Wednesday 25th September

Today was a driving day from Chicago to Detroit - 5 hours and 20 mins with a stopover for petrol and coffee at Kalamazoo. Country side was pretty boring, mostly flat and low height trees and shrubs as we skirted around the shores of Lake Erie.

Our accommodation was a pleasant surprise though, dinner and breakfast was included, and the suite we had was an apartment style was lots of space and the most comfortable bed we have had so far !

Thursday 26th September

This morning we drove into Downtown Detroit to visit the Motown Museum, bought tickets for the 10.30 am tour, which include the office, recording studio, and Berry Gordy's first floor apartment. All the building was still in the original condition it was when recording was at its peak in the 1960 - 1970's. This was where many Motown hits were recorded and distributed and the list of artisits who recorded here was a who's who of Motown .. Diana Ross and The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, etc etc etc .. wow !

All equipment, recording and engineering machines, instruments, microphones were the orignal ones used when is was at its peak. Great 75 minute up beat tour, unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos inside, except for the Studio A area.

After a musical trip down memory lane went in search of murals around the town. We had read Detroit hosts a wall mural festival each year, and there are around 125 murals scattered around the city, mostly around the Eastern Market area. So there we went, and uncovered quite a few of the murals, alot in the back streets.. Here is a small sample of them ..

Back in the car to head for our next stop, Cleveland, a 3 hour 35 min journey ! After checking into Stone Gables Guest House in the historic Ohio City district, we did a quick walk around the very interesting area.