Exploring Garrett County

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Thursday, January 24, 2008

The Allegheny Mountains of Maryland's Garrett County have been a lure for Washingtonians looking to escape humid summers since the late 19th century. Today the area is a four-season resort, centered on 12-mile-long Deep Creek Lake, the largest in the state. According to Charlie Ross, president of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, there are 30,000 county residents, a number that swells to 70,000 during summer. More than half of the visitors come from the Washington area. For more information, go to http://www.visitdeepcreeklake.com.

The area is about an hour's drive from architect Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob properties in Pennsylvania, open for public tours (hours change seasonally). Other home-related places to visit in between canoeing, kayaking and hiking:

Simon Pearce glass-blowing workshop and retail store. The noted Vermont-based designer of glass and pottery maintains a factory here, with daily demonstrations of the art of glass blowing. A retail shop sells both first-quality cake plates, vases, goblets and lamps, as well as seconds. 265 Glass Dr., Mountain Lake Park, Md., 800-774-5277, http://www.simonpearce.com.

Spruce Forest Artisan Village is a cluster of historic cabins and rustic structures moved here to become artist studios and shops featuring weaving, bird carving, jewelry making and other handiwork. Hours change seasonally. 177 Casselman Rd., Grantsville, Md., 301-895-3332, http://www.spruceforest.org.

Jura Koncius