Michigan - Friday

Last Thursday, we loaded the tandems on top of the car, took the urchins out of school a little early and headed to Detroit to ride in the Tour de Troit 2015. We arrived in Detroit at lunchtime on Friday so after checking into our hotel, we set off in search of something tasty.

Along the way, the urchins (Grace on left) found robots to play with

while I spied unique window decorations.

If you've ever been in Detroit, you know that coneys are a must.

After lunch, we headed to Ann Arbor to surprise Jules at Le Dog. The girls even got a tour of the kitchen - which is much larger than Le Dog's former kitchen where John worked during college.

No trip to Ann Arbor is complete without stopping by Hollanders 

and Zingerman's Deli. The watermelon & mint spritzer is delicious. 

Art is very present in Ann Arbor - from mosaics

to ceramic tiles in a parking garage

 Literati

to store signs proclaiming the establishment's name. As we were on our way to Work Gallery to see Christine's installation, I forewent venturing into Literati to browse and discover it's treasures.

And then this lovely quote on the window caught my eye.

Rain

Ann Arbor rain circles © Jennifer Coyne Qudeen

Feathers

As I wrote my last post on August 27, Hurricane Irene was moving up the east coast of the US leaving various levels of destruction in her wake. In fact, about 5 seconds after sending a note to Fiona of Paper Ponderings saying that we were all ok and still had power...well...the power went out...for 2 days. How's that for timing?

Once power was restored, I spent a day cleaning out the refrigerator and the next day packing for our vacation to Ann Arbor, Michigan. More on the art scene around here soon...probably after we return home because the girls keep confiscating my computer to watch movies.

Yesterday we ended up on the grounds of Cranbrook, where my husband went to school and also home of the Cranbrook Academy of Art. We wondered the grounds enjoying the trails, lawns, ponds, gardens, etc. It was on one of the trails that I happened to look down just in time to keep from stepping on a bluejay feather.

This lovely one will be added to my feather collection. 

 Wonder what treasure will be found on today's stroll?