Recommended Restourant in Indian village, Detroit, MI- The Gathering

In my research about Indian Village I discovered a restaurant called The Gathering located in a historic building int the Indian Village area of Detroit.  The soups are supposed to be delicious!

Resources:

The Gathering Restourant

Indian Village, Detroit, MI

The Lindsay Wildlife Museum

We spent a fantastic afternoon visiting the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek.  The museum is co-located with a wildlife rehabilitation hospital.  Many different species of birds, all rescues, are on display.

Highlights for us included an interactive computer program that allows you to fly like a raptor over Mt. Diablo, an indoor bee's nest that has a transparent tunnel to the outside, a raven that can say, "hello," and a hospital demonstration in which we watched a vet examine a possum through a one-way window/mirror in real-time with a camera over the exam table.  Really amazing local attraction!

The bee hive:

 The raptor simulator:

Indian Village neighborhood of Detroit, MI

Detroit, Michigan used to be a grand city and the homes in areas such as Indian Village show this beauty.  If I was living in Detroit still, I'd love to visit some open houses in the neighborhood to see the gorgeous architecture of some of the homes, some of which are still available for $300,000.  I believe that the area still has soul and grace!  The area of Indian Village is over 100 years old so many the homes need TLC, but I think they are worth the work!

The Indian Village Home and Garden Tour, back in June, is a great way to visit the area and see the community.
(https://www.facebook.com/tourindianvillage (link only works if logged in to Facebook))


There is a historic indian village Association to also find out more.
(http://www.historicindianvillage.org/)

I've always loved the area, though I live in California now, I have fond memories of visiting Detroit as a child.  I predict that home sales in Detroit's Indian Village area of Detroit, MI and the other historic mansion areas of the city will continue to gain popularity!  Back in April an article was written in the Detroit Free Press about these areas.
(http://www.freep.com/article/20140427/BUSINESS04/304270063/Housing-prices-Detroit-palmer-woods-indian-village)

Recommended Claremont, CA Accommodations, Casa 242

The best place to stay in Claremont, CA is the Casa 242!  This is a Four Sisters Inn, and I found it by accident when looking for accommodations in the Claremont area.  I started looking at the Doubletree Hilton and there was a problem with the hotel reservation.  Though I generally like the Doubletree hotels, I did not like the one in Claremont as it is overpriced and not very friendly and welcoming.

The Casa 242, on the other hand, is gorgeous!  Plus, Casa 242 is expensive!  It is right in town and there are plenty of tasty restaurants right out your doorstep.  I wanted to stay a second night at 242 but they were full, but they were super nice about keeping my son and I's luggage in the back room for us for a day!  The restaurant is really cozy too, located in a courtyard!

Resources:

Casa 242
http://www.casa425.com
425 West First Street
Claremont, CA  91711

Claremont Self Guided Walking Tour starts at the historic Claremont Train Depot

The Claremont Heritage Society in Claremont, CA offers a self guided walking tour available online.

Resources:

Claremont Village Self- Guided Walking Tour
www.Claremontheritage.org/villagetour.html
Claremont Train Station
150 W. First Street

Claremont Village, CA, walking tour is today, July 7th, at 10:00AM!

On the 1st Saturday of every month there is a walking tour that starts in front of the historic train depot at  150 W. First Street.  Today's tour starts at 10:00AM.

Resources:

Claremont Village Walking Tour
1st Saturday of every month
www.claremontheritage.org/villagetour.html
150 W. First Street
2 hours, $5.00
(909) 621-0848

Fourth of July at Jack London Square

We had a great day at Jack London Square in Oakland.  Lots to do, including creating boats to ride down a miniature river, a bouncy house, and free tours of a US Coast Guard cutter!

View of the cutter:

Bouncy "ball" house, where kids try to get from one side to the other by jumping on very large air-balls:

Lego truck:

Boarding the cutter:

 One of the guns on the cutter:

 Looking up at the bridge:

Steering the cutter:

View from the bridge:

The bridge controls: