WE SPEAK IN COLORS PHOTO JOURNAL

By Andy Armstrong / October 2026 / Detroit, MI, USA

Hello!

When I last wrote, we'd just officially crossed into fall and celebrated the Harvest Moon.

But with strangely warm temps all through October here in Detroit, it hasn't fully felt like fall yet. I took advantage of the lingering sunshine with lots of jaunts to reboot the brain and let the dots connect.

Enjoy 8 highlights from a long weekend a couple weeks back:

1/ Finally made it to the Ivanhoe Cafe (nicknamed the Polish Yacht Club) in the Poletown neighborhood. A city treasure that's been in the same family since opening over 100 years ago. Incredible Polish platter.

2/ A walking path through the Lafayette Park townhouses. Designed in the ‘50s by legendary modernist architect Mies van der Rohe.

3/ Shadows of a tree on the Helen L. DeRoy Auditorium, one of a handful of buildings designed by Minoru Yamasaki on Wayne State University's campus.

Raised in Seattle by Japanese immigrant parents, Yamasaki studied architecture in Washington state before heading to New York for work. He was eventually recruited to Detroit (an insane hotbed for architects at the time) and made the city his home base.

4/ Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township, another striking Minoru Yamasaki design. Its sweeping roof was inspired by the tents of the ancient Israelites.

5/ Saint Regis Catholic Church, just up the road from Temple Beth El. Another example of the area’s experimental religious architecture.

6/ Main Donuts. An old-school donut shop just north of town in Royal Oak. Run by a Cambodian family who relocated from California. The pumpkin cheesecake donuts are majestic.

7/ What remains of Detroit's Packard Automotive Plant. The historic complex was designed (in part) by Albert Kahn, another iconic Detroit architect. When you’re in the midst of these massive factories, you can imagine how they revolutionized society.

8/ The cafeteria at Henry Ford Hospital, where I often stop on evening walks around my neighborhood. I like being out in the world and around people when I'm working. Built-in inspiration and accountability.

---

Now here we are at the end of October.

Leaves are peaking. But like the cherry blossoms in Japan, just as you start to get used to them, poof.

Tonight the clocks turn back. And by the time I write next, we'll be on the other side of Thanksgiving, with attention shifted to Christmas and the year's end.

For now, a solid 3-week run to get things straight before the string of holidays begins.

Hope it’s good,

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS PHOTO JOURNAL

By Andy Armstrong / September 2026 / Detroit, MI, USA

When I last wrote at the end of August, we were knee-deep in the new school year.

Soon after, Labor Day hit. Summer’s final hurrah, the spiritual end of the season.

Then came the in-between stretch where mornings and evenings cooled off, but days stayed scorching.

Things shifted leading up to the equinox though. By the Harvest Moon this past weekend, we landed in that perfect pocket of chilly mornings with warm afternoon sun, the kind where you just wanna tilt your face towards it and bask.

With September ending, here’s a handful of photos from the month:

1/ Hamtramck Public Library. Stepping into a beautifully designed library is one of life’s great joys.

2/ Both classic and futurist, the Renaissance Center is an iconic Detroit building. A thrill to encounter any time of day, especially at night.

3/ Sheila's Bakery in Southwest Detroit. Orange Gatorade coolers full of piping hot atole. A subtly sweet, soul-warming, creamy drink from Mesoamerica.

4/ A John Coltrane 100th birthday exhibition in Midtown Detroit. I knew very little of his story or music beforehand. After this, an immediate fan.

5/ A Saturday adventure through Southfield to hit an Armenian church, Korean market, and this strange concentration of modernist and mid-century architecture.

6/ Walked to the Fisher Building for some Saturday morning studies. Started pouring rain while inside, so spent the next hour wandering its incredible halls.

7/ Equinox evening. The river and plaza behind, looking up Woodward Avenue into the heart of downtown.

8/ Because of the Hamtramck neighborhood's Eastern European roots, you'll find extraordinary churches like St. Florian. Was out for a Sunday morning stroll as a service started. Had to take a peek.

---

Now here we are at October.

A month of wonder ahead. Hot apple cider, pumpkin donuts, and leaves changing color.

Next time I write, we'll be on the edge of November and turning the clocks back. Leaves past their peak, long johns coming out.

For now, a wondrous chunk of weeks ahead.

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS PHOTO JOURNAL

By Andy Armstrong / August 2026 / Detroit, MI, USA

When I last messaged, we were just entering the final stretch of the dog days.

During that time, I took my first trip up to northern Michigan. A rite of passage as a fairly new Michigander.

The plan was to meet friends in the Petoskey/Harbor Springs area, so I decided to make a trip of it.

After some research, Charlevoix jumped out as the perfect base for two days of solo exploration beforehand.

I hit the road at 4 AM for the four-and-a-half-hour drive to the Lake Michigan coast. Wanted to get to Charlevoix with some good morning light left for photos.

As I pulled into town and set out on foot, I knew I'd picked the right spot.

Charlevoix has fascinating geography. The center of town is surrounded by water. Lake Michigan on one side, then a channel cutting into a harbor on another. From the other end of the harbor, another channel connects inland to Lake Charlevoix. Water everywhere.

That first day, I roamed Charlevoix in the morning and evening, with a midday rest at the campground between.

The second morning, I headed to Boyne City, my favorite town of the trip. A great walkable main street, a big open park along the marina, and long walkways along the lake. A good mix of creative and outdoorsy spirit.

That evening, I went to Walloon Lake, where Hemingway famously spent summers as a kid. A small, quiet lake village.

After those two days based in Charlevoix, I cruised 30 minutes north for the second half of the trip.

First, Petoskey. A walkable downtown built into the hills and miles of paths along Lake Michigan.

From there, I continued up the coast to Harbor Springs. A bit more upscale, with a great little downtown and gorgeous homes along the water. And just north is the iconic Tunnel of Trees, miles of winding road through the forest.

This incredible pocket of Michigan, from Charlevoix up around Little Traverse Bay, is forever ingrained.

Enjoy some photos from the trip:

And now, here we are. The first hints of fall just arriving in Detroit. Slight chill in the mornings and evenings, but still toasty days.

Over the next weeks, we'll move through another one of the year's most majestic months. Like June, there's an ache-filled magic in September's air.

By the time I write next, we'll have crossed the autumnal equinox and entered a new phase of fall.

For now, let’s enjoy the warmth.

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS PHOTO JOURNAL

By Andy Armstrong / July 2026 / Detroit, MI, USA

Last message, we’d just passed the summer solstice. Rhododendrons were peaking and everything was vibrant green. The Strawberry Moon and 4th of July just ahead.

From then through the first chunk of July, I was in my hometown, Somerset, Pennsylvania.

Within minutes of uptown, you can be cruising back roads through farmland, forests, and mountains of the Laurel Highlands. A blend of Appalachia, Rust Belt, East Coast, and Midwest spirit.

Head out in any direction and you’ll find something beautiful and interesting.

I start with a Lake Somerset excursion (minutes from my parents' house). Then a venture to Laurel Hill State Park, a treasure of hiking trails, streams, lush forest, little lake and beach, open meadows, and above all, a portal of trees welcoming you through the main gate.

Further west takes you through Confluence and into Ohiopyle, both a small town and state park. A little cultural oasis and destination for whitewater rafters, bikers, and explorers. Plus, two Frank Lloyd Wright homes are close by: Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. Lucky to have these landmarks so close to home.

Another direction out of Somerset takes you up to Laurel Mountain and a remarkable corridor of public lands: Laurel Mountain State Park, Laurel Summit State Park, and Linn Run State Park. Here you'll find the classic Beam Rocks and Wolf Rocks trails, both of which lead to spectacular views.

South out of town takes you towards the Maryland border into Meyersdale, a historic small town and stop on the regional Gap bike trail. It’s also a gateway into a wonderful network of Amish Country farmers markets.

There’s much more, but can’t do it all.

Enjoy some photos from the visit:

After Somerset, I spent a chunk of days in Pittsburgh and made a morning stop in Toledo. Then it was back to Detroit by mid-July.

Now here we are in the final stretch of the dog days. Before long, gonna feel fall in the evening air.

But for now still a chunk of summer to soak up,

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL

A Life Archive

By Andy Armstrong / June 2026 Edition / Somerset, PA, USA

Hello from Somerset, my hometown in the Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands.

Last I messaged we were coming up on Memorial Day. That weekend, Detroit was covered in a bizarre, dreamlike 48-hour haze. And then on Memorial Day morning, it lifted into the bluest of skies.

Summer was on. 

Over the next weeks, school years ended and we entered the majestic stretch of June with wildflowers in full bloom and everything vibrant green.

Sunrises came earlier, evening twilights stretched later. The kind that make your heart ache.

I approached the second week of June like preseason football camp, heading out on two-a-day photo ventures.

In the mornings, I'd shoot from about one hour after sunrise until three hours after sunrise. The perfect two-hour pocket of light.

Then I'd head back out in the evening and shoot from about two and a half hours before sunset until a half hour before sunset. Another perfect two-hour pocket.

Hundreds of photos of Detroit's epic architecture.

To finish the creative sprint, I booked a pilgrimage about 40 minutes north of Detroit to Bloomfield Hills to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Smith House. 

Born in Wisconsin, Wright’s spirit is tethered to the Midwest. And luckily, you can still visit several of his works around Detroit.

The Smith House is one of his Usonian homes that were designed for middle-class America. It’s classic Wright. Timeless design that features beautiful horizontal lines, compression and release through changing ceiling heights, stunning colors, and a sense that the house sprouted from the soil.

The Smith couple (two local teachers) dreamed of living in a Wright-designed home and you can feel it in how they curated, especially through their remarkable collection of Japanese art and objects.

After they passed, they left the house to the Cranbrook organization, preserving it just as they had it so others could continue to experience the serenity.

Enjoy some photos from the visit:

With the Strawberry Moon arriving tomorrow (and 4th of July next weekend), we enter the heart of summer.

Exploration and celebration after the depths of winter and toil of spring.

By the next time I write, we'll be approaching August and the final stretch of summer.

But for now, happy Strawberry Moon and 4th.

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL

A Life Archive

By Andy Armstrong / May 2026 Edition / Detroit, MI, USA

When I last wrote, Easter was a week in the rearview. And within days, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom on Detroit’s beloved Belle Isle.

From there the long trudge began.

But along the way I finally got out to Novi, a suburb about 30 minutes outside Detroit. The city’s de facto Japantown.

The Detroit-Japan exchange is deep. And more complex than I can explain. But it’s clear that automobiles played a part. Through the decades, entire ecosystems of makers, suppliers, engineers, and businesses from Japan settled here.

So I headed to Novi with a mission to check out two spots in particular: One World Market and Book Off.

One World Market is a Japanese grocery and diner in one. Shelves of imported noodles, rice, sauces, frozen foods (like the classic wafer ice cream sandwich), vegetables, pastries, teas, and all sorts of things you'd find in an Osaka neighborhood market.

Inside the little dining area, there’s classics like curry rice, udon, beef bowls, sushi, miso soup, green tea, and all sorts of bentos.

I enjoyed some miso soup, rice, and green tea (hit the soul). Then strolled across the street to Book Off, the beloved Japanese bookstore chain with a superb collection of used books, music, and movies.

All meticulously organized and labeled.

Here are a handful of photos from the venture:

Only days away from Memorial Day weekend, summer’s upon us.

Soon enough we’ll be into June, the year’s most majestic month. Hydrangeas and open windows, all leading up to the Strawberry Moon.

For now, hope you get a recharge over the coming days.

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL

A Life Archive

By Andy Armstrong / April 2026 Edition / Detroit, MI, USA

When I last messaged in early March, the clocks had just jumped ahead. The unofficial start of spring.

Not long after, the Spring Equinox. And around the same time, a convergence of:

-cherry blossoms blooming in DC and Osaka 

-the end of Ramadan into Eid weekend

-the final weeks of Lent leading up to Easter

-a Holy Week full moon

Thankfully I was able to get to St Francis D'Assisi Church in Southwest Detroit for the last fish fry of the season. Didn’t want to go into the weekend stuffed to the gills, so stuck to a mini-cake-and-coffee combo.

Some photos from the venture (didn’t get to go inside the actual church, only the hall across the street):

Now into the last of the in-between, where it’s spring but still a little winter.

Soon enough the cherry blossoms on Belle Isle will be in bloom. The portal into the heart of spring.

Oss, 

-Andy

Right after my last message in early February, Detroit’s frigid air broke and the birds returned.

Then the cold came back as we moved into a strange week where the Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and Lent aligned.

Because of the city’s large Polish community, Fat Tuesday is known here as Paczki Day. People flock to bakeries across the region to pick up paczki, Polish-style donuts traditionally eaten right before Lent begins.

Thankfully this year I had a flexible day, so I was able to get over to Hamtramck, the hub of Polish culture in the area, to stroll around.

I caught the last bit of pre-sunrise blue hour, and by 7:30 AM, I was enjoying paczki and coffee at the Polish Sea Club, a classic neighborhood watering hole that opens early on this special day.

After my morning adventure, a couple errands took me north to Royal Oak. While up there, I ran into the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica. I had passed it once before but didn’t have time to stop. This time I did.

I was floored by the architecture, design, light, and layout. Stunning craftsmanship.

The church was built in the 1930s as a Roman Catholic basilica dedicated to Thérèse of Lisieux, a French nun from the late 1800s who was known as the Little Flower. The name comes from her idea that each person is like a small flower in a garden. Even if unnoticed, it contributes to the beauty of the whole.

Here’s some photos from the visit:

Since then, temperatures warmed again and the clocks changed.

Although the Spring Equinox is still 10 days out, we’ve certainly crossed into a new season.

Hope you have a good run up to spring break.

Next time we talk we’ll be on the other side of Easter.

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL

Explorations of Culture, Mind, & Spirit

By Andy Armstrong / February 2026 Edition / Detroit, MI, USA

Since last month’s edition went out in early January, we’ve lived several lives.

Settled back in after the strange stretch following New Year’s, it wasn’t long before frigid air arrived.

When it began, I knew I had to get out in the world.

Thankfully downtown makes that possible, even in the harsh cold. Blocks and blocks of stunning buildings to bounce between.

Here’s a collage from January expeditions:

Now on the other side, we shifted from deep winter towards spring.

In the weeks ahead, small signs will show. Birds and early blooms.

Have a good last leg of winter.

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL

Explorations of Culture, Mind, & Spirit

By Andy Armstrong / January 2026 Edition / Detroit, MI, USA

Can’t believe we’re on the other side of it.

Looking back to the start of the holidays feels like another lifetime.

I spent New Year’s here in Detroit, but was back in my hometown in Pennsylvania for a week over Christmas. 

En route, I made a pit-stop in Pittsburgh (it’s only slightly out of the way). I left Detroit early on the Saturday before Christmas and was pulling into the city by 8:30.

The plan was to grab a few things to take home, pick up a couple gifts, and explore some neighborhoods. 

These quick Pittsburgh ventures often begin in the Strip District. I like to get rooted with a loop around the markets, shops, and warehouses on Penn and Smallman. 

Since I have to get to the Monroeville Turnpike exit to head home, I like to end in Regent Square. From there, you can hop right on the Parkway.

That sets up a perfect cruise from the Strip District through Polish Hill, Bloomfield, Oakland, Shadyside, into Squirrel Hill, and finally to Regent Square.

A classic Pittsburgh jaunt.

There are endless other parts of the city I love to spend time in. The North Side, Point Breeze, and Highland Park, to name a few. But when time is finite, gotta keep it direct. 

I landed in Pittsburgh an hour after sunrise, that perfect window when the light is just right.

I parked up near the 31st Street Bridge, out of the mess and close to Pane e Pronto. Any excuse to stop at a bakery. 
After parking, I walked across the bridge in the frigid air to enjoy the morning light and view. One of Pittsburgh’s many great lookouts. 
Here’s a photo from the excursion:

That’s it.

Now into January we go, the heart of winter. Can’t resist it.

Hope you have a good start to 2026,

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL

Explorations of Culture, Mind, & Spirit

By Andy Armstrong / November 2025 Edition / Detroit, MI, USA

Last time we spoke, the clocks were about to change. Now the 5 PM sunset already feels normal.

Since Daylight Savings kicked in, my evening golden-hour walks have turned into night ones.

When there’s no obligations to tend to, I want my evenings to look like this:

Get home, shower, move my body a little, and lie down for thirty minutes (or an hour or 2). Then, pop back up, and head out. Sometimes I have to pep talk myself. Other times not.

I go through phases where I like to walk, but Lafayette Park is a staple.

It’s a muse.

Designed by the legend Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the park and surrounding residences have a Japan-like, yet of-the-place feel. Simple, elegant, and strong. There are modular lines of brick, steel, and glass. And a blur between inside and outside.

Classic and futurist at once. Sums up Detroit.

Here are a few photos from a November post-sunset walk:

This past week’s full moon shot us into an intense month ahead.

During this string of holidays, it’s always tempting to disconnect and float through on autopilot, escaping into easy vices. Sitting in it reaps the reward though. But it ain’t easy.

Hope you have a good few weeks leading up to Christmas.

Talk to you after the new year,

-Andy Armstrong / We Speak in Colors

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL

Explorations of Culture, Mind, & Spirit

By Andy Armstrong / October 2025 / Detroit, MI, USA

Last time we spoke, it was the end of September. Still summer during the day, but fall in the morning and night.

Since then, we’ve slipped through the Harvest Moon and into the majestic part of fall. Crisp air that wakes you up and pumpkin-flavored everything (there’s a few Mexican bakeries right by my work and I gotta talk myself out of pumpkin empanadas every morning, ain’t easy).

Now we’re at the cusp of a new phase.

Clocks are about to change and into the depths of fall we go. Before long, trees will be bare. This time of year is always a bit scary, but no choice but to sink into the cold water. The more you fight it the more it hurts.

For now, enjoy a few collages from a Detroit October. Lots of roaming.

That’s it.

Have a good weekend and enjoy the 2 final later sunsets before the clocks change.

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL

Cultural Explorations

By Andy Armstrong / September 2025 / Detroit, MI, USA

In honor of summer officially ending last week, I chose one photo to represent the season past.

So much slips from our memory. 

Seasons come and go, and before long it’s like they never happened. 

These monthly journals help me create an archive that I can look back on in 30 years to hopefully remember a sliver.

This photo will remind me of the dozens of early morning and golden-hour summer explorations. Miles and miles of epic walks around Detroit, Somerset, Columbus, and Pittsburgh. Opening myself to whatever whimsy the world was ready to offer.

Moving the body so the mind can connect dots.

Is there a photo that represents your summer?

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL

Cultural Explorations

By Andy Armstrong / August 2025 / Detroit, MI, USA

We’re through summer’s dog days and into the in between.

Summer in the daytime, fall in the mornings and evenings.

This past June / July I visited my hometown Somerset, PA to see family. These trips make me whole again. They’re part of my spirit.

Enjoy some collages of the visit below:

That’s it.

Hope you enjoyed seeing Somerset.

Next message, we’ll be on the brink of fall coming in full force.

Talk to you soon,

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL: Explorations for the culturally curious

By Andy Armstrong / July 2025 / Detroit, MI, USA

Summer’s ripping by. In the dog days now, but cooler nights ahead.

Since my last message, I visited my hometown Somerset, Pennsylvania, as well as Pittsburgh, the first place I lived after high school. 

And on the way back to Detroit, I made a 48-hour stop in Columbus to see some close friends. Just enough time to dig in.

Columbus feels a lot like a mix of Detroit and Pittsburgh.

All three share strong architecture, prominent rivers / public spaces, and rich cultural landmarks. Columbus mirrors Detroit in its flat layout, wide roads, and long blocks, but leans closer to Pittsburgh in its energy.

From German Village up through Worthington, there are great pockets of bookstores, parks, record shops, libraries, and cafés.

The highlight was Japan Marketplace, a sweet cluster with a ramen shop, bakery, market, variety store, as well as a more formal restaurant, and a cultural center. Nice stop for a bowl of noodles, some mochi, a small gift, or info on upcoming events. 

On my last morning, I took two long walks downtown. One early when it was quiet, and one later when the city was moving. 

Collage of the treks below:

That’s it for the Columbus edition.

Soak up the rest of these dog days. Next chapter will be here before we know it. 

-Andy

We Speak in Colors Digital Journal

By Andy Armstrong

Magical June.

Everything green, Strawberry Moon, hydrangeas, Summer Solstice, wild energy.

Enjoy some photos from this month’s treks:  

Top: Summer Solstice evening stroll in Hamtramck, a legendary Detroit neighborhood

Bottom: Morning walk through Lafayette Park (home to the world’s largest collection of Mies designed buildings) / midday dive into the John K Kings Bookstore labyrinth

Top: From a vision quest trek up and down Detroit’s epic Riverwalk

Bottom: Morning golden hour stroll across Belle Isle, the city’s beloved island park  

That’s it.

Goodbye til next year, sweet June.

Next up, 4th of July on Friday holy smokes it’s summer.

Thanks for reading,

-Andy

A Local Loop through THE CITY’S Cultural Gems

We Speak in Colors Digital Journal

By Andy Armstrong

Towering architecture, shimmering riverside, concrete caves.

Downtown Detroit becomes a mythic arena for a weekend of the planet’s freakiest electronic music.

In town for Movement and want to see more of the city?

This Field Guide loops you through 5 classic Detroit neighborhoods.

The route: 

• Lafayette Park

• Eastern Market

• Milwaukee Junction

• Hamtramck

• Cass Corridor

Let’s jump in.

1. Lafayette Park

Start your Detroit exploration by heading east along the river from the festival grounds. 

Pass the Ren Cen (a legendary cluster of Detroit skyscrapers worth a quick detour) and continue until you reach William G. Milliken State Park.

From there, cut inland and drop into the Dequindre Cut, an old railroad line turned art-filled greenway. Walk a bit and exit at the Lafayette Street ramp to reach our first stop: Lafayette Park.

Spend your time in Plaisance Park, the heart of this Modernist architectural wonderland. Loop the park to take in the futurist spirit of the Lafayette Towers and Mies van der Rohe Townhouses. 

Then, continue just north to stop 2: Eastern Market.

2. Eastern Market

Eastern Market is an old-school neighborhood packed with warehouses, markets, and creative spaces. 

Think Pittsburgh’s Strip District, Amsterdam’s Noord, or Abu Dhabi’s Port Zayed.

As you enter, you’ll first hit Gratiot Street, a main drag that runs from Downtown through the city and beyond. This stretch is a landmark in electronic music history. In the 1980s, it became a hub for techno through its network of artists, producers, studios, listening rooms, and labels (For more, check out Techno Rebels by Dan Sicko).

Get a feel for the area with a coffee at La Ventana or Trinosophes, then head to Peoples for a wonderful selection of music and books.

Afterward, cross Gratiot into the heart of the neighborhood. If it’s a Saturday, hit the actual Eastern Market (both open-air and indoor vendors) for anything from local food to house plants to handmade goods. The meat market is worth a stop too—plenty of hot, ready-to-eat options.

When it’s time to refuel, grab a corned beef omelet at Zeff’s, one of the city’s classic Coney Islands (Detroit’s version of the diner). 

Round out your visit at Vintage Eastern Market for some souvenirs, like old postcards, maps, and magazines.

3. Milwaukee Junction

With Lafayette Park and Eastern Market under your belt, head north to Milwaukee Junction. 

Once an industrial powerhouse, this neighborhood now hums with gritty creative energy.

The easiest way in: walk to Woodward Avenue and catch the QLine streetcar. You can also rent a bike or of course hop in a rideshare.  

Start at Submerge, a record shop/techno museum that is a must stop for electronic enthusiasts.

Just minutes away, grab a to-go coffee at Milwaukee Caffe, then check out the Tangent Gallery grounds, a unique local venue featuring multiple stages and trippy outdoor industrial art. 

If you’re up for exploring a bit further, check out these nearby highlights:

• The Schvitz- an old-school, Eastern European-style health lounge with saunas, a cold pool, patio, and cafe (check the schedule for men, women, and co-ed hours)

• The Fisher Building- an art-deco landmark on the legendary Grand Boulevard 

• The Congregation- a beautifully converted church-turned-cafe in the classic Boston-Edison neighborhood

• Russell Industrial Center- a massive former auto factory that’s now home to music venues, shops, studios, and more

4. Hamtramck

Just minutes north of the Russell Industrial Center lies Hamtramck, a fascinating mini-town carved out within Detroit.

Known for its Polish migrant roots, Hamtramck now attracts a large Yemeni Arab population and hosts a vibrant creative scene.

Start with a take out coffee or tea from Yemen Cafe and Restaurant, then take a stroll around Veterans Park. 

For a taste of Hamtramck’s cultural heritage, head up Joseph Campau Avenue to New Palace, a legendary Polish bakery, and the beloved Polish Village Cafe for some classic pierogies.

5. Cass Corridor

Wrap up your journey by looping back Downtown through the Cass Corridor.

This iconic strip has long been a hub for music, art, and creative energy.

On the way in, stop through the Cultural Center Historic District to take in some incredible architecture. This pocket of the city is home to landmarks like the Detroit Public Library, Wayne State University, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Cruise down Cass Avenue and pass the former site of the Gold Dollar, a legendary underground venue.

Then swing right on Temple Street to explore the Cass Park Historic District, featuring Cass Park itself and The Masonic Temple, a stunning music and events venue.

This renowned area hugs the northern edge of Downtown and offers an easy escape from festival chaos. Bonus: TV Lounge, one of Detroit’s most iconic electronic music venues, is just around the corner.

Back Downtown

As you re-enter Downtown, make a quick stop at The Leland. This former luxury hotel is now an apartment building and underground club, a longtime haven for artists in Detroit’s electronic music circles.

Next, cut up to Grand Circus Park and stroll past Comerica Park and Ford Field—home to the Tigers and Lions. Then wander through Greektown and Bricktown toward the towering Renaissance Center.

And back where you started.

An efficient loop through some of Detroit’s rich cultural pockets. 

Of course, there are countless spots I had to leave out, but no doubt you’ll feel the city’s magic following this path.

Thanks for reading,

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL 

Explorations for the culturally curious

By Andy Armstrong / April 2025 / Detroit, MI, USA

Since last month’s Digital Journal, a lot has come and gone.

Spring Break season, Eid, a full moon, Holy Week, Easter. 

A magical time of year, with earth awakening.

Enjoy this 8-photo set documenting the first half of the season:

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1. Looking onto the Financial District in Downtown Detroit

2. An eerie blue hour in Hamtramck

3. Ponce de Leon Lighthouse in Ponce Inlet, Florida 

4. Winding trail in Smyrna Dunes Park in New Smyrna Beach, FL

5. Lafayette Park neighborhood, a Detroit treasure

6. Last bit of the day’s light along the Detroit Riverside

7. April’s full moon 

8. From Belle Isle, looking onto Downtown Detroit, USA (right) and Downtown Windsor, Canada (left)

---

That’s it, hope you enjoyed this 8-photo set from the past month.

A couple weeks out til Mother’s Day. Then a couple more and it’s Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer. 

A nice runway here leading up to it. 

Thanks for reading,

-Andy

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL 

Explorations for the culturally curious

By Andy Armstrong / March 2025 / Detroit, MI, USA

And just like that, spring is here. 

With the equinox, full moon, and Daylight Savings, the past couple of weeks have been full of energy.

Daylight Savings, especially.

Strangely, here in Detroit, as Saturday turned to Sunday morning and the clocks changed, so did the air.

Went to sleep on Saturday in winter. Woke up on Sunday in spring. 

To celebrate the transformation, I spent time outside—cruising, parking, and then setting out on foot.

A few of the stops: Poletown East, Elmwood Cemetery, and the Lafayette Park neighborhood, a mecca of parks, design, and architecture.

Enjoy a Daylight Savings expedition photo collage:

Have a good start to the spring and talk to you next month,

-Andy / We Speak in Colros

WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL 

For the culturally curious

By Andy Armstrong / February 2025 / Detroit, MI, USA

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First day of spring is less than a month away.

March 20, the Spring Equinox.
Pretty crazy. 

Didn’t know til now, but there’s 2 equinoxes a year—1 in the fall and 1 in the spring. I also learned an equinox is when the daytime and nighttime are about the same length. 

And from the Spring Equinox forward, the days start getting longer. 

With this milestone approaching, it feels like a good time to kick into gear on a project. In hindsight, winters often seem to be for research and gathering, following rabbit holes. And then spring for production.

But for now, I wanted to share a photo collage from this past month.

Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time on the People Mover—the strange elevated train loop that weaves through Downtown Detroit, slicing through buildings and skimming along the riverside. It’s how I at once can move my body, think, write, scheme, visualize, play, create, and rest. 

Hop on, ride around. Get off, stroll. Find somewhere to sit. Then hop back on and repeat.

A few stops even connect directly into buildings (The RenCen and Huntington Building), which are great for wandering, especially when it’s frigid outside. 

Hopefully, these photos give some insight into how Detroit feels—timeless, and like a strange collision of classic, futurist, and psychedelic.

Enjoy the collage below:

There we go. 

A February collage. 

Have a good few weeks til the Spring Equinox.

Talk to you then,

-Andy / We Speak in Colors