Quick trip report

Was in Detroit area last week just long enough to attend my grandson's graduation from Livonia Franklin, and then headed north to Traverse City for ten days. Quick synopsis of the trip:

1. Michigan weather still sucks.

2. Considering the temperatures, I was surprised to find no icebergs in Grand Traverse Bay.

3. Indian casinos in Michigan are twice as tight as the ones here in Las Vegas. I made a donation at two of them [[Odawa and Turtle Creek).

4. Golf was good news/bad news. Good news was I realized every golfers dream of shooting my age. Bad news was we only played nine holes.

5. The new terminal at Metro Airport was designed by an idiot. Try getting to the car rental shuttles after you pick up your bags.

6. I was saddened at the commencement at how sloppy men are in appearance any more. Lot of them there in shorts [[usually cargo pants) and a t-shirt. I wore a dress shirt and tie, thank you. You don't go to a special occasion dressed like a goon, but all too many did.

7. Sorry I wasn't in town long enough to touch base with Kathleen and set up a DY meet. Maybe next year.

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1. Michigan weather still sucks.

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Because it wasn't 100 degrees every day? No thanks, you can keep that.

Yeah, but it's a DRY heat, Pam! :) :)

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Originally Posted by Ray1936

Yeah, but it's a DRY heat, Pam! :) :)

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So is standing in front of an oven. Again, no thanks.

I was in Las Vegas last Thursday. From what I remember:

1. It's barren and ugly. Desert scenery can be very beautiful, but turns ugly quickly when man builds on it. The architecture is awful, the sidewalks are littered with advertisements for hookers, dust and grit blow in your face from every direction, there's bad music and obnoxious commercials blaring from loudspeakers everywhere you walk, and outside of Wynn's there might be twelve trees in the whole town. The campus of UNLV is no better.

2. The place is way overbuilt [[probably contributing to the high/highest? mortgage default rate) beyond the ability of the local resources to support it. A pleasant oasis could have been created but instead a tacky, gaudy heat island intensifies the desert climate. Casinos with air conditioning on full blast while the doors are wide open, and fountains spraying thousands of gallons of water into the air every hour for the entertainment of mouth-breathing white trash shows no concern for the environment.

3. The weather sucks; it's too hot in summer, and too cool and cloudy in winter. And it's windy all of the time.

4. Homeless people. The first thing I saw when I walked out of my hotel was a sunburnt homeless man sleeping in the parking lot, on the cement, in the shadow of an electrical transformer. My co-worker was accosted then assaulted by a homeless dude three weeks ago. Being 6'4" he easily bitch-slapped dude to the ground, which attracted the cops attention, who initially gave my coworker the business and let the homeless man go.

5. The clientel - I've never seen such a collection of loosers in one place in my life, ranging from pale white Indiana trailer trash pushing kids in strollers, to gaggles of obese middle aged women, to drunken frat boys who don't realize they're going to pass out before they get laid, to the Kardashian sisters. And nowhere have I seen so many peoples so eager to waste what they can least afford to.

6. What's with all the Mexican immigrants shoving prostitute flyers in your face every twenty feet? Can't they get the homeless people to do it?

7. The water tastes like dirt and there's no pressure. If you have a thick head of hair, just take a bottle of shampoo down to the pool.

8. The sales tax is north of 8%.

9. It seems like they took the worst of Disneyland, Times Square, the mall, a porn theater, a Catskill show, spring break, and the circus and the combination is no better.

10. For the most part, the infrastructure is new, there is a mass transit system, and the old people are nice.

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Originally Posted by MikeM

I was in Las Vegas last Thursday. From what I remember:
3. The weather sucks; it's too hot in summer, and too cool and cloudy in winter. And it's windy all of the time.

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Wow, so was I..what are the odds of two forumers being there on the same day? :p
I just returned yesterday morning.

I actually love Vegas [[hmm, I guess that makes me a mouth breather but whatever) but I don't care for the scenery or the heat.

There were "record lows" when I arrived which meant around 86 degrees or so but my last day there, it was a freaking 100 degrees...ugh, I felt like I was entering the seventh circle of hell. I was so glad to touch down at Metro and see green.

First of all I kind of agree with what you wrote about getting dressed for special occasions as it is kind of a group way of showing respect I think...

MikM lmfao at what you wrote...very entertaining report..as for the prostitute flyers-hey there are plenty of family friendly places in the USA which I think I would be correct in writing is still overall much more socially conservative than many other countries. and there are ads for hookers in the local classifieds..craigslist..the metro times here in Detroit..havent been to Vegas since me and my Dad stopped over for a few hrs..remember we got some quality food at a relatively cheap price...:) I remember seeing the ads in a box and no we didnt get some hookers lol:D

I guess I asked for what I'm getting by posting such a negative trip report in the first place. Looking it over, I didn't realize that I was a bit on the nasty side. So let me balance it a bit.

It was good to see green and trees taller than ten feet high once again. We stayed overnight with friends near S. Lyon, and the small lakes were a welcome sight. A drive throught Milford was interesting; that little burg is turning beautiful with new commercial businesses.

The drive up I-75 was a pleasure for a change as road construction was minimal. And the new four lanes north of Flint made driving a delight.

Made a quick stop at Woodlawn Cemetery to drop off flowers, and the 8 Mile/Woodward area seemed unusually clean.

Traffic was always fairly heavy along Grand River/ I-96/ 10 mile area, but there were no California drivers so all went smoothly and pleasantly.

That being said, an in response to Mike, Roq, and Terry.....who in their right mind goes on the strip? We never do. We are so far on the south end of the entire valley it's like a different world, in the foothills of Black Mountain. I love retirement here, but must agree....stick the Las Vegas strip where the sun don't shine. [[Our house is on the A peg).

In town for a couple of days to pick up my rugrats to bring back down to Charlotte.

1. Drove around for a bit, saw the mess that is Woodward right now. Saw the completed construction around the bridge. Lot colder here in the morning than I would have thought. I welcome change from the oppresive humidity in Charlotte right now.

2. Ate at Xochimilco's, steak fajitas with cheese. Was asked by a Canadian family that was also the how to get to 94 so they can get to Chicago.

3. Got the bugs cleaned from the drive at Mr. Spotless in Mexicantown. Was welcomed by one the guys there: "Welcome to Ghost Town. Why are you here?" Told him I used to live here. He said "Yeah, but why would you bring your family back here to visit?" They still live here; divorced.

He walked away shaking his head.


Still, would rather be here than in Vegas, fun for a very short visit, no offense Ray. West coast is not my bag. Four hears in San Diego cured me of that.

For tonight, a little Hamtramck and Windsor, catching up with friends. Some birthday drinks and shots to celevrate my 40th are imminent.

Plymouthres, you around? :)

Ray, if you don't like it then don't come back....and I hope the door hit your ass on the way out. My fuck, at least you liked the golfing. Anything else you can bitch about because I can find all sorts of crap to bitch about in your neck of the woods?

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Originally Posted by Ray1936

That being said, an in response to Mike, Roq, and Terry.....who in their right mind goes on the strip?

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That would be me...:D

I love the Strip..it's just so tacky, cheesy and, well, Vegas. I'd spend more time out there if I could take the heat.

I also took a side trip to the Hoover Dam stopping in Boulder City which was nice; ate at a little restaurant called Mel's Diner. Very good food and friendly people.

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Originally Posted by GOAT

Ray, if you don't like it then don't come back....and I hope the door hit your ass on the way out. My fuck, at least you liked the golfing. Anything else you can bitch about because I can find all sorts of crap to bitch about in your neck of the woods?

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Didn't say I didn't like it. I get back to MI every year for two weeks. Just don't hit the Detroit area much except for the airport.

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Originally Posted by Ray1936

Didn't say I didn't like it. I get back to MI every year for two weeks. Just don't hit the Detroit area much except for the airport.

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Thats fine with me Ray even if for some reason you were uncomfortable here you sir are more than entitled to youre feelings and opinions...and yeah the scenery near and around Vegas is mesmerizing...how much time have you spent at the Grand Canyon over in Arizoza? I hope you have experienced the beauty and wonder...:)

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Originally Posted by terryh

.how much time have you spent at the Grand Canyon over in Arizoza? I hope you have experienced the beauty and wonder...:)

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Been there a number of times on foot and by chopper. Hiked the Bright Angel Trail some 20 years ago when I was younger. Bryce Canyon and Zion are all in an easy day's drive, also, and I've explored a number of old mine shafts and adits in both NV and AZ. I regularly take visitors to Red Rock Canyon and Mt. Charleston. Most recently I climbed Black Mountain last spring behind the house. It's about 5,000 feet above sea level, but I started at the 3,000 foot level. Hey, I'm old.

Gotta agree with one comment early in this thread. Las Vegas tap water is battery acid. Don't drink anything but bottled water, and yes, I recycle the plastic bottles along with newspapers and cans.

There has never been an area mayor sent to jail, so we got you on that score. On the other hand, we have two senators I could do without, one GOP one Dem. Our governor is also a yahoo.

Hey Ray, it is ok to be honest. My Aunt, well into her eighties, is in town for our son's wedding and she is appalled at the blight.

Instead of blight, I prefer to see opportunity. This city still has the grit and talent to recreate itself in the math of destruction from so many variables that caused its downfall.

I see/feel sadness in our children feeling so alienated. Took a drive on Belle Isle yesterday. Three young ladies perhaps in their late teens decided to take a stroll in a lane down a one way vehicle street which caused people to swerve to miss them.

I observed this and saw the glee they felt at their "power" to disrupt traffic. I was on time constraints or I would have simply parked my car in their path and forced them to yield right of way.

I have seen/been victimized and experienced the worst this city has to offer.

Also the best.

I am old enough to remember its heyday and still dispite our problems I see a clear new path and envision a new beginning. I am very involved with lots of area non profits and few cities in the world have such great hearted people.

This city has amazing people, bar none.

Hi Ray,

Thanks for sharing your observations...Any time that you are in Detroit and have some spare time to gather with us, just let me know!

To each his own!! Interesting comments all around!!

Katheen

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Originally Posted by Ray1936

Was in Detroit area last week just long enough to attend my grandson's graduation from Livonia Franklin, and then headed north to Traverse City for ten days. Quick synopsis of the trip:

1. Michigan weather still sucks.

2. Considering the temperatures, I was surprised to find no icebergs in Grand Traverse Bay.

3. Indian casinos in Michigan are twice as tight as the ones here in Las Vegas. I made a donation at two of them [[Odawa and Turtle Creek).

4. Golf was good news/bad news. Good news was I realized every golfers dream of shooting my age. Bad news was we only played nine holes.

5. The new terminal at Metro Airport was designed by an idiot. Try getting to the car rental shuttles after you pick up your bags.

6. I was saddened at the commencement at how sloppy men are in appearance any more. Lot of them there in shorts [[usually cargo pants) and a t-shirt. I wore a dress shirt and tie, thank you. You don't go to a special occasion dressed like a goon, but all too many did.

7. Sorry I wasn't in town long enough to touch base with Kathleen and set up a DY meet. Maybe next year.

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Wife and I were in town last weekend [[Fri-Tues) for my 40th HS Reunion. 2 nites in Livonia, 2 nites at the Courtyard Downtown. Just MHO.

1. The weather was absolutely great until the slight rain came in Mon. LOW humidity although my friends who still live in MI complained how sticky it was. :)

2. We left 95+ temps and found MI to be VERY comfortable!

3. Don't do the casino thing.

4. As far as golf, I throw a dozen balls into the lake on 18 and I'm done for the day with the same results!

5. New terminal is GREAT although TSA is slow and understaffed. MY GOD Ray if you have trouble getting to car rental please don't travel. :) You simply go to the elevators at baggage claim, take the elevator up to four, cross the bridge, take the elevator back down to one, then walk to your right to the pick up point for your car rental lot.

Spent Sat afternoon in Northville and loved it. Poole's Tavern is really good and the place has a small town look/feel. Drove through Greenmeade on 8 mile, very nice with the community garden.

Took in the game Sunday with great results! Love the view of the skyline including the old Madison where I worked as an usher in the 60's. Angelina's Bistro looks good but we were a bit underdressed in shorts/t-shirts for the very nicely dressed Sunday crowd. We'll stop in next time. Sportstown Bar in the old Flaming Embers is simple but fun for a drink after a game. Hope they make it!

Fishbone's Greektown Sunday night as we walked down Beubien [[sp?) since the People Mover stopped running at 8PM!! 10-12 people were walking up to the platform in Milender Center wanting to ride as well. Lots of retail "opportunity" on Woodward which we hope happens.

Went back to SW Mon to visit relatives graves in Holy Cross. Drove by the old house on Wendell and was shocked to see it boarded up! Sad to see. Didn't stay around too long as we were in a bright shiney RENTAL with out of state tags...

All in all, another great visit and we look forward to coming back in October to stay at the Fort Pick for the Free Press Marathon.

"5. New terminal is GREAT although TSA is slow and understaffed. MY GOD Ray if you have trouble getting to car rental please don't travel. :) You simply go to the elevators at baggage claim, take the elevator up to four, cross the bridge, take the elevator back down to one, then walk to your right to the pick up point for your car rental lot."

My wife never recovered from a fractured ankle five years ago; it's full of pins and screws. She's 73. Pulling the suitcase that distance was very difficult for her. I repeat: the new terminal was not well designed.
I see no reason why the pickup area could not have been designed to allow for the shuttle busses to have been right in that area also, thus avoiding the up, over, and down jigsaw.

We had two checked bags. One arrived on carousel 2, the other on carousel 6. Someone from SW air had their head in a dark place on that one, but I'm not blaming the airport for that. :)

[quote=Ray1936;155755I see no reason why the pickup area could not have been designed to allow for the shuttle busses to have been right in that area also, thus avoiding the up, over, and down jigsaw.[/quote]

Don't know of many, if any, major airports that mix the rental shuttle buses, long term shuttles, AND individual passenger pick up in the same areas as you'd have MASSIVE congestion. In fact many other airports require the arriving passengers to navigate across traffic lanes to get to the shuttle areas. Just sayin that Metro is pretty damn nice:)

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Originally Posted by GOAT

Ray, if you don't like it then don't come back....and I hope the door hit your ass on the way out. My fuck, at least you liked the golfing. Anything else you can bitch about because I can find all sorts of crap to bitch about in your neck of the woods?

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You know you are awfully crabby and cantankerous and irritable for a Canadian!:mad::confused::D

Screw it Ray the more I think about it, you have every right and justification to complain about Detroit, the surrounding suburbs and the state in general. Price we pay for living in a free society....I wasnt offended...my views of Detroit and the suburbs fluctuate...sometimes I wish I could afford to move back to Lapeer County..Like they say it is what it is!:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Trumpeteer

Drove by the old house on Wendell and was shocked to see it boarded up! Sad to see. Didn't stay around too long as we were in a bright shiney RENTAL with out of state tags...

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Can't see why you were shocked by this, if you left, do you think you're the only one? Lots of empty houses in metro Detroit, factories too.

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Originally Posted by terryh

Screw it Ray the more I think about it, you have every right and justification to complain about Detroit, the surrounding suburbs and the state in general. Price we pay for living in a free society....I wasnt offended...my views of Detroit and the suburbs fluctuate...sometimes I wish I could afford to move back to Lapeer County..Like they say it is what it is!:rolleyes:

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Aw, I didn't mean to complain about metro Detroit. Spent 2/3 of my life south of Eight Mile, so much of my heart is still there. But as a wise man once wrote, "You can't go home again".

Um.....I do have to note the bad condition of some of the roads. The winters and heavy trucks really rip 'em up, and since we have no freeze problem here in southern Nevada, the roads stay pretty nice all the time. But that's another topic for another day.

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Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

Can't see why you were shocked by this, if you left, do you think you're the only one? Lots of empty houses in metro Detroit, factories too.

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I "left" in 1970 at 17 when my Dad finally had enough of working on an OPEN dock for a trucking company and froze his ass off in the winters! I was shocked by the fact that as of last year the old house was still occupied and in pretty good shape and shocked because it was the house I spent 12 of my first 17 years in!! I'm VERY familiar with the vacancies in Detroit

Just a few thoughts on air travel for people with disabilities. On a few occaisions my Mom who is ninty has had to travel alone. We prearranged with the airline for a wheelchair and a porter to handle her luggage at both ends of the flight. So far things have been smooth all around.

My Aunt who is eighty three came into town for our son's wedding. She has bad knees and is a three time cancer survivor. Her family made the same arrangements and she said people couldn't have been kinder and things went very smooth.