1911 Ann Arbor Original - Thurs., Oct. 16, 2014

Ann Arbor, Michigan is my home city. I was born here, but Mom and Dad moved the family out West when I was three. In my life, I have only been back to Michigan twice before...once when I was ten and once when I was about 12. I have many relatives here - aunts, uncles, cousins - and I want to see as many as possible.

Yesterday, we spent time with relatives from my dad's side of the family, and today and tomorrow, we will spend time with my mom's relatives. Saturday, it will be my dad's side of the family again. Couldn't be happier.

Art, who we visited today, is my mom's cousin's husband. We met Art and Kathy most recently in Rot, Germany in 2006. They were there at the same time we were and provided translation with our German relatives. We enjoyed their company so much. In the meantime, Kathy passed away unexpectedly. Aunt Kathy was mom's cousin with whom she was very close. Art is very much part of the family and we spent the afternoon with him.

One thing we have in common with Art is our love of travel. Art and Kathy traveled to Germany many times to visit our relatives. He went to California several times to see his sister.

For fun, Art has a 1911 Ann Arbor automobile. It's the only one in existence. He takes it to vintage auto shows. It has a top, can be a convertible, or, if he wants, the two back seats come out and it is a pick-up truck. Look at the photo of his stained glass window below to see what it looks like as a pick-up.

Stained glass window showing Art's car in
its various configurations

Art in his 1911 Ann Arbor

Bob and Art talking

The auto was manufactured by Huron River Mfg. Co.

If you look carefully in the following photo, you can see the chain going to the wheels, much like a bicycle.

Art and Kathy have a son, Chandler, who lives in Sault Ste. Marie. if we had known that, we could have called and tried to meet while we were there.

Even though retired, Art keeps very busy. Besides showing his auto and going to auto shows, he belongs to three German Verein (clubs) and has been president of one of the clubs for 36 years! That is very impressive.

The club where Art is president.

Art's home

The unique bricks used in making Art & Kathy's house were made in Canada.

A different pattern of brick

Bob asked Art why so many Germans emigrated to Michigan and Germany. Art enlightened us that it was because of the Revolution of 1848 in Germany. Liberals, called 48ers, were persecuted and forced to flee. Most of them came to the United States and settled from Wisconsin to Texas.

We asked Art if we could take him to dinner, but he insisted he was taking us. Bob told him they'd arm wrestle over it. Art suggested either Knight's or Metzger's. We know we love Metzger's, so that's what we chose. Art ended up treating us to dinner. That was very sweet. Thank you, Art.

After dinner, Bob asked Art if he would give us a tour to Whitmore Lake which is where my Dad grew up. Art drove us up to see the lake, and the Whitmore Lake house where Dad and Aunt Flora grew up.

Whitmore Lake

Van Schoten's Whitmore Lake house

As the sun went down, we ended up at Art's house and hugged our good-byes. Another wonderful day.

Travel Bug out.