Ever heard of Pittsburgh?
You know, the smoke belching Iron City of western
Pennsylvania?
Well, it ain’t that no more!
Our first view of the city was somewhat “clouded”
They city is dominated by bridges (more than 400 of them)
that, among other things, cross 3 rivers.
The Monongahela, and the Allegheny join up to become the Ohio. Better picture below.
The impact of old-old wealth remains. Almost everywhere you turn you hear two
names.
Carnegie and Heinz.
One of United States Steel fame (pronounced car-negg’-ee, not car'-neg-eee" like we all do) and the other of
ketchup and political fame.
Right next to the Carnegie “children’s center” is Heinz
field – where the Steelers play.
And a stone’s throw from there, just across the Roberto
Clemente bridge from downtown is the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates – PNC park.
Andrew Carnegie’s legacy to this community is libraries,
museums, and cultural centers. Same for
Heinz – be they named for the ketchup king, or his offspring like the late US
Senator John Heinz.
Pittsburgh is a happenin’ place. And an important place -you can just feel it. Look who was in town when we were there!
From atop one of the Incline Rides looking toward downtown.
From near downtown looking at one of the inclines - cable cars that actually haul working people in suits and ties from homes to offices every day of the week.
The original Primanti Brothers restaurant in the strip
district - that never closes. People eat well.
The 3 most notable professional sports
teams in the city, the Pirates, the Steelers, and the Penguins (who won Lord
Stanley’s cup this year) – all have the same team colors - the colors of Pittsburgh's flag, which in turn, is based on the coat of arms of William Pitt, the 18th century British Prime Minister - for whom the city is named.
