Friday, 16 June, 2006
Detroit
I'm surprised that there was a direct flight from Austin to Detroit. The Canadair Regional Jet was scheduled to stop in Detroit and then go on to Bangor, and the flight was full. Oversold, in fact: they were offering a flight voucher to whoever would give up his seat. I had never considered that there would be enough demand for a direct Austin-Detroit flight.
I don't have to make stuff up. This is the actual highway sign at the exit to where I'm staying in Troy, Michigan. I understand that Big Beaver Road was around long before anybody decided to put an interstate highway with an exit number through, but you'd think they could have done something about this. Make the highway curve a little more to add an extra mile, maybe? I guess if you build enough roads you're just bound to get funny stuff like this from time to time. There are worse things a town could be known for.
The real estate market is crazy here, too. There are some very nice neighborhoods in Troy and Birmingham that have very neat houses, nicely manicured lawns, beautiful trees--everything you expect from a picture perfect neighborhood. The houses are 50 years old, maybe 1,200 or 1,500 square feet, usually have a detached garage, and go for $350,000 and up. I understand that some people like to be in the city rather than out in the 'burbs, but I can't see city living being worth quite that much.