New Germany State Park

New Germany State Park’s visitors frequently call it a “best kept secret.” This mountain getaway is seated between the 2,900 ft. Big Savage Mountain and the eastern Continental Divide along Meadow Mountain. Named by early settlers due to its resemblance to their homeland, New Germany has diverse forests with ten miles of multi-use trails and a small lake suitable for fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating. This park is ideal for families and individuals looking to “unplug” from the busy pace of life in cities and suburbs. Contained within Savage River State Forrest, this area is not short on history. the nature center can help you with that and much more. there you can find information on the park, safe camping habits, organized nature hikes, and campfires. these campfires feature special guests to talk about tons of different topics from nature to society. So maybe there is a day trip in your future to New Germany State Park.

Herrington Manor State Park

As some may remember from experience ,or history class, the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, went to work to better America through conservation in every state and territory. that is how Herrington manor came to be. In the 30's, the came and dammed Herrington Creek, creating a lake. A park soon followed through this program. Herrington Manor was established as a state park in 1964 and offers visitors a variety of activities such as camping, swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, kayaking, picnicking, tennis, volleyball and 20 rental cabins. If you prefer something for the winter, never fear. Herrington manor also offers cross country skiing with 10 miles of trails into the adjoining state forest that are beginning to intermediate level. There is also a 5.5 mile trail that runs between Herrington Manor and Swallow Falls State Parks. The park trails are track-set when conditions allow.

Our Recipes: Part 5

Lake Pointe Inn Best Ever Cherry Muffins

1 3/4 cup flour
2 Tbs sugar
2 1/2 tbs baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp almond extract

1 well beaten egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup oil
1 bag frozen dark cherries

Combine dry ingredients thuroghly. Combine liquid ingredients thuroghly. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in liquids and stir until just combined. Fill muffin tins and bake at 400 degrees for 25 mins(less if small muffins).

While still hot, roll in melted butter then in sugar. If you have butter left over, make a hole in the top of each muffin and pour butter over top.


...Betcha can't eat just one!

Swallow Falls State Park

If you have been reading this blog, you may know by now that Garrett County has many state parks to boast. In my opinion, Swallow Falls State Park has the most beautiful scenery. This park is a snapshot of everything we have to offer here in Garrett County. The waters, rapids, boulders, and forrest make up a park that is one of a kind. The park contains Maryland's highest waterfall, Muddy Creek Falls, a crashing 53-foot waterfall along with its relative waterfall, Swallow Falls. Camping has long been a tradition at the state park boasting visitors in the early 20th century of, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, who often came to camp near Muddy Creek Falls. Now the park has 65 camping sites for people wanting to experience the great outdoors. If you are looking for swimming, this is also a place to be! During low water flow parts of the season, there are a few calmer pools to swim and play in. there are also a couple of areas deep enough to jump into. Though you do need to take caution for at times the water can be dangerous, the water is cool and refreshing. Last, but not least, for you photographers out there, pay a visit in the Autumn. The foliage will take your breath away. Swallow Falls is a namecreated by early tourists for the Rhaeadr Ewynnol, (English: Foaming Waterfall), a waterfall in Wales.

Deep Creek Lake, McHenry, and Oakland

The lake was born in the late 20's when a dam was built to generate electricity for the area through the Youghiogheny Hydroelectric Company. Around the lake soon grew a community that has grown significantly in the last 20 years. Once a very well kept secret, the Deep Creek Lake area has become a regular recreation area for those living in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Deep Creek Lake is the largest inland body of water in the state of Maryland and is home to a wide variety of freshwater fish and aquatic birds. It covers approximately 3,900 acres (16 km²) and has 69 miles (111 km) of shoreline. Like all lakes in Maryland, it is man-made. McHenry is a small community located in Garrett County, Maryland on the northern most shore of Deep Creek Lake. Located on the outskirts of McHenry is the Garrett County Airport, Wisp Ski Resort, and Golf Club at Wisp. Oakland is a community just outside of the lake area that has history in its own. The National Historic Trust designated Oakland as a National Main Street Community in 1998, with its old victorian houses and a queen anne style railway station that has a small museum on the history of the B&O Railroad.

Our Recipies: Part 4

With summer about to start, and fruit more than plentiful, you might get bored of just eating plain ole pears. well there is a great recipe for that! Introducing butterscotch bakes pears, a perfect way to mix it up and still eat your fruit.


BUTTERSCOTCH BAKED PEARS

12 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS:
6 medium ripe but firm Bosc pears, peeled, halved lengthwise
6 Tbls (3/4 stick) of unsalted butter
¼ cup (packed_ golden brown sugar
1/8 tsp salt
2 Tbls Scotch
½ tsp vanilla extract

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Using melon baLler or small spoon, scoop out core from each pear half.  Melt butter in large ovenproof skillet over medium heat.  Whisk in brown sugar and salt.  Arrange pears, cut side down, in skillet in single layer. Spoon some of sugar mixture over pears. Place skillet in oven.  Bake until pears are tender, basting once with syrup, about 30 minutes.  Transfer pears, cut side up to large shallow bowl, leaving syrup in skillet.   Mix Scotch and vanilla extract into syrup. Using oven mitts as aid, place hot skillet over medium high heat (mixture may ignite) Cook until syrup is reduced by half, whisking often, about 2 minutes.  Spoon syrup over pears and serve.

Spring in Full Force

     Spring has officially landed in Garrett County! With the summer season just around the corner, many businesses and residents are preparing for a fun filled summer. The Bear Project for the deep creek lake state park is making a huge impact on what they hope will bring a new canopy. The bears are one by one moving into their new "foster homes" where they will be found until November. So this summer and fall, when you visit, why not go on a bear hunt? Join in the fun by picking up a Bear Trail Guide at each of the sponsor locations, the Discovery Center, Visitor Center in McHenry and other locations.   Those that find all 20 bears, verified by the participating sponsors, will be eligible for a grande prize drawing of a carved bear! We will have our very own and he will be serving lemonade to thirsty searching parties!
     In other news, the state parks are opening for longer days and more visitors, both local and beyond. Six State parks are located in Garrett County. All offer picnic, and fishing areas, while all but Casselman River State Park have hiking paths. Mountain bike paths, swimming areas, and boat launches and rentals are available at Deep Creek, Herrington Manor and New Germany State Parks. Rental cabins are available at Herrington Manor and New Germany State Parks. Big Run, Deep Creek, Herrington Manor and New Germany State Parks all offer canoeing, while campsites may be found at Big Run, Deep Creek, New Germany, and Swallow Falls State Parks. Nature is a thing some people often overlook. But, when you are here, you stop to take a look around. And what you see, it truly one of a kind.