MAX Light Rail/CTran from PDX to Vancouver, WA

After picking up my luggage at Baggage Pickup I walk out the front door of PDX Terminal to immediately board the MAX Light Rail (Red Line). Since Vancouver WA cabs are not allowed to pick up passengers at PDX I choose to ride MAX.  It takes a long time to get home but oh so cheap.  The fare is the same for MAX Light Rail, TriMet buses, Streetcars, and Vancouver CTran buses: reduced fares for seniors: $1.50 for 2 1/2 hour ticket and $2.50 for all day pass. 

Road Scholar Trip to Detroit, Michigan August 6 - 11, 2023

Detroit, the largest city in Michigan, is called The Motor City. It is the center of the automobile industry in America. Another popular nickname for Detroit is Motown.  Berry Gordy, Jr. started the Motown Record Corporation in Detroit in 1959.

I wanted to arrive in Detroit a day earlier.  However the room would have cost me $499 plus tax. 

Sunday, August 6 - I left Portland International Airport (PDX) at 05:00 AM, arriving in Detroit about 02:30 PM.  I took a Metro Cab to the Courtyard Detroit Downtown.  I changed rooms (next to noisy Ice Machine and noisy Elevators).  I dropped my things in a more acceptable room.  Great view. 

I checked in with Road Scholar registration in the lobby.  We had Orientation and Introductions.  Welcome dinner.  We had a lecture on Brief History of Detroit and Paths Forward.

The Courtyard Detroit Downtown hotel was undergoing renovations so banging noises began about 06:30 AM in the morning!

Monday, August 7 - Following breakfast, the Road Scholar group went for expert-led walk through downtown with a local guide.  I went to the Renaissance Center - GM World instead.  I found the Virtual Cache.  GM was showcasing modern and vintage racing vehicles in a rotating display. I returned to the hotel.  We had lunch at Buddy's Pizza.  Afterward we had a city overview via motor coach with commentary from a local guide.  We took the People Mover to Greektown for dinner on my own.  I had a Cobb Salad at Jacoby's.

Tuesday, August 8 - Following breakfast we had a lecture about Detroit Music History/Motown.  We traveled via motor coach to "Hittsville U.S.A." - now the Motown Museum.  It was much like Sun Studio in Memphis.  We visited Detroit Museum of Art where I had lunch in the Cafe and then did a Virtual.  I skimmed the highlights of DIA. We had dinner at Dirty Dog Cafe. - a local jazz cafe.  Returning to the hotel, I was informed that I would have to move the next day to another room!  Argh!

Wednesday, August 9 - I packed my suitcase and carryon and left them in the room to be taken to my new room.  After a buffet breakfast, we departed via motor coach for a visit to the Rouge Ford Factory.  We visited the Henry Ford Museum.  I had lunch of Macaroni and Cheese, purple grapes, milk and chocolate brownie.  Back at the hotel I was given a room next to Ice Machine and elevators.  Not acceptable.  I was given another room on the 20th floor.  Great view but an absolutely dreadful room.  I ate the remainder of the pepperoni pizza for dinner while watching television. 

Thursday, August 10 - After buffet breakfast, we took the motor coach along Lake Shore Road to Grosse Point to the 1926/1927 Edsel and Eleanor Ford's house for a guided tour.  I got a fresh baked Chocolate Chip cookie afterwards.  We had lunch at the American Coney Island.  I had a Chili Dog with cheese but no onions.  There was a slight trace of chili.  Deeply disappointing. 

Two of us chose to be dropped off at the hotel.  I rode the People Mover in order to do the "Ticket to Ride" Virtual Geocache.  I had planned to do a couple caches in Canada but it was just too hot. It was hot in downtown Detroit also but I got brief breaks sitting down on the People Movers.  It rained toward the end of the journey.  It took me 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete the Virtual.  It was exhausting but great fun!  We had a Farewell Dinner at Andiamo Detroit Riverfront. 

Friday, August 11 - I rose early, finished packing and ate a light breakfast.  The Metro Cab was there promptly at 8:30 AM.  He dropped me at United.  I caught the 11:20 AM flight, arriving in Portland (PDX) about 3:00 PM.  The MAX Light Rail Red Line was not working so I had to take the shuttle bus to Gateway Center.  I rode the MAX Light Rail Red Line to the Rose Garden, walked west one block and then rode the MAX Light Rail Yellow Line to Delta Park.  I rode the CTran bus to Evergreen Blvd bus stop in downtown Vancouver, WA where I walked one block east.  My daughter picked me up.  It was an interesting trip but I was glad to be home!