Detroit Adventure

I'm in the midst of a stay-cation, and I was in need for an adventure.  Along with my Sweetie, Steve, we set off for exploring and caching in Detroit.  I think my cache log says it best:

Reading other logs left on the Detroit caches, I see people commenting about the sketchy neighborhoods, the trash, the burned out houses. Yes, we saw that, but we had some amazing (and diverse) experiences, too.

We visited a historic German church & cemetery. Saw a Detroit Zoo sign in (I think) Arabic. Stopped at a duck crossing. Escaped ravenous mosquitoes at this little-known nature trail near Fairlane. Discovered MANY Michigan Lost Towns. Saw a man wheel an ice cream pushcart in Mexicantown. Visited a Hungarian church and cemetery (with those beautiful cameos in the headstones). Almost hit a man riding a bicycle-powered potato chip cart. Crossed over into alien territory under a freeway. Marveled at the colorful graffiti-murals covering abandoned buildings. Sat enthralled with the Albert Kahn facades & interiors in the New Center area. Fell silent over the Art Deco details on the now-defunct theaters on the East Side. Finished off with dinner at Polish Village.

I can't wait to share some of my pictures with you!

Saint Alphonus - German Catholic Church & historic cemetery

Steve helping out at the Duck Crossing

 

Lots of Nature Trails in the Detroit Area

So many flowers - what is this?

Wetlands, too

We visited many of the Michigan Lost Towns (MLT) - fascinating histories!

Detroit is dotted with historic cemeteries

Details from the Cadillac Building - designed by Albert Kahn

Always remember to look up!

Interior of the Cadillac Building

Details are amazing!  Not the Detroit everyone thinks of, eh?

This is.  But, typical to this type of structure, the poor neighborhood surrounding it was immaculate, filled with laughter and children.

So, not much quilting done, but at least I have something to show for it!

Happy Tuesday!
Elisa

Happy National Paul Bunyan Day!

Vitamin D at Tollgate Farm in Novi

I’m still plugging away at my projects but everything is in the “in between” stage - lots of applique completed and prepping for the embroidery. 

In the interim, I thought I’d share some photos from my “happy place” yesterday.  Tollgate Farm, in Novi, is a 160-acre farmstead, currently owned by Michigan State University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Americana Foundation.  

I was introduced to it by my friend Lauri – we would grab our lunches and visit its beautiful pond while we ate.  So many birds & butterflies, plus several retired horses (from Greenfield Village).  Besides the stunning paths weaving through some beautiful flora, there is a children’s garden, a rose garden, a greenhouse, a sugar shack and nature trails (yes, plus two geocaches!). There’s no cost or donation obligation.

Yesterday, while waiting for a friend, I snapped a few pictures with the Hipstamatic app on my phone. 

Here is a picture of the pond from an earlier blog post:

Happy Wednesday!

Elisa



Annual Trek to Upper Lower!

Every year my family takes day trip to the Tawas/Oscoda area.  It's stunning!  It's on Lake Huron - just north of the thumb on the mitten!

No stops at the quilt shops this year (the one in Tawas City has closed) but plenty of adventures!

Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse

Team Free Range Lobsters visiting Paul Bunyan

Another shot of Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse

Jon is doing what boys do

Jon, Lorna, Corey and Robyn

Funny thing to find at the point, eh?

Must stop for putt-putt.  Dad was chilling in the fudge shoppe!

And you must stop at Marion's before heading home!

Tomorrow I should be able to (finally) post some finishes!

Elisa

Happy Independence Day

Just returned from the Clawson fireworks. I tried out the fireworks setting on my camera. These are great if you click to enlarge.

Happy Independence Day!

Elisa

 

Titanic Marker in Mount Clemens

I've finished another strip in my journal quilt. I actually had to cut more squares. I thought I'd get bored with it after awhile, but I'm fascinated in watching it grow! Also making great headway on a memorial quilt. Unfortunately, my SKoW quilt is suffering - I fear my group will drop me the next round.

I was out in Resurrection Cemetery in Mount Clemens when I came across a very interesting headstone:

It's the stone of one of the Titanic survivors. He lived his life in Detroit. Pretty neat, eh? Here's a close-up of the ship:

I'm on a 4-day weekend so I hope to have something to share this week.

Happy stitching!

Elisa

 

Wandering Around Windsor, Ontario

On the last day of my vacation, I'm backing up photos on my camera and decided to share some pics from my recent adventures.  Nipped on over to Canada on Thursday to enjoy the beautiful, sunny day!

Willistead Manor belonged to a former Golden Age Baron in Windsor.
Now the house and grounds belong to the City of Windsor

Another view of Willistead Manor

Willistead Manor - fountain detail

Detroit skyline from Windsor Riverside park

The name of the nearby geocache was "View of Belle Isle".
However, when I looked up, the freighter was blocking my view!

Goose Neck Park

Nearby Riverside Park features many topiaries

Detroiters know this as the Ren Cen.
Windsor-ites kept calling it the GM Building.

Did you know the aliens landed in Windsor?

Entrance to the Odette Sculpture Gardens

Nearby Ambassador Bridge

This one captured my attention

Greater view of sculpture Gardens

Actual planes at memorial in Jackson Park

Sun setting in Jackson Park

Queen Elizabeth Gardens

 I think this one should be my Detroit-Windsor postcard.  Don't ya think?

Happy Sunday!
Elisa