Detroit Day

We returned from our 15 day road trip to the southwest USA last Thursday.  Today (Tuesday), we headed back across the border to visit the annual Day of Dead exhibit at the DIA.  It was sunny, very windy, and very warm (78 F) today, with leaves blowing everywhere.  The weather on our trip was mostly perfect, especially on hiking days.  We hit some rain in Albuquerque, but as it was a city visit to a gallery, shops, and two breweries, it didn't interfere with anything we did.  Some hiking photos have been put up on Facebook.  I am still working on the written log of the trip, before I turn to blogging about it.  In the meantime, here is one photo from the longer voyage, and several from today's Detroit adventure.

 

My main goal was to reach the Texas highpoint.  It was a severe hike up and down, but all that training and stubbornness paid off once again. 

 

After getting my shaggy hair trimmed considerably on the Canadian side, we headed to Detroit for lunch.  IMA is an Asian fusion spot reknowned for its excellent dishes, vegan and otherwise.  It sits on the corner of Cass and Warren, one of the busiest intersections in Detroit.  On three sides lie Wayne State University (my alma mater for a M. Mus. degree), and on the fourth side is a commercial strip filled with eateries.

Looking across Cass St. from my seat at IMA. 

 

The Day of the Dead show wasn't very good this year (or last).  Instead of truly artistic designs and imagination, we saw mostly the living room variety of offrendas.  A few were okay, but just.  Later we wandered some of the galleries, noticing a lot of new purchases hanging on the walls.  It was also good to see some old favourites.

 

An elaborate pyramid shaped offrenda.

Detail of a much larger display.

This one was created by students for a favourite female coach that had passed away.

 

This Paddleboat by Feininger has long been a favourite of ours.

Updating a traditional Northwest Coast native hat, this bowl, when displayed upsidedown, reveals the shadow figures.  Very cool!

 

After leaving the art institute we visited a new coffee shop in Midtown.  Called Sous Terre, it is tucked beneath an old apartment building. It is mostly a cafe until 5 pm, then it becomes a bar.  They have done a great job remodelling what was once a wrecked basement. 

 

A hidden treasure in Midtown Detroit.

 

Inside Sous Terre. 

 

Things are slowly returning to normal here at the Homestead.  Reading took quite a hit in October.  I am trying to finish a book before posting about the month's reading.  It may be a day or two late this time.  Our major party of the year (one of two, actually) is this Thursday, so I will be off the air until at least Friday.

Mapman Mike