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Wild & Wonderful Wednesday: Mountain Coaster

Posted: Jul 17, 2013 4:44 PM EST Updated: Jul 17, 2013 10:36 PM EST By Andrew Clay, Monongalia and Preston County Reporter

MCHENRY, MARYLAND –

Wisp Resort has the only Mountain Coaster in the entire mid-Atlantic, riders finish their 1,200 foot assent, then only one thing matters, gravity. It takes over, and off you go.

“Oh my gosh I almost had the heart attack, it was so much fun. Everyone should do it,” said Tammy Cole, a first time rider from Louisiana.

The Mountain coaster races you down 3,500 feet of track, making a 350 foot drop in elevation.

Through twists and turns, helixes and hills, the coaster maxes out at 29 miles-per-hour.

More here.

North America's 10 Best River Trips – Youghiogheny River in top 10

From white-knuckle rapids to relaxing canyon floats, put these 10 river trips on your bucket list

There’s a place for vacations that include museum tours and visits to the childhood homes of famous people, but sometimes you need to feel your heart pound and catch a lump in your throat. For the latter type of experience, head to the mountains: The rivers are calling….

River: Youghiogheny, Maryland and Pennsylvania
Sections: Upper (Class IV-V), Middle (Class I-II), Lower (Class III)
The Beta: The Yough (pronounced “Yock”) is one of the premier rafting rivers of the East, offering trips to satisfy any level of adventure from a family float on the Middle to intermediate excitement on the Lower or technical class V on the Upper. All of the sections have regular dam releases all summer long, meaning that you can schedule trips with confidence that the conditions will be good.
Towns to Visit: Morgantown is the closest large town with good dining options and nightlife, as well as great mountain biking in the surrounding mountains. For drinks and food closer to the whitewater, check out the Lucky Dog Café in Confluence, Pa. (Middle and Lower Sections), or the Mountain State Brewery near Deep Creek Lake in Maryland (Upper Section).
Outfitter: Precision Rafting (for the upper); Wilderness Voyageurs (for the middle and lower sections)

 

Deep Creek Lake Watershed Forum – Friends of Deep Creek Lake

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Continuing to promote and celebrate National Lake Appreciation Month, Friends of Deep Creek lake is hosting a forum on DCL Watershed Planning, designed to provide share with lake stakeholders, our guests and residents of Garrett County current work of many protecting and restoration the watershed.

These are the real experts and our inspiration!

John Major, a student from Northern High School will share efforts of many working on Cove Run restoration project.

The Soil Conservation District is developing best management practices, which will be explained by Board member James Smokey Stanton.

Charles Hoffeditz Chair of the Forestry Board will explain about their efforts for planning and forest protections.

Barbara Beelar will cover the challenges of runoff in the watershed, sharing the field work FODC has done on County and State highway culverts.
Eric Robison, head of Citizen Shale will provide an update on Marcellus shale exploration and studies with comments on what more needs to be done.

FoDCL claims attendance at this forum may be the most important thing a lake stakeholder, tourist or county citizen can do this summer, given the huge importance of the lake in the local economy.

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Railroad Museum To Open

Jul. 18, 2013

 

The grand opening of the 1884 Oakland B&O Railroad Station Museum is scheduled for this Saturday, July 20, beginning at 1 p.m. at the station, located at 117 East Liberty Street. During the past couple of years, the historic structure has undergone over $1 million in restoration in order for it to be designated as a B&O Railroad museum. A number of elected officials and/or their representatives will be involved in the program, and there will be free tours of the facility offered.

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More here.

Property Owners' Association of Deep Creek Lake – Marcellus Shale Update

Safe Drilling Initiative Developments

 

The spring Deep Creek Lake Dispatch article focused on legislative actions and outcomes. This update is designed to report on recent developments related to the ongoing, Governor-tasked “Safe Drilling Initiative”. The task of identifying “safe drilling” regulations and mechanisms—along with exploring other factors such as broader community and economic impacts—is squarely in the hands of the “Safe Drilling Initiative”. This ongoing process provides a unique opportunity to provide input to state-level decision-making and to potentially influence regulatory outcomes. Your committee is committed to following and engaging in the process in whatever ways are appropriate and hopefully productive.

 

“Safe Drilling Initiative” Developments

 

The “Best Practices” Study Report—As you may know, MDE recently announced the release, for public comment, of the so-called  “Best Practices” report. This particularly critical study report is the second of three which were tasked by the Governor’s 2011 Executive Order, each to be developed jointly by MDE and DNR in consultation with the Governor-appointed Independent Advisory Commission. Public comments are to be provided by 9 August, roughly 30 days after the 9 July public presentation discussed briefly below. The report is available here  at MDE website, along with instructions on how to submit comments. A final report reflecting consideration of public comments is currently targeted for August 2013. The substantive content is based substantially on a “feeder” best practices study conducted by the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg, an element of the UMD Center for Environmental Sciences. This latter study is also available on the website.

More here.

Reduced! 267 Fireside Rd – $289,900 – GA8097229 – STREAM, YOUGH RIVER ACCESS

267 FIRESIDE RD
OAKLAND, MD 21550

IMMACULATE 4BR, 3BA w/ a large stream running through the property. An amazing 6 acres of park-like terrain surrounds this custom built home. Intricate carpentry accentuates every room and detail. Impressive in every way – built-ins around every corner, efficient heating options, covered deck, peaceful setting, private master suite w/ fireplace & jetted tub, overlooking the forest….A MUST SEE.

 

Garrett County, Md., beyond Deep Creek Lake

By Ann Cameron Siegal, Published: July 18

After three visits to Maryland’s largest freshwater lake, I have yet to set foot on it or in it. Deep Creek Lake is an enticing destination, for sure, but Garrett County is awash in numerous hidden treasures just beyond the summer sounds of motorboats and jet skis.

As a traveling buddy and I made our first excursion into the county a year ago, I recalled a lesson architect Frank Lloyd Wright learned while traversing a snowy field as a child. Wright’s uncle admonished him to compare the footprints each had left: Wright, his uncle said, had wasted his time meandering left and right while he, the uncle, had proceeded directly to their destination. But Wright, in remembering that conversation, realized that his uncle had missed out on delightfully unexpected finds along their walk.

More here.

Grand Opening of the B&O Railroad Station Museum

The grand opening of the 1884 Oakland B&O Railroad Station Museum will take place this Saturday, July 20,  beginning at 1:00 at the station located at 117 East Liberty Street.  Oakland Mayor Peggy Jamison will MC the event and representatives from the offices of Governor O’Malley, Senator Cardin, Senator Mikulski, and Congressman Delaney will join the Mayor and our County Commissioner on  the box car stage.  Others to be seated on the stage include Senator George Edwards and Delegate Wendell Beitzel who were responsible for the Maryland Bond Bill that was so important to the project.

Lonnie Naylor will be introduced by Jamison and it was his late parents, Howard and Audrey Naylor,  trust money that was the seed money for these renovations and restoration.  Through the Naylor’s careful planning and benevolence their money came back to help Appalachia for educational purposes.  Their monetary gifts have been used in many projects at the Garrett County Historical Society, Garrett College, Allegany College,  Davis & Elkins College, West Virginia Wesleyan, and Frostburg University.  Past Oakland Mayor Asa McCain and Chairman of the Oakland B&O Museum will also speak on Saturday.  It was his vision in the 1990’s as mayor to acquire the station from CSX.  That began a fund raising effort that brought in private local money and donations from outside the area.  Various grants were applied for and obtained and the total cost of this restoration was over $1,000,000.

More here.

Area’s concerns curtail elk reintroduction plan

Michael A. Sawyers Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — Unable to secure enough support from residents of Garrett and Allegany counties, a group evaluating the reintroduction of Rocky Mountain elk there announced Wednesday the idea is being scuttled.

“Concerns ranging from vehicle collisions and crop damage to the potential for disease outweighed all other considerations,” wrote William Miles, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation, in an email to the Maryland District 1 legislative delegation.

“Efforts to mitigate such concerns through experiences shared by other states with elk simply did not resonate,” Miles said.

The idea was jointly announced in August 2011 by the MLSF, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

“From the onset, the partnership made clear that any decision for reintroduction would be predicated upon acceptance by the citizenry,” Miles wrote. “Heartened by the results of a supportive public opinion survey coupled with projected revenues that could be realized in the region from visitor spending, the partnership thought it might be possible to secure local support. However, this did not prove to be the case.”

Early opposition came from the Garrett County commissioners and the Maryland Farm Bureau.

A meeting was conducted in Cumberland in November 2012 to obtain additional public input.

“I think they made a smart move shutting it down,” said Jerry Zembower, president of the Allegany-Garrett Sportsmen’s Association.

“Garrett County was dead-set against it so the only place left was Allegany County. The largest tract of land in Allegany is the Green Ridge State Forest and that is where chronic wasting disease was found.”

Zembower said it would make no sense to release perfectly healthy elk into an area where a disease has been discovered to which they are susceptible.

“AGSA never did take a vote on the reintroduction, but our clubs were telling us they opposed it,” Zembower said.

Miles pointed out that no public money was used to evaluate the potential reintroduction. The elk foundation paid the bills.

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.

More here.

Deep Creek Lake Area named one of top 10 'best destinations for green travelers'

WOW! Mentioned in the same list as Fairbanks, Alaska and Honolulu, Hawaii????

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Best Destinations for Green Travelers

by on July 16, 2013

66% of Americans plan to travel this summer, which can add up to a huge environmental impact. Travelers are looking for greener ways to explore the world. For example, more than 44% of travelers look for environmentally-friendly programs when choosing hotels, and hotels are listening. TravelNerd highlights the ten top destinations in the U.S. for green travel options. We specifically looked for cities that have initiatives to green the city as well as access to a plethora of nature and eco-friendly activities….

Deep Creek Lake Area, Maryland

The Deep Creek Lake Area in Garrett County is only a couple hours drive from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, but it feels like a totally different world. Set in the Allegheny Mountains, Deep Creek Lake is the largest freshwater lake and the only alpine ski resort in Maryland. Garrett County is committed to introducing energy-efficient technology for a greener county. The county even gets its students involved with projects like the Cove Run Brook Trout Restoration Project where Northern Garrett High School students participate in the restoration of Brook Trout.

Deep Creek Lake has plenty of outdoors activities for all types of travelers, from families to adventurers. Check out the full list of activity providers at the Chamber of Commerce. Deep Creek State Park holds programs like campfires, talks and hikes at the Discovery Center. Excellent hiking trails and a campsite can be found on Meadow Mountain. Take a kayaking or hiking tour with All Earth Ecotours, where all tours are family-friendly.

More here.