Goodbye winter...Hello Spring!

When the winter draws to a close, and spring is on its way, the county wakes up from hibernation the only way we know how: saying goodbye to winter with a bang! The wisp has its own tradition for this time of year. The Beachin Weekend is a celebration at the end of every ski season as its last hurrah. With crazy competitions and the theme spread throughout the resort, this is one weekend packed full of fun. From music to the staff being dressed in attire seemingly straight from Hawaii, you will feel like the beach has come to the ski slopes for a weekend. The biggest event of the weekend is the cardboard box derby. Every year teams get together and build a creative derby car from cardboard. These designs range from the standard box all the way to crazy works of art. These are then raced down the bear claw tubing park lanes. While waiting for the craziness of the races, the lodge has a dj all weekend to spin some beachin music, and activities throughout the weekend. So if you are looking for snow at the beach, a crazy weekend of fun, or just an escape, maybe Garrett County is the place for you.

Photography © Nicholas McIntosh. All rights reserved. 
Photography © randi voss photography. All rights reserved. 
Photography © Lance C. Bell. All rights reserved. 
Photography © Ryan Smith. All rights reserved. 

Our Recipes: Part 2

With maple syrup season in full swing, you are bound to have cravings for it. What better to pair it with than pancakes. so from us to you, our Pumpkin Walnut Flapjacks.

Ingredients:
1 ¼ cups buttermilk
¾ cup canned pure pumpkin
4 large eggs, separated, room temperature
¼ cup sugar
¾ tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 1/3 cups cake flour
1 ¾ tsp pumpkin pie spice (or allspice)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ cup ground walnuts (optional)

Method
Whisk buttermilk, pumpkin, egg yolks, sugar and vanilla in medium bowl to blend; whisk in melted butter.  Whisk flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in large bowl to blend.  Add dry ingredients to buttermilk mixture and whisk to combine.
Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in medium bowl until soft peaks form.  Fold whites into batter.
Lightly oil or butter heavy large skillet set over medium heat.  Working in batches, pour batter in 1/3 cupfuls onto skillet; cook until bubbles from on top, about 1 ½ minutes. Turn flapjacks over and cook until second sides brown, about 1 minute. Transfer flapjacks to plates. (sprinkle with  finely chopped walnuts) serve Syrup

Maple Syrup Season

      When you think maple syrup, what comes to mind? For most it’s the New England area. But, Garrett County has one family that has been making maple syrup for generations. The Steyer family of Oakland boasts the oldest production in the county, now owned by Randall and Mike Steyer. When the weather starts to warm, the sugar maple trees start to thaw out. When these trees are tapped, a high water content syrup is taken from the tree to then be processed. This year, the Steyer’s are using 8,500 taps on their 100 acres of woodlot. Since not all of the water can be hand collected, 35 miles of rubber tubing is used to collect the majority of the sap. Production takes hours for 39 gallons of water have to be boiled off to make one gallon of pure maple syrup. This tradition is now shrinking in our state. In 2002 there were 16 licensed producers of maple syrup in Maryland, and that number is always shrinking. The Steyer’s will probably be producing for generations to come, production being a tradition as old as the family its self. Their syrup is sold world wide, and can be ordered from anywhere. So if you cant make it to the county, you can still have a taste of it.

The Steyer's can be reached by phone or mail:
301-334-2900

2727 Gorman Road
Oakland, MD 21550

Mountain Lake Park and Loch Lynn Heights

       When it comes to Garrett County, many people first think of the Wisp or Deep Creek Lake. But that’s not all this area has to offer. Along with a lush forest and state park filled county for a multitude of outdoor activities, this area is steeped in history. Often a favorite for vacationers in surrounding regions like the D.C. Metropolitan area, Garrett County has had many famous visitors for a couple hundred years. Some more notable were President William Howard Taft, Mark Twain, and William Jennings Bryan.  Mountain Lake Park was a major draw for many people with the Chautauqua movement in the late 1800’s. Along with this movement, they boast the oldest sanctioned clay court tennis tournament in the tri state area on some of the oldest clay courts still in use today.
Next door to Mountain Lake Park is Loch Lynn Heights. This quaint little town boasted a few luxury hotels that were easily accessible by the railroad for those coming from Baltimore and Washington D.C. Though the resort burned down in 1918, this area is still a thriving community.
Both of these towns have their history, and are only a few minutes away from the lake. So if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the resort for a few hours, try taking a trip to Mountain Lake Park to play tennis or tour the small towns that have been around through the development of Garrett County.

Winter: Part 2

     Winter lasts a while here in Garrett County. While spring is just around the corner, there is still ample time for winter activities until the very last snowflake has melted. Along with all of this winter fun that has been taking place in the past few weeks, there is the deep creek dunk coming up at the end of the week. Every year behind Uno’s, a few brave souls take pledges to raise money for the Special Olympics in Maryland. So maybe you can come by and help support and watch the brave and charitable people run into freezing water. After these participants raise money, they take a plunge in the freezing cold Deep Creek Lake. Often anywhere from 6 to 24 inches will be cut out of the lake for this to take place. Also there will be the Maryland Open at the Wisp Resort. This event will crown the top freestyle skier and rider in the Mid-Atlantic region with 3 formats: Slope Style, Big Air and Terrain Park. There is nothing like seeing a skier rip down the mountain during the events they have.  Also, the wisp still has their midweek specials going on, so pull up a chair in the lodge, or watch from the slopes. And coming soon to Garret County, maple syrup season.

Our Recipes:Part 1

     Every business has something signature about them. For the Lake Pointe Inn, it's no different. Here we have a select few of recipes that are a staple for every day operations. Our granola is made fresh here in our kitchen and is always available for breakfast, or if you just want a quick snack.

Lake Pointe Gold Granola

½ cup apple juice
½ cup honey
¼ canola oil
1 ½ teaspoon pure almond extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

4 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
½ cup sliced almonds
½ cup shredded coconut

½ cup sliced almonds
½ shredded coconut

1 cup golden raisins

Put 4 cups oats in a large bowl.  Add almonds and coconut.

In a small saucepan combine apple juice, honey and canola.  Bring just to a boil.  Remove from heat and add almond extract, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Add to oat mixture and combine thoroughly.

Spread mixture evenly on a jelly roll pan.  Bake in 225 degree oven until dry and crispy.  This can take 1 to 2 hours.  Check every 30 minutes and stir.  When granola becomes crisp and golden brown, remove from oven, let cool and add raisins.

What to do?

     When one gets bored in Garrett County, you often become stumped with what to do.  The same concept applied this week as I was writing this. What is going on this week? Well I searched long and hard and found an answer! There are so many things, specials, and events happening in this area, sometimes you just have to look a little harder.
     So, this week, there is a Bud Light Concert Series at the wisp featuring rising bands. This week is the Steve Hussey Band. Also, every week at the wisp they have specials on lift tickets and rentals. On Mondays, there is the $29 Deal Day. ALL DAY from 9am - 5pm -- $29 Lift Ticket, Sport Ski or Snowboard Rental & 60-minute clinic!  No coupon, ID or additional purchase required!. On Wednesdays, there is Locals Day, where everybody is a local! All tickets and rentals are discounted. Finally, there is the Thursday special. Present a valid 2010-2011 Season Pass from any ski resort to receive a $21 Extended Day Lift Ticket (9am - 9pm) or a $15 Night Lift Ticket (5pm - 9pm). At the end of the month, Husky Power Dogsledding is having a special presentation day. On February 17th, enjoy an educational and entertaining dog sledding presentation. Grill mushers; see equipment; hug Huskies; watch films. No reservations needed.  Finding activities can be a little daunting, even for a local. But there is always something to do in this wonderful area.