Colchester, Ontario to Utica, Michigan – 2 November 2023

Off to the Staybridge Suites in Utica about a 40 drive from downtown Detroit.

We got up early as we had to make our way back through the tunnel to Windsor, Canada so I could pick up a prescription. No problems at the border and so easy without the rig. After collecting the tabs, we went to a place called “The dog’s breakfast” for brunch. The restaurant was in quite a colourful part of town which had lots of beautiful murals on the walls. After that it was back through the tunnel again, hopefully last time for a while.

Back in Detroit, we decided to park downtown so we could explore the area by foot. One afternoon is certainly not enough time to see everything Detroit has to offer, so we focused on downtown itself and the riverfront admiring the beautiful architecture on the buildings as well as some amazing statues and works of art. Detroit is known as the Motor City capital of the world. This came about when in 1896, Henry Ford (a farmer’s son) built his first car in Detroit. It was his moving assembly line that put the world on wheels. This was followed by dozens of other companies who emerged in the motor industry during the early part of the 20th century.

Detroit is also well known for its Motown music. The record company was started by a former autoworker who introduced the world to the likes of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokie Robinson, etc. Unfortunately we did not make it to the Motown museum.

Another interesting fact about Detroit is that there are salt mines beneath the city that could keep our food flavored for over 70,000 years.

The first place we visited was the Z parking lot (a functioning parking lot) that has been decorated with 130 fun and colourful murals by 27 international and local artists. The adjoining alley, known as the Belt, also had murals and several pop up bars. Unfortunately these were closed when we were there, but it was a really neat place.

After the parking lot we walked over to the Guardian building to check out the architecture. Derek waiting with Jax while I went inside and took photos. Called the “ Cathedral of Finance” the Guardian Building is one of the most striking Art Deco skyscrapers in the world. The 40 storey building was built in 1929 and its architecture is a blending of Native American, Aztec, and Arts & Crafts influences. As many as 40 artists were involved in creating this masterpiece of a building.

The outside of the building is a tangerine coloured brick on granite base. Its north and south towers are connected with a nave like block similar to the plan of a cathedral. Leading into the building is a semi domed tiled entrance on Griswold Street. There are spectacular glass mosaics in both the main lobby as well as the banking hall and on either side of the main entrance are reliefs. The first thing you see are brilliant colored tiles which fill the lobby’s vaulted ceiling. Two different types of marble contrast with each other on the steps and wall surfaces. A large ornamental metal screen divides the banking hall and main lobby. Even the office corridors and restrooms are lined in tiles. The Guardian Building is a timeless depiction of creativity and accomplishment and has been designated a National Historic Landmark, it is now home to the Bank of America.

From there we made our way to the waterfront with a quick stop at Starbucks for a pick me up. Along the way we passed several notable statues. “The Fist” is a 24 foot long sculptured arm with a fisted hand, is suspended by a 24 foot high pyramid framework and weighs 8000 pounds. It was commissioned by Sports Illustrated and dedicated to Joe Louis. Joe Louis held the world’s heavyweight boxing championship title for 12 years, longer than any other fighter. He was also known as a breaker of racial barriers, and national hero.

Detroit has several monuments to honour the Underground Railway. We particularly liked this one called “Gateway to freedom” which stands overlooking the Detroit river. It has eight escaping slaves and an Underground Railroad Conductor, who gazes and points towards Canada. The Underground Railway, a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the US during the early to mid-19th century was created to help slaves escape to freedom in Canada. Detroit was an ideal place to hide because of its close proximity to Canada. Over 75,000 people found freedom, and over 50,000 of them through Detroit.

It was a great quick visit of the city and not at all what I was expecting. For some reason I thought it would be a bit of dirty city and as you often hear, lots of crime, but we felt pretty safe walking around and the buildings were beautiful and streets clean.