A Detroit Gallimaufry

If I've posted any of these photos, enjoy them again. I can't remember everything! Ok, I can't remember much at all -why do you think I take so many photographs? Wrapping it up gyro in Detroit, here we go.

This is one of the many tiled wall pieces in the people mover stations. They're pretty wonderful.

There are a lot more walls in other stations. You can look at photos here and it's worth the time to look. The idea of such amazing art in a place where you are only going to be so very briefly widely opens your eyes. Art of the moment, it's everywhere.

You can hop on and off all across town and tokens are inexpensive enough to make it another good way to see the buildings and different areas of the city. If I'd done this whole day trip as one post, this is where you'd see a lot of the water tower photos I put in earlier posts. I felt a bit like a voyeur in a not creepy way, getting a peek into hidden spaces far above the street. Grab it!

We got out to see the River Walk. There's a lot more to it than we walked and a lot more planned for the future. For one thing, a greenway connecting to Eastern Market, which warms the cockles of my food heart. How that all works out financially will be something for this part of Michigan to figure out, but I have a feeling it will happen one of these days. I hope so.

A freighter heading down the river, right past the casino in Windsor Canada. Sea gull, he don't care.

I had no idea (or forgot my history) that so much of the Underground Railroad was played out here, always thinking of it as a northeast corridor series of events. It wasn't.

The Detroit Princess tour boat. Originally built as a casino, over its life span has been quite a trip, from its birthplace in Louisiana, to Illinois, back to Louisiana and finally a very roundabout trip to Detroit. It's huge. Too huge to interest me for a tour, but cool looking enough to get my attention.

Work is goin' on! I missed them waving at us, but they did. More friendly Detroit'ers.

Back on the people mover we went by the bus station. The scale of the whatever they are's from mid-air was pretty hard to take in, zooming by. Parachutes?

The Rosa Parks Transit Center. Did you know Rosa Parks, though not from here, both lived and died in Detroit?

Finally, we were hungry and there we were, pulling into the Greektown station. As soon as we hit the street, Greek music hit our ears, coming from I don't know where, but it was just the right volume to transport me to a tiny slice of Greece. Real tiny, but real good. Greektown, I like you!

Stylin' Greektown server at the New Parthanon

Don't forget your coat, sir!

Another mermaid for my brother. I left a bit of the man's head in the corner so you can get the perspective of the size of this mural - and this is only the bottom corner.

Karen doesn't seem to mind that he has, apparently, lost his spear.

There are about 5 levels in this place. We were in there between lunch and dinner so it was pretty empty, but not hard to imagine parties going on.

 

This store had the biggest variety of liquor miniatures I've ever seen. Karen exhibited a rare restraint and left the Soprano's wine on the shelf. I left the miniatures as well. I think I was running.

For my beer buds.

You do NOT want to stumble here, it is truly steam and truly hot. How do I know this? I stuck my foo...ok, not really, I just heard a story about someone who stumbled and got seriously burned seriously fast. Ouch!

This church building is so beautiful and also, it was a big part of the Underground Railroad.  It is also decaying in a very sad way; I hope they can save it.

Everything was closed the day we were there; I hear it's pretty amazing inside.

I should have grabbed the preacher before he headed off, but I was too interested in his robe. It was beautiful.

This smallish building was across the street from the church building and sort of encapsulated so much of Detroit for me. History and modern, mismashed in a still intriguing way.

I was going for the weird triangular dormer window, but I got this instead. I like it.

Ah, there's the window. Different.

Empty. Sad.

The Ambassador Bridge is one way to go to Canada, this is another. Trucks can't use this and that guy doesn't own it, so I think unless I was into the bridge views, I'd take the tunnel. Karen says it's about a ten minute drive, I think I could do that.

This statue is outside of the courthouse. It is way way up high on marble or granite pedestal and is called The Hand of God. Really. Dramatic and startling both.

Michigan is almost in my rear view window, but I'm not leaving before I'm gone. It's not even snowing yet!

Have a take to the top Thursday. Do something textured.

Coming Near ~ a Michigan Denouement

photo credit: unknown

I was looking over some photos the other day and realized a few missed postings that I really shouldn't forget, the River Walk being one of them, it's pretty amazing to see Canada as close as 'right there' across the water, plus the Underground Railroad connection, which is big big big here. I'll do that soon.

And I never talked about Petoskey stones, Michigan's official state stone in fact, which are very fascinating. Why, you are asking, if you aren't a stone/rock sort of person, are they so fascinating? Surprisingly, I'm going to tell you. Because what they are is petrified coral and I've seen (and probably, so have you if you've gone to Culebra) some that I think are the same, albeit a few millennia younger. I've seen them in windows as decoration (some are big, like a human head size brain coral big), small, made into jewelry (expensive) and photos, but I didn't find one and no one was real encouraging that I might. But then, I never thought I'd find red sea glass either...

I'm not only digressing from you, dear reader, I'm digressing from myself, because this was really going to be about some sights on my last few walkabouts with M. Mackey and I'm going to hie myself right back there. Right now. I mean it.

Those two horns on the roof? They should be as big as Julian's speakers; they are LOUD

Train graffiti. This isn't the best example but it's what went by me.

Remember the geese the other day? The plotting? Now they are celebrating, having a party. I bet it is a Goosey Loosey party. I bet there is tea.

And remember the dear? The dearly departed dear? Here is its kin. Sadly, I think it must sleep under the camper top in winter, but what's a suburban deer to do? If I already posted a photo of this deer, forgive me, por favor. I need to eat more coconut oil. Okay, I need to start using coconut oil if I don't forget to get some. Again.

Crazy yard of colorful flower power. I was driving, lost, one evening and saw this. Then I happened to find it again when I was out walking with Mackey. I guess I wasn't real lost. What a great yard for the whole neighborhood to enjoy.

One can only imagine what happens here at Christmas.

This might be my favorite Halloween decoration ever.

I can find home ANYWHERE. In this neighborhood, this hole in the wall liquor store looks as out of place as a dry cleaner on Culebra. I love it.

Funky barn garage

Back on track(s)

My continual quest for tiny homes has not abated but I've come to the conclusion that in this area in particular, there are some smallish homes, and then there are secret tiny homes. In the backyards. Where I can see them but not exactly photograph them, because what I see is the back and side. At first I thought they were all garages or storage sheds, but then, the occasional decorated door way, the welcome mat - signs of a daily life occurring, subtle but there. I'm still trying to find a way to take a photo but truly, these neighbors are very friggin' nosy watchful and I'm slightly surprised no one has said anything about me and my camera. To me.

Small home, big trees

I think this one was empty. Those are the saddest looking flowers, trying to make up for being the only landscaping beyond grass. Go, you blossoms of courage!

I like this house, even with the not quite in the 'style of' addition, which I see a lot around here. But it's still pretty nice, with a good feel. Then, in the very large backyard, perched like pieces of a child's play village aslant, are the outbuildings - one a large shed, one a not tiny house. A not compatibly considered house either.

Color me bewildered. I'm so used to nothing being the same, but here in the land of the tidily manicured houseproud, crazy juxtaposition is glaring.

There aren't a lot of these fieldstone homes around, but they do pop up like gems every once in awhile.

This is not, I'm fairly sure, just a Halloween gesture. The whole place is scary.

Great garage/apartment/somethingsomething, this place is really pretty huge. Clean, bright, in that simple New England-y looking way.

'tis the reason for the pumpkin season

I wonder how well pumpkin farmers do, financially. Tough job. Of course, I'm talking American style pumpkin here, not our Caribbean pumpkin, another variety of squash. Even though American pumpkin is also a squash. Never mind.

I'm losing track of days and it only took a month. Maybe not so good as Linda comes home tomorrow and I come home Saturday, so I better figure this out toot sweet. But my 'ticket' is printed. Mackey's had a bath. I'll probably sweep the floors, or just drag Mackey around the house, since a lot of floor bits are his anyway. Replacement fur therapy. There's a dinner in the works and fun getting ready to hear all about the trip and how Francie's doing. This is perking me right up; time to get out of here!

Have a work it, baby! Wednesday. Do something welcomingly wakefully.

The Dalai Lama Says

"We need to be clear which emotions are harmful and which are helpful; then cultivate those that are conducive to peace of mind. Often, due to a lack of knowledge, we accept anger and hatred as natural parts of our minds. This is an example of ignorance being the source of our problems. To reduce our destructive emotions we strengthen the positive ones; such emotional hygiene can contribute to a healthier society."

Dalai Lama ~ October 1, 2013

 photo credit: unknown

 Today, unfortunately, I feel a lot more like this (thank you, David A).

Have a tend the trends Tuesday. Do something. 

p.s. Congratulations to Andy and Karen on their wedding day! This mitigates a lot and DOES strengthen my positive emotions in a big way. Coming to an island called Culebra soon!