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Published: January 26th 2014
Leo's Coney Dog
OK, I had to take a bite before the photoDay Two of Spring Training.
For those of you still following, here is day two of the Fantasy Camp blog. It started with an early morning run to Dutch Girl Donuts which is a place Michael told me about years ago and I try and visit it every time I am in the city. It is one of the many places young Detroiters are trying to keep going, and this place cranks out, right in front of you, the best cinnamon rolls ever to grace your mouth. I picked up some to bring back to Michael and David and if you are ever in the 8 Mile and Woodward neighborhood, stop in--here is a link to reviews of the place (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g42139-d937581-Reviews-Dutch_Girl_Donut_Co-Detroit_Michigan.html).
After chowing down on that and a cup of coffee it was across snowy Motown to Macomb Batting Cages to another lesson with Joe. Today we worked on hitting, and the throw to second on a double play (we are assuming they will let me play second base...a good call since I have a weak arm and am slow).
Headed back to Detroit I decided it was time for a Coney Island. No idea why they are
Crusing
Red, my favorite car color such a big deal in this city, but they are everywhere. I went to Leo's, it was great. I have included a shot of the dog covered with chili and onions and mustard.
From there it was back to David's apartment, a quick shower, and then the Detroit Auto Show. What a trip, custom rods, old Mustangs, the latest concept vehicles. Michael and I took a spin in a Jaguar...I put down a deposit. I also tried a Harley...when I sent the photo to Marcia she said, "No". Followed by "are you crazy"? Well, yes....
After three and a half hours looking at beautiful cars, not to mention the human models that add an eye-candy effect to the whole thing, we decided it was time for food, and more Motown experiences.
David took over the Tour Detroit and we headed for the Cadieux Cafe. Now this place is something special. First, it is called a Belgian place, created by immigrants and featuring over 100 beers and 'feather bowling.' Feather bowling, created in this joint and practiced in all of three other locations in the world, involves rolling wooden discs, that look like and apparently originally were wheels
Born to be Mild
OK, dumb idea.... of cheese, toward a feather down a dirt alley that is sloped on both sides. The photo of us as a cheering section really does not capture it. But since it was Saturday and the lanes were all books, we turned into the cheering section doing 'the wave', trying to distract bowlers like college students do at basketball games, and generally harassing the bowlers.
When we figure we were close to starting an argument, we headed out to Rustic Cabins, a place where Jack Kerouac is claimed to have spent time doing what we did....drinking beer and playing pool. Of course we did not write any good short stories and we will never be as well known...
From there the real adventure began as we went to find the oldest still operating bar in Detroit. We found it, the 2 Way Inn, and we almost passed when we went to the entry and found that you had to be buzzed in. Check out the photo, ready to go in? Lucky we did. We met Mary, who has owned the place with her dad for 47 years and Dan, her son in law, who was grilling chicken out back.
Cadieux Cafe
With a sign like this, how can you go wrong. What is the chicken for, we asked? "Paying customers" we were told....we promptly bought beers and hit the chicken, scalloped potatoes, and beans...wonderful. We spent a hour hearing stories about the place...it had been a jail, brothel, dance hall, but always a bar, even during Prohibition. It was in a neighborhood that a guy named Norris developed; and if you have been to Yellowstone you know this name because it was the same Norris who was the second head commissioner of Yellowstone National Park. Photos of the place were shared, as were stories about the Purple Gang--the famous Detroit gang that was so dangerous it kept Al Capone in Chicago. Turns out Mary's uncle was a member...but they did not want to talk about the 40 years he spent in a state arranged home as a result of his activities. This is a very great place, if you ever get to Detroit, go! Please.
Now am headed to bed so I can catch the team plane to Tampa and then the bus on to Lakeland for the Tigers training ground.
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David
non-member comment
Love a great Detroit Day!
Great to have you come visit Mr. Wood! Did you mention we never saw the high side of 20 degrees .... But barely noticed? Door is always open ( which is odd for Detroit.)