Motown Ice Showdown in Sochi

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Have you been watching the Olympics?  Did you know the top 2 Ice Dance teams in the world train in Michigan?  Canton to be exact.  In years past figure skating has had 'The Battle of the Brians' and "Battle of the Carmens'.   In Sochi it looks like we have the  'Motown Ice Showdown'. 

Canadians and reigning Olympic Gold medalists  Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir versus Americans and reigning World Champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White.  Both teams go for the Olympic gold in Ice Dancing starting 02/16. 

 The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper wishes both teams all the best and looks forward to watching both teams skate - they are all GREAT.  

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Neither Snow nor Arctic Vortex nor More Snow Can Keep Us from #Gadflyin

Michigan Weather Pullover Sweatshirt by GadflyInvestigations
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Michigan, like quite a bit of the country has been experiencing a very snowy and cold winter. 

Royal Oak, Michigan

 I'm NOT complaining, though I am running out of places to put the snow. 

Royal Oak, Michigan

 I know that in California they are praying for snow and/or rain, and that they would be more than happy to take some of this snow we have had off our hands.  We here at The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper are hoping and praying that you will get the precipitation you need, and wish that we could pack up my truck and bring you some of this snow.

#Gadflyin Michigan

So, all things considered we here in Michigan really haven't much to complain about.  We at The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper will continue to get out and about #Gadflyin.  

#Gadflyin Michigan

 To all our readers we say: Keep things in perspective and stay warm and safe.

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One More Time - #Gadflyin at the NAIAS

So we followed our plan and got to see all the vehicles we were hoping to see at the Auto Show.  Here are a few unplanned sightings that really caught my eye.

The Ford Raptor is awesome.  I had seen one once before at the Rouge Factory Tour and even got to sit in it.  Lot of  awesome truck there. 

Ford Raptor North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

I really liked this sign at the Mazda exhibit.

Mazda Poster North American International Auto Show

I don't know if it was the nice blue color or just that it was a cute car, but this Fiat caught my eye.

Fiat North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

 This Bentley costs more than my house - quite a bit more.  MSRP =$301,900.  Price as shown=$389,819

Bentley Mulsanne North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

And that my friends, is the end of my #Gadflyin Adventure at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo in Detroit, Michigan.  Hope you enjoyed it, I know I did. Head on over to our Pinterest site for more photos.

Meanwhile Back #Gadflyin at the NAIAS...

I think I mentioned I went to the Auto Show with 2 friends, and they had their own 'want to see list'.  For my friends it was the VW Jetta, Ford Mustangs, Chevy Camaro and Chevy Corvette.  No argument there, I am glad to take a look at these also. 

Looks like a new VW Jetta will be going from the wish list to bought and paid for list.

Volkswagen Jetta North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

One of my favorite classic cars is the 1965 Ford Mustang. So glad Ford chose to include this car in their exhibit.

1965 Ford Mustang North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

Here is the 2015 version of the Ford Mustang - sweet.

2015 Ford Mustang North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

The Chevy Camaro is pretty sweet too.

Chevy Camaro North American International Auto Show Detroit, Michigan

The Chevy Corvette was the hardest car to get near or sit in - everyone was waiting to sit in it.

So glad my friends wanted to see all these cars, I was not disappointed with any of them. Next up, a few that weren't on any of our lists...

#Gadflyin Cars and Trucks at the NAIAS

Despite going first thing in the morning and on a weekday, the Auto Show was crowded.  We had a plan, a floor map and a list of the vehicles we definitely wanted to see.  For me it was the Ford F-150, GMC Canyon, and Dodge Muscle cars.

Beautiful new Ford F-150. Yup, looks like the "Future of Tough" is here.

Ford F-150 NAIAS Detroit, Michigan

GM's mid-size pickup the GMC Canyon.

GMC Canyon NAIAS Detroit, Michigan

The Dodge Charger - old style.

Dodge Charger NAIAS Detroit, Michigan

The Dodge Charger - new style.

Dodge Charger NAIAS Detroit, Michigan

Got to see all 'my wants'. So far the plan is working...

Arctic Cold Can Not Keep Us from #Gadflyin at NAIAS

Last week I braved the Arctic cold and went #Gadflyin at the North American International Auto Show.  We parked in Greektown at one of the churches and took the Detroit People Mover to Cobo Center.  Even though we went first thing in the morning on a weekday we could tell it would be packed as the parking lots were almost full and the People Mover was packed.

Detroit People Mover Cobo Center Station

I know that one of the things we say at The Gadfly Investigations Newspaper is that Detroit and Michigan is more than just cars (and they are.) 

 But Michigan still IS autos, and we LOVE our autos. 

Sign at Cobo Center Detroit Michigan

Looking down to the street entrance of Cobo Center and the statue of a great Detroiter and Heavyweight Champion of the World - Joe Louis.

Joe Louis Statue Cobo Center Detroit Michigan

Looking out at a nice view of the RenCen from Cobo Center.

GM Renaissance Center Detroit Michigan

Wow, all this and I haven't even gotten into the Auto Show yet... 

Impressed with the Impressionists at the DIA

Detroit Institute of Art - Life Is Short Art Is Long

Let me start off by saying I am not really what you would call an 'art lover'.  However; I decided on a #Gadflyin outing to the DIA.  The local Senior Center was offering a bus trip and for $5 you got a bus ride, welcoming cookies and coffee,  and a short guided tour.  The guided tour was of the Impressionists and afterwards you got a little time to explore on your own. 

Detroit Institute of Art - Self Portrait - Vincent van Gogh

This is a short list of what I learned:

• The Impressionism art movement occurred in the late 19th century 
• The Impressionism movement coincided with the development (no pun intended) of the camera
• The Impressionism movement coincided with the invention of the paint tube - making it easier for artists to go outside and paint
• I like Impressionist paintings
• You need more that a couple of hours to view the DIA
• The Detroit Institute of Art is a Detroit treasure

Detroit Institute of Art - Gladioli - Claude Monet

Bottom line - I will be #Gadflyin back and probably taking a full day to go through The Detroit Institute of Art.  I definitely plan on taking the multimedia tour of Detroit Industry the Diego Rivera mural.

Detroit Institute of Art Diego Rivera mural Detroit Industry