Big City Twins...designed by the same architect.

First, in LA, the older and smaller Westin Bonaventure Hotel; next a revisit to the Renaissance Center in Detroit (that was one of my favorite snaps from that trip--thanks to Hubsy). Both are 1970's confections designed by John Portman.

My Favorite Image from Detroit...

When you think of Detroit, you might recall images of the iconic GM HQ complex downtown. Here is the "flip-side", a scene from the museum campus area. Haunting. Also, there were very few people out walking around, few viable looking shops and restaurants. Sad. Like a typical "Eastern Block" country of the 1970's.

Scenes from the Streets of Detroit on March 21, 2014

The "Circa 1890 Pub"...better than these photos.

In the neighborhood of Wayne State University, near the "museum campus", we found this nice little pizza and sandwich bar. Long established in the area, the casual food was very good, pizza delicious and drinks very reasonably priced. It was nearly the only lunch and dinner choice we had within walking distance of our hotel. It's like a throw-back to college bars in the 1960's. A contrast from the high-tone art museum and the fancy B&B; the staff was very friendly--you go there once and you are a "regular". Nice.

Weekend-Getaway, New Photos and Lots of Fun....in Detroit.

It was a long time since I'd visited a great art museum; I had to see Detroit's Institute of the Arts (DIA). Before you even get in the door, you get to see a casting of the iconic "Thinker" by Rodin. The museum has other works by Rodin inside. We found a historic hotel, the Inn on Ferry Street, just around the corner, past another iconic building formerly called the Wardell Hotel (now an apartment building). We were able to walk in the area around our hotel and the museum; a chance to do some street photog., even if the weather was chilly.