Indiana and Detroit

Monday 19th July

University of Notre Dame, Indiana 

Found the very impressive Basilica of the Sacred Heart which dates back to 1871.  As soon as you enter the vast apse you are welcomed by the smell of incense and chilly temperature.   The 44 stained glass windows were designed by the Carmelite Sisters in France.  I stood for ages looking up at the magnificent ceiling and the ornate golden altar.  It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The University grounds were lush and green with beautifully manicured garden beds.  This was home to a number of friendly squirrels who appeared to be on steroids.  Extremely tame but twice the size of normal squirrels and not so pretty.     

We stayed the night at the Yogi Bear RV Park.  Good to catch up with Yogi, Bobo and Ranger Smith.   I can hear Allen saying, "Will she ever grow up?".

Wednesday 21 July (our 37th Wedding Anniversary)

In Allen's usual style he drove the RV straight into Detroit in rush hour!!  I should be used to it by now but I'm still in awe at the way he drives such a big vehicle through city traffic.  Needless to say he found a great parking spot in Downtown that was central to everything we wanted to see.

After walking around the main streets we couldn't help but notice a steady stream of people wearing orange tee-shirts so we followed them to the Baseball Stadium.  The Detroit Tigers were playing the Texas Rangers and hundreds of people were coming out of the woodwork to buy tickets.   We didn't watch the game but got caught up with the excitment.

We definitely got the impression the whole place was buzzing and it was only a Wednesday night.  We celebrated our anniversary in a bar called 'Luckies' and were the only white faces.   Allen was frisked going in so thinking I would make it easy for the Bouncer I stretched out my arms to await the same treatment. I was deflated when he said, "Only your bag Madam!!"   That's discrimination!!

Found out that the "buzz" was due to Macy Gray appearing live in concert down the road.   Macy is a local icon and it was obvious everyone in Detroit loves their Mumma big time.   The concert was a sell out and the overflow spilled into the park and onto the river banks and anywhere there was space.  Thousands upon thousands of fans sang and danced in the streets.  We listened to the music and soaked up the atmosphere.   If this is Wednesday then I can't wait for Saturday!!