This was our second visit up North this year, but we didn’t have time to make it to Mackinaw when James was receiving his award. So we made a promise to get back up to Mackinaw and while we were only there for a day, we did accomplish our goals.

Lots of shopping and many of the stores have changed. There are a couple of Psychics there not giving reading which is unique, along with the usual array of tourist traps.

We stopped into the American Legion there (which is now open to the public, ironic since being able to get a drink at this American Legion was the reason I joined) and enjoyed drinks and chips.

A perfect day at one of the most beautiful spots on earth.

Continue reading “Mackinaw 2024” →

This was a perfect day in Detroit, clear skies, not too hot and NO RAIN! This was also a free Tiger Hawaiian shirt day so everyone got a shirt.

Plus the Tigers won. With the trade deadline approaching many were afraid the Tigers would deal some of their players, but most of the fans do not want that as it would mean more years of rebuilding. The Tigers got off to a great start then pretty much fizzled it away and are below 500 at this point in the season.

The next day headlines read “Skubal leads Tigers to 7-2 win over Twins in final start before the trade deadline”

Continue reading “Watching a Tiger Win at Comerica Park” →

Another great Fourth of July display in our neighborhood as the skies lit up most of the evening with some awesome fireworks displays.

Since fireworks were legalized in Michigan we have seen some fantastic displays that were put on by our neighbors, so much so we don’t feel a need to go to fireworks shows anymore as we enjoy the creativity of the neighbors.

James had a blast watching the display for over an hour. If there is an issue its that you have to have bug spray on or you will get eaten up by all the bugs, but other than that it was a great Fourth and a wonderful time was had by all.

Continue reading “2024 4th of July” →

Nicks family invited us to the Tiger game which was supporting breast cancer awareness. We left early but got tied up on 94 but still made it to the game on time. While walking to the game from our parking spot, Mom and Dad got to visit Jame’s school – Mike Illitch School of Business – and took a few pics. Detroit is great in this area with all the sports in one area downtown.

Unfortunately the Tigers blew a lead and lost. There hitting just isn’t there this year and I personally think they took a big step backwards. Sloppy play in the field makes me wonder if they are getting the proper coaching. They lost 5-4, but at least it wasn’t as bad as yesterdays loss – 10-0 – at the hands of these same Brewers.

Amazingly, one of James friends who went to Europe was also at the game and joined James for a few pictures as well. All in all it was a great way to spend a cloudy afternoon in Detroit. Continue reading “Tigers Game Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness 2024” →

After 15 days in central Europe, James’ class comes to a conclusion.

James visited many different countries, toured many plants and learned about different businesses and business practices. He also did some work while in these plants, going over ledgers and such.

Needless to say Mom and Dad were anxious to get James home, he got through customs without any issues and was picked up at Metro airport in Romulus.

James had two fantastic trips this year, many students don’t get any so he is very thankful to Wayne State College for this wonderful opportunity. James saw 6 countries on this trip, and saw 2 countries on the France trip (France and England) so he saw 8 European countries in a two month period and it all counted as college credits, a pretty smart move on Jame’s part.

At this point James does not have any more over sea classes scheduled for his upcoming Senior year.

Continue reading “Return From Amsterdam to Detroit” →

James and his class got a chance to visit Royal FloraHolland. Royal FloraHolland is the largest international floriculture marketplace for flowers and plants, operating as both an association of growers and a business entity. Royal FloraHolland handles an average of 100,000 transactions per day and generates an annual turnover of over 5 billion euros. With around 3,000 members from Europe, Africa, and Asia, as well as buyers from numerous countries, they are a leader in the floriculture sector.

After the tour and classes were over, James enjoyed a Thai restaurant with his classmates for their last dinner in Europe together.

Mom says many of the bulbs she buys each spring are from Holland, now we know why!

Continue reading “The Last Day in Central Europe – Royal FloraHolland” →

This was James’ free day and he decided to take a flight from Amsterdam to Luxembourg city (business class as they offered James an upgrade for a nominal cost). While in Luxembourg he visited the Grand Palace Ducal. After a brief visit to the city James took a Eurostar train to get to Brussels to meet up with his classmates. Later he went to the Atomium in Brussels but his phone was low. His ride to the town hall was cancelled and James had to make other arrangements with the help of two of his classmates before the phone died.

After sharing strategic ideas they went into a business who let them use a charger to charge up all their phones. They made all their destinations on time on this busy day (despite getting on the wrong train but right destination).

Without a doubt this was the most adventurous day of the trip, but lots of fun as James saw three countries just that day.
Continue reading “Flight to Luxembourg and Train to Brussels Belgium” →

James and his class have completed their tour and are now back where they started, in Amsterdam. Originally when they flew into Amsterdam they immediately travelled to Poland and did not see too many sites in the city prime. This visit will be very busy with sight seeing and many educational opportunities for the class.

Some of the businesses that were visited included farms and bakeries, along with standard industry. Perhaps the most important visit was to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Unfortunately James could only take pictures of the outside of the home.

Annelies Marie “Anne” Frank was a German-born Jewish girl who kept a diary in which she documented life in hiding under Nazi persecution during the German occupation of the Netherlands. She is a celebrated diarist who described everyday life from her family’s hiding place in an Amsterdam attic.

Continue reading “Return to Amsterdam” →

The Netherlands, which is also known as Holland, is a country in northwestern Europe, and is known for a flat landscape of canals, tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes. Canal side mansions and a trove of works from artists including Rembrandt and Vermeer remain from the city’s 17th-century. Venlo is a city and municipality in the southeastern Netherlands, close to the border with Germany.

During this time James stayed on the Holland/German border and while his hotel was in the Netherlands, he would commute to Germany each day. Pic Nic was one of the businesses that James visited so you could say that this class was a “picnic” in any language.

Continue reading “Venlo, Holland” →

Day 8 and 9 were down to business for the class, with lots of travel and visiting businesses such as Lear in Munich Germany. James no longer has a room all to himself as he is rooming with several other room mates in a Hostel in Munich.

Munich, Bavaria’s capital, is home to centuries-old buildings and numerous museums. The city is known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration and its beer halls, including the famed Hofbräuhaus, founded in 1589. In the Altstadt (Old Town), central Marienplatz square contains landmarks such as Neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (town hall), with a popular glockenspiel show that chimes and reenacts stories from the 16th century.

James would travel to Venlo Holland with his class.
Continue reading “Munich Germany and Travel Day to Holland” →