Okay… refreshed & regrouped after a solid night of sleep, clean-up, frozen packs in cooler, a breakfast and some forward planning in Columbus, OH. Today, we’re off to a place we’d threatened to visit on multiple occasions, Pittsburgh, PA. We have a couple things booked, but essentially hope to get into the city early and wander about to take in whatever the flavour of the day brings. We patched together a Hampton breakfast / coffee and were on the move East on I-70 by about 6:30 AM. Kind of expecting traffic in Pittsburgh with our early morning arrival, but perhaps it will have subsided by 9:00 AM! 🤞
After a quick shift, and stop in West Virginia, we entered Pennsylvania shortly after 8:30 AM. Totally new territory for us today… so kind of excited about seeing a new city! That energy kept up with a series of niceties… we navigated the traffic with ease, located our accommodation (Holiday Inn Express Pittsburgh North Shore), realized we are staying across the street from the ball park, managed a 9:30 AM check-in 😳, and parked the car for our stay. In our experience, it just doesn’t usually workout like that folks!!! Yay Pittsburgh!!!
After a quick drop of bags and a freshen up, we got boots on the ground and headed directly for the Three Rivers Heritage Trail… just a loop around the inner core of the city to get our bearings and see some sites (beyond the fact that my steps have been woeful since the folk festival). We passed the Ball Park, and walked along the Allegheny River, crossing on the Fort Duquesne Bridge, and exploring the Point Park / Fountain.
Our first stop was at Fort Pitt Museum. As it seems with most of the museums from this period, the devastation caused by European contact from the 1500s era on was a vague introductory topic. It’s evaded by claiming “we don’t know for sure what happened,” then a fast forward to the 1750s. However, it was noteworthy that the impact of and on the indigenous peoples in the 1750-1790 era was covered with a concerted effort. With similar stories of conquest and heroes to the 7 Years War stories around Louisbourg, Ticonderoga, etc… Pittsburgh’s history is a story of strategic location and fortification. The elementary field trip vibe was alive and well but solid info to remind those that have come before us – about the good and bad!
Post museum, we rambled to the Market Square area, found a seat and listened to several performers pushing on some noon time tunes to the crowd. We regrouped, did a little online research and decided a pub stop might be in order to settle the day a bit, with food and an ale. After crossing the Roberto Clemente Bridge, we hit the North Shore Tavern, laden with baseball memorabilia and serving up cold ales and chipotle nachos. We settled in for a couple hours to relax, get our feet on the ground after a lot of interstate, and just plain chill!
As an aside, lots of Roberto Clemente photos, paintings, a statue, Hall of Fame Ball and bridge that have him positioned as a fixture in the community. I’d encourage readers to look up Chuck Brodsky’s “Roberto” on Spotify for the keen perspective of a songwriter looking back at Clemente’s influence on baseball and tragic ending. This one speaks to me… baseball is a sport, but it’s also a calling!
Our evening entertainment was straight up Pirates vs Padres at PNC Park. Walk… two minutes! Janie had purchased tix, and low & behold, we were a few rows back behind the dugout and third base! We’re used to the binocular section 😂. However, Mother Nature came out ugly late in the PM and heavy rain / thunderstorms changed our outlook. By game time… the weather window allowed for a start!
Wow… PNC is a beautiful Ball Park. Framing the Pittsburgh skyline, the view from our seats was almost reminiscent of something that was prefabbed! However, the view was “all real” and the city came out for first pitch. Unfortunately, we were in rain delay by 2nd inning, with the tarps being rolled out and thunderstorms ⛈️ giving us hell! We tucked away for the best part of an hour under shelter… dry and lots of people watching / listening. Loved the “Cold Beer! Cold Water! No lines, no wait!” that rang from the lady in the concessions area. She was a Champ!
As quickly as the rain arrived, it disappeared. However, the big rain meant mop up would take a bit. The players finally hit the field again at 9:40 PM… it was going to be a late one 😳! The game settled in, being scoreless until the 5th inning when San Diego scored 4 runs! With a thinning crowd (rain / lateness / score) we did explore the park, testing views all the way around the field. Couldn’t find a bad seat! The rest was history, with the game ending after midnight and the home team losing 6-0. Gotta love the ball park 👍.