Ridgeview Valley Blog

More Garrett County Sight Seeing by John & Lisa Collins

John sent me some more photos of the adventures in and around Garrett County from their last trip, which was over the Martin Luther King weekend. I thought you might enjoy seeing Garrett County through their eyes.  Here is his overview and pictures of the Casselman Bridge and River.

We did quite alot this long weekend: Tubing, Mt. Coastering, DCs Bar, Grantsville, Casselman River & Bridge, Spruce Forest Artisan Village, Santa Fe Grille, Pine Lodge Steakhouse meal & movie deal, caught the movie at Garrett 8 then hit Honi Honi and Uno after, watched the Steelers/Ravens game at Mountain State Brewing Company, checked out Deep Creek Cellars Winery in North Friendsville, and of course saw Notre Terre every day!  We even made a snowman there, as we mentioned to you.  Ridgeview Valley is so pretty under the blanket of fresh powder.  And there was certainly alot of THAT this weekend.  Snow from when we arrived Saturday to when we left Monday.  We are sending some pictures as you requested.  We thought you might like some of the Casselman Bridge (in this email) and river and of the snowman (in the next email).  We call him "Seedpod Berry" since his eyes, and ears are made of seed pods and his nose is made of a sticker twig from a berry bush.  We look forward to our next trip there Feb. 21 for, hopefully, the second x-country ski session.

 

Lisa running across the Casselman Bridge.

 

Casselman River with some ice.

 

Casselman Bridge

Big Storm for Early Next Week

This morning everyone is talking about the big storm that is supposed to be tracking our way for Monday and Tuesday, so I thought I would check out Weather.com and see what we have to look forward to.  The link does not tell how much only that it is a big storm, a Noreaster I guess.  Rumor around town though is that we could be in for 2-3 FEET.  We haven't had a storm like that since President's Day weekend 2003 when Garrett County and the Deep Creek Lake area received snowfalls between 36in and 48in depending on the location in the county.  I guess we will just have to wait and see what we get.

More Fun Pics of Cross Country Sking at Ridgeview Valley

Pete sent me some more photos from the XC ski day last Saturday.  I thought I would share them with you.  We're going to have to break out the groomer again, the 1 inch prediction last night has turned into 4 or 5 here at Deep Creek Lake.  Who's surprised, it is Garrett County.  I wonder if we will get the big storm everyone is talking about on Monday, 2-3 FEET! 

Hold on Sister, we're going to wipe out!

You go in the cold, I'm staying here where it is warm!

Some Refreshments.  An energy bar and hot drink
will get me going again. Thanks!

Don't just stand there...follow me and do what I do.
You won't fall!

Who needs skis!

I Never Knew Cross Country Skiing Was So Popular

Well anyone who knows this Garrett County native knows I am not a cold weather person.  But, I really had fun playing out in the snow on Saturday, it was like being a kid again.  This past Saturday was the  free Cross Country Ski Event here at Ridgeview Valley sponsored in part by High Mountain Sports.  Steve Green of High Mountain Sports brought approximately 30 pairs of cross country skis and boots, Jeff groomed about 3 miles of trails and we had approximately 100 people skiing on Saturday.  Some brought their own equipment while others tried out the High Mountain gear.  We had all abilities from the very beginner putting skis on for the first time to the very advanced skier.  Josh from High Mountain is a great instructor and he had the beginners out on the trail kickin' and glidin' in no time.  The more experienced would disappear for 2-3 hours and then return with huge smiles and man that was cool comments.  We got lucky with the snow conditions, considering Friday was 53 degrees and most of the snow melted on the hillside, but with good ole' Garrett County weather we had 15 degrees on Saturday and new snow.  The previous melt made some areas icy but the new snow covered some of the bare spots.  The new snow groomer that Tim built worked great and had the snow in great condition.  We hosted everyone in our 100yr+ restored barn serving hot cocoa and snacks and allowing everyone to warm by the patio heaters.  It was cold but that didn't seem to matter, everyone says that skiing keeps you warm anyway.  Peter was around with his trusty camera and sent me some photos this morning of the event. 

Lessons?  I think so.

It's a good thing most people have 4x4

An easy trail through the meadow

Ready to start the adventure

What are they looking at?

Where are we?

Jeff's dog Doby got a "REAL" workout. 

Look out I can't stop!

Laura and the girls getting ready to give it a try

Building Snowmen at Ridgeview Valley

John & Lisa Collins, owners of Notre Terre better known as Homesite #6, took Deep Creek Lake by storm again this past weekend.  John & Lisa are always so much fun.  I wish they cold be here this weekend for the XC Ski Day.  Hopefully they can make it if we do it again in February.  Anyway, John shared some photos of "Seedpod Berry" their snowman made of guess what, seedpods and berries.  They are so clever!  Enjoy!

Home Again, Home Again in Deep Creek Lake

I've got my photographer back! Piet and Rosie came back yesterday from their trip to Antarctica. They were gone for nearly three weeks. He said that he took 4017 pictures and about a 100 video clips and will be sharing some of them and their experiences with us during the next couple of weeks. This morning when he got up he took the sunrise picture over Deep Creek Lake. That complements a sunset picture taken in Antarctica.
 

Groomed XC Ski Trails at Deep Creek Lake

Getting ready for Saturday's big event.  Tim has completed the snow groomer and we were having way to much fun this morning.  Spent about an hour out grooming trails and playing in the snow.  My job is awesome.  I think Jeff was jealous because he had to go to the office and not play in the snow.  I bet he will be here this afternoon though.  The snow is great soft, fluffy, powdery snow.  Here are some pics of the snowmobile and groomer.

Above Tim is installing the hitch to pull the groomer.

The Ridgeview Arctic Cat.  Thanks to Bill's Marine Service.

Here's the hitch, where's the groomer.

Ready to groom.

Jeff coming to play. Where are your skis?

Tim, busting drifts.

There he goes.

Groomer in action

Trail on top

View as the passenger.  I am still cold.  I need to tell Steve and the gang at High Mountain Sports to come try the trails today.  As of now the weather looks great for the weekend, we are so excited.

A New Snow Groomer for Ridgeview Valley

Don't forget about our XC-Ski Day January 24, 11am-3pm. 
We have been using Steve Green's snow groomer and snow cat of High Mountain Sports for the cross country trails, but we decided it would be nice to have our own.  So we bought a snowmobile and Tim is designing and building our own groomer that is better suited for pulling behind our snowmobile.  Here is the beginnings of the groomer. 


It will be finished this weekend and Jeff is anxiously waiting to use it.  Although he will probably freeze with the temps we're having.  Stop by next Saturday to check out the new groomer and try the trails.

Temperatures Plunge at Deep Creek Lake

At this moment you would be hard pressed to convince me of global warming, maybe global freezing.  An Arctic Blast has certainly blasted its way into Garrett County this morning.  It's so cold the snow is even trying to come inside to warm up!  (HAHAHA!)  You have to have humor when it's this cold outside.  Just how cold is it here at Deep Creek Lake?  Well take a look.  Here is a picture of my thermometer at home.

Then I decided after going to the gym to hit Trader's Coffee House for a steaming hot Eggnog Latte and a Protein Wrap.  You have to try a Protein Wrap, delicious.  Peanut butter, banana and granola all wrapped up in a whole wheat tortilla and grilled.  Don't forget to buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a $250 Pizzeria card and a $50 coffee house card while you are there.  Brenda's girls are trying to raise money for their annual spring trip.  This year, off to Boston.  It's colder at Trader's Landing than it was at my house, I think it may be a lake effect.  (HAHA)

And finally I decided I had better head to the office.  Gravelly Run is so beautiful with snow in the hemlocks.  Not as cold at Ridgeview Valley as at Trader's Landing.  Take a look, my Jeep says -4F.

The official weather watchers in Oakland said at 7am that the temps were -8F and -27F with the wind chill.  That was announced on 104.5 WKHJ.  The Garrett College Weather Page says -7.9F with a wind chill of -23.7F.  OK, Ok enough about this cold weather, let's just pretend we're in Honolulu and listen to some Beach Boys.  By the way, Channel 4 out of Pittsburgh says it has not been this cold in 13 years.  Stay warm and have great day!

Join High Mountain Sports & Ridgeview Valley for a X-country Ski Day