US 50, coast to coast

the long version

Wulf Berg takes readers along on his journey from Ocean City, Maryland, to Sacramento, California, and back. Driving along Route 50 from coast to coast, he tells the reader what towns he passes through and what should be seen there. For fellow travelers who might want to take the same trip, or part of it, he advises them where to stay and where to eat. He and his wife, Heide, rent a van for their once in a lifetime trip. Driving from one end of the country to the other, they learn to adapt to the small space, which is occasionally used for sleeping accommodations in lieu of motels. They also discover the first-time pleasures of camping. Berg discovers in his journey the flavor of small town life and how townspeople have a sense of community and caring that is missing in large cities. He is often surprised at the friendliness and helpfulness of the people he and his wife encounter and laments that such neighborliness is not present in all areas of the country as it is in so many places along Route 50. Nancy Powell Staff Writer Ocean City Today