Outdoors Girl: End of the trail

So this is it. The last Outdoors Girl post.

I'm heading off for the family's annual striped bass and bluefish fishing vacation on Chappaquiddick Island and when I return after Labor Day it will be to a desk on the Metro staff, where my Sun career started 23 years ago.

What a great 11 1/2-year romp through the outdoors. What an honor to follow in the footsteps of Rachel Carson, who had this job in the 1930s, fly fishing guru Lefty Kreh and Maryland outdoors editor emeritus Bill Burton. What a pleasure to meet and talk with you on the trails and on the water.

Thanks one and all. And thanks to my editors, who didn't always get where I was going, but had the courage and sense of fun to say, "OK."

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Reward to find goshawk killer grows

The Maryland Ornithological Society has started a reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who shot and killed a northern groshawk, believed to be part of the state's only breeding pair, and left three chicks to die near Savage River State Forest.

The birders have $800 in hand and MOS official Dave Webb says the amount is expected to increase as clubs send out their newsletters.

The Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Foundation also has offered a $1,000 reward.

Natural Resources Police is still investigating the death of the bird.

Maryland's northern goshawks were driven to extinction in the 1900s by the logging industry's harvesting of Appalachian Plateau forests. In 1991 and 1997, the federal government rejected calls to list the bird on the endangered species list. Many states, including Maryland, responded by placing the goshawk on their own lists.

In North America, the goshawk is federally protected under an amendment to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

Read more.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!

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Last northern goshawk in Maryland killed

By Candus Thomson, The Baltimore Sun

5:14 p.m. EDT, June 21, 2011
Someone in Garrett County has shot and killed Maryland's most rare bird, the only known nesting northern goshawk.

Natural Resources Police confirmed the death of the raptor, which is on the state's endangered species list. Without the female to protect and provide for them, the three chicks in the nest died as well.

Forestry and Timber The Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Foundation is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter. NRP is asking anyone with information about the crime to call the Poacher Hot Line: 1-800-635-6124.

Read more here.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!

Visit the 'I Love Deep Creek & Garrett County group' on Facebook! News, events, photos, real estate, community, info, more! 1,750+ members & growing!

With one step into the waves, Park Quest ends

Brisk breezes blow a week's worth of sweat and DEET away as I step onto the beach at Assateague, the final stop in this year's version of Park Quest 24/7.

The temperature is 75.2 degrees and the wind is blowing at 14 mph.

How do I know? The final Quest is all about the weather.

Ranger Meghan Sochowski crafted a challenge that addresses both ordinary conditions and extraordinary ones found in hurricanes and thunderstorms.

Follow the quest here.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!

Visit the 'I Love Deep Creek & Garrett County group' on Facebook! News, events, photos, real estate, community, info, more! 1,750+ members & growing!

Park Quest 2011: Four down, and only 20 to go

June 1, 2011
Park Quest 2011: Four down, and only 20 to go
Four parks down, 20 to go on my marathon Park Quest 24/7 to complete the challenges at 24 state parks -- from Garrett County to the Atlantic Ocean in seven days.

So far, I've hiked following compass bearings to answer questions, paddled a canoe while staying on a GPS-set course, found letterboxes that taught me about natural resources and history and hiked to a cemetery, an aviary and a dam.

I'm sitting on the veranda at Rocky Gap State Park, enjoying a freshening breeze -- don't worry, it's heading your way, Baltimore.

Follow the quest here.
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!

Visit the 'I Love Deep Creek & Garrett County group' on Facebook! News, events, photos, real estate, community, info, more! 1,750+ members & growing!

Park Quest 2011: Second stop

1) A cockroach will live nine days without its head before it starves to death.

2) Turtles can breathe through their butts.

3) Butterflies taste with their feet.

4) Paddling into a stiff head wind on Deep Creek Lake without Ranger Mark Spurrier in the stern providing the muscle is a futile exercise that is likely to result in negative mph.

I learned the first three facts from a poster in the Discovery Center bathroom at Deep Creek Lake State Park.

Follow the quest here.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!

Visit the 'I Love Deep Creek & Garrett County group' on Facebook! News, events, photos, real estate, community, info, more! 1,750+ members & growing!

First stop on Park Quest 2011 - Outdoors Girl

Beautiful start to my state park marathon: 24 state parks in seven days, going west to east. It's only 65 degrees right now at Herrington Manor State Park. But humidity is hanging like damp cheesecloth over the 53-acre lake.

Some folks are out fishing early and the park manager, Lieutenant Al Preston is sprucing up the grounds around the lake house.

Follow the quest here.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!

Visit the 'I Love Deep Creek & Garrett County group' on Facebook! News, events, photos, real estate, community, info, more! 1,750+ members & growing!

Natural Resources Police honor their own

In a packed church basement in Annapolis last night, Natural Resources Police honored officers for their work in law enforcement, rescue, conservation and boating safety.

Cpl. Michael Friend was named Officer of the Year for his tireless efforts to catch drunken boaters on Deep Creek Lake, pursue wildlife poachers and carry out dangerous underwater recovery operations and for his work on behalf of charities such as the annual Polar Bear Plunge that raises money for Special Olympics.

Friend, whose conservation work was recognized in 2008 by the National Wild Turkey Federation, is known for his ability to “improvise, adapt and overcome any situation,” NRP Capt. Bob Davis said.

John Griffin, secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, called the police force a “vital link to our healthier future,” noting that NRP is one of just two law enforcement agencies to have statewide jurisdiction.

Read the full article here.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!

Visit the 'I Love Deep Creek & Garrett County group' on Facebook! News, events, photos, real estate, community, info, more! 1,750+ members & growing!

Let the Quest planning begin

Registration began this morning for Park Quest 2011, the geo cache, history lesson, adventure challenge rolled into one, sponsored by the Maryland Park Service.

This year, the cutoff is 1,000 teams, and believe me, it won't take long to fill up. All you'll need is one adult and one kid and a team name (I'm sticking with Sacagawea). Then, complete 10 of the 24 Quests to be invited to the Finale in September, where you'll compete for prizes.

The premise is simple. Register--it's free--and receive a passport. The passport serves as your ticket to each of the 24 parks and whatever gear is needed to complete the challenge. After a successful Quest, get the passport stamped and move on.

Teams have from May 7 to Sept. 5 to get their 10 stamps--but don't stop there. Last year, I did all 24 in seven days, the Park Quest 24/7, and will give it my best shot again in June.

Read the rest here.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!

Visit the 'I Love Deep Creek & Garrett County group' on Facebook! News, events, photos, real estate, community, info, more! 1,750+ members & growing!

Talking turkey: be safe

The only time I ever came close to causing a hunting accident happened during a turkey hunt.

I won't bore you with the particulars except to say that I thought I had a clear shot until my friend's head popped up from the far side of a downed tree. It scared me to Sunday school and did nothing for my steady hand.

Monday is the start of the month-long spring wild turkey season. Last year hunters killed 2,847 wild turkeys, a 2 percent decline from the 2009 total of 2,910. The western counties proved to be the best hunting grounds. Garrett County led the state with 345 birds, followed by Allegany (327) and Washington (303). Charles and Dorchester (213) rounded out the top five.

Approximately 10,000 hunters pursue turkeys annually during Maryland’s spring season and about 25 percent are successful in taking at least one turkey.

Read the full article here.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!

Visit the 'I Love Deep Creek & Garrett County group' on Facebook! News, events, photos, real estate, community, info, more! 1,750+ members & growing!

Bear and her cubs evicted from pricey Deep Creek digs

One thing biologists know for sure is that a lot of Western Maryland habitat so beneficial to bears is also attractive to humans. That's why this sow keeps showing up in the neighborhood she once ruled.

"The landscape is changing. We're taking her dirt," said Spiker. "She's a territorial animal and we're taking her land away. This porch is just a dark cave to her."

Hence the relocation.

The owners of the five bedroom, 4 1/2-bathroom house, a couple from Potomac, have it on the market.

Read the full article here

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!

Visit the 'I Love Deep Creek & Garrett County group' on Facebook! News, events, photos, real estate, community, info, more! 1,750+ members & growing!

Ask Outdoors Girl - Deer Hunting

Gene Boyd is 73 and lived in the Baltimore area from 1956 to 2004. A deer hunter who called Garrett County his favorite spot, Boyd asks: Years ago, white-tailed deer season for firearms started on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It was changed to Saturday, the story goes, because wives complained that their husbands were going hunting rather than spending the holiday at home. Can you tell me when this change took place?

Outdoors Girl searched the Sun archives and asked veteran hunters if they could recall a Friday opening day, to no avail. She asked Bob Beyer, the institutional memory of DNR's Wildlife and Heritage Program, who said the agency has no record of it ever starting on a Friday. Can anybody out there with a better memory than Beyer and me solve this mystery?

If you have an outdoors question in search of an answer, send it to candy.thomson@baltsun.com

Read the full post here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website - competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

A journey across the state - Outdoors Girl

By Candus Thomson, The Baltimore Sun
January 1, 2011

You made me cry.

Of course I made myself cry, too.

Knife wounds, insect attacks and tandoori-hot temperatures aside, my favorite story involved me and you and the outdoors. In July, during one of the hottest stretches in a summer of hot stretches, I compressed a season's worth of state park visits into one week. Twenty four parks, seven days, from Deep Creek Lake to the Atlantic Ocean.

The stunt was to promote the Maryland Park Service's "Park Quest" family challenge, the best idea to come out of Annapolis since the coining of the state motto: "Manly deeds, womanly words."

Read the full article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website - competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Five things to do outdoors this weekend - outdoors girl blog

It’s supposed to get into the 40s this Saturday and Sunday. Positively balmy. Here’s five things to get you out and about this weekend that don't involve advertising circulars or standing in checkout lines:

2) Cold, clear nights are perfect for star gazing. Learn where to look and what you’re looking at Saturday at 8 p.m. at Soldier’s Delight Natural Environment Area, 5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills. Members of the Westminster Astronomy will give you a look at the galaxy from inside out. The program will include a discussion of Perseus and the last meteor shower of the year. The event is free; donations appreciated. To reserve a spot, call 877-794-0606.

3) On Sunday, celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Wisp Resort at Deep Creek Lake. One-day lift tickets are $7, sports rental and group lessons are half price. Activities include a scavenger hunt, a hot cocoa and cider tasting, muscis and games. At 1 p.m., Wisp will unveil a birthday cake made by Baltimore’s Charm City Cakes and cut free pieces for everyone. The celebration will spill over to Monday. There’s more at http://www.wispresort.com.

Read the full article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website - competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Diamond Jim stars in MPT show

Outdoors Girl Blog
November 16, 2010

This year's Maryland Fishing Challenge and Diamond Jim contest will be featured Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. on MPT's Outdoors Maryland.

Cameras follow anglers at Deep Creek Lake and Savage River in Western Maryland, as well as at the Bill Burton State Park Fishing Pier on the Choptank River who are trying to reel in fish to win prizes ranging from a cruise to a motor boat and trailer.

The elusive tagged striped bass nicknamed Diamond Jim and worth $20,000 escapes capture for another year.

Watch the half-hour show and maybe you'll catch a glimpse of yourself catching fish.

Read the blog here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website - competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

First bear of Maryland's 7th annual hunt

From the Outdoors Girl blog:

The first bear checked at Maryland's seventh annual hunt was shot by Leslie Nightingale, 39, a juvenile substance abuse counselor from Allegany County. The 234-pound bear was shot in Garrett County near the western shore of Deep Creek Lake.

Read the rest here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website - competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Park Quest 24/7, the end - Outdoors Girl

She did it! Congrats Candy Thomson!

From her blog:

I started at sun up at water's edge one week ago in Garrett County and ended minutes ago at the Atlantic Ocean.

In between, I visited some of Maryland's prettiest public lands — 24 parks, all different, all worth seeing — in seven consecutive days.

During Park Quest 24/7, I met some tremendous public servants and volunteers.

Read the rest here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!

Park Quest 24/7: Nearing the finish line - Outdoors Girl

This morning I pulled the last T-shirt from my duffel bag. It's red, for stop.

I'm in my final day of Park Quest 24/7, a personal challenge: visit all 24 state parks across the state participating in the state's annual Park Quest contest in seven consecutive days.

I've been wearing a different color shirt each day, partially to remind me that I've turned a page and partially to ensure that, well, I remain nominally presentable.

On Day One in Garrett County last Wednesday, the shirt was green for go. Then it was cream, purple, light blue, pink and yellow.

Read the rest here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on www.DeepCreekAlive.com!

Avoiding the trap - Outdoors Girl Maryland Park Quest

Following the progress of Candy Thomson as she passed through Garrett County yesterday:

July 7, 2010
Avoiding the trap
Third Quest in the can and it's not even noon yet.

Can I do five parks in one day?

Ranger Dave Best and I walked along the water's edge at Deep Creek Lake State Park and through the woods looking for the five metal medallions that tell the story of the park and its resources.

Made a rubbing of each to complete the Quest.

Temperature is near 90 now. Still, making my first three stops near the water has made a big difference.

Off to New Germany State Park now."

Read the rest here.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!

Candy Thomson - Baltimore Sun - Outdoors Girl Blog

So, I read her piece on the Maryland Park Quest yesterday, blogged about it and then had an idea - what if I could meet her while she was in Garrett County? Well, I sent her a quick email, she liked the idea and we just finished meeting at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center. Candy Thomson, the 'Outdoors Girl', is in Garrett County for the Maryland Park Quest 'marathon' of 24 state parks in 7 days. She's done with 3 and on her way to New Germany State Park next, hoping to finish up the day at Rocky Gap.

She camped last night at Swallow Falls and hit the Garrett County park trail at 7am. Next, off to Herrington Manor and then...Deep Creek Lake State Park. It worked out perfectly to meet her at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center - where she was greeted to a hero's welcome by the staff and Patty Manown Mash. You could tell they were all following her quest (and they are all readers of the 'I Love Deep Creek' blog, too, apparently - thanks for the great comments!)

She promised to be up again for the black bear hunt in October, and I agreed to attend, as well! She says she loves it up here and loves coming back!

Without wanting to hold her up from the rest of her Quest, she smiled for a quick photo in front of the lake, and was off to New Germany...good luck, Candy!

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!