Friends, History, and Cars

Tuesday, August 2, 2016
We got up and moving early this morning so we could meet the Ratcliffes at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn when it opened at 9:30.  They have a membership that allows them to bring in two guests so we benefitted from that today!!  Not only did it cover our entrance but allowed us to see the National Parks IMAX 3d film for free and gave us a 10% discount on our tickets to do the Rouge Tour, attend the Beatles exhibit, and even on our lunch in the Michigan Cafe.

The film on the National Parks had some magnificent scenery shots many of which must have been done from helicopters and drones giving a viewpoint you don't usually get of places like Yosemite Falls, Yellowstone geysers and pools, huge icicles at the Pictured Rocks, and the mountains and glaciers of Glacier National Park.  Here we are in our seats (well all but Bev who was taking the picture)

After the movie we took in the special Beatles exhibit that is presently in Detroit

We were treated to special listening spots to hear the music that each of the Beatles was exposed to in their early years; music that really influenced the music they wrote and played.

See their early instruments in a setting similar to where they first got their start in England

This is a photo of them playing there

There was a lot of memorabilia from their touring years in the United States along with displays telling of all the problems they ran into because of the huge mobs that pressed to get near to them and take a piece of them including bits of hair.

This photo set up allowed us to look like we John, Paul, George and Ringo

Once we were done with that special exhibit, we enjoyed some of the regular exhibits including this dymaxion house - a circular aluminum dwelling that Buckminster Fuller had hoped would become a way of living for all those returning from WWII and needing a place to live.  It is fascinating to see  but is the only house ever created and lived in (a family did live in it for 20 years)

This is the living room/dining room

We also visited the 1900s history memorabilia area that is divided into decades and marveled over all the items that we used ourselves that now are considered "antiques" and worthy of display in a museum.  How could we be that old??!!

The impressive display of presidential vehicles is also an eye catcher and fun to check out.

As are all the trains right down to the model trains

The guys had to check out this old car

Which was right by the moving picture theater where we could watch some of the original old time movies - short and silly

We enjoyed sandwiches in the Michigan Cafe and a time to just relax and talk with each other before they headed over to Greenfield Village and we caught the bus (isn't the painted car on the bus neat?)

to the Rouge complex

to tour the assembly area of the F150 trucks.

We weren't allowed to take any pictures but sure enjoyed seeing from the observation area all of the various buildings with their living roofs, watch a couple of films that tell more of the history of the development of Ford, and finally watch robots and people putting together a vehicle as it rolled by them in the huge assembly area.

Outside, cars are parked on special surfaces that collect rain water, filter it and use it again to help water all of the landscaped grounds including the orchard right in the middle.  A variety of sedum plants provide lots of greenery to clean the air and are a sample of what is on all the roofs as well again keeping the air clean and providing insulation.

We then returned to the museum and enjoyed a few short films in this theater giving various aspects of Ford history and how it has affected our culture as well as car racing.

Checked out some of the race cars

and high speed cars on display including this one that broke all speed records at the Salt Flats

The whole area on the history of flight is always fascinating so we took a quick walk through that area too.  The Wright Brothers home and bike shop are on display at the Village but this was in the museum

They also have a DC3 - one of the most popular planes when people began taking flying seriously for getting places faster.

But it was soon 5:30 and the doors were closing so we climbed in the car and made the hour plus trip back to the campground for some supper and our usual evening walk - slow because of the heat and humidity but still far enough to get in our 10,000 steps.