The Wedding Road Trip: Mi casa es su casa

Loft Life for a Day in Detroit, Michigan

After a truly wonderful gathering with friends in Chicago, we headed out with the Motor City in mind as Monday night's destination. During a quick stop in St. Joseph (dubbed the Rivera of the Midwest), we scored two vintage finds at Elephant's Breath, a sweet 60's top and a custom Erlenmeyer Flask. Being from the East, it's hard sometimes to realize that in the West and Midwest, things are not just transactional. A purchase is an opportunity to chat with someone. To exchange a few stories and to pass some time. During our conversation with the owner of the shop, we learned that he's proud of his daughter, that he kind of hopes her boyfriend becomes something more and the secret to driving in Detroit—go fast and use your turn signal. People here will yield to a turn signal!

Without the van, we've been going by the seat of our pants each day. We choose our destination and then en route look for someplace local to stay—a place where we can experience something of the neighborhood if only for a very brief time; a place that give us a chance to meet people and share a conversation. In Lincoln, Nebraska, we met Nora. One of eight kids, she's a great people person who creates quite an impression on her guests. Chuck Jones, animator of Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes characters, called her enchanting.

In Iowa City, we met Daissy. Native Columbian. Once married to a University of Iowa professor, she know runs a B&B and travels the world. Her home is full of photographs from the places she's been and she's quick with a great story to go with each. Kindred spirits, we felt much at home at Daissy's and hope to return to visit with her someday.

Taking a random exit off 80E in LeClaire, IA, we met Greg Pelo—a collector whose his family soda fountain shop has been his home for 69 years. Within moments, he was sharing vintage photographs and the some fascinating stories surrounding them. (Ask Tim or I about the story of the human flag photo!) He brought out Tibetan Singing Bowls and taught us to play them. He let us put on rings of Jack Earle and Ted Evans, men who made their living as giants among men.

Tonight we're staying at Eric's loft in Corktown, the oldest neighborhood in Detroit.  And we haven't even mentioned those friends and family who hosted us and treated us along the way. (A very, very big thank you to Joe + Sara, Tony + Gabrielle, Tim and Ed!) As far as Detroit goes, too much to take in to write now. More on our experience there later. Good news on Sasquatch, the new engine is coming along and it should be ready very soon!