Page 7 - USA ROAD TRIP SUMMER of 2000

architectures but they go a lot for the Tudor look. They can grow

gorgeous flowers in this cool climate as they do in England. Some
of the front yards are as beautiful as any professional arboretum.

We were at the Zoo before they opened the gates. A clear sky day
in the 60’s. The Zoo is located on low hills covered with trees with

wide comfortable paths. There were many indoor exhibits that
were more diverse and informative than any we had seen in any

other Zoo. They have to have a lot of indoor winter
accommodations for many of their animals even though they

rotate them outdoors during the “heat” of the summer. There
were so many children there. Little ones, holding hands with their

partners. Mixed groups of elementary school age kids – blacks,

whites and Asians. A very busy place by the time we left at noon.

We then drove to the Mitchell Park Arboretum. Had a picnic lunch
in the park – burr!! Then went to visit the indoor exhibit – three

glass domes built in the early 1900’s. One dome was of Tropical
plants, one of desert plants and the third for “showy” flowers with

placards of Georgia O’Keefe scattered throughout the garden. A
delightful couple of hours.

We then drove down to the Michigan Lakefront. There was a huge
marina of sailboats. In the sheltered bay behind the seawall, many

small sailboats were successfully avoiding each other. We later
learned that they haul the boats up onto the parking lots during

the winter. Some of the largest yachts are left in the water and
have some kind of bubbling device that keeps ice from forming

next to them. We drove along Lake Drive – the beer barons built
spectacular mansions along the riverfront. Fantastic homes with

breathtaking grounds.

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