The Ambassador Bridge, over the Detroit River, between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, Canada (alas, with trees and reflections). Look at all the benches beside the river. I wonder if it is actually a pleasant place to walk, or sit. I hope so.
Trucks, on their way to Canada. We were told that, in prosperous times, one quarter of US trade (more than our entire trade with Japan!) goes across this bridge. (!!!) That trade is mostly due to the auto industry. Parts are made on one side; vehicles on the other. Goods (and money) go back and forth across the bridge (perhaps multiple times for one vehicle, if I understood properly).
A bit north of the bridge is the Renaissance Center, built after the race riots in 1967, as a sign that Detroit would rise from its ashes.
Racial tension was another theme of the tour. As always, when one group is not able to have the same opportunities they see others enjoying, trouble ensues. Treating people unfairly is so short-sighted. It never pays in the long run................
The RenCen has never been fully utilized. General Motors moved into it several years ago, and Blue Cross is moving in now, with the expectation that it will be full this year, for the first time.
The circle segment, at right, is part of an interesting monument to the American labor movement.
Joe Louis is a famous Detroit boxer. Joe was an excellent boxer. In addition to his skill in that arena, he helped break the color barrier in golf, by playing in a charity tournament, and he supported charities that help disadvantaged kids. This is Joe's arm, packing a punch, inside, and, metaphorically, outside the ring.
Detroit's Red Wings hockey team plays in the Joe Louis Arena. Detroiters love nicknames -- they go down to "the Joe" to watch hockey.
Looking up Woodward, past Joe's fist.
The RenCen.
Noguchi Pylon.
Looking through Hart Plaza at Canada.
This next shot was taken 90 degrees left of the previous one.
Much sky, with RenCen, and a little corner of Noguchi Pylon, upper right.
Looking back at Detroit from Hart Plaza. Joe's fist is visible just right of the whitest water in the fountain.
The Detroit River, with the Ambassador Bridge.
Detroit was a major embarkation point for persons who had freed themselves from slavery in the American south. They made their way toward Canada, where they would not be returned to those who claimed to own them. This group looks across the Detroit River to safety in Windsor. These people have come hundreds of miles, always in fear for their lives, to reach this point. (Note babe-in-arms, and small child.....)
They surely had an abundance of courage and fortitude.
So shameful, and in the end, so stupid, to abuse other people. I mean, really. The fact that you *can* do a thing, and that you profit from it in the short term, does NOT make it a good idea! This is true on so many levels.
And ... it is so often the case that if you, personally, do not pay for your bad behavior, one way or another, your descendants will.
So greedy, so self-serving, so selfish, so costly in the long run......................
Ok.
Heading up Woodward.
I have admired Chicago's boulevard planters on many occasions. How nice to see that Detroit plants flowers in the middle of the street, too!
Woodward. The brown building is the Guardian Building.
The Spirit of Detroit. I was taken by the shadows of the spiky ball and the little gold people.
Guardian Building. With sky bridge.... And People Mover track.
If you click on this pic to embiggen, you'll see some of the tile decoration on this art deco building.
More decoration. Isn't this attractive? It makes me think of Chicago.....
Looking up Woodward, at the new Compuware building, with Campus Martius park in front.
Inside the Guardian building.
Pewabic did the tile, inside and outside this building. They are still very much a going concern.
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