Day in Ann Arbor.. and all under $ 25 !!!

Mr R and all his buds are off on their annual golf outing..
So......

I decided I was going to go off on an adventure of my own... I headed into Ann Arbor .. I have a pretty good grasp of the get around there.. but I know that there is so much more that I just don't take the time to see...

Today was the day I got off the beaten path... I headed out in the rain.. and after taking a few side streets I ended up in front of a house that well.... was just not like any other.. and sure enough it has had many lives... Once the home of a prominent Ann Arbor Doctor who lived there for 40 years .. it was then bought by the Unitarian church.. and then changed hands a few more times.. and is now a Bed and breakfast. Vitosha B&B Guest Haus

Where the pamphlet suggests that you "Channel your inner gargoyle."

This small horse/ Dog greeted me at the door..

It was actually a charming place... filled with all manner of antiques..

Even an old Pipe organ from church days...

They had a lovely courtyard/ garden...I did not take pictures of the rooms... but they were very nice... I will have to remember this place for perhaps a special weekend get away !
During our conversation I had mentioned to the owner.... I had heard of a Zen Meditation Center in Ann Arbor.. she knew exactly what I was talking about ... she sat down and proceeded to give me instructions for the location... which was not far.

You KNOW... I am so going to look into this for my next adventure day...

I was off to the heart of Downtown Ann Arbor, and The University of Michigan..

THIS... was in the heart of campus...(I am sure the lady's legs splayed out legs make the burgers even more appealing. ) Hmmmm no double meaning here....

Next we enter the center of the campus...

I think it's a bit Ironic that right down the street from the STATE Theatre...

you will find the...
The MICHIGAN Theatre.... ( maybe it's just me... )

After parking the car.. I headed over to the one place I know has a clean restroom...

Boarder's Books.

As I sat there doing my thing... I noticed right under the paper dispenser an odd symbol..What in the heck does this mean???? ... Is it some secret code?

I thought it odd.. but perhaps not as odd as me taking a picture of it...

I think the woman who came in and heard / saw the flash.. was even more surprised... I waited till I knew she was safely in her stall to come out and wash my hands.. can you say AWKWARD !!!

I came out.... Looked around to make sure Tom or Katie weren't around to accost me...and then

I beelined it outta there .....but not before snapping this picture of some jazzy genomes...Off to start my day of wandering..

I went into all kinds of shops.. High end and NOT so high end. They were all great

Down the block from Boarders... is a super cool independent book store.. which is officially my new favorite place...
Not only was it filled to the gills with Books.. lovely books...

They also had some pretty funny statues and Art...

This place was filled to the rafters with old books...behind every nook and cranny.

I turned the corner and suddenly the sun came shining through the sky light.. It was like being in heaven... only I know it wasn't heaven.. because..the next corner I came around I saw Satan. ( or at least his "HALF "brother Stan ..... Get it... half brother.... ) never mind...

For the life of me.. I feel like I have seen this woman before.... Hmmmmmm

I had been footing it for about an hour and I was getting kind of hungry.. I asked a gal in one of the shops what she would recommend..

I am SO glad I did.. she told me about two places.. One was Earthen Jar.. and the other Jerusalem Garden both vegetarian. (I went to Jerusalem Garden) ... both good for a student budget.. SOLD!!!.... Good enough for me!

I took my little brown bag and bottle of water ( All for $6 thank you very much...) and headed over to liberty park to eat.
.. OH... MY.... GOSH !!!!!

I had the Falafel/ Hummus Combo...... with water

To die for... just wonderful. Not too shabby a meal ...for foot work... fortification

I have seen this ally way every time I head over to this area.. I had never taken the time to really look down inside.. Today in the spirit of adventure.. I did..VEEEERRRY interesting..

In it's own weird way... all this graffiti is art

... but for some things.. I do draw the line... for instance.. from far away.. this is kind of artsy.... but get up close...

Can you guess what this wall is made up of???? Old gum..... ( Yes.. Ann Arbor.. You ARE....the seat of intellectuals )

Speaking of intellectuals... after I bought this...cool weeping Buddha.$2 Thank you very much....AND... this beautiful Burgundy scarf...$ 9I started to cross the street ... and noticed this guy....

He was sitting so still... I thought he was a statue... I mean the art fair was just this past weekend... but it wasn't until I got a little closer I saw that it was just your typical Ann Arborite.. you know... 75 degree weather...... not one but two coats on.. hat with lei's around it.. knee high rubber boots and of course ... swim goggles..
Tre'Tre'Chic.... All the Art.. books... fashion ... made me want to indulge a little... then I thought hey... how about some Ben and Jerry's ice cream.. ( OK if I am being honest.. I saw a kid with a cone and ran there..)

I was ready to get one of my usual boring flavors.. but in the spirit of adventure I asked the friendly multi pierced gal behind the counter what she would suggest..

she emphatically insisted that THIS

was the best...

The Coconut Seven layer Bar.....She was right... After I recovered from my first taste of this heavenly concoction... I knew I could never go back to the plain old stuff I would have picked before... Thank You O wise pierced one... Thank You...

( Ice cream cone $2.50) keep the change.

I sat at the window and I noticed this guy taking some pictures.. So you see.... I am taking a picture of the guy taking a picture. Ironic No ????
With the ice cream safely in my belly.. and the day starting to wind down.. I stopped back in at Boarders... ( Can you tell I like books..) I found some good ones...
In fact there was a complete turnstile of these great condensed books, on So many interesting topics..

I did sit for a bit... but really didn't have the time to take it... all in ( I'll Be Back !!! )

As I was heading out... I noticed theseYa gotta love Jesus and Mary Shower Gels... kinda like "HOLY SOAP"...

( Sorry I couldn't help it..)

Yes... Ann Arbor.. You are like the bastard child one loves.. but somehow cannot claim... I do love visiting.. but could never live there...

It was off for home... Going through Dixboro.. I always pass this little antique shop...

I LOVE this little car out in front..

Pity I didn't have time to stop in and take a look see... and get a little closer shot of the car..

Next Time..
Yes... all in all I would say I had a pretty darn great day...and I did it all for under $25 dollars !!!

Let's recap shall we...

Falafel / Hummus Combo & Water $6.00

Wheeping Buddha $2.00

Burgandy Scarf $9.00

B & J Ice cream/ Tip $3.00

Parking $3.00

By my calculations that comes to $ 23dollars.. NICE !!!!

Being a little thirsty from all my walking( and Ben and Jerry's) I was able to indulge in one more of my new LOVES.... and all for

That's right folks... $1.06.... My New Love???

McDonald's Sweet Tea... ( Normally I can't even stomach the smell of the place... but for this sweet sweet necter of the gods.. I will plug my nose and order)

Ahhhhh

Well I hope you have enjoyed your virtual Ann Arbor trip... (and all for only $ 24.06 !!!)

now get out there and make some memoreies !!!