Wild Turkeys at Saugatuck Dunes State Park

We took a drive to the State Park. Too many mosquitos though to walk around, but we did see these big birds.....








All this at:

Saugatuck Brewing Company (inc. The Lucky Stone) - Douglas, MI

We were done with wandering around Saugatuck - and things were shutting up there. Seems most places are done by 6pm. The restaurants (apart from The Butler, where we had lunch) all seemed to not fit our needs - either too nice or too hot-dog. And we didn't want pizza.

A last ditch blackberry search pointed us to The Saugatuck Brewing Company (actually on Blue Star Highway in Douglas) - it had a couple of good reviews, so we thought we'd have a look. And it was in Douglas, near where we were staying.

I stopped in and found it served food, brewed its own beer, and was family friendly.



So we gave it a go!

There was also 2 relatively unique (and welcoming) traits here - smoke free, and TV free (as far as I could see).

It seems there is an Irish theme going on - the pub (or part of the pub) within was called The Lucky Stone, and there was what appeared to be real old (pre EU) road signs from Ireland.









I talked to our server, Katie (who was great!), about why the Irishness - the owner has spent some time in Ireland and wanted to somewhat mould the poub around it.

By the look of the beer list (not all of which were on sale yet - the place seems to be on its way up still), they also knew a bit about other countries, or at least the beer coming out of them - there was mentins of Alts, Kolshchs, Impertial Stouts, Porters to name a few.

I had a Weiss bier to start with. It was good - not too heavy, not too bitter and not at all watery. Good! Next I moved to the Alt. Also good, but just a touch too heavy for me after a day walking around stores. The food was normal burgers, sandwiches, pretzels with mustard, pub dinners, and that kind of thing. Nothing wildly extravagant, but thats just fine when what's offered comes out as good as you would wish for. And it did. No complaints from our table at all. Prices - reasonable!

There was also a games area - no, not space invaders, but darts and board games. Nice touch.



Why is it the Saugatuck Brewing Company if it is in Douglas? Well, it used to be in Saugatuck but needed a bigger premises, so the spot in Douglas fitted.

All in all, should we be in the area again, we will be back the Saugatuck Brewing Company to both eat and drink!

Views from the Belfry - Kölner Dom - Cologne Cathedral

Detroit's Eastern Market - June 2009

WOW Detroit - Not very wow when it comes to Versus HD and Fox Soccer Channel!!

Well that says it all - Why don't they broadcast Fox Soccer? And, now during Hockey playoffs, why not broadcast Versus on High Def???

Detroit Tigers Opening Day 2009 - Comerica Park

Friday was home opener for the Tigers. In Detroit, Opening Day is like a combination of all the holidays with a little baseball thrown in - or, as I call it, a blast!



People all over the place were having fun, bars were packet with lines outside. Tailgating was in full swing, and someone even invited the dreaded bagpipers!


Miller Lite? I knew it!!




Bobblehead guy posed for a photo




The Elwood Bar. Look at the line!


Jazz band at one of the ballpark entrances.


The Big Glove!


Pre-game scoreboard welcoming us there. It felt great being there - the weather was nice - not too warm but certainly not freezing. I've heard tales of snow on opening day - not today!


The Texas Rangers (the other team that was there - apparently there was a game involving another team!) were first to get introduced, followed by the entire Tigers team and staff.



4 F-15C's flew by straight after the national anthem - took us by surprise as they came from over left field. Very cool and very loud!


With the Auto industry in tatters, GM had to pull its sponsorship. However, Mike Ilitch, instead of removing GM entirely from the home run fountain, chose to accompany GM with Ford and Chrysler signs. Nice gesture - after all it's a lot of those who rely on these companies to survive (direclty or indirectly)who buy tickets to come see games like this one.


Reinforcing the support of the Big 3, instead of having a celebrity throw the first ball, a representative worker from each of Chrysler, Ford and GM each threw out 1st balls.

Warm-up was underway...




More welcomes and a crowd anticipating a fun season. Well, at least one better than last year!




And The 2009 Detroit Tigers take the field!!!!!!!! GO TIGERS!!!!!!


Through the 1st inning there were the normal outfield beach balls tossed around through the crowd, attracting the attention of security, who managed to catch and kill said balls. Then, from somewhere above us descended what you see below!!!


It was tossed around with great amusement. Apparently Mike sucks, if you believe what was written on the side of it.



Anyway, security managed to get a good hold on it, and kill it.

Meanwhile there was a baseball game in progress.


The crowd waited in anticipation...



A few runs were score, bases loaded..... then......



Miguel Cabrera hits a Grand Slam!!!

Celebrations! Happy People Everywhere!


Believe this. Someone actually bought a beer!


In fairness, there were more drunk people at the game than I've ever seen there before. It was Opening Day! Amateur day!
One thing I'd not seen before, not even during the playoffs (remember that?), what the staff not allowing people to return to their seats while a batter was up - Red Wings game style. Not a bad idea - it's annoying when people keep walking in front of you during play.

Anyway, the game went great, Galarraga pitched his heart out for 7 innings, giving up just a run, Perry relieved nicely, and Bonine closed but gave up a more-or-less meaningless run. Final score: Tigers 15, Rangers 2. Fantastic!!!!





Happy Tigers!!! Let's keep on winning!!!


In case we didn't know, the Tigers won/...


So, it was a slow walk out... nobody seemed in a big rush.



Above and below... joviality at its best outside the park. Nice to see the guarding tiger without his Carhart coat on - Spring, welcome to Detroit!!!



Now, we needed another beer - look at the line into Hockeytown!! We chose to avoid.



A great day, great fun, great weather, great result. Couldn't be better!!!!

From there, we wandered past a few bars with big lines, seen a kid who drank too much want to fight the world, and eventually made it to the not-too-crowded Foran's Bar!