Turkey Journey 2006

Staying true to our traditions, last Wednesday morning at 6AM, we headed off to Detroit to spend Thanksgiving with my family up there. In past years, saying I wanted to leave at 6 and actually leaving at that time had been two separate things. Anyone who travels with kids can appreciate that. But this year, we did it without a problem. It's about a 4 hour drive from the greater metropolitan Bolivar area, but we made it without incident I am happy to report. Except, we did hit one hiccup with the car. Seems like most trips lately have a car story involved in it. We lost our car antenna going through the car wash. No worries though, a quick trip back on Thursday morning led to its discovery. They easy screw on and off the Ford Focus. Have to remember that for next time. But back to the story. Upon arriving to Detroit on Wednesday, we met up with my folks, my brother and his family at Senate Coney Island. I know I have mentioned this in the past, but Detroit is a town that loves it's Coney Dogs. And having grown up there and not having anything like that in Ohio, its usually the first stop on our trips. It's an addiction, I know.
After checking into the Hotel, we spent the rest of the day just hanging around with the family and trying to teach my brother how to use VideoWave for editing home movies. Thursday was spent at my sisters house eating ourselves silly on Turkey and all that goes along with it. Friday we actually ventured out into the world of "Black Friday" shopping. That was a mistake. Except for the $12 1GB SD cards at Office Max, there really wasn't much else worth standing in line for an hour for. Friday afternoon we got to meet up with our friends from the west side of the state for a late lunch in Lansing. I HIGHLY recommend the restaurant Finley's. Great food and excellent service. Then back to Detroit for some more family time. Another food addiction that I have is for a place called Ackroyd's Scottish Bakery at 5 Mile and Beech Daly in Redford. But be warned! If you go in there on a Saturday morning to order anything, you will be met by the "Meat Pie Nazi". Just like the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld. For anyone in Detroit reading this, stop down there some time on a Saturday and ask for something that's not in the case. You'll find out what I mean. Old-world Scottish charm ;-)
That leads us to Saturday night. Went to Mass with the family at our old church, and then to dinner at Mama Mia's Italian Restaurant at Beech Daly and Grand River. Again, anyone in Detroit reading this, eat there. Good food. However, the end of dinner meant the end of our Detroit trip. Kisses and hugs to everyone there, and then the long drive back to the hills.
All in all, it was a great weekend. Now as I am sitting here on the back porch finishing off my Acid Cigar, (Cold Infusion Tea) and enjoying the 60 degree late November weather.
Tomorrow, another week begins, but the batteries are recharged and I'm ready for the last leg of 2006. Pretty weird to think that this year is almost over already.
Oh well. There is always the January trip south to look forward to :-)