Dream Cruise Snapshot: Collecting Cans Along Woodward a Lucrative Endeavor

The Dream Cruise is an opportunity for many to kick back and relax as they watch the classic cars cruise by, but Michael Mielock of Birmingham was hard at work Saturday.

The self-employed Birmingham resident was pushing a shopping cart steadily southward along Woodward Avenue, collecting discarded recyclables to collect the deposits, which he said he'll use to help pay his utilities.

"I'm doing pretty good. I've made $75 so far," he said at about 12:30 p.m. just north of Catalpa in Berkley. "I met one guy who made $375 last year."

Mielock, a former Berkley resident, was wearing gloves and comfortable shoes and was stocked up on Gatorade and water. He said he began his walk from Birmingham at 8 a.m. and doesn't expect to return home until the wee hours tonight or Sunday morning.

"Last year, I was out until 1:30 a.m.," he said. "I slept about 12 hours on Sunday."