Detroit

I wasn't able to submit a blog yesterday.  Never fear though - I'm going to right that ship today!  Anyhow, the reason that I was unable to blog stemmed from my participation in the Midnight Bike Ride sponsored by the University of Detroit Mercy.  This was the 24th annual iteration of the 20+ mile bike ride through the streets of Detroit and, amazingly, this was my first time riding.  For years I had scoffed at the University's apparent lack of opportunities for fun.  I had characterized the school as good-for-nothing, a money sucking machine that did not care one iota about its students.  I was far from right.  It is this same feeling - and identical result - that defined my version of Detroit as a whole as well.

This city and metro area has so much going for it.  Whether it's a trip down to Belle Isle for a picnic, or taking in winning baseball at a Tigers game, you're in for a treat.  Whether you decide to park by the waterfront and observe Canada, or zip to the top of the Renaissance Center for a bird's-eye view, you're going to be amazed.  You can grab something fresh at the Eastern Market or see something decayed at Michigan Central Station, Detroit's greatest living legend.  You can watch the Lions and Red Wings, or take in Jazz Fest or a Hoedown.  Concerts, parties, restaurants, biking, beauty.  It's all there.  And at the risk of sounding like a P.A. announcement and going completely off the rails, it's got to be one of the best cities in the country.

People give it a bad rap.  It is undeserved.  If we can take just one tour through downtown, or one hike through the Boston-Edison district, or one circle of Midtown, we'll be blown away.  For so long we have been focusing on the problems in Detroit, of which, admittedly, there are many.  But it's time to accentuate the positives.  There is something new to do every day of the week, and citizens are working hard to keep it going.  Don't give up on the city.  Don't disparage it.  It's alive.  It's thriving.  And it's going to continue...