Day 23: Detroit
Welcome
Yesterday we crossed back into the US and played a show in Detroit.
There are a lot of gifs today. I recommend that you leave your computer loading this page for a few minutes and perhaps grab a bite to eat or do some exercise.
It was a day of large flags. The first Maple Leaf was spotted in the carpark next to the Chuck E Cheese just off the MacDonald Cartier Freeway as it passes Preston, Ontario. The second was seen not long afterward outside a Husky House in Pittsburgh.
We stopped for a traditional Canadian breakfast at Tim Horton’s restaurant in Mount Brydges. I ordered a Harvest Breakfast Sandwich and paired it with a bowl of fresh fruit, butter pie, and maple syrup curated by Jonathan Pearce.
The drive to the border took us through Ontario farmland which was flat and open, clad in corn crops and wind turbines. The barns and cow sheds shared the faded red look favoured in so many mid-western US states.
Historically it was common to whitewash barns to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria. This can be seen in the above example with its whitewashed lower level.
There were more giant flags to come before we even reached the Canada Border Services Agency - Sarnia Point of Entry. This one was spotted out the front of the Walmart Super Centre in Sarnia.
Jonathan had been poring over satellite maps of the Canadian customs facility in the lead up to this transit. With such a big drive there wasn’t much wiggle room in the schedule and a bad border crossing could really mess up our evening. The buildings for processing exports at these facilities are usually located in unobvious locations and even with a careful reconnaissance and several sets of eyes searching for signs we missed it. Plan ‘b’ was implemented immediately which meant pulling in to the carpark of the duty free building and proceeding with a search on foot. Jonathan set out across ten lanes of traffic while we waited. Ten minutes later he jubilantly returned, carnet in hand, all stamped and signed.
Crossing the northern span of the Blue Water Bridge.
The physical border crossing happens over the St Clair river as you drive over the magnificent Blue Water Bridge. Lake Huron expands to the north and a large Star Spangled Banner stands proudly next to a giant Maple Leaf on the Eastern bank, flapping in a majestic unison to the strong southerly.
At US Customs Services, Port Huron, we were again trying to find the correct building. Usually when we try to cross a US border in the passenger vehicle lane we get told to go to the trucks and cargo vehicles lane. This time we went through the truck lane and were told to go through the passenger lane next time. The customs officer was friendly, though, and processed our passports before sending us to the correct building for customs paperwork. It was only a short wait before Jonathan emerged, carnet in hand, stamps and signatures inside.
After an hour on i94 before we were in Detroit and pulling up outside Magic Bag, Detroit's Premier Nightlife, Concert & Comedy Venue. This place had all the bells and whistles. Cool lampshades, great PA system, clean floors, custom exit signs, fast wifi - even signed guitars up on the walls. There were a tonne of venue staff to help us out and they were all lovely. The room sounded great, too, on and off stage.
Gabe playing some of the inbuilt games on the Midas M-32R while waiting for us to finish setting up.
Gabe’s battlestation.
The magic wall fan that welcomes you.
The magic wall fan that tells you the wifi.
The magic wall fan that tells you food recommendations.
The custom exit signs.
The signed wall guitars.
The guitar amp fridge.
It was an early show so we were back at the hotel before midnight. Liam Neeson’s masterpiece Taken was playing when we turned on the tv and even though I hate them it was nice to see a handful of smartecartes® taking centre stage in the closing scene of the movie.
