Detroit was surprisingly great. The ruins were fascinating. Houses is all states of disrepair. Some just needing a paint job and a few new windows, others burned out by fire, gardens in the process of eating homes alive, and near mansions that the upper-middle class can afford. Little pockets of wealth still exist in the middle of what feels like a bombed out wasteland. Andrew was a great tour guide and has a really optimistic view on the city. There is lots of potential and bits and pieces are really making a comeback.
After a nice anniversary dinner supplied by Whole Foods (yes, they have one downtown now), we relaxed and got some rest. Sunday was a busy day. We met my great aunt and uncle in Grosse Pointe, and were amazed driving into it, as if someone had flipped a switch that suddenly turned on all the beautiful things in the world. The mansions on the lakeshore were more than impressive, and we had a really nice visit. Even Andrew learned some things about the flip side of the D.
Lunch at a Greek restaurant was great, and afterward we headed toward Ann Arbor to get the car. When we arrived the fuel system was in pieces on the ground, the metal parts consumed with rust. The mechanic explained that the entire gas tank was in jeopardy because the pump had basically rusted into the housing, and if a single tine broke the whole tank would need replacement. He said that at the minimum, a new part needed to be ordered and the car would not be completed on schedule.
We crossed our fingers and revised the plans, abandoning the car to its fate and setting off to the Westside in Andrew’s minivan packed with coffee and camping gear. At least it smelled good.
We had a great time staying with him and getting to know his girlfriend Jessie in Grand Haven. Tuesday was a relaxed day at the beach. Wednesday Naomi really wanted to visit Holland, and the weather played the part. It drizzled most of the time we were there. She wasn’t very impressed with the town, but was blown away by the little amusement park modeled after her country. We will have to spend more time there some day when Naomi is particularly homesick.
Thursday we packed the van in preparation for our fake camping day. We weren’t about to pitch a tent, but we could do everything else. The first part was spent at the beach in Pentwater, and after dragging Andrew away from the beautiful beach we went up to Ludington and took a hike. Andrew and I went the long way while Jessie and Naomi stuck to the shoreline. We met at the big lighthouse and came back to a dinner of Mac&Cheese with Tuna cooked in the JetBoil at the beach. The sun set over dessert and the ride back was peaceful. A perfect day.
Friday Andrew and Jessie drove us back to Ann Arbor and we picked up the car. The repairs had gone smoothly and I had opted out of the 200 dollar metal straps that hold up the gas tank, even though there wasn’t much left to the old ones. What an insane price. After loading up our gear and saying goodbye, we drove around the corner to fill up with gas.
While telling Naomi how much I was looking forward to heading home, the smell and sound of leaking fuel reached us. It was pouring out of the bottom of the car, flowing down to the street. We grabbed our valuables and I stayed to watch for smokers while she walked back to the mechanic. They showed up with a tow truck and within a few minutes it was back in the garage.
The tank settled or something with the addition of the weight of gasoline, so after negotiating for a deal on labor, I had the guys put on those ridiculously priced straps hoping they would solve the problem.
We set off while they did the repair work toward Ashley and Pawel’s place. Luckily Ashley was home and we had a nice lunch with her and their baby. We also took a pleasant walk around campus and Ashley convinced Naomi to think about coming there for a PhD. Seems like a good plan to us.
After a few hours the car was finished, most of the gas was gone, but we headed up North anyway. After a couple hours we stopped to put more fuel in the tank and it overflowed again. We were pretty upset and unsure what to do at this point, so I went inside to tell the attendant. A guy was there who said his daughter’s car had the same problem and it wasn’t a big deal. Seemed like a big deal to us, but we pushed the car away from the puddle, started it up, and headed toward the bridge. No fire. No explosions. Except for inside the cylinders where they were meant to be.
The bridge was beautiful and we hit it at sunset. After adding a few gallons to the tank and grabbing some McDonald’s we headed into deer country. It felt like entering a safe zone. Traffic was terrible and I was getting tired from all the headlights. After a few more gallons in Manistique we made it all the way home, and what a relief it was!
Saturday and Sunday were decompression days, and we decided to sell the car. Hopefully we can get the leak patched up on Monday and then get it listed online. It would be nice to get it sold before flying out in a couple weeks.
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