That Time I Flew to Detroit For a Day

Story Time

✈️ The Setup

Back in January 2023, I started a new job at Meltano. My start date was a week before the company off-site, which was set for Santiago, Chile.

There was just one problem: I didn’t have a passport.

🏢 Passport Mission

I had to get one expedited, and the closest agency with an open appointment was at the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in Detroit. My slot was four days before my flight. I’d never been to Detroit before and would only be there for about twelve hours—but I was curious to see what the city had to offer.

I was nervous. If I didn’t get approved that day, the whole trip would’ve been a waste—and I wouldn’t be able to go to the off-site. Not exactly the way I wanted to kick off a new job.

I landed in Detroit around 9:30 AM. My appointment was at 11:30, so I had a little time to kill. I found a coffee shop nearby, grabbed a small snack, and tried to settle my nerves with some caffeine.

I brought my Canon Powershot S95 with me—my old point-and-shoot that still gets the job done. It’s compact, reliable, and shoots in RAW. I’ve had it since 2010, and it’s my go-to backup when I don’t want to carry a bigger setup. I figured if I had any time, I might try to snap a few photos of the city 📸.

The appointment went smoothly. I turned in my paperwork and was told to come back later that afternoon once everything was processed.

☁️ Wandering Detroit

It was a gloomy day. Cloudy skies, muted light—the kind of weather that softens the edges of a city. I channeled my inner Anthony Bourdain and started walking up Woodward Avenue, hoping to find something good to eat. After wandering for a bit, I came across a small Vietnamese restaurant and ordered a bowl of pho. It hit the spot 🍜.

After lunch, I walked the city with my S95 in hand. I didn’t have a plan—just followed whatever caught my eye. There’s something about having a camera with you that shifts how you see a place, even if you’re only there for a few hours.

Around 2 PM, I headed back to the federal building to pick up my passport. Everything went off without a hitch. Passport in hand, the weight of the day lifted a little.

My flight wasn’t until 7:45 PM, but I wanted to get to the airport early. I was aiming to leave around 4, which gave me just under two hours to kill. I started looking for a spot to relax, maybe grab another coffee.

🎸 A Detour for Gear

I pulled out my phone to see if there were any guitar shops between me and the airport. I found a place called Third Wave Music and decided to check it out. I hopped in a Lyft and made my way over.

When I got there, the shop was closed.

Not wanting to call another ride just yet, I wandered around again—camera in hand. A few blocks later, I ended up near some retail shops, hoping to find a little souvenir.

🎶 The Third Man Surprise

As I was cutting through an alley, I spotted a bright yellow delivery truck. It took a second to register the logo: “Third Man Records.” Then it clicked—Jack White. Of course. He’s from Detroit. Of course there’s a Third Man Records store here.

As a fan, I was thrilled. I hadn’t even realized there was a Third Man storefront here. I walked in, took a bunch of photos, and picked up a few souvenirs for myself and my family. Total highlight of the day 🎶.

✅ Mission Accomplished

After that, I called a Lyft and headed to the airport with plenty of time to spare. I was home before 9 PM, passport in hand, ready for the next leg of the journey.

For a twelve-hour trip built around a single errand, Detroit ended up offering a lot more than I expected. A bowl of pho, a handful of photos, and an unexpected brush with one of my favorite musicians—sometimes that’s all it takes to turn a logistical chore into a memorable day.