SEEKING SMALL TOWN ADVENTURES
A Magazine Article / Copyright June, 2007
By Kim Albiez

There comes a time when one needs to escape from the political intensity of Washington to seek adventure and solitude in a small town. I went into a time shuttle last week that gave me a space to revert to when D.C. can be overwhelming with grave news of the world. That time and space I call no-timesville was for me… Berlin Maryland. I was craving the past of no war, no chaos, no political negative chatter in every coffee shop I approached. I wanted a town where newspapers are hard to locate, satellite stations in coffee shops are unheard of, where I could turn off my cell phone and any connections to our capital and be calm becoming one with a town from the past! My destination was Ocean City Maryland, but I am known for taking magical detours along the way.

As I drove a short two hour drive I stopped at a town called Berlin Maryland. As I entered the quaint town I could envision a wild west stage coach along side of my BMW. My criteria for the perfect town to escape to is an old hardware store full of memories and gadgets, a bakery that smells before you even open the door of sweetness and yeast and at least two stores off the beaten path full of magical intrigues. I got that and much more in Berlin! The bakery was typical of my New York City childhood days…small and narrow but filled with shelves of tiny and large eclairs, meringue puffs, Greek bread busting out with fresh spinach and feta cheese that melted in your mouth! Strawberries dipped in chocolate, four for a dollar (yes.. don't go into shock the prices matched their wallpaper of the past 60's!) An apron clad cook/cashier was helpful and cheerful holding our food till our excursion was completed. Next door was the hardware store were the owners had been for forty plus years and over hearing their conversation with a townie. knew every nook and cranny of their inventory by memory! My friend who was with me was in awe of the range from old toboggans (memory filled word from the past)…to the tiniest drain pipe.

As I sniffed in it's glory of manure and turf from the back of the store I felt peaceful in all it's glory as fond memories of Saturdays holding my Dad and Grandpa's hands resurfaced. It surpasses Home Depot and Lowes just in it's one on one courteous and all knowing staff obliges your every need. The town blocks were filled with thrift shops carrying loads of Ann Taylor neighboring outlet finds and fashions of the past revisited. I must take time to applaud the town for their courteous bathrooms supplied in the center of town for visiting aliens of D.C……How thoughtful! Antique stores reasonably priced with mementos that we still seek to reclaim the past of our Ozzie and Harriet days at home among a peaceful family and community. Want a blast from the past with a refreshing rootbeer float? Old fashioned ice cream parlor and memorabilia awaits you as it sits victoriously in the corner building of the town. Unique boutiques with Richard Gere's photo framed in a corner nestled in the back of the store proudly letting you know that Hollywood came in to town six years ago filming the "Runaway Bride," and turned their town into a western bar scene in another movie. Leaving the town touched by Julia Robert's spunk and yet not allowing it to go to their heads as they were casted as extras in both movies. A specific magical moment in my small town seeking adventures was a store on the side streets with small hand painted signs saying, "Wines… Food… Gallery." My interest for the unknown was sparked as my friend questioned my sanity of walking into a dark forbidden entry off the beaten path. Wahlah! The piece of resistance, the diamond in the rough, a vision usually seen in Greenwich Village or a posh D.C. area….my favorite jackpot!

You enter into a tiny gem of an oriental boutique which featured from unique hair accessories and jewelry to delicate sushi sets and cilantro ginger infused salad dressings. Into the next room was a small array of wines from all over the world. I searched feverishly to find my favorite Australian Chardonnay and it was actually accompanied by it's Merlot rendition that I've searched high and low for since Christmas! Then we hear a voice of a young man over their European style coffee bar offering us a tasting of their favorite pics. We sipped on their fine wines as I glanced over to see desserts piled high…not frozen brought in to defrost, but fresh and delectable to keep our sugar count at a level to move on in our town treasure hunt! To the right of the dessert case I see a tiny book section filled with insightful words and a spa section of scented candles and bath salts to accompany our quest of solitude!

As I paid for my purchases I noted a staircase leading to heaven (for me)…A gallery of local and U.S. artists, from kimonos finely woven to hand blown glass moonballs for my magical garden….what more could I ask for? By this time my mind was made up to have a future outing called: "Women's Solitude Escape" to share my tranquility with friends in need of seclusion from stress.. And to my delight the owner overheard my conversation and pointed us to the back room for my ultimate surprise! There it was… a tiny private room that was a restaurant / theatre, able to hold no more than twenty patrons at a time. Next to it was a stage with old iron theatre seats musty smell and all painted red awaiting the local talent to perform live shows at night. Guitar threesomes strumming to old folk songs of the past… once again clicking off my peaceful life before my pre-fifty hour weeks, cell phones, palm pilots, and email addiction! My mind went directly into envisioning a group of friends or my husband and I sitting with great food and wine and a live music show in a town from the past, protected from modern technologies and poltergeist communities. It is nestled with uniqueness and family owned businesses. Untouched by the empires of today's era…K and Walmarts and by everyone owning the same accessories and furniture from Pottery Barn.

of common grounds without individuality isn't known in Berlin. From their wrap around porches on their homes and lack of salt box look alike condos my eyes were filled with excitement. As if this wasn't enough…I walked out feeling invigorated and motivated to write this article! Sparked by what touches my soul… I found even more treasures as I walked around every corner of the town. I wanted to support a town's claim to the past with touches of unique greatness. I turned the corner and stepped into a woman's boutique full of one of a kind linen and cotton clothing. Outside were two brightly striped canvas chairs for men to sit comfortably in while woman do what we do best on our down time shop! My friend enjoyed the fact that she could bring a touch of whimsy to her sedate government job as she loaded up on her spring and summer work and fun wardrobe.

A true sign of a town that calms you from our D.C. craziness is going back the next day for more…. and we did! The four day excursion landed us in more time warp, magical towns that I'd like to write about in the future. Berlin is a must see and experience town outside of D.C. Why? So you can go back to our bustling big city with a sense of calm and a safe feeling that only takes seconds, minutes, hours, days and if you are lucky weeks to recover from. Enabling you to handle the high stress living we tend to be addicted to. From our great nations capital we call home, remember to escape for an infusion of tranquility and past memories to hold on to during chaotic times. I could go on and on, but you need to experience your own treasure finds in the town of Berlin. I shall get in my car and keep on searching for more relaxing, time stands still treasure towns from the past!

From the writings of my heart, Kim Albiez