Detroit

My very first memory is riding on my dad’s back as he waxed his 50’s era Chevy truck. It was turquoise and white. I can still picture the gleam of the chrome on that summer day. I spent half my childhood sitting next to my dad handing him tools while he worked on a vehicle. I can never remember a time in my life when I didn’t love cars. Going to Detroit has always been on my secret bucket list.

I was ready to turn around and go home yesterday, or maybe end the trip in Chicago. I told my son what I was thinking and he said, “I want to go to Detroit.” He rarely offers an opinion. So I asked him why. He said, “Because I don’t want you to give up on your dreams.” I wouldn’t say Detroit is a dream, but it was definitely a destination on my mind.

For all my friends and family freaking out, I am aware of Detroit’s reputation as a dangerous city. I just spent a year in Pueblo which actually ranks higher on the danger scale. I figure I have traveled enough to keep myself safe and so we left Iowa City headed east not west.

A few things happened on the way. First off, we detoured and backtracked to see the future birthplace of James T. Kirk.

Then we pulled way off the interstate for an emergency bathroom spot. This trip has made me seriously wonder about adult diapers. Believe me, that’s not something I really have wondered about before! We spent thirty dollars on gas and snacks and won twenty-five on a scratch ticket, so that felt lucky. Then we stopped off at Indiana Dunes. I am also trying to see all the sand dunes in America. The sand is soft and warm, but didn’t feel as magical as other dunes I have explored. I guess because these dunes are up against the lake shore and it feels like a beach. In my mind sand goes with water, but it still was nice to walk barefoot and feel the soft texture of the sand sift around my skin. And I have never seen the skyline of Chicago from across the lake. But I definitely didn’t get that powerful feeling of awe as dunes usually leave me with. Instead that came for me later that night when I rolled into Detroit.

Maybe because of doing a lot of backroad driving, I haven’t felt like we have been through major cities on this trip. Detroit is a big city and I was blown away when I got downtown. It was a little like dragging Main, but on steroids. People were cruising in souped up cars with loud reverberating music. People were on the sidewalks waiting to get into clubs or just watching the cars. I could have done some serious car watching myself. I saw one guy driving a Lincoln convertible that was as long as a house. I saw a Caddy with different color doors, and a Charger with the hood taken off on purpose, the engine dazzling under all the neon. I looked over at Shayne and he was soaking it in. For once I could see he was alive, and energized and the pulse of the city brought him closer to the boy I remember. I went to bed, dead tired. So much has happened in three days. I got up once at three in the morning. Shayne was sitting out on the balcony, still taking it all in. I can’t remember when the last time he was so excited and alert.

I am glad that I didn’t turn back. The automotive empire may be gone, but Detroit is still here, tough, bold, and proud. It is learning how to reinvent itself. I cannot wait to see how that unfolds.