I can’t believe it has been one year since I launched this weekly blog. It seems like I just rolled it out. Over the past year I’ve pedaled over 2,000 miles through some of Detroit’s finest and roughest neighborhoods. Detroit, viewed from two wheels, is like no other city. It’s a fascinating, quirky place full of remarkable people.
The goal of this blog was to present a unique perspective on Detroit. Based on the many positive comments I’ve received, I believe my loyal readers find it interesting and informative. Speaking of readers, I’m totally shocked at the reach of this blog. In addition to good old Detroit and the surrounding area, I have subscribers in Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver, Atlanta, Charleston and Washington DC, just to name a few. I also have regular readers in Mexico, Berlin, and Toronto! Who would have thought? Thank you everyone!
Someone commented that my passion for Detroit really shows in the writings of this blog. All I can say to that is: I love this city. It’s a one-of-a kind place.
In this entry, the 52nd, I thought it would be neat to post the top seven entries based on visits. Why seven? I don’t know. I like the number.
To check out any of them, click on the bold title above the picture and take a look.
#1 – Highland Park’s Craftsman Bungalows:
This entry focused on my travels from Wayne State University up Second Avenue through the Historic Boston-Edison neighborhood to Highland Park. I gave a brief history of that notable city and posted a number of photos showing some of the Arts and Crafts homes found there.
#2 – A Fascinating Neighborhood:
This is a story about Creekside, a historic neighborhood on Detroit’s east side with numerous riverside parks. Throughout the southern section of that neighborhood are a series of canals, once used by rumrunners as they smuggled liquor into the U.S. from Canada.
#3 – Critical Mass – An Urban Bike Ride:
This was my first exposure to Detroit’s monthly Critical Mass bicycle ride, a worldwide event held on the last Friday of the month in over 300 cities. In this piece, I described the riders, route and some of the sights along the way.
There were tractors everywhere on this ride! I thought I was in Nebraska or a small farming community in Michigan’s thumb region. In reality, I was in an east side neighborhood of overgrown fields not too far from downtown. The pictures tell it all.
#5 – Incredible Wall Art of Southwest Detroit:
Southwest Detroit is one of the most vibrant parts of the city. That section of the city is full of lively restaurants and busy markets catering to the Hispanic population. It’s also home to some of the most incredible wall art to be found anywhere.
#6 – Graffiti Art in Detroit – Part 5 Masterpieces:
I wrote a five piece series on graffiti art in Detroit and this is the last entry of that series. In this article, I explained what a masterpiece is, in the world of graffiti and I note where some of these beauties can be found. The accompanying photos show the complexity and variety of this art form.
This is one of my first entries, and in it I described how sparsely populated many areas of Detroit are. I never thought I’d see block after block of nothing but fields of overgrown weeds where only a handful of homes stand.
Thanks once again for reading my blog! I truly appreciate your support and encouragement. Who knows where 2011’s travels will take me, stay tuned!
Happy Anniversary Charlie!
Congratulations!
Keep up the great work!
Thanks Mike, I appreciate it! Looking forward to some warm weather so I can get back on two-wheels.
Charlie
Awesome! Keep writing and I will keep reading. Maybe one of these days this summer I will get up to Detroit for a ride!
Hey DC Dave-
It’s a deal. I’ll keep writing as long as you keep reading.
Let me know when you may be in town. I’ll hook you up with a bike and we’ll do a little exploring.
Charlie
Congrats on your one year! Love reading your blog and learning of the places and items you discover along the way.
Hi Jackie-
Thank you! Glad you enjoy reading my blog. It’s fun bicycling in Detroit, the city is full of surprises.
Charlie
Congrats on celebrating 1 year. You have really great content here and I think this is only the beginning. Keep writing. And next time I make it back to Detroit in the summer I’ll join you and DC Dave for a ride.
Hi Laura-
Thanks, I appreciate the congrats! It’s been a fun year. That would be great if you could meet up with DC and I for a ride. We might even see the Obama Ice Cream truck.
Stay warm in Atlanta
Charlie
Happy blog anniversary, Charlie! I remember a lot of these posts, and the one about Highland Park houses was one of my favorites here.
Thank You Dominique-
The Highland Part post is by far the most popular. I’m still getting lots of views on that one.
Thanks for reading my blog. Keep up the good work on yours.
Charlie
Congrats Charlie! Keep up the great work.
I can’t wait til it warms up a bit so I can take to the streets of Detroit on two wheels too!
Hi Becks-
Thanks, it’s been a fun year blogging about Detroit. The city has a wealth of never ending stories.
It won’t be long and us bicyclists will be out.
Appreciate you reading my blog!
Charlie
Happy Anniversary Charlie! Thanks for all the great virtual bike tours! Looking forward to seeing where your travels take you this summer.
Hi Belle Isle –
Thanks for the congrats and thank you for following my weekly travels. I’m getting a little antsy and hoping the weather will cooperate just a bit more so I can get out and ride to who knows where.
Stay tuned!
Charlie