Michigan Travel Highlights
As you know, I work for the University of Michigan. My position at the University of Michigan is completely remote. So, I get the best of both worlds — a dream job and the California sunshine. I have never been to the Midwest before. It’s a part of the United States that I have never really cared to venture off to. Not because I didn’t want to. Rather, it’s because I didn’t know what was there. After working remotely for the entirety of the academic year, my boss asked for me to come to Michigan to visit my students. I happily obliged. I caught the travel bug when I was in Spain, so I was ready to pack my bags and jet off to somewhere new.
Although I was only there for four days, Michigan was full of surprises. According to my boss, I got the whole Michigan experience — a Detroit Tigers game, a BLM protest, great weather, and so much more. My trip to Michigan was full of unexpected but memorable moments. I loved meeting my students and boss in person and spending time with them. It was a lovely trip overall.
1. University of Michigan Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan is a beautiful campus filled with historical buildings and research centers. I stayed at the Michigan League Inn and spent a few days exploring the school. It was fun seeing all of the unique art installations and learning the history of UoM. I think the city of Ann Arbor is quite charming. It feels like the midwestern version of San Luis Obispo — a tight-knit, small town vibe. I enjoyed walking around the city and getting a sense of campus life at UoM.
2. St. Thomas More Catholic Church Ann Arbor
St. Thomas More Catholic Church is a short 10-minute walk from campus. I love that it is in close proximity to the University. I wish I had taken a photo of the inside of the church because it’s truly remarkable. As you know, I am obsessed with church architecture. It was a treat to be able to spend some time with the Lord on this work trip. Being able to celebrate mass always helps me feel like I’m not too far away from home. If you are Catholic and find yourself in Ann Arbor, I would highly recommend attending mass at St. Thomas More.
3. Washtenaw Dairy
Nothing will ever compare to Handels. BUT I think Washtenaw Dairy is a close second. I got a single scoop of their Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream in a waffle cone. Their pricing is affordable, and their scoops are more than generous. I was going to get dinner after eating my ice cream, but my scoop was so big that I just made it my dinner (lol). The line to get a scoop at Washtenaw Dairy is incredibly long, but definitely worth the wait. It’s a special treat if you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth in Ann Arbor.
4. Art in Motion
My boss and I found this Black-owned art studio called Art in Motion at Detroit. It’s a small little studio on the West side of the city. If you want to schedule a class, you will have to reach out to Kay, the owner. Kay is super friendly and great teacher. The both of us learned the “squirrel technique” which helped us know how to place our hands when throwing the clay on the wheel. It was surprisingly easy and an absolute blast. I ended up creating two pieces — a vase and bowl. I can’t wait to see how they come out!
5. Detroit Institute of Arts
I am not the biggest fan of museums, but I must say this one has got to be one of the best museums I have visited. The art installations in this museum are truly incredible. Typically, I speed through a museum to quickly see everything. But the Detroit Institute of Arts surprisingly captured my attention. I spent HOURS in there and still didn’t go through everything. I think the most impressive exhibit is the American art that they have on display. There are some truly incredible American artists who are masters at their craft. If you ever get the chance to visit Detroit, I would highly recommend walking through this museum.
Later this week, I will be heading to Georgia! I am very excited to travel to the South. It’ll be my first time there and should be a very unique experience. Stay tuned for more travel updates! I’ll be sharing more adventures very soon. Make sure to subscribe to my mailing list for more of my travel posts! You can find more life-related posts here.
Emily
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