Windsor, Canada

While in Detroit, Michigan, I made a short visit to Canada via the Ambassador Bridge.

For over nine decades, this tolled suspension bridge, that runs across the Detroit River, has connected Windsor, Ontario in Canada with Detroit, Michigan in the United States.

Veterans Memorial

I learned that the Detroit to Canada crossing via the Ambassador Bridge (as opposed to the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel) is the busiest border crossing in North America by trade volume. Every day, over 10,000 trucks cross this bridge. If you include all of the other traffic, plus the traffic through the Detroit-Windsor tunnel, this is the busiest international border crossing in North America overall.

On the other side of the bridge, I entered Windsor, Canada, where I found the Windsor Sculpture Park.

The park was established in 1943 and was funded by the Odette Group and family who were art admirers.

Though it is called a park, in my opinion, the Windsor Sculpture Park is more of an open-air museum.

Composition with Five Elements

In addition to over 30 different, large scale sculptures ...

Space Plow

... you also get great views of the Ambassador Bridge.

Below are photos of additional pieces on display.

Sisters

This piece by Morton Katz is called "Sisters." At first glance, I thought these were four identical figures, but later noticed that each figure is in a slightly different posture. This is meant to illustrate the individuality that characterizes every faithful relationship with God.

King and Queen

Sorel Etrog, a Romanian born artist, created King and Queen to represent the connection between man and machinery.

Dancing Bear

This is Dancing Bear by sculptor, Pauta Saila and it made me smile.

Consolation

Consolation, created by Joe Rosenthal in 1997, depicts two weighty figures. The heavy forms are meant to convey human fortitude, rather than fragility.

Bell Measure

Bell Measure, created by Stephen Cruise, is two pieces in one. The bell itself represents moments in, and the span of, a person's life. The wooden handle is actually a bar measure, or calibrated ruler used by archaeologists. It is meant to symbolize a historical marker.

A Butterfly's Wings

A Butterfly's Wings by Jack Byng was commissioned by the Brain Injury Association of Windsor and Essex County. The releasing of the butterflies, which have transformed from caterpillars, is meant to mirror the growth and recovery journey of someone who has suffered a brain injury.

After viewing these sculptures and more, I took a walk along the waterfront to take in more impressive views of the bridge and the city of Detroit, Michigan.

After lunch with new friends, and before heading back across the bridge to Detroit, ...

... I explored a little more of Windsor including historic, Sandwich Town, or the Village of Sandwich. The town was named after the English town of Sandwich, Kent. The name references a "sandy place" or "sandy dwelling." I didn't stay long after realizing it had nothing to do with sandwiches.

My last stop before getting on the bridge, was at this windmill.

On its face, it reads, "all that we are is all that we were." Hmmm. I disagree. I think we are all so much more than that.