Detroit/Ann Arbor/Brooklyn, MI, August 2007: Day 1, August 16, 2007 (Nice airport!)
NASCAR! For me the word was synonymous with speed, rednecks, trailers and racism. Fortunately, my employer, IMAGES USA, sent me and two other people to the Michigan International Speedway to run a multicultural media tour for the Detroit media during the CARFAX 250 and 3M Performance 400. I was skeptical at first, but there was a budding excitement about this new experience. I can honestly say that my preconceptions were open to being changed.We left Atlanta in 100 degree weather and arrived in Detroit to a beautiful 75 degrees. In my joy I stretched my arms trying to hug the cool moist air. Detroit Metropolitan Airport is a glistening structure with an impressive six runways and a dedicated international terminal. I was slackjawed walking through the concourse.
We found our rental car and we were on our way to Brooklyn, MI home of the Michigan International Speedway (MIS), our "office" for the next two days. MIS is about 60 miles west of the Detroit, but it feels like a world away. We went from I-94 into State Route 12 into a two lane road that meandered its way through lakes, quaint small towns and farms...lots of farms. All in all, it was a beautiful ride. As we got closer to the track we saw more NASCAR paraphenalia flying from homes. Driver number flags flew proudly from the porches and flagpoles. In my mind, even though some NASCAR fans can be rather crazy, they're fiercley loyal. Just when I thought we were about to reach Canada, we ran into MIS, a 1.5 mile D-shaped oval, an hour and a half from Detroit, near Ann Arbor.
We had to get acquainted with the track before talking to the media the next day, so we toured around for a while talking to track officials and seeing where media would do interivews and take questions. After about an hour of official business we headed to our hotel in Ann Arbor, but before then we had the pleasure driving on the track...well not actually on the track, but we had cross it in order to leave the grounds.
About 45 minutes later we arrived in Ann Arbor at the Four Points by Sheraton off of I-94 and State St. It's a typical business travel hotel, comfortable, spacious and expensive room service. God bless petty cash!
After a well deserved nap, we headed out to Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan. I haven't been around many college towns, but I instantly fell in love with this one's lively, somewhat carefree atmosphere. We went to for sustenance at the Grizzly Peak Brewing Company (120 West Washington), one of Ann Arbor's many microbreweries. We joined our party seated behind the brewery contraction in the middle of the restaurant. I was an observer for the first few minutes or until the beer orders started flying. For me, drinking beer is an acquired skill and now one of my favorite ways to enjoy good company. Microbreweries surprise me with not only their attention to their beers, but their food. Together they create an atmosphere that you can't get at your typical chain restaurant who happens to serve mass-market beer. Nothing against my friends at the large beer companies, but when you're in Ann Arbor, do as the Ann Aroborites do.
I ordered Victor's Golden Ale, an all seasons beer light enough to start the evening and enjoy with a good meal. I was famished from a days worth of traveling, so I ordered traditional comfort food...a thick, juicy, medium-well cheesburger or what the restaurant called, "The Grizz Burger." The Grizz is a 1/2 lb. of choice sirloin topped with your choice of cheese on a fresh bakery roll. Burgers come and go, and after airport food on the way up to Detroit, this burger felt like heaven. It also could have been the combination of beer, laughter and another beer, but I highly enjoyed the meal.
After filling ourselves with food and drink, we proceeded to fill up on more drink at the Scorekeepers Pub and Grill (310 Maynard St.). My comfort level in sports bars depends on the crowd I'm with and when you have a client, associates, their colleagues and other patrons around, you kind of have mixed emotions. I buzzed around for a few minutes socializing, but feeling the effects of jet lag I played some pool with my boss, Hank, and shortly thereafter retired back to our hotel. I was glad to leave when I did because I was the designated driver the next day at 5:30 a.m. for our trip back to the track.
Labels: MIS Biz Trip
posted by Dre' @ 8/16/2007 11:11:00 PM
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