Daad's Detailed Account of the Pittsburgh Trip

THE PITTSBURGH SAGA: July 14-18, 2017

Uncle Bro suggested to his twin that we all convene in Pittsburgh for a long weekend. It suited his attending a Classic Car Event and Race in Schenley Park. I told Meema that if she wanted to do it, she’d have to be the organizer at our end. She did a fine job with the weekend, and got Laurie & family involved, also. It was a truly memorable weekend. Included were: Jan Hyde; Judy Hyde + Ed Hines; Laurie + Tim Ackermann and Signy, Roslyn, &  Liesl Ackermann.

We had the girls (Signy, Roslyn, Liesl) at our house for the week before. They stayed with us after their Madeline Island adventure during which Laurie nearly cut off her thumb with an ax! She had to go to a hospital emergency, taking the Madeline Ferry back to Ashland, then stayed overnight in a motel because they missed the return ferry. After a glorious week with the girls, we flew from BMI to PIT on Friday, July 14^th. It’s always great to fly with the girls! We stopped at the PIT Airport to get something to eat at their good food court, got a premium car with GPS, and wended our way to Pgh via the Parkway (I-376). It was of course under construction, bumper to bumper going out, off & on going in. We got that wonderful view of the city from the Ft Pitt Bridge, then straight ahead on Liberty Ave, right on 6^th Ave, out Bigelow Blvd (the beanie [Arena] is no longer), Baum Blvd, Penn Ave to the Spring Hill Suites at Bakery Square. Uncle Jan was already there, having driven his Mini-Cooper that day from Brooklyn. The girls went exploring, got stuck in a stairway that went nowhere, finally exited via the fire escape (alarm didn’t sound), and Roslyn broke out in tears when she saw how mad we were (worried about our girls!). We 7 had a late dinner at the “Social” eatery at Bakery Square.

Sat. We all drove (two cars) to Westview Cemetery to Mim & Digby’s graves. It looked beautiful, but they had lots of rain earlier in the season.  Then into town, dropping off Jan at his car show in Schenley Park, then to Bellefield Ave where we spent an hour in Heinz Chapel, meeting a young couple doing their wedding rehearsal, hearing the mighty organ play the Lohengrin Wedding March, & showing Laurie, Tim, & girls the Chapel. MARVELOUS. We walked over to the Cathedral of Learning & took the elevator to floor 36, then a little elevator to floor 40. We then drove up to Mt Washington (Duquesne Hts incline too busy). We found the Grandview Saloon & had a wonderful lunch. Fabulous views of downtown Pittsburgh! Then back to motel for quick rest, picked up Jan, & drove to West Station Square to catch the Gateway Clipper & a 3-hr Captain’s Dinner cruise on – Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio!

Sun. Kids did Kennywood Park. Jan & Judy drove to 4600 Gardenville Rd, Caste Village, etc. I slept (!), then had lunch at Panera’s on the 1^st floor of the Spring Hill Suites Bldg. After a rest, we + Jan drove to Squirrel Hill & had dinner with Feinerts at the Smallman St Deli (not good).

Mon. We + Jan drove to Indiana, PA to visit Ina Rae Abrams in her new place, like a one-floor condo but with good basement where Stephen, Meredith, & Maya Camille stay. Jan drove on to NYC & home. We returned to Pgh & had dinner at the Eat ‘n Park in Edgewood. We drove around Shadyside, past 507 Shady several times!

Tues. We checked out, did the Rodef Shalom Biblical Garden, had lunch with Feinerts at the “Social” at Bakery Square, drove to the Airport, & flew home. PIT to ORD to BMI, arriving at 10:35 p.m.