Yesterday, we had the pre-meeting for our annual 8th grade trip to Detroit. This 3 day trip is, for many students, the first time they've left our town/county... the first time they've crossed the Mackinac Bridge, headed downstate. It will be their first time seeing a traffic light, the first time they've travelled on a true highway with 4 lanes of divided traffic, the first time they've seen a city, a mall, or eaten at a fast food restaurant other than McDonald's. It is an exciting experience, even for me, as an adult who's been and seen and done. The traveling with a group of teenagers makes everything exciting and new to me as well. I love watching their enthusiasm and interest. Day one will get us to the big city, via about 6 hours on a comfy big yellow school bus, with a stop at a rest area to eat our sack lunches. Hotel check-in, then downtown Detroit, here we come! A ride on the People Mover will give us an overview of the city itself. A stop at the Joe Louis arena for a tour of the home of the Red Wings will be a highlight for sure! Then to Greektown for real deep dish pizza at Papa Papali's. Then.. the evening excitement?? A Tigers game at Comerica Park!! Back to the hotel for the evening.. where we will all crash, after a quick dip in the pool. The next day, up early, breakfast at the hotel. Then off to Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village! After leaving there, we will stop at Oakland Mall for dinner and finish at Joe Dumar's Fieldhouse. Friday, after packing up and breakfast, off to Detroit Zoo. After lunch at the zoo, our last stop is the Holocaust Memorial Center. An educational and fun PACKED schedule for 3 days... the long bus ride home will be filled with snoozers, I am sure! May 4, 5,6 cannot come fast enough!!!