Dateline Dayton – As I mentioned last week, I was taking Milton and Elizabeth, our guests from Australia, to Michigan, for a visit to the Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.

We arrived in Detroit late Monday morning and decided to the visit the Hard Core Pawn Shop, as seen on television. Actually the name is American Jewelry. It does have a lot of jewelry along with many other items. Milton is quite a talker. He struck up conversation with two staffers regarding Australian food.

I purchased a shot glass, a new collectable for me. Milton presented me with one he purchased during their layover in Texas, on the way to Dayton. Milton wanted to meet the owners of the pawn shop, but they would not be back for two days.

After lunch, we headed over to the Ford complex and learned that we were in time to take the Ford Rouge Plant Tour. We purchased tickets for the tour, along with Greenfield Village and the museum. Since the tickets were good for any day, we would determine in the morning in what order we would visit the facilities.

I never had seen an assembly plant, and I found the tour fascinating. The engineering that goes into designing an assembly line is unbelievable. To have the right part at the right time in the correct color boggles your mind. I respect the men and women who work the assembly line. Many might say my job as an accountant is boring, but I don’t believe I could handle assembly line work. I realize any job is what you make it. No job is routine. All are important. Nowhere is that more evident than on the assembly line.

Tuesday was a beautiful day. After breakfast at the hotel, we headed for Greenfield Village. Pauline and I visited the Village on our honeymoon fifty years ago. I admit I remembered little about it. I did recall the Wright Brothers’ home, their bicycle shop and a few other homes located throughout the property. Fifty years ago, I may have had other things on my mind.

Wednesday was our day to visit the Ford Museum. While Greenfield Village preserves outstanding homes, factories and businesses, the museum has cars (not just Fords) and items related to transportation, such as camping. It houses furniture, trains – there is a locomotive in the building – airplanes, steam engines and much more.

Both facilities are worth the time to visit, and don’t forget the car plant.

After completing the museum at 2:30, we and decided to return to the pawn Shop, only to learn the owners are there on Thursdays. Still two days. I wonder if anyone really knows when they actually are in the store.

On Wednesday evening, we met Dan, another member of the Cash Register Collectors Club. He lives in Detroit, and we had supper with him. Afterward, we visited his apartment to view his registers. We had to hurry back to our hotel, though, to prepare for our trip to Chicago in the morning.

I dropped off Milton and Liz at their hotel in Chicago. As I write this, they are on a cross-country driving tour of Route 66, ending in Las Vegas. After two days there, they will continue on to California to visit another member of the Cash Register Collectors Club.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net