Detroit & Toronto
21:20 - Benji & Michael - Boston, MA
In this episode we see our remaining three intrepid explorers encounter drama, native foods, death defying stunts, displays of the highest canine ability and a close run in with the law.
We pick up our story with our heroes journeying between Chicago and Detroit; in each car the occupants were engrossed in their audiobooks. Mr Xu was steadily keeping pace behind the lead car listening to a tale almost as daring as our own, an expedition to the summit of Everest. Meanwhile Michael was at the wheel of the Subaru with Benji being detained in the back seat after his escapade on the wrong side of the road; both were listening to an account the feat of the Great Train Robbery 1855. Having told the woman in the mystical box of the intended destination we made haste and good time towards the Ford Rouge factory where we had purchased tickets for the tour. However, unbeknownst to our travellers, time had shifted and was now, somehow, an hour later. This proved to be a difficulty as the last bus for the tour had already departed even though we had specifically planned to arrive in good time. So as it happened we were able to exchange our tickets for the next morning, this being sorted we set off for our hotel. Early in the morning, but not too early, we set off to the Rouge factory, arriving in good time. We jumped aboard the bus and were swiftly whisked off to the factory where Ford produces the F150 pick up. From an elevated platform we were able to follow the production line round the factory, and see the efficiency of production on the moving production line which Ford pioneered. Yet again Michael wondered how the multitude of blue collar workers knew what they were doing and insisted that they should be replaced by super-efficient workers who wouldn't dirty the leather. Parked in the museum was the new F150 which stood only a few inches shorter than the head of Michael - all agreed that while Ford's operations were slick, the internal feel and build quality of their American models left a large amount to be desired. Also standing in the Museum was the historic Ford Model A as well as the Thunderbird and the Mustang, all of which we gawked at for some time. After our jaws were stowed in the correct position we jumped back aboard the shuttle and arrived back at our car park to continue on our journey to Canada (Americas hat). After navigating the new road layout that the woman in the mystical box was unaware of and incurring her wrath of "make a U turn" we made it to the border of Canada.
The unexpected grilling by the Canadian border guard was our first introduction to the clearly proud Canadian people. Benji's mood nonetheless lifted when he realised that he was once again operating under the rule of Queen Elizabeth II. We arrived at the Monte Carlo Inn on the outskirts of Toronto, which was somewhat better than our usual fare, and dined at the in house restaurant. The following morning we headed out to the annual Canadian National Exhibition, conveniently on during our visit. As we walked into the international hall Benji gasped with excitement - there, straight in front of us, stood the "Products of Great Britain" stand. We all took the opportunity to enjoy a few drinks and sweets typically unavailable in North America which, along with the return to paying with notes and coins showing the Queen's head, reminded us all of home. We then enjoyed a very entertaining dog agility show, and a motorbike stunt demonstration. On the way out we saw a ridiculous supercharged Camero, and just when we thought that Benji couldn't be any more excited, we saw it - the army area. Benji delighted in being dressed up in the full kit, asking several technical questions, and then correcting the young Canadian lad on his incorrect answers. Benji spent the following ten minutes informing us proudly of how the young man had told Benji he had the unmistakeable air of an officer.
After the exhibition we took a stroll around the Toronto harbourfront, after which we were forced to shelter by the stadium from a heavy rain shower. That evening we met Michael's Canadian friend Jess for dinner, where we finally had the Indian food we'd been looking for some time. The following day, not finding an overwhelming urge to return to the centre of Toronto, we accepted Jess' kind offer to relax at her house near our hotel. She even cooked us Poutine - a Canadian specialty consisting of the not altogether healthy combination of chips, melted cheese curds and gravy. After playing some Wii, we caught a film before heading back for dinner in our hotel. The following day we headed out of Toronto towards Buffalo, NY.
