Pat & Steve: Washington, Twp, Michigan
At 4 we arrived at Pat and Steve’s. Steve was just getting home as we arrived. We relaxed for a while and then went out to eat at a Polish restaurant on the fringes of Detroit. President Clinton had recently chosen that place to go to in one of his campaign swings. It was not fancy, a blue-collar bar (auto workers? – Steve did point out at one point in our stay, another restaurant, which was the last one Jimmy Hoffa was seen alive in). Food was plentiful and cheap. We were stuffed, but still found room to have the desert Pat had made. The desert was a Rhubarb Crisp whose recipe came from Mom. Very good and more steps to make it than Fred's simple one for Apple Crisp. This was because you have to allow for all the water in the Rhubarb.
Friday morning, Steve took off work and made our breakfast consisting of steak and eggs on a bagel.
Steve fixes breakfast.
We then went to the John Dodge estate for a guided tour. There were two Dodge brothers (the car company was called Dodge Brothers) who had a tragic end. Both died of influenza after attending a NYC convention. John Dodge married his secretary, Matilda, who did not have any formal education. They had a son and a daughter. Matilda was mainly responsible for the mansion and took several European trips, taking extensive notes that were used in its design. American craftsmen did all of the elaborate carvings, etc. After the brother's deaths, Chrysler bought out Dodge and so Matilda got the $147 Million for the purchase. The bright hopes for the future of John Dodge’s son were shattered when he died in an accident on his honeymoon. The daughter didn’t spend much time there, moving to Kentucky, because of her interest in horses. Matilda remarried Alfred Wilson and they adopted two children. Much of the work on the house was done after the remarriage. In particular Alfred's study was decorated with intricate/humorous carvings that formed the molding between the wall and the ceiling, that depicted his life: one where he nearly drowned, comical caricatures of his college professors, etc. The grandchildren still visit and sleep over in the house. The grounds became the site of Oakland University. Matilda would have teas for the students and gave the first graduating class diamond class rings. We saw the entertainment center of the house, used by Matilda to host Republican parties and also toured the bedroom area for the family. As a mansion this place was very livable not like the ones in Newport, RI.
We then toured the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm. A farm run by the Van Hoosen sisters, one of whom was a Doctor.
Dodge Estate.
Van Hoosen Farm Museum.
We drove into Detroit to see a Tigers/Oakland baseball game at the new Tiger Stadium. It has been named Comerica Park (after a bank) and is located a couple of blocks closer to the heart of the city. Next to the Park they are tearing down old buildings to make room for the Detroit Lions football stadium. This will replace the Silver Dome which is in suburban Detroit. We ate overpriced baseball food. The game was sold out. The Detroit pitcher was Hideo Nomo and pitched a good game. Detroit scored in every inning but the 8th and 9th. Final score was Detroit winning 10 to 1. Afterwards they have fireworks. Thanks to Pat and Steve for getting us good seats on the first base side.
Entrance to Stadium.
Steve, Pat and Jane in our Seats.
Sold out stands.
Score Board.
Fireworks at ball Park.
Saturday after breakfast we got an early start at 9 and were to take Steve’s 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix to Pontiac, Michigan to Woodward Ave for the Woodward Dream Cruise. However on the way, after we had traveled part way on high speed traffic and were starting the cruise, Steve felt there was something wrong with the left front tire. We pulled off on a side street and luckily stopped in a spot with no traffic, but in front of a mini-mall that had nice bathrooms just inside the door. The tire had a huge bubble in it and looked like it was about to explode. The tire had not been used much, but had sat in the garage for years. Steve put on a brand new spare he had and we continued the tour.
The Cruise is an annual event that started as an “unofficial” happening that just evolved into a huge event. Millions of people line the route which is 16 miles long, ending at the 8 Mile Road just outside of Detroit. Old car buffs cruise their cars down Woodward Ave starting in Pontiac. After the tire change, we made good time going down the route. Woodward Ave is kept open and at some points the cars travel at 50 mph. The “cruisers” are to be in the right lane. I think we turned around at the 10 mile road and headed back. Then the traffic got slow. We needed a “potty” stop, so we pulled off and found a Burger King since it was lunch time as well. We got back on the route farther up toward Pontiac, stopped and got out to see the old cars pass by. We then headed home, taking the slow way, avoiding the high-speed highways.
Pontiac in front of Pat and Steve's house.
Cruising down Woodward Ave.
Steve changes tire - note bubble in old tire.
Cruising.
Jane and Fred then left for home at 3:30. We stopped in Clarian, PA at the Super 8 Motel and made it home the next day at 12:30 (noon) to find that the wind had blown down a 30 year-old apple tree – partly because the ground had been softened by rain. We had no significant rain on our trip and had a great time.
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