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 14th. 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 6th 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 1st
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.
