Michigan in fall can be lovely. It was sunny and highs around 60 each day.
Ann Arbor is named after the two wives of the founders, both named Ann. Yes, they would meet under an arbor near the spot of this plaque. The plaque was erected in 1924, 100 years after the founding of the town. I passed the plaque many times in my years here, but I had forgotten about it until I happened to pass it on my way from dropping off the rental car to the airport bus pickup location. It’s on Huron, just past the railroad overpass, one block from the truck-eating bridge.
I wasn’t crazy enough to make a special stop to get a good picture. Instead, I settled for a stoplight view. I did spend time in and around the Big House growing up. It is kitty-corner to my high school. For the non-marquee games, you could get a high school ticket for a buck or get in free after half-time.
Little Ceasars was just a local pizza chain when I was young. Complete with the statue, we would occasionally get pizza to bring home. The Baskin-Robbins was a more frequent stop. I seem to recall stopping there after Friday night swimming. We swam at the UM Women’s Pool. I think that was the name. That building is currently gone, being rebuilt as a much larger recreation center.
I did try to walk some every day. This was Wednesday. The route was from Dad’s place, along the river to Gallup Park and back, about a mile each way. And then continuing to Parker Mill on Fleming Creek, and back to the All Seasons building. I had too many layers on and was ready for water and a rest when I got back.
Most of the fauna was at a distance, but this gaggle had wandered out of the water. On my first pass, they were still near the edge of the river. On my return, they were scattered on both sides of the path, with a few on the route. I tried to keep my distance and move smoothly through their midst, but two still hissed at me. At least they didn’t charge.
This was an interesting sight as I was walking to breakfast on Tuesday. These mounds are actually Christmas trees. I guess Thanksgiving is almost upon us.
For some reason, I just haven’t gotten T-Day in my sights. I was letting someone know when I would be available for a meeting, “Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday,” I offered. In their reply, they noted two of the offered days were holidays and scheduled the meeting for the following week.
This is the place you will most likely find my father when he is in his apartment. It has a place to put a drink nearby, a sturdy arm to push against when rising, a lamp for reading, and a view out the window.
I had heard him use the word before but got the correct spelling today. Based on the root word querer, or to want. And then he was telling me about bulls in a bullfighting ring that would frequently go to one spot, over and over, between being tormented by the bull-fighters. Their querencia.
And I am not comparing Dad to a stubborn bull.
One of the sisters asked me to take a picture with Dad. This goes just a little further.
Heading West again. It was a good visit. Not too long, but with some quality moments.
Great-Grandpa got to see two of his four great-grandsons, if only over a device. Rey and Zai-Shin video chatted one day over lunch. I was able to prop the phone in a Kleenex box so we could watch Z do his thing, mostly eating, but waving at us too. We zoomed with Ashlan and Elijah one night, and video phoned the next, so Great Aunt Jane could see his hijinks as well.
And then there was exploring the NY Times Extremely Detailed Map of NYC Neighborhoods. I brought this interactive map up on the computer, and we explored his old neighborhood in the Bronx and surrounding areas. It was interesting because he would point out things or tell stories and history behind some of the place names. It was enough of a hit that I brought it up again the next evening when Jane was over.
The most amazing part of the trip is on the flight home. There are 2 kids, a baby and a 2 year old with their parents in the row in front of me, and a 2 year old with a mom behind. AND an empty seat next to me! It gets loud occasionally, but I am comfortable with my pretzels and ginger ale.
Raincharm's Weblog 
November 16, 2023 at 9:55 pm |
The weather does look and sound lovely. I’m terrified of Canada geese! Sounds like a lovely (and packed) visit.
November 17, 2023 at 12:11 pm |
It was a busy, yet not so busy visit. The main visit goal was to see Dad, and did that every day, even if sometimes it was just both of us reading in the same room.