The trip started with a gorgeous sunset on the plane, the best I've seen.
Followed by an equally gorgeous evening view of Pittsburgh, seen from the top of the Monongahela Incline. (Belated props to Eliza who recognized it instantly.) This incline is the last surviving incline formerly serving the coal industry in the area.
Thursday morning arrived to a quiet house and a happy, happy dog. After coffee, Liebe and I got dog treats. :)
And then things got interesting! The whole week out there was unseasonably warm. We went to the Toy Store, and had some fun. This is a great stop. The store is shaped like an alien spaceship. Or a stealth bomber. The doors open to reveal a huge shop with more fun and nostalgia than you can shake a pogo stick at. (They also have pogo sticks). Play is encouraged throughout the store, which is a welcome break from uptight America.
On Friday (was it Friday?) we toured the Heinz History Museum in Pittsburgh. Well, after Jeff got AAA to unlock the Miata.
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| Yay Ketchup! |
While Jeff met AAA in the parking lot, I was treated to a free ticket to their special exhibit, "The Vatican" by a woman with an extra. The exhibit was ok... lots of replicas and recreations, and I've seen the real thing in some cases. The most interesting thing was the "relicas", containing actual bone fragments of martyrs and saints.
The museum was lovely- lots of celebrations of Pittsburgh's famous people and inventions, including the polio vaccine, Mister Rogers, and the JEEP, formerly known as the Bantam.
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| Invented in Butler! |
We wandered all over...Yep, Louis & Clark started here. Yep, there's amazing glass manufacturing. Yep, Carnegie Mellon is giving MIT a run for their money. But I really only wanted to see one thing.
Ketchup!!!! In all it's 57 flavors.
I never knew Heinz was based in Pittsburgh. I also didn't know that Heinz was originally "Keystone Catsup", since Pennsylvania is the Keystone State, which explains why the Heinz logo is, wait for it, a keystone. (I'll wait while you run to the fridge.)
I'm still convinced that Heinz actually started in the UK. But I can't prove it.
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| A new customer in my 60's diner? |
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| What'll ya have, stranger? |
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| Me and Jeff in front of the 16th Street Bridge. |
The next day, Jeff took me to Slippery Rock University to get MY rocks off. Nice!
After rock climbing, we met his parents for an AWESOME chicken dinner. I ate like a horse. I enticed Jeff to dance while his parents practiced their waltzing lessons in the living room, much to the enjoyment of his mom. :)
The weekend was exactly what a vacation should be. Calm, relaxing, no stress. More pics are here. I almost don't recognize myself. Jeff wants to see the Caribbean before Christmas- we'll see how that works itself out. :) In the meantime, I'm back to apartment hunting, and apparently, job hunting. Who knows what the future holds. What's this stability thing people keep talking about?? Thanks for a great weekend, Jeff!
what, no props for recognizing the top of the Mon incline based only on a dark cell phone shot? ;)
ReplyDeleteBOO power plant closing. Serious BOO. Salem State, anyone?
I recognized the Mon Incline also...not only were they important to the coal industry, but in the case of Mt. Washington dwellers, the incline was the quickest and most efficient way of getting home!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that bridge gorgeous? For many years, construction was stalled... it was called the bridge to nowhere!
Heinz, a Brit company? Give it up, Jen! Remember that little plastic pickle pin I wore for my "something borrowed"?... When schoolkids went on field trips to the heinz plant, those pickle pins were the handout. Yins dont get more Pitchburgian than Heinz... and yins can make darn good ham barbecue by combining "chip-chopped ham" with some good Heinz ketchup and a splash of Heinz worcestershire sauce, maybe a little relish!
Great climbing at Slippery Rock... aren't you glad he didnt' take you to Beaver Falls??? (smirk)
And yeah... boo plant closing. Big article in today's paper about the improvements to San Onofre... maybe it's time to move away from coal?
Really enjoyed reading about your vacation. Glad you were able to have a vacation. Jeff keeps saying..."she hasn't had a vacation in years!" Don't stay away for too long, we (and Liebe too) always enjoy your visits.
ReplyDeleteso that's what i look like with hair!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great weekend.
I should also note that there is not actually an entrance to the serving area in the diner at the heinz museum. Jen is quite the acrobat!
ReplyDeleteOh like you've never jumped a counter before... =)
ReplyDelete