The Three-Legged Race (leg 3): What is the only state with an upper and lower peninsula?

The paint’s peeling off the streets again
And I drive and I close my eyes in Michigan.

Rilo Kiley, "Paint's Peeling", The Execution of All Things

(Touring the Detroit suburbs in a Grey Ford Focus)



So I've been here in MI since Saturday, when my plane touched down through a formidable bank of angry clouds. (Note to self, don't fly out of Philly if you can help it).

I was nervous about driving into the city, and almost found myself at the customs checkpoint of the US/Canadian border (so when the signs said "Bridge to Canada" they weren't kidding!). At the hotel, when they gave me the key for Room 5804, I thought, oh: the fifth floor, when in fact it meant the 58th floor (so that's why I was directed to the 40-70 elevator!) It was really strange to look across the Detroit River at Canada from my perch up there in the sky.

I also got to see the sun rise over the water on Sunday: really lovely.







Portfolio Day at CCS was mostly a cakewalk. Katie and I had a good time: the room was awesome and we had so much space and auditorium style seating that some people thought we were going to be presenting.

It's interesting: all the teachers I've talked to this week have reported that their kids had a traumatic time waiting in line, only getting to see one or two schools...but well, that's the Portfolio Day game.

After the initial threat of darkening clouds, the wind blew the stormy weather across the border and so far the days have been perfect: cool fall weather, blue skies, changing leaves. Today was no exception. It's interesting how the impression of a place can be made or broken by the weather you encounter when you visit. Last year, I was in Michigan two weeks later than this year's trip and it was cold and rainy. What a difference two weeks makes!

Today, in-between school visits, I went to the Franklin Cider Mill, at Alyse's suggestion, for lunch. The cider, made of honey-crisp apples, was absolutely delicious. It's traditional to get a cake donut to go with your cider, and here, they always serve 'em warm. (Yum!)