NEW GERMANY & DEEP CREEK LAKE STATE PARKS

Nicknamed “Maryland’s Alps”, New Germany State Park was the state’s first ski resort and the premier destination for downhill skiing until the 1960’s, when larger private resorts were built in the area. It’s still quite popular with cross country skiers.

Everything — the cabins, campground, all the buildings, the dam, and the trails — were built by Company 326, Camp S-52, of the Civilian Conservation Corps, otherwise known as “The Conservation Boys”, between 1933-1938.

America should immediately bring back the CCC to work on fixing our crumbling roads, bridges, water & sewer lines, and parks. It’s a total no-brainer.

We hiked the Green Trail along Poplar Lick. It’s a wide trail built by the CCC that’s more rocky road than trail. We only saw three other hikers and a gigantic black lab — might have been a small black bear — named Chance. Wood thrushes serenaded us with some really nice harmonic tunes as we walked along the meandering stream through an evergreen forest comprised of hemlocks and spruce. Tannin-laced Poplar Lick has stained the rocks in the stream a dark black resembling volcanic basalt. Tannin is a naturally occurring chemical found in plants, seeds, bark, wood, and leaves.  Psychedelic green mosses covered many of the dead trees. Butterflies flitted while Devil fly gnats buzzed around our eyes, reminding us we weren’t in heaven. Bushy green ferns bobbed crazily in the breeze. The tinkling sounds of babbling Poplar Lick were the morning’s soundtrack. And shiny patches of sunlight dappled the hillsides in the few spots where there were holes in the tree canopy, looking like light shining through stained glass in a natural cathedral.

After our hike we explored the lake area where there was the inexplicable pay phone booth by the lake — perhaps the last of its kind. The tiny sand beach for swimming in the lake was quiet on this sunny, warm weekday at the end of July; the lifeguard on duty, watching over one lone family frolicking in the orange-tinted tannin water. The kayak and canoe rentals were doing little or no business, and the Lake House snack bar and souvenir shop was virtually empty. The nature exhibit had wary stuffed animals — bear and bobcat. And two local boys were fishing with no apparent luck. The whole place felt like an episode from “The Twilight Zone” where everyone is sleepwalking through slow summer time.

We decided to get with the program and took a nap on the handmade log benches like two lazy Rip van Winkles.

• http://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/newgermany.aspx

When we awakened from our dreams, we pushed on to Deep Creek Lake. Along the way we stopped at the empty Big Savage Canyon Scenic Overlook where someone had installed some chainsaw art critters, using wood from trees that had been killed by gypsy moths. What a clever idea.

Or maybe we were still dreaming …

So, how about some mountain biking fun?

Deep Creek Lake State Park is fast becoming the mountain bike capital of the state. Thanks to DNR’s Trail guru, Dan Hudson, the east side of Meadow Mountain is now crisscrossed by state-of-the-art trails that follow the rocky contours of the mountain, showcasing a 12-mile trail system that is second to none. They hope to eventually offer more than twenty miles of trails.

• http://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/deepcreek.aspx

So, if mountain biking is your thing, you need to load up the bike and head to Deep Creek Lake State Park, yet another Eden-like Maryland state park that looks like a manicured estate and where the friendly staff treat you like royalty.

A person could easily spend a week out in the Deep Creek area hiking, biking, golfing, river running, boating, and swimming. And the Discovery Center showcases the natural wonders of Western Maryland with interactive exhibits that make learning fun. A perfect rainy day activity for the family.

On top of all that, the park has one of the nicest and biggest campgrounds in the state. And right around the corner from the trailhead is one of the Maryland’s finest beaches.

So, what are you waiting for?

If it’s some tasty food and a frosty beverage, there’s a great place to dine called Ace’s Run, right off the main road into McHenry, where you can sit outside on their wraparound balcony patio overlooking the lake and unwind in style after your busy day of fun and excitement in the mountains.