Explore Detroit - Z #atozchallenge

Come along with me and explore the beauty & general awesomeness of Detroit, A to Z !

We made it to the end!  It's a nice day, let's go to the Detroit Zoo!

I actually took these pics 2 years ago on Mother's Day.  I would have taken more pictures, but I dropped my camera (sob!) and it was out of commission the rest of the day. 

So this is technically located in Royal Oak, MI and the Zoo water tower is a well known landmark while driving on I696.

When we went, the Polk Penguin Conservation Center was fairly new and we had to reserve a time to go thru it.   

 
It's built to resemble an iceberg.  It's the largest penguin house in the world. 

There are 4 species of penguins that live here. 

There are 2 tunnels where the penguins can swim all around. 

The Holden Reptile Conversation Center (aka the Reptile House)

Home to 70 species of snakes & turtles & other critters. 

The Fabulous Rackham Fountain.  The center fountain is 2 life-sized bears and includes life-sized sea lions, turtles & frogs. 

The day we were, a lot of critters were out that I'n never seen active before! 

Red Panda

Tiger 

Chimpanzee

Lions - right after I took this, the male turned and stared right at me.  

Rhino

This peacock was gorgeous and right up on the wall around an enclosure. 

Zebra

Eland

Peacock

Ostrich

Giraffe

Bears

The Artic Ring of Life is one of the largest polar bear habitats in North America. 

This also has a tunnel that you can walk thru the pool and see the sea lions & polar bears swim around you. 

 
Today, the polar bear was just chillin/

 
Near the Ring of Life

Bald Eagle - this is one of 2 male Eagles the live her.  

They've recently brought in a younger female to rehabilitate after an injury. 

Bison

Gorilla - I've never seen this guy out moving around!

This was only a fraction of what there is to see there!

They have African grassland & forest areas, American grasslands, Asian forests, the Outback, a butterfly garden, an otter habitat, amphibian house, and an aviary. 

"Vitamin Z" is a great way to spend the day!

Explore Detroit - Y #atozchallenge

Come along with me and explore the beauty & general awesomeness of Detroit, A to Z !

Detroit Yacht Club was founded in 1868 and is located on a private island along the banks of the Belle Isle Park in the Detroit River. It is the largest and one of the oldest private clubs in North America.  

It started out as a small clubhouse and boatshed.  The current gorgeous building was built in 1922 by the same guy who designed the Gem Theater & Masonic Temple (see my "T" post for both) and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.   Now you can enjoy a variety of food & drink areas, swimming, fitness centers, tennis/racquetball/volleyball courts, kids' programs, meeting rooms and overnight accommodations.  

overhead photo by marinas.com

...and just because its a gimme...

YMCA

Explore Detroit - X #atozchallenge

Come along with me and explore the beauty & general awesomeness of Detroit, A to Z !

X was an easy post, thanks to these 2 places in Mexicantown!

 Xochi's Mexican Imports

This was an awesome little store!  All sorts of Mexican Folk Art, Day of the Dead items, pottery, clothing and a whole wall of beautifully ornate crosses.  I didn't feel right taking pictures inside,  so you can check out of their website to see some of the cool items they carry.  It was definitely a colorful feast for the eyes!

And me, being me, couldn't pass up buying a skeleton!

The going next door - was Xochimilco!

We were a bit cautious about going here, since I'd read mixed reviews about the place, ranging from "this is the best place ever" to "call the health department".  So we went in with an open mind (and open eyes!)  It was on the dark side, and crowded, but we got seated right away.  The waitress was excellent - she was patient with Miss Picky (aka my daughter) and helped her settle on something she would actually eat.   I already knew I'd get a combination plate so I could try more food!  I got the chicken taco, beef enchilada and beans & rice.  The enchilada was OK, but the next time I go, I'm getting the chicken combination plate, since that taco was amazing!

Explore Detroit - W #atozchallenge

Come along with me and explore the beauty & general awesomeness of Detroit, A to Z !

I may have gotten happy taking pictures of the Wayne County Building - but can you blame me?? This place is spectacular! According to Wikipedia, it was regarded as "one of the most sumptuous buildings in Michigan" when it was built in 1902.  I can agree with that!

This building is currently empty and under renovations. A New York Investment firm bought the building in 2014 and the Wayne County Executive offices relocated to the nearby Guardian Building. 

 

This tablet is a tribute to 

Maj General Anthony Wayne USA

to whom as general in command - the English

surrendered this region July 11 1796

The county of Wayne was created

and named in his honor

August 15th 1796

as then the county embraced nearly all

of the present state of Michigan and portions of Ohio

Indiana Illinois and Wisconsin - including the sites of 

Milwaukee and Chicago and parts of Fort Wayne and Cleveland

erected under the auspices of the Michigan Society of the

Sons of the American Revolution

 

Wayne State University  shown is Old Main.  The University was founded in 1868 and offers close to 350 programs.  The campus covers 203 acres in Detroit and is the 3rd largest in Michigan. 

Windsor Detroit Tunnel  (OK, so it's the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel if you're in Canada.  In the US, it's the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel!)  It was built in 1930 and actually sits on the bottom of the Detroit River, with only 45 feet of water above it.  That's pretty shallow for those big freighters to go over!

Detroit Free Press photo

Coming home from take the Offspring to Windsor for her first 'legal' drink on her 19th birthday!

The border!