Ridgeview Valley Blog

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
We wish everyone a prosperous and healthy New Year!

What's Happening on New Year's Eve at Deep Creek Lake

This is one of the busiest weeks of the year for our local area and New Year's Eve is one of the best times to be in town.  There are tons of parties happening.  Here is a quick run down of events that I know of.

Wisp Resort - For all of the details check out The Deep Creek Blog, Becky has all of the information.  I did read something about 4 different buffets, live music and fireworks at midnight.  Of course you can be just about anywhere in McHenry to enjoy the fireworks display. 

Black Bear Tavern - Black Bear always has a rockin' party.  The party starts at 10pm and live music with "Surrender Dorothy."

Honi Honi Bar - What would New Year's be if you didn't hit the Honi Honi and hear "Boathouse."  They are also having a Champagne Toast and no cover.

Fur Ball - A Gala at the Oakland Community Center to benefit HART

First Night Oakland - New Year's Celebration in Downtown Oakland.  301-334-2691

Whatever your doing on New Year's Eve, I wish everyone a safe and happy evening.  Our whole gang will probably hang out at Pete & Rosie's and watch the fireworks at Wisp.  Happy New Year!

Ice Warning for Deep Creek Lake

The Maryland Park Service has issued their yearly ice warning for Deep Creek Lake according to the Cumberland Times-News.  Although with record temps being close to 75F this week, I don't think there is any ice yet.  There is always questions regarding snowmobile regulations on Deep Creek Lake.  This is a great article, because it gives instructions on how to get the trail permits for all of the park land in Garrett County including Deep Creek Lake itself. 

In Garrett County, Wait 15 Minutes and the Weather Will Change!

I woke up this morning to near 50F temperatures and beautiful sunshine.  That in itself is out of the ordinary for this time of the year but definitely weird since it was -19F on Monday of last week.  I went to breakfast and the sky opened up and torrential rains and winds strong enough to bend the flag poles at the entrance of the community.  No kidding!  Then 15 minutes later the sun came out and we were graced with this beautiful rainbow over the community.  Of course I was at the model and did not get a picture of it when it was in all of its glory.  But, I did snap this photo when the rainbow was starting to fade.  Hope you enjoy.  I don't recall seeing too many rainbows in December.  Pete & I saw a snowbow last Monday,  I will post the picture as soon as he sends it to me. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM RIDGEVIEW VALLEY!

During this very special season, I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday and a very prosperous New Year! 

Garrett County Choral Society Concert

We went to the Garrett County Choral Society concert Saturday a week ago.  They performed Handel's,
 "The Messiah."  I was very excited about this concert for two reasons, one it was at St. Peters The Apostle Catholic Church in Oakland.  This church is in my opinion one of the prettiest churches in the county and the acoustics are amazing.  Second, they were performing "The Messiah" one of my favorites.  Tim, my Mom & Dad, Pete & Rosie, actually pretty much the whole team from Ridgeview Valley, we all went and we were definitely not disappointed.  It is amazing how much local talent we have in and around Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County.  I had goose bumps during the whole concert.  And of course, Pete had his camera, so I though I would share a couple of photos from the concert.

Another Bald Eagle Siting at Deep Creek Lake!

These photos were taken just moments ago out of Pete & Rosie's dining room.  Pete saw something out of the corner of his eye and he dashed for the camera.  Check out the results. 

You can see the Eagle coming in for dinner at the upper left corner of the photo.

A little closer.

I think the Coots see him by now.

Pete did a great job catching the Eagle frame by frame.

What a majestic bird.  I hope I get to see it soon!

It's Definitely Winter at Deep Creek Lake!

The temperature at my house this morning was 1.2F.  The Garrett College website listed wind chills of -19F.  BRRR!  That's pretty cold.  Pete was very brave last night and ventured out to get these really cool pictures of snow making at Wisp.  He told me, although not a cold as the temps this morning, it was a bone chilling 11F and the wind was howling. He immediately retreated back to the warmth of his car and went straight home to warm up with hot cocoa. Currently the temps are 11.7F with a wind chill of -1.2F.  I knew it was still cold because you can see the ice crystals in the air which always remind me of diamonds sparkling.

Pete's Photography Growing to New Levels

Pete has some exciting news.  He took some photos of  Doug & Karla  Perez's tricked out Mustang for a car magazine called "Restyling Magazine".  Doug & Karla own Auto Essentials in Rockville, MD which offers automotive specialty products.  Their Mustang is pretty sweet having lots of cool extras like a Glassback Roof that takes a sunroof to an entirely different level. Check out all of their accessories at Auto Essentials.biz.   Guess what?  The magazine used several of Pete's photos in the article but best of all used one for the cover.  They added some effects to the photo, but sure enough it's Pete's.  Here is the before shot and then the cover of the magazine.  Pretty Cool!

Soggy Turkeys

The torrential downpours today did not hamper our last visitors to Ridgeview Valley.  Pete & I were working in his office when I saw a whole flock of turkeys in the apple orchard.  So of course we grabbed the camera and got some photos to share.

 A flock of turkeys is also known as a rafter of turkeys.

A young male turkey is known as a jake, a young female as a jenny, a baby as a poult, an adult female as a hen and an adult male as a tom or a gobbler.

They are foraging for acorns, seeds, small insects and berries.

If you look closely you will see that this turkey is a tom by the beard that is hanging from his chest.  I have always been told the longer the beard the older or more mature the bird is.  Well that was your lesson on turkeys for the day, I hope you enjoyed.  I love to see all of the different wildlife here.