checkers, then retired with the dogs. Not exactly the Maine woods, but for Baltimore suburbanites, this looked downright rustic.Īfter reaching the dam that created Deep Creek Lake 73 years ago, we zipped back to our dock and headed inside. Except for a few palatial homes on partially sheared peaks, most chalets and cabins were tastefully hidden among the trees. While my family discussed the week's potential for water sports and fishing, I kicked back and relished the day's last rays of sunshine while gazing at the stately hills. That 3,900 acres is accompanied by 65 miles of mostly wooded shoreline. Deep Creek is the largest freshwater lake in Maryland, 12 miles long and covering 3,900 acres. A thread of a waterfall trickled outside the kitchen window.Ĭhores behind us, we rustled up a grilled dinner (the Islamorada had both a charcoal and electric grill) then squeaked in a presunset cruise around the lake. Cliched or not, the air was crystal clear. Plunked in a stand of hemlock trees, it was framed by blooming rhododendron and mountain laurel. With its native stone fireplace and skylights, the chalet - nestled in a wooded acre - oozed rustic charm. Our anticipation swelled during the brief, winding drive from the realtor's office to the Islamorada, but sweet relief followed. Here, we collected keys and printed directions to our rental. 219, cruising uneventfully through Accident (I still want my photo snapped beside the town-limits sign) and on to McHenry, site of our rental office. The old girl revved her engine beyond 5,000 revolutions per minute on those stretches. I think we willed the 8-year-old Mazda up the incline near Rocky Gap State Park along Interstate 68 and on through the hills past Cumberland and Frostburg. Blame our aging minivan's resistance to towing a boat up the Allegheny Plateau. What should have been a three-hour car ride took us about four hours.
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