The first day after setting up camp, we went to Belle Isle in Detroit. It is this outstanding island park full of things to discover. The conservatory and aquarium were closed for the evening, which was a big bummer. There was a lone, mustached young man working ten minutes to closing when we arrived. He apologized, letting us know he was all by himself trying to close up in this big park and would get off so late if he let more people in.  

We sighed for a moment and contemplated sneaking in, but understood and still had such a lovely time walking about. 

We saw kids drinking beer and hanging out - they had a Pitbull mix sweet puppy that they were loving on. There was a tiny girl also there spending time with her family and fishing, so nervous about the dog she wouldn't attempt to pet him, despite everyone's coaxing.

There were jet-skiers having the time of their lives and lots of ducklings with their parents (in very different parts of the water, of course). Lots of big parties going on - old friends barbecuing and laughing, drivers blasting music out of their car windows rolled down. We noticed that these cars were pretty much all American-made. 

There was a gorgeous lighthouse that Niall had to stop and photograph at length.

I would love to go back to Belle Isle. I feel like we saw so much, but it was really only a glimpse. What a vibrant, varied place full of wonder.