When friends and family come to visit Pittsburgh, there’s always a couple of things I feel we must do to give them a taste of the burgh. One of those is riding one of the inclines (or as Jay likes to call them by their proper names–funiculars) up Mt. Washington. Probably my favorite incline to ride is the Duquesne, mostly because it’s so pretty, and I love the view it offers of Pittsburgh’s downtown skyline. So when my Grandma and my Aunt Carrie came to town last Sunday for a short visit, I made sure they got to ride on one of the red cars.
My Grandma and Aunt had done quite a bit of driving in the preceding days, as they hail from upper peninsula Michigan and Minnesota, respectively. But, since they had already made it through the 9+ hour drive to lower Michigan for my cousin’s college graduation, they figured the 6 more hours to Pittsburgh wouldn’t be too bad of drive. And I’m glad they made it! Jay joined in the tour guiding as we looked through the Nationality Rooms at Pitt (another favorite thing to show out-of-towners). On the second day we walked through Phipps, since my Grandma loves to garden, and we visited my new studio in Monroeville. All in all, we had pretty decent weather and it was fun getting to see them both. I hadn’t seen my Aunt since my wedding nearly five years ago, and I hadn’t seen my Grandma since 2007. It’s hard when everyone lives all over the place!
Jay practicing his professor skills…
The butterfly room is in full “bloom” right now at Phipps, which is always a fun experience.
And they have a miniature train set up in one room.
This agave plant only blooms once a lifetime–and it can take anywhere from 10-70 years for it to bloom. It’s actually going to bloom this year, and if you look way up to the top, you’ll see the bud going through the roof. They said it can grow up to a foot a day!! I want to try to make it back when the flower fully blooms.
I took a few photos at the studio…my Aunt Carrie said my Uncle Jeff needed a new photo for his desk.
I love my Aunt Carrie’s smile.
Thanks Grandma and Aunt Carrie for making the trip! We hope to see you again soon!
by mary
Randi Voss - Your gram is rockin’! I love the third photo, great use of the architecture of the room.
Christina Montemurro - Mary, what a beautiful memory of what looks to have been a great visit. Those are three of my favorite activities to do with out-of-towners as well. The Duquesne incline is the best, in every way except perhaps for the lack of activity at the bottom. Is that the Ukrainian room at the Cathedral? I love those painted tiles.