Best laid plans are never really in our control. Our flight from Tampa was delayed enough for us to miss our connection in Detroit that would take us to Reykjavik. No big deal since I'd planned to arrive 2 days before our Backroads hiking trip was to start.... except this WAS a big deal because of the total eclipse coming up that was viewable in Iceland. Seems EVERYONE was heading to Iceland and there were no available seats for 3 days!
So, Detroit became our interim destination. We dove in and did everything Detroit (and nearby Canada) with our newfound time. I learned that Detroit is very much changing/improving and taking on a new life. This seems largely formed by young people and immigrants which was refreshing.
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| iconic GM Renaissance Center 1976 |
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| renovated 1913 Michigan Central Station |
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| Ceiling detail above columns |
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| graffiti retained during renovation |
The Michigan Central Station lay in ruin for years. Collapsed roof, graffiti, dilapidated neighborhood. The building was renovated due to community groundswell and now the surrounding area is blossoming with a tech incubator compound, gardens, upcoming stadium.
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| We walked along the waterfront park |
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| Looking across to Windsor Canada |
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| Detroit boxer Joe Lewis's arm as imposing sculpture |
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amazing Guardian Art Deco building
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| 1928 Penobscot Building |
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| detailed windows, doors |
The jewel of Detroit downtown buildings to me was the Guardian, who's untimely opening in 1929 by the Union Trust Bank that provided an unlimited budget to architect Wirt C. Rowland. Timing is everything and though the bank succumbed to the depression, Detroit investors kept the building afloat. Today, it is owned by the city and is a National Historic Landmark.
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| looking into the building from the lobby |
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| one of the elevator banks, stained glass on back wall |
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| ceiling of main room (former banking room), handmade tiles |
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| glass tiled mural at far wall in main room |
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| Bank's mission statement in glass tile. see fancy fire hose case |
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| 1958 Spirit of Detroit sculpture downtown |
When we realized we would be staying another day, we headed over the Detroit River to Windsor Canada to check out the Canadians, and their new Gordy Howe bridge that Trump tried to undermine. Beautiful bridge and calm Canada was refreshing.
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| Beautiful bridge into Canada |
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| Country border |
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| sunset over Detroit, from Windsor |
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| no doubt, in Canada |
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| a LOT of shipping traffic on the river |
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| cloggers at nearby town festival |
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| Walmart wardrobe (no baggage 3 days) |
We found out we had ONE MORE DAY to kill, so spent it at the Henry Ford Museum in Deerborn. I admit it was an impressive museum! Not only transportation of ALL kinds, but furniture, fabrics, architecture, and more.
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| in case you wondered where original is..... |
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| Turk tries out farming big rig |
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| Ford Tri-Motor commuter plane |
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| Kennedy's presidential limo where he was shot. Used by 2 more presidents! |
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| more transportation - huge trains in the museum |
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| and..a Nauga, where naugahide comes from! |
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| Charles Kuralt's On The Road show RV |
