Thank You For The Wonderul Birthday, Detroit!

Half a century ago (1974), I was born and raised here till the end of the 7th Grade. My Mom moved us to Washington State, after my parents divorced. I would come back and visit my Dad every Summer for a couple weeks. Time went by after High School, and the last time I came back was 2002.

I now live in Seattle.

For my "half of a hundred" birthday, I decided to treat myself, and come back, and see all of your faces. I stayed at the Inn On Ferry Street. Absolutely wonderful, and the people were so kind. The first meal I ate was two sub sammies from Tubbys, and let me tell you... they weren't only good because of nostalgia. They were straight up EFFIN' good. I got the steaks.

The next day (Thursday), I took myself to the Detroit Zoo. It was raining cats and dogs. But again, I'm from Seattle. So it was just a Thursday for me that way. Hand-to-God, I had 98% of the zoo to myself from 1 to 4. It was incredible. And the workers remained incredibly professional, and still gave me all the info about the creatures great and small, like I was in a group. It was fantastic. And yes, they were setting up the Christmas lights.

That night, I took myself to Oak and Reel. The food was amazing, the staff polite, and easy to talk to. The mixed drink I had was amazing, and I had three. I got the 30 day dry aged steak. It was the best damn steak (cut into 4 medallions) I have had in years. YEARS. It was worth every damn penny.

Yesterday, I took myself to the Science Museum. Last time I was there, I was 15. It was still very much the same, and quite enjoyable. I bought my younger brother the dehydrated strawberries there, that he thinks about fondly from that place. Don't tell him, it's a surprise.

That night I took myself to Cliff Bells for the actual birthday. I was the first one in there, and met the Mother and Son owners. They were gracious, and kind, and welcoming, and showed me around the place, since they themselves had a little time, before the place became packed with other patrons waiting to eat, and watch Urban Art Orchestra. They sat me smack dab in the middle front of stage. I got the lobster stuffed mushrooms. I would have inhaled them at the speed of sound, they were so damn tasty, but they were temperature hot. Next I had the 16 oz Grilled Porkchop, with succatash. Holy...shit. Ho-leeee...shit. I could not recommend that one enough. Detroit knows how to cook meat. Know this 'bout yourselves. I had several mixed cocktails, but settled on the "Bells Blossom". I ended up having 5 of them, not counting the other mixed cocktails. It was my birthday, and I'm 6 foot 3, Irish/ Polish, with a belly full of tasty food, so no. I was by no means hammered.

Urban Art Orchestra killed it.

I'm one of those weirdos where I get all genuinely misty-eyed when live music is amazing. There were times where I had to put my mind somewhere else, otherwise my eyes, and cheekbones would have been soaked from emotion. At the end, I couldn't have asked for a better birthday evening. I thanked everyone there profusely, it was such a fun experience.

Detroit also know this about yourselves.

As a blanket statement, you are all incredibly kind, and polite, or at the very least... eye contact with a head nod.

That does not happen in Seattle by and large.

I am at the airport now, waiting to go home. I couldn't have asked for a better 50th birthday, with amazing people. You are all still my family.

And I love you all very, very much.