DEEP CREEK LAKE AREA, MARYLAND.

We rented this cabin, fully equipped.

View of the lake (above)

Three hours west of Washington DC, by excellent highways 270W, 70W, 68W and 219S, the traveler arrives to Deep Creek, an area in the mountains of Maryland that has become a favorite of visitors during both the summer and the winter months. The center of summer activity is the beautiful lake, surrounded by hotels, lodges and individual cabins, where several thousands visitors spend time fishing, sailing, motor boating. During the winter there is good skiing down the slopes of the adjacent mountains. It reminds the visitor of the Alps. For the last two years I have been exploring this route. A wonderful geological outcrop in Sideling Hill, along highway 68, first attracted me to it, located some 20 miles east of Cumberland. Further west I “discovered” the very nice Frostburg State University campus, just past Cumberland. Still further west I visited Falling Waters, the wonderful house built by Frank Lloyd Wright, a marvel that I wrote about in a previous posting. A few months ago I took route 219 south and was rewarded with the beauty of the landscape, a typical Maryland landscape of green, rolling hills, manicured grass, gleaming cattle and prosperous farms. Along 219 south I reached a town by the name of Accident. Yes, Accident, Maryland. The sign at the entrance to the town: “Welcome to Accident”, sounds like an invitation to disaster but the town is tranquil. It is a tiny town with an excellent German Farmers Market that sells very tasty meats and cheeses. About 12 miles down the road is Deep Creek Lake. I have returned several times to this area, going as far south as the very attractive, small city of Oakland.
The summer temperature in the area is at least 10 degrees cooler than in Washington and could be even autumn like. It is “bear country” although it is not that easy to see them, much less face one at close range. Still, houses have bear-proof waste bins, so that bears are not encouraged to get too close to humans. There are numerous walking trails and visitors can rent boats to enjoy the lake.
It is definitely a nice area to spend a weekend or, even, a week or so during the summer or winter months. And yes, there are movie houses, stores of every type, restaurants; all you need to satisfy your urban habits.