My mother, who my friends affectionately call H-DAWG, recently visited me for our first “Mom & Dot” date since I transplanted to Detroit. On our day out we covered a great deal of ground from the astounding, historic homes in Indian Village , to Corktown and Southwest. We took a long walk with Sister Pie scones and visited just about every shop near the Trumbell-Michigan intersection in Corktown. It was enjoyable day full of far too much food, much-needed catch-up and straight-up shopping local.

Many of my friends, mainly those residing in Houston, were surprised that my mother would visit me in Detroit. (Mind you, these people are millennials. Get it together, y’all.)  Knowing my mother, I was not shocked by her questions, comments and general appreciation of the city.

One major thing I counted on was her penchant for history. As we drove down Jefferson, she exclaimed at every street sign that shared a name with an ancestor who had settled in Detroit.  This was a welcome surprise for me, but I should have anticipated this conversation considering my mother’s interest and knowledge of her own genealogy. (She is addicted to ancestery.com.) This conversation hit a high-point when she began discussing her interest in Elmwood Cemetery, near my home in the Elmwood-Lafayette Park neighborhood, and how on her next visit she planned to identify the graves of relatives. It’s an easy spot to become fixated with.

Throughout the afternoon she would wonder about each building we passed, speculating on its past and future. What had it been? Would it would be deconstructed, demolished or left to the un-pleasantries of becoming another blighted building?  She would estimate what period she believed a structure was built and try to get out of the car at every chance to take a closer look.

Needless to say, we are planning many more days together in the city of Detroit. It has been incredibly valuable for me to share my experiences living here with others, but especially with my mother. What are some places you like to visit in Detroit with family?