Following a week of depressing, wet weather, Saturday turned out really nice – perfect for cycling and enjoying the sights of autumn around our fair city.
The Legal Eagle had a nifty route planned, which you can see here, on this approximate map of our travels.
On our way downtown, we passed a business that’s open, if you look closely, 23 hours a day. Which hour it’s not open is not made clear, but I guess it’s around 10 – 11 am on Sundays.
Now we’re open
I say appears, because the owner was either closing for that specific hour, or disturbed by my photo-taking, as he spotted us and pulled the garage door shut.
Now we’re closed
(ps: I like the pluralization of “Tire” on the left-hand side of the door frame)
Earlier this year, I wrote about Rosa Parks’ funeral home. This time, when we rode past, the proprietors had parked their LaSalle Hearse in front of the building.
Rosa Parks’ hearse
For those of you not up to speed on Detroit’s moto-industrial past, LaSalle was a line of vehicles designed to fill a perceived gap between Buick and Cadillac. Luxury, in other words, but not quite as luxurious as Cadillac. The hearse pictured here has a custom body, and this device on the door, which I think could be a cremation urn or some other funerary symbol.
Swanson Door Ornament
Pfeiffer beer used to be one of Detroit’s favorites. We passed by two buildings, one that looks like its original home.
The “office”
Another, larger building is across the street. It was built in the 1940s. Interestingly, one of the directors of the Pfeiffer Brewing Company was an ex-FBI agent who was the guy who captured Bruno Hauptman, the infamous Lindbergh kidnapper.
Own your own brewery
As you know if you’ve read any of my earlier posts, the Legal Eagle is a scholar, not just of the law, but of Detroit Fire Stations. We rode by two former stations, one of which is abandoned:
Engines 11 and 28 (now deceased)
The other one was recycled at some point into a residence, but appears to have been abandoned as well. It looks like a ‘regular’ house,
More than your everyday house
but what gives its origins away is the lettering above the front door.
See? It’s number 35
I can’t remember if this was a ladder or engine company; regardless, it’s empty now.
I’ve puzzled over the seeming absence of “Stimulus Funds” at work in Detroit. I think I’m not the only one. This church is holding out hope from a higher authority.
Hope he’s got some jobs for the unemployed
Back in the “summer” (it never got hot enough to qualify to summer this year) I rode by the unfortunately-named “Last Chance Academy”. I think it dawned on someone that there might be an more inviting moniker for the school, because the sign’s been changed. Here’s what it looked like in August:
Last Chance Then
But that was then. Everyone’s feeling more optimistic now:
Last Chance Now
Right around the corner from the newly-named Detroit Cares Academy is what looks like a feeder school for the Academy. That or a reform school for toddlers
Rule #1: Sit down and be quiet
I usually post photos in a linear fashion – that is, by the order in which I pass the sights. Today, however, a couple of sets of natural groupings presented themselves.
Titillation.
First up, the Club Temptation, which, unusually, isn’t a strip club, just a lounge for adults with dancing and spirits. I really like the assiduousness with which they decorated the facade and its environs.
Just look for the purple rocks
A recurring theme which is sprouting all over the city is a claimed link to President Obama, who may or may not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize, but is certainly worthy of having a burger named for him.
$4, or only 4 available for public consumption
Next up, what I believe to be a women only Motorcycle Club social society:
Foxes inside – watch it!
Detroit has always been in the business of making things – some of which have peculiar nomenclature. There’s a “broaching” shop not far from my office, and at the top of the heap, the ought-to-be-famous Detroit Nipple Works. (Boy, do I hate Bookman with swash caps)
Not for babies
There are plenty of places to get your car washed in Detroit. The front-runner for best-named hand wash place is the appears-to-be-defunct Yetta Boos:
Boo Hoo. It’s closed
Yetta Boo’s claim to fame must’ve annoyed some of the neighbors. But at least one denizen of the neighborhood stood up on her behalf, and was not shy about making his feelings known.
Yetta Boo’s fan club
The second category is another common Detroit sight, the “play fast and loose with the english language” department.
Spelling Fail
One auto shop will fix your fram. (If you have one)
Maybe they’re referring to Nat King Cole’s song “The Frim-Fram Sauce”
Here’s a place to go if your vehicle comes from overseas:
Pronounced: Furrin
Yet another car wash. I guess I should cut this place some slack – for one, the sign painter did a fantastic job, and maybe they were trying to copyright the name.
Sail right in, matey (they detail boats, too)
The Clairmount check-cashing facility will cash any sized check. Just to make sure you understand that, they make the claim on three sides of the building.
No check to big (emphasis on cents)
In case you miss that sign, they took the opportunity to misspell too again on another facade.
Note the emphasis on the $ in this version
I wonder if this is where GM will cash the check they get from selling the Hummer brand to Tengzhong
(By the way, I’d have posted a photo of the third sign, but that would’ve been overkill. Or, as the owners of the Clairmount would probably put it: “To much”.)
The NU-MRK pest control shop (which has t-shirts for sale) has, in a reversal of typical practice, added a hyphen where none was necessary, instead of leaving out a letter where one is needed.
What about the ones that just fly or wiggle?
Another academic location has services for children of working parents. Summer camp, too.
After Schoo, I’m going hom
The third category into which things sorted themselves I can only describe as
Detroit Oddness
Perhaps this entity is supposed to carry you across the rivers of Babylon:
It begs the question: Is there a lesser ship?
Another shop (with a very limited inventory) somehow links Rosa Parks to a nut.
I like pecans, but don’t get the connection
Meanwhile, back on earth…
There’s a lovely neighborhood near midtown in Detroit called Woodbridge, it looked particularly inviting in the fall sunlight
This is Detroit, too. See? What a nice neighborhood
We stopped at the Avalon Bakery for some sustenance – I went with a yummy piece of sour cream coffee cake; the Legal Eagle ate something healthy. I forgot my camera inside, but one of the Avalon-ites was nice enough to bring it out to me.
Fantastic Food and Camera retrieval services
We had another interesting experience on (in?) the Dequindre Cut. An artist named “GAME” was in the process of painting a mural. It’s all on the up and up, according to Tom Stoye – who’s the curator of the graffiti art in the Cut. Here’s a work in progress:
Mural in Progress
Tom sent me some more information about the project, along with some cool photos of finished mural art – I’m going to do a separate post about the subject when I get a moment free. Until then, take a trip downtown before it gets too cold and snowy. There’s lots of great stuff to see.
Filed under: Buildings and Architecture, Detroit, Detroit Routes, urban cycling | Tagged: Sights to see, Spelling Fail, TIttilation | 3 Comments »
All bow down to Messrs. Blahnik & Louboutin
Omputer Diagnostis
Love for all except materials that aren’t welded together
The first step’s a doozy
All ready to go: Fork ‘n’ Spatula
You’re welcome to look as long as you don’t loiter
The food goes in one end, and out the other
Don’t forget the chimney
Working without a net
I think those are fireproof UGGS.
The Girls inside are topless. Promise
Lest you forget: Girls, Girls, Girls
Maybe she’s mad because she lost one of her shoes, or that she’s right next to a major misspelling of businessman
Playing second fiddle to a 1/2 lb. sandwich
Kind of like Disney World without the Tea Cup Ride
Do not mess with these guys
Ark-Scented Tide?
The “Battle of the Overpass” Overpass
Home of the Original Nickelnut (?)
Wow! A brand new bridge
Luke … I’m your house
No excuses not to look your best, Ladies (dig the scissors in the “X”)
Looking for a lottery tip sheet to go with your porn?
Salon + Mr. Heavy = iron fist in velvet glove
Follow the arrow to tomorrow
Time to celebrate National Hispanic Month
At least there’s no unnecessary apostrophe, but that dash! Oh, dear
Amalgamation of Ubiquity? Fusion of Everywhere?
Music, and the outfit to go with it
Time to get down with your foamy self
Former site of _________?
Hot ‘n’ Kold, I guess
Dig those “Roman” Ds
No more Frankie Yankovic? That’s Old Polka
Behold Detroit’s highest mountain
Polar Bears in Highland Park? Reminds me of the first two seasons of Lost
I want some fries with that love
Great at ffixing frigirators.
Quality work; bad spelling
I’ll take one thinking cap, please
I promise to defend the constitution against all enemies, foriegn or domestic
There’s a town in Utah called Moab, maybe they’re Mormons
WTF? Irish Sushi? 
Window$
In case you don’t know which Obama they’re referring to, there’s a photo for your assistance
Does Hugo Chavez have anything to do with this?
No child left inside
God Specialize in what?
Note: Whole Chicken Wings
It appears as though they demolished their dictionary, too.
“A woman’s hair is her glory”
Bessie with a headlamp
President Obama, more or less
Club Club (Private Club Club)
Need yoru cra fexid?
How do they charge for it? By the inch? The pound?
Palindrome Fail: Xat’s what I’m talking about
Even the wait to eat is Slow
Wait until PETA hears about this
I wonder if there’s an initiation rite?
Ingress and egress will be tough
Just down the road from Meat City
Hamburgers are only $4.00. With fries
Exclusive? Oh yeah.
Double extra-hot no foam latte with that lap dance, please
Does this translate as “Adult Entertainment” or “Talent Agency”?
I live on Joe. Just Joe.
I always wanted my wheels aliged
I need a logo for the Tour De Hood – I may call this guy up
Looks like you can buy them singly or in pairs
Church-cum-Fire Station?
Odd jobs
An adventure in Auto care. (And other things, too!)
Guess the object next to the Bible. Please submit answers in the comment section
Peculiarly-shaped phone, no?
Detroit Royalty, with his subjects, alcohol and the lottery
Am not responsible for the veracity of this statement.
Street & Cemetery
Dig that Pontiac
It’s an “Escort” brand bus. Coincidence?
Yee hah! There’s gold in that there shop.
“Fine” does not include paint
Custer’s Tomb? Cruet Bomb?
My tread’s lusher than your tread
Anyone need a sectional – slightly used?
Thanks for the offer
Is that a big prong in your sausage, or are you just glad to see me?
More hand-dipped ice cream, please
Not the eponymic Van Dyke, but the Van Dyke
No money, no pizzas, no buyers
Work, Earn Money, Spend Money
For your own safety and comfort, please hold the hand rail
Mystery Theatre
Shakespeare subservient to comedy. Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of humor
Monsieur Michelin meets Mister Sponge Bob
Looks closed to me, but who knows?
Hurry Up!
Where’s that stimulus money, any way?
America’s “Favorite”
Cognitive Dissonance, anyone?
Yes, indeed, they do
The Demon Barber of Van Dyke?
Tats ‘n’ Holes
Hope this mojo works on you
Don’t know why there’s a 2 x 4 nailed across her head
Open for your pleasure
All are welcome to…find out inside
Ever-alert auto towing service
Stump the misterarthur winner for this week
RAWR, as my friend
Très Civilized
8 p.m. ’till you drop
Hot Tires, anyone?
I, eye, aye
Dig that dated art style
One of each, please
My other single speed
Gran Torino Location (I think)
The Ossian Sweet home
Anyone help me out here? Casey?
Where am I going to find Genuine Red’s Hydraulic Products?
The one and only Coachman’s Records
Park your whip in style
Is your parking garage graced by marble?
Get going! Sit There!
Not so Grande any more
The Who & Joe Cocker on the same bill
No unreconditioned reconditioned for me
Not sure what’s going on in that “O”
It’s RED, get it?
Same great Service. Same great people
Ladies, put Wednesday & Sunday in your PDA
Not just saws. Saws and files
Pronunciation? Your guess is as good as mine
Yes, this is Engine 54
Beautiful door handle
Feeling lucky?
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Airport with ‘bike path’
Detroit City Airport Hangars

