I hope that you are enjoying the wonderful spring flowers and looking forward to the official start of summer on Memorial Day this weekend.
I wanted to share with you some of the events that are coming up in the next few weeks. I have listed some of my favorite ones below but there are many more.
The annual Highland Festival (a celebration of everything Scottish) is coming up the week after on June 4-6 and this year my good friend Christina Harrison will be performing – she has such a beautiful voice. There is so much to see and do at these festivals: sheep dog demonstrations, Highland games, Scottish food, great singers, and dancers. I promise you will not be disappointed. It’s also a great opportunity to dress up (kilts anyone) and you could combine it with a Girlfriends Getaway. And if you book for two nights or more for that weekend I will pay for your entrance fee to the festival.
As most of you know there is so much to do in the Deep Creek Lake area in the summer months. The lake is a hub of activity (swimming, fishing, boating etc). It is such a beautiful and peaceful place to unwind. You can also take a guided river hike (very reasonable at $10 per person) or explore the Savage River on a kayak. Both of these tours are led by our friends at All Eco Earth Tours. They also lead the Bonfire Extravaganza on Wednesday evenings at the Discovery Center in Deep Creek Lake State Park.
The country gardens tour will be on June 26 this year. If any of you belong to Garden Clubs you know that this is a wonderful way to get inspired about your own garden. I’ll be out there handing out refreshments at one of the selected gardens so I hope to see you there.
Another of my favorite things in the summer is the Chautauqua. This year it will be held July 5-7. The historical figures portrayed will be Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Landscape Architect Frederick Law Olmstead, and Shoshone Indian Sacagawea who was instrumental in the Lewis and Clark expedition. Believe it or not the Chautauqua has been held here for 15 years and it’s still free. There is usually a musical interlude before the performance. I love seeing history come alive. If you go to Chautauqua in New York you would pay a lot of money to see similar performances. Just before the Chautauqua there are the Independence Day celebrations in Accident with a parade, marching bands, food, crafts etc. In the evening you can sit under a blanket and listen to some rousing Souza music followed by fireworks on the mountain. It really reminds you of old time Americana. See if you can’t clear your calendar for that week.
If music is your passion, then you will be thrilled to attend one of the musical performances sponsored by Music at Penn Alps (in Grantsville – less than ½ hour from the B&B). These are held every Saturday evening in the summer and the cost is about $10. There are also free concerts in Oakland every Friday evening –just bring a blanket or folding chair. The local theater company is gearing up for its performances of Oklahoma and Brighton Beach this summer. On July 10-11 there is Art in the Park with artists and crafts people and of course food. I could go on and on. But you get the idea – we have lots of fun things to do that don’t cost very much.
Also Falling water (considered to be one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpieces) nestled within the wooded Bear Run Nature Reserve is only an hour from the B&B. It is designed to be in harmony with nature and is a timeless monument to organic architecture at its absolute best.
Tours are conducted daily (except Wednesdays) from mid- March to Thanksgiving weekend in November. Advance reservations are required.
Cost of the tour is $20 per person. They have other tours such as the Sunset Tour or the Brunch Tour, both of which are over $100. We can even prepare a picnic lunch for you for a lot less.
I am still offering a free midweek stay for soldiers who have recently served in Iraq or Afghanistan (I will need proof of service). It’s my way of thanking them for their sacrifice. So please let us spoil you with our great food and hospitality.
Much love and blessings,
Kam Gillespie
