I found a great escape, a way to avoid talk of politics. Even
though there is only 14 months of political rhetoric left,
I already needed some rest.
Most
people would consider it restful to get out of the crowds
and just relax. My choice was very different — and
it was great. Not only did I not get out of the crowds, I
found
the biggest ones going on in the State!
It
all started when my daughter Lu’s friends invited
Pat and I to a party at the family’s Ferndale Radiator
Shop, (no I didn’t misspell that). A radiator shop
may seem like a strange, cluttered place for a party but
it was
great.
As
soon as we arrived, we were served fresh, cooked omelets
prepared right in the shop next to the leak check tank
adjacent to the soldering table. Still not sounding like
something
relaxing? I said my idea of relation may vary from others.
I guess I
should tell you this party took place on Saturday, Aug.
20 — which
happened to be the day of the 17th annual WOODWARD DREAM
CRUISE. And, the Ferndale Auto Radiator Shop provided
curbside viewing
of some of the greatest cars, of all varieties, you could
ever hope to see.
There were classics and muscle cars dating back 50, 60 even
70 or more years, many in like-new condition. Some were customized,
others hopped up with big engines: Even fueled with nitro.
Estimates of 1 to 1.5 million spectators lined the route or
cruised. We were able to do both as we headed for the shop
from Pontiac driving south to Ferndale. It was slow going,
but both sides of the highway and every parking lot had vehicles
on display so the views were fantastic.
Much to my amazement, kids entertainment areas were set up
and I saw entire families, including tykes in strollers, enjoying
the event. The experience took me back in time to when I cruised
Woodward in my 1952 suped-up Ford convertible with 72 inch
Jimmy Jones skirts, the works. It was just what everyone did
in those days.
It took until 1995 to organize the activity so many enjoyed
and go public with it as a joint effort of all the communities
along the route. They did a great job. If you are a car fan
that appreciates cars of all ages and styles (most made in
America), plan to visit the 2012 Dream Cruise, you will not
be disappointed.
After many hours of eating, walking and gazing at cars, our
grandson Kyle chauffeured us home through the tremendous storm
that hit the area with wires down and trees uprooted.
What
a ride that was, and when we hit the sack after all our relaxing,
we sure were beat. We
needed a
good “rest” to
take on the next days relaxing event: Comerica
Park and the Tigers vs. the Indians.
After
we made our way through the sellout crowd to our seats, we
gazed around the stadium.
Where people
weren’t sitting,
they were standing. I guess you could buy “standing room
only” tickets for $ 5 and hope someone didn’t
show up so you could later get a seat.
The game got off to a good start with the Tigers taking a commanding
lead by the third inning. The Indians came back and kept pecking
away until it was a one-run game at the top of the ninth. The
tying run was on third, with one out when the batter hit a
line drive to the center fielder, Austin Jackson.
He not only caught the ball for the second out, he fired a
strike to the plate and Avila blocked the runner and tagged
him out.
You
had to be there! As I saw it — it
was one of the most exciting moments
in sports I
ever witnessed.
If you thought you heard something around 5 p.m. last Sunday
afternoon, it was the Tiger fans saying so long to the Indians
after a three-game sweep. I think Cleveland fans at home may
have heard the roar as 45,000-plus people jumped to their feet
and sounded off.
Yep, it sure was great to get away from it all and just relax!