Hollywood Movie Premiere at the Chinese Theatre

We drove into Los Angeles, California late in the afternoon and were feeling pretty energized after arriving at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. We were anxious to do some exploring on Hollywood Boulevard and decided to start out at Hollywood & Highland. After grabbing a late bite to eat we walked back to our hotel and discovered that there was a movie premiere taking place at the iconic Chinese Theatre just across the street.

At  this point we had seen so many incredible things on our Pacific coast road trip that a movie premiere on Hollywood Boulevard just added to the novelty of where we were. To be honest, it was only after the fact that I learned what was really going on and discovered this video (posted below). The movie premiere was for the documentary Jeremy Scott: The People's Designer. 

We were more concerned with our own adventures than catching glimpses of celebrities. Still, the premiere was a nice side note while exploring the touristy epicentre of the entertainment industry. The next day we went back and checked out the cemented handprints at the Chinese Theatre before driving to Beverly Hills. Then it was off to our final coastal destination: San Diego.    

Ford Rouge Factory in Dearborn, Michigan

Having made the trip to Detroit, Michigan specifically for the North American International Auto Show, it also seemed fitting to visit a working assembly line while in the Motor City. The Ford Rouge Factory in Dearborn, Michigan is a testament to American Industrialization in the 20th century. Henry Ford began construction in 1917, and when the complex was completed in 1928, the Ford Rouge was the largest integrated factory in the world.    

A massive expansion from the humble beginnings at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, parts for the Ford Model T were produced here but were assembled off site. In 1927 automobile production and assembly finally began at the Ford Rouge. The Ford Model B, the original Mercury, the Ford Thunderbird, and four decades of Ford Mustangs were produced here. During WWII the complex produced jeeps, amphibious vehicles, and tank and aircraft engines. Today, with increased globalization of production, only the Ford F-150 is now assembled here.

During our visit we toured the assembly line, although no pictures were allowed unfortunately. Still, it was amazing to see how complicated and elaborate the components were, and how quickly they were assembled as they moved down the line. Things like weather stripping and speaker wires in doors are a lot more complicated than you'd think. 

In the end we went up to the observation deck that overlooks the massive factory. The Ford Rouge has implemented some new energy saving measures, including covering the roof of the truck plant with low growth vegetation to filter rain water and to help moderate the internal temperature of the factory. They go into a lot more detail about cleaning up the environmental footprint that the Ford Rouge has undeniably made. It has changed substantially over the decades, but it remains an incredibly fascinating facility.  

Environmental roofing samples.