Dear Detroit - 

Detroit, oh Detroit.  Poor you.  You have such a bad reputation and you sort of bring the whole state of Michigan down with you.  I think it is undeserving.  Yes, you are going through a rough time, but I think good things are coming your way.  Here are some things to keep in mind, Detroit, as you work through some things.

If you are going to host a zoo, you should probably make sure the animals are actually available to live at the zoo, especially the big animals.  We visited your zoo, and while we did have fun (and the polar bear exhibit probably made up for it), many of your exhibits were empty without any explanation.  And, due to recent events where I live, I am pretty sure a lion, a grizzly bear, and a few black and brown bears are walking around Royal Oak in search of a good time. 

 

You might want to step up your stadium tours.  I appreciate that your Comerica Park tour is only $6 but it could have been a bit more lively.  Also, you might ask the folks at Ford Field to not take off from work with little notice.  You have a lot of die hard sports fans, Detroit.  Tigers shirts are everywhere right now, so you should pay back your fans with good tours (and a championship or two).

Keep in mind that your surrounding cities and villages are really cute, so maybe you could play up their appeal a bit more?  I spent 15 years in Rochester, and this past week in Oxford, and I could move to either.  Oxford is unique.  It is a mix of rural landscape and lake tourist town.  I love the ice cream shops and my brother-in-law loves the Tim Hortons.

 

Remember that you are hosting my parents now and you provided me the best place to grow-up.  I appreciate that, no matter what you are doing with your finances, and I always will.  Keep working hard, Detroit, I am rooting for you!

 

Love, Katy 

Note:  More pictures from our week in Michigan here.