Michigan History Center

The Michigan History Center is free on Sundays in Lansing, Michigan’s state capital. I don’t think the downstairs gallery on prehistoric Michigan and nature is worth too much time. After all, Michigan is known to be an industrial state at the heart of America, so modern history on its manufacturing Read more

Via Rail

I have mixed feelings about taking the train in Canada. Although Via Rail may feel normal to the uninitiated traveler, it’s at least odd even by American standards. Where to begin? I traveled between Ottawa and Toronto, about 4.5 hours each way, but there was no buffet car. The only Read more

Gerald Ford Presidential Library

Gerald Ford was the only president in American history to assume office without running either for the office of president or vice-president after Richard Nixon became the first president to resign from office. Although John F. Kennedy’s legacy was focused on US-Soviet relations, Ford’s presidency was mired in domestic controversy. Read more

Michigan Science Center

The Michigan Science Center is completely family oriented, meaning that it’s only fun for kids. It is not at all like the Canada Science and Technology Museum that is full of exhibits from different eras of technology. When there are interesting artifacts, such as the solar-powered car from 2008, there Read more

Ford Rouge Factory

There’s a surprising number of non-Ford vehicles employed on the grounds of the Henry Ford Museum, Rouge Factory, and Henry Ford Academy. There were John Deere vehicles for the gardeners and a Canadian bus to ferry visitors from the welcome center to the factory grounds. They show you two long Read more

Detroit, MI

I’ve been to over half the American states, but it wasn’t until Detroit when I finally understood America. It’s industriousness. I was driving leisurely along the I-94 in a construction zone when I was passed by two trucks each carrying three columns of ladder frame chassis piled on top of Read more

2023 Canadian Auto Show

The 50th anniversary of the Canadian International Auto Show exhibited over 1,000 vehicles with a focus on battery-electric and hybrid-electric powertrains. Unfortunately, it was more focused on consumer sales than an exhibition on engineering prowess. While manufacturers were proud to show off safety features on stage, there was no information Read more