Exploring Lansing: Statehouse, Pokémon Hunts, and Live Music

I left Ari and Jessi’s home early-ish, feeling deeply grateful for the warmth and encouragement they gave me. Their generosity and thoughtful advice made me realize I’d made a great choice building this van — ready for wherever the road leads.

I parked beside the State House in downtown Lansing. The streets were empty under a bright blue sky dotted with puffs of white clouds. I started at the back side of the Capitol since it was closest to me. The sun sat perfectly behind the dome, inching higher every few minutes — an ideal morning for photography.

Michigan’s State Capitol, completed in 1879, was one of the first to feature a cast-iron dome. Designed by Elijah E. Myers, it still stands as a symbol of Michigan’s rebirth after the Civil War, with its grand rotunda and hand-painted details carefully preserved for generations.

I took my time exploring the grounds before walking toward the massive Hall of Justice. It’s an imposing, curved building, standing like a fortress at the end of a long brick walkway. A few morning walkers passed, headphones in — the modern barrier to casual conversation.

I paused at the Vietnam Memorial, a gravity-defying design that reaches skyward while outlining a timeline of the war from the early 1960s to 1975. A reminder of the stories etched in stone across this city.

Then a woman with a backpack crossed my path. I heard a strange chirping sound — I turned and realized she was literally taking a parakeet for a walk. The bird swung happily on a perch inside a backpack with a clear plastic window. Something you don’t see every day!

Back at the Capitol, I asked two policemen why the building was closed. They explained that since COVID, it’s only open the first Saturday of the month — I’d just missed it by a week. Next time.

That’s when I started noticing small groups of people everywhere, heads down, eyes locked on their phones. It looked odd enough that I had to ask. Margarita and John were kind enough to explain: Pokémon GO. They showed me their screens — hidden digital monsters scattered around the grounds, ready to be caught.

There were well over 100 players from all over Michigan and Indiana, maybe farther. They meet up, explore landmarks, and battle together on the Capitol steps. It’s a way to get out of the house, stay active, and meet people. Makes sense — turning an ordinary Saturday into a real-life adventure.

Someone pointed me toward Biggby’s Coffee, but I didn’t want to walk that far. I found a closer café a few blocks away. On my way, I spotted a colorful alley filled with murals, loose wires, and electrical meters clinging to the old brick. I grabbed a few photos — I love these little details that tell a city’s story.

At the end of the alley, a woman was painting the inside of a van. We started talking — she and her partner were deep in their own van build. A few minutes later, Tony came out with two curious and friendly Dobermans. We swapped build stories and compared notes. I promised I’d come back and show them my van after my coffee run.

At the end of the alley, a woman was painting the inside of a van. We started talking — she and her partner were deep in their own van build. A few minutes later, Tony came out with two curious and friendly Dobermans. We swapped build stories and compared notes. I promised I’d come back and show them my van after my coffee run.

Strange Matter Café had a short line but a steady stream of locals and visitors drifting in for their morning fix. I was ecstatic to find chocolate croissants. Naturally, more Pokémon slayers were in there too, strategizing over their lattes.

Fueled by caffeine, I wandered downtown to soak in Lansing’s mix of old and new architecture. Some of these façades are beautiful remnants of the past — the J.W. Knapp’s department store is a perfect example. The Knapp’s Centre, an Art Deco beauty built in the 1930s, still shows off its bold tiles and geometric design. Back in its heyday, this street was alive with trolley cars, shop windows dressed for the seasons, and crowds buzzing through downtown. I tried to capture a bit of that spirit with my camera.

Ernie Harwell

There was a plaque on the street for Ernie Harwell, b. 1918. He’s in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest announcer in sports history, with a career spanning more than seven decades. I’d never even heard of him before, but apparently he was best known as the beloved voice of the Detroit Tigers, calling games with a warm, easygoing style that made listeners feel like they were right there in the ballpark. He started his major league announcing career in 1948 and kept going well into the early 2000s, becoming a cherished figure not just in Detroit but among baseball fans everywhere. The plaque honors not just his record-setting tenure but also the way he could weave stories and a sense of timeless nostalgia into every broadcast.

Back at the alley, I showed Tony and Bev my van. They peppered me with questions about storage, insulation, power — the works. I loved seeing their excitement. We talked way longer than I planned. Bev told me about some live music that afternoon at the Union Missionary Baptist Church.

Michigan State University Dairy

From there, I headed to the Michigan State University Dairy. I found parking a block away and joined the line — nothing compared to Penn State’s legendary three-hour wait. The ice cream is made right there on campus, and it’s worth every minute. I found a shady spot outside and shared a table with Lisa and her mom, Shirley. We talked about traveling. Lisa said she could see herself selling her house and hitting the road — Shirley, meanwhile, figured I’d probably want a gun. Classic.

At the church, a security guard asked what I was delivering. I said, “Just here for the live music.” He laughed and told me to park anywhere. I set up my chair on the grass, camera ready, and spent the next four hours listening to great Detroit music — Angela Davis and Class Act, 496 West, and Demetrius Nabors. There’s something about sitting outside, soaking in a good groove — just pure happiness.

I ended my day with a stroll through the Beal Botanical Garden at MSU — the country’s oldest continuously operated university botanical garden. I wandered through the different sections — the Japanese Garden, the conifer garden — as the sun dipped behind the trees.

Chtoura Grill

Around 9:15, my stomach finally reminded me I hadn’t eaten much. I found Chtoura Grill a mile away, a cozy Mediterranean spot. They were closing at 10 p.m. — I walked in alone but was soon joined by five other groups. Their takeout orders kept flowing. I ordered way too much food: stuffed grape leaves, salad, hummus, and chicken kababs on lemon rice. The hummus was amazing. I ate my fill and packed up the rest.

Back at Ari and Jessi’s place a little after 10 p.m., I told them about my day. They invited me in again — Jessi spread out a map and they spent over an hour marking their favorite Upper Peninsula spots. Their warmth, their tips, and their support were incredible.

I can’t thank Ari and Jessi enough for their kindness. They made this start to my Michigan journey so memorable. If this day is any sign, there’s a lot of adventure ahead.