Mountain road coils and twists its way from Ritchie Highway to the gated community of Gibson Island like a garden snake through the heart of Pasadena, revealing a humble and eclectic waterfront village with something for everyone — including the American Dream.
“The Dena,” as locals refer to it, occupies a large territory on a peninsula near the Severn and Magothy rivers in Anne Arundel County.
Tucked away between Baltimore and Annapolis, it is remarkably self-contained with scores of local family-owned businesses, affordable neighborhoods within walking distance to the water, an abundance of wildlife, and activities from crabbing to miniature golf.
“Everything you need is here,” said Leigh Slayden, who owns her own marketing agency and moved from Philadelphia three years ago. “Lots of green space, miniature parks with playgrounds, mom-and-pop businesses.”
Slayden lives in the Chesterfield development where homes resemble ordinary colonials from the outside, but they are lofted at the living room on the inside. They feature skylights and tall windows, and the front porches evoke a maritime feel.
“The homes are full of an incredible amount of light,” said Slayden, who adds that she doesn’t need to turn on the lights during the day.
Homes in Chesterfield list in the low $300s.
“They are remarkably feng shui,” she said. “There’s a lot of energy moving through the house.”
“Feng shui” literally means “wind and water” and that’s what people flocked to Pasadena for in the summers from Baltimore in the ’30s and ’40s. Some built small waterfront shacks, many of which still exist in communities like Riviera Beach, Armiger and Orchard Beach to enjoy the breezes on their screened in porches.
Housing comes in many shapes and sizes — from “shore shacks” on Riviera Beach to Gibson Island mansions — and is as varied as the population, the flora and fauna, and the local food scene.
Shopping for groceries at Lauer’s and Angels, both family-owned stores where clerks refer to you affectionately as “hon,” you’ll discover the same delicacies that were available in the diners and bakeries of Highlandtown 50 years ago such as gawumpkis, sour beef and dumplings, and “schmierkase” — a German coffee cake.
Michael Linder and his wife Fran own the Daily Scoop and offer 145 flavors of homemade ice cream. You can have chocolate eclair, Boston cream pie, egg nog and pumpkin cheesecake.
Just don’t say your favorite ice cream is chocolate or vanilla.
“You need to try four or five of my flavors of my ice cream,” said Mike Linder, spooning out the samples, “before you know what you want.”
He doesn’t use additives or whey — only natural ingredients — and the cream is smooth and buttery.
“If you don’t use the best, don’t bother,” Linder said, echoing the words of Brooklyn ice cream maker Tony Buonavera, who taught him the trade in the 1950s.
One key ingredient to happiness in Pasadena is the scenery.
Its natural and untouched beauty lingers in abundance within the coves and inlets, and is best experienced in a kayak or canoe.
Herons glide like cargo planes down Bodkin Creek at sunset. Crab traps dangle from piers filled with angry jumbos and peelers.
Osprey guards their nests with a screeching ferocity. Fort Smallwood Park is one of the best locations along the entire East Coast for hawk watching.
“I can look out at the water and relax at any time,” said Slayden. “It’s a charming place.”
