Keeping An Eye on Canada

We're at the Great Lakes Maritime Center in Port Huron, Michigan. The little coffee shop we're sitting in is right on Lake Huron, where you can look across to Canada. If those Canadians are up to anything, we'll see it first. Rest easy! The Bayers are on watch (at least from 3:30 to 4:30).

It's actually up to 37 degrees this afternoon. A couple of days ago, it was 12 -- and windy. These people up here act like this is perfectly normal. I'm going to have to buy some more hot hands and toastie toes.

We spent two days in Detroit. They are trying to revitalize downtown, but it's not looking so good. Lots of busted streetlights and boarded up buildings. We got lost when we were looking for the house where Barry Gordy started Motown, and I was glad I was in a locked car.

If you ever get a chance to visit the Henry Ford Museum, do it. We spent hours there, and they had to throw us out at closing time. It's not just cars in the museum; it's almost a smaller version of the American History Museum in the Smithsonian. We also toured the factory where they make the F-150 trucks. It is very well done. There is a walkway above the factory floor, with videos and volunteers explaining everything to you. There's also a great film presentation on several screens.

This morning we spent a couple of hours at the Arab-American Museum. I did not think that would be interesting at all, but it was great. We visited an Arab bakery and had the best chocolate mousse ever. They guy who runs it has a Master's degree in electrical engineering, but he said the family bakery business was in his blood. The pastries were incredibly gorgeous. My mousse was in a chocolate teacup.

Ever had a loose burger? Gary ate one for lunch. It's chili on a hot dog bun, with no hot dog. (If you have a hot dog, it's a coney -- what I've always called a scrambled dog.)

Even in this very cold climate, we have been warm sleeping at night. I kid you not. However, we're going to a hotel tonight so we can take a hot shower!