So, I didn't know it at the time, but the four students pictured here are high school exchange students! I heard two of them speaking German, so naturally I broke out my German to ask if they were there with Potterville (certain that they were not, because, obviously, Emily would have mentioned a German in her classes, but they were! But, in her defense, they were high schoolers.) I was so discouraged when they automatically answered in English, because they said "they thought they misheard" my German, as it was unexpected. While that's fair, I'm still sad that they automatically switched to German*.
Forever impressed by this topographical map of Michigan!
Any time my group was in a rush, I took pictures to read later, so hopefully my pictures are new, as opposed to subsequent visits!
The glass flask inside the cover is so ingenious!
Michigan was so close to a phenomenal railroad system!
At this point in our tour, a real live tour guide came out of the woodwork and told us how awesome these ingots were! So, on the great lakes, the shifting of cargo could be deadly, so they made these special ingots so that they could lay beams across each layer to keep them from shifting during transport!! I tried to convince my group to stay as close to the guide as possible, but sadly, they were unimpresed.
Emily's group did stay in pace with ours for a short while, and she was slightly annoyed at my picture taking...
until her group needed pictures from areas that she didn't take, then she was emailing me during the school day asking me for pictures! Some of them I literally ended up pulling from Alice's 3rd grade visit!! lol.
So, I don't regret taking any pictures of my dear ones! (or any of the museum exhibits for that matter.)
This exhibit reminded me of cattle branding, but more humane and practical.
Don't we all long for such a simple life!
The Velocipede absolutely merited a text to Billy, for inspiration, of course!
A letter that has only the name, city, and state of the recipient!!!
It's a shame this isn't the current norm!
This museum has sooooooooooooo many details!
And my favorite 8th grader!
Detroit is wild to me! As a Texan, we only heard national headline negatives about Detroit: "most dangerous city in Ameria" and "Detroit, largest city to ever declare bankruptcy!" Then, when I visited there after living in Michigan for a few years, learned that they coined the term "white flight" and that there was a revival! My personal experience with Detroit has been positive, but what a history!
Prohibition exhibit. Expanded? Finally got to pause long enough for pictures? Don't know, but this exhibit was cool, and the first time I'd gotten to interact with it in a meaningful way!
A view of the movie theater and 'city street' from above, but not where I saw Emily.
I got a picture of our awesome tour guide holding a bolt from the Mackinac Bridge!!! He told the story of how the construction lights were petitioned to become permanent! When holding the bolt we were instructed to use two hands, because these things were heavy!!!
Taking a picture of my sweet Emily through the glass courtyard. I absolutely got called out on this.
I've never seen water in this area, so I'm unsure as to whether or not it is fountain that holds water.
A prestigious evergreen!
The day before the field trip, I called the museum to see whether or not they had a microwave, so that I could bring one of "Billy's" lunches. The lady put me on hold to go check, and they did have a microwave!!! I'm posting this here, in case we need to know in the future!
I feel like, a lifetime ago, when I went with Alice, they had a little cafe. Now they have an assortment of vending machines.
And in the spirit of doing things "properly" I'm including the offerings of each vending machine, "for prosperity!" = )
Oh, and there is an ATM.
We walked over to the Capitol after lunch, but still did not take the cross overs, so ended up having to rush to catch the lights at the crosswalk, again.
I don't think I have a picture of the manhole covers yet.
So, on the way into the Capitol building I was the last one, and I managed to set off the metal detector. It was probably my pocket knife. It's way smaller than the 9 inches allowance, but bigger than my Grandfather's knife on my key chain. oops. They still allowed me to visit, but I managed to embarrass Emily.
My favorite fact about the Capitol building is that Texas and Michigan share an architect, ant it's a bit like going home each time I visit! They always mention Texas in the tour!!
During the Toledo war they kept cannons in the Capitol, and moved them in through large 'barn doors' which sparked a rumor that the Capitol once housed a stable, which is false. < Our tour guide was awesome!
It is such a pretty building!
The best view I could muster, as the building is still under construction!
Grandiose Halls, as pictured from the floor!
Look at those light fixtures!!!
We were told that we could rub the hinge for luck 'two times' but any more would give us bad luck! This was the first tour on which I'd heard this, so I'm skeptical, but maybe it will be the new lore!
The Govenor's office has one of the three original ceilings. I think I have a picture of this already, but just in case, here it is again.
This frosted glass has me second guessing everyone's skepticism of AI.
Look at these feet, I mean, really, is AI as strange as Victorian glass? I think not.
One of the original wooden glass chandeliers converted into electric. There are over 80 throughout the building. The moose and deer with 'tuebor^' are featured on each one!
My Emily in the capitol, unwilling as she may be.
Fossils in the floor are always impressive!
A group of eight graders with our representative: Witwer!
Buttons that they press to speak, leave the room etc.
The desks had to have a layer of wood added to the base, since people are taller than they were when the desks were constructed.
Each of these chandeliers take 8 hours to clean!
Our representative showed us how they speak when they go 'on record.' And then I got in trouble for taking a picture of the "desk" when all I wanted was a picture of the cool removable microphone, and foldable podium! In my defense, that was not one of the 'rules' they gave us. We couldn't be running in the election, lobbying, or go down one of the aisles. I followed all of those rules.
Emily will forever accuse me of getting "in trouble with the government, twice^^!" lol.
I did my best to keep a low profile after that, but It's my first time living too!
The carpet pattern in the old Courtroom.
And the wall decor in the same.
I seriously love living so close to the Capitol of our state! I have had an opportunity to visit Lansing far more than Austin, despite the disparity of time, of living in each state!
When I went back to the car, I realized that I had the scissors, which I bring to open the twins' ice pops on our walk home each day, in my purse. So, it was likely the combination of knife and scissors that set of the sensor. Oops, sorry Emily! lol.
*Christinchen, if you're reading this, I can't help but be amazed that you were their age when you came to be my sister!!!! I'm so thankful for that time, and every time after!!!
**Y'all, today, Alice was talking about something regarding President Nixon, and I am just astounded that my child is totally into the Cold War and all things 60s and 70s!!!!
^I will defend.
^^obviously this runs in my family, because I still remember getting a call on the train down to Manchester, on my way from Leeds, when an immigration officer called me, identified himself, and was like, "hello, I have your mum here, we need to know your address." awesome. I totally feel you Emily.
edit 4-26-25: backdated for continuity.
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