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A Trip To Pittsburgh

Let me preface this with a disclaimer as to the names of the places visited. I did my best to research and get things right, but if there is a discrepancy please just stay with me.

When country folks go to the big city it is always an adventure. The roads we drive at home do not always have yellow stripes and they are certainly not as smooth as those in the city. The traffic at its worst around here is no comparison for that of the city. We had quite a trip into town since it was the time when most people were on their way to work. Even the parking garage was full and we had to really look for a spot to park.

It was a routine trip to Pittsburgh featuring my daughter, my granddaughter and me. We left early so as to be able to arrive I time for our appointment.

Let me interject here that if you want to experience something very humbling you visit a children’s hospital. No, we did not see the sickest of the children because we did not go the inpatient floors, but we did see children fighting the battle of their lives just to survive. It was a humbling experience to know that all of my children and grandchildren are well. I thank God for not only my health but theirs as well.

A young couple with a babe in arms got my attention. For them the process was just beginning. I had no idea what could be wrong, but obviously something was.

Another family captivated my attention as they waited in the waiting area. The mother and a small girl emerged from the treatment area called “the frog.” That is the place where bloodwork is done. The father and a younger sibling waited.

It was apparent the children were well behaved because when the man spoke the little one instantly complied. She whined about the juice her sister got as a reward for good behavior but stopped when she was told they were all going to get something to eat.

Our next stop was the section known as “the strip” where there was an abundance of shops and restaurants. Finding a parking place was tough. We spotted one in front of a restaurant, but my daughter had to parallel park on what to me was the wrong side of the road to get in there. There was a family seated at a table on the patio. They watched with interest as she maneuvered her car into the space and gave a thumbs up for her efforts. A little bit later one of the men praised her for her skill as we wandered through the area.

We asked about their wood-fire pizzas and were told there were eight pieces so we ordered one of those. Although we were full we managed to get the whole thing down. Then it was off to do some shopping. The girls found a store where they liked the clothing. Things were tried on and purchased. Grandma found a comfortable bench near the front of the store and relaxed. My daughter had to leave the store to feed the kiosk some money since our time was about to expire.

We visited a small Italian market where I found some supplies and so did my daughter. Things were available there that were not readily available at home.

A friend of my granddaughter’s was due to meet us. I saw a young man looking at his phone and wondered if it was him. It turned out that it was. As we walked along he soon discovered that he locked his keys in his car! My daughter suggested calling the AAA and he did. We went to McDonald’s where you did not have to pay to park, used the restroom, and purchased something to drink. After nearly an hour someone arrived and opened the car and we were ready to proceed with our day.

My granddaughter programmed the phone to give us directions to Duquesne Incline. That is a sort of trolley that goes up the side of Mount Washington. We parked the car once again feeding a kiosk to be able to park. Then it was on to the trolley ride. It was evident that some people purchased only one-way tickets, but we of course needed a round trip.

The weather had improved greatly as the day progressed. We went from a terrible downpour and ground fog to a sunny day. The view was spectacular. We read all of the signage to find out about the vehicle we rode. It has been open for all but one year during a span of close to seventy years. It was the neighbors who pulled together to get the thing running once again.

When I was young I remember visiting this same place with my mother and my grandparents. I remember grandma was rather reluctant to take the ride up the mountain. On the other hand, she did not wish to wait alone for us to return so she went along.

The sign said that it ran all winter but there was a photograph of a car that was dislodged stranding the passengers. I am not sure I would enjoy the ride during bad weather.

As we looked around the city of Pittsburgh we saw the football stadium as well as PNC Park where the Pirates play. We also could see the hospital that we visited but that was a stretch. My granddaughter remembered coming to the city and taking a ride on a boat where she had a meal. That was a Girl Scout field trip.

Although it was a long day it went off without a hitch. We arrived home about 9:30 p.m. I had called and asked my grandson to please let my dog out and feed him. Once I arrived home I spent some time with the dog since he had a terrible day. He was just happy to see me and wanted to sit beside me on the couch. Pets are so forgiving that way.

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, Pa. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.

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