Poor Donny

One of Donny's many bloody noses. Not all are caused by his brothers, sometimes it's just the dry air, but more often than not it is their fault.

American vs. Lafayette

Last night for our date, we and some good friends visited the famous Coney Island Restaurants located in downtown Detroit. Like Pat's and Geno’s in Philadelphia, American Coney and Lafayette Coney are bigtime rivals. They have an interesting history. In 1917 the Keros brothers decided to start a Greek American restaurant with the Coney hotdog and Gyro as staples, but soon after starting the business, the brothers had an argument resulting in the restaurant splitting into two. The restaurants have remained side by side ever since and there have been taste disputes for the past century. So last night we took the Coney challenge and tasted both hot dogs (after palate cleansing in between.) I must say it was very fun and the hot dogs were much better than anticipated. The typical Coney has chili, mustard, and onions. Each topping differs between the two Coneys so you have to try and isolate the sides as well. After careful review, I declared the American coney the winner of the taste category, but the Lafayette won out in texture. Steve would tell you that the American would win both categories, because he liked the “snap” of his American hot dog. Our friends Julie and Shelly agreed. So if you ever come to Detroit, you have to take the Coney challenge and find your favorite. Both restaurants are packed and have a loyal following. Let the best Coney win!

The interior of the American Coney Island Restaurant

Belle Isle

Spring has come early to Detroit or at least last week was beautiful. (Today was a different story--windy, cold, and rainy) We took advantage of the nice weather to head to Belle Isle, an island in the Detroit river between Detroit and Canada. The shores of both are equal distance and really quite close. I wonder if people try to swim it because it isn't very far. I think if I was in trouble from the law, I would make the attempt. Here are some pictures from our outing.

One of the highlights was getting to feed the albino deer. I must admit our tour guide was a little perturbed when I called the deer a goat and when I was skeptical that they were in the wild. I told him that I was pretty sure the white deer wouldn't last long in the woods unless they were in the arctic. So then I called them the polar deer. Very cool no matter what their origins.

I have no idea how this ice sculpture came to be around this tree, but it was fun to walk around on. I wonder if some snowplow got a little bored and pushed all the snow on this one tree. It was cool.

I also thought this long hay was cool although my friend Lisa thought it was ridiculous I would stop the car to get a picture. If only I had a nice camera and a photographer's eye. I'm sure my friend Jane could have taken some cool shots here.

On the pier, overlooking the Detroit River and the Canada side. Doesn't it seem close? I'm pretty sure I could swim it if I needed to get out of the country for some reason.

Also, for all of you moms out there. Please notice the large space in between the railings. It was a death trap. I was sure I was going to have to jump in the freezing cold water to save one of the boys when they fell in. I remember my Mom being paranoid about these kind of situations and scoffing at how ridiculous she was. Now, that I am older though, these things give me nightmares.

We didn't last long without getting in, ice and all.

It was cold although it probably wasn't much colder than the Pacific Ocean, which I used to swim in all the time as a kid. Everything is relative.

We love Belle Isle and I'm sure we will be taking Steve before we move.