pittsburgh is lovely this time of year.
does anyone else get an image of a city covered in coal dust, with billowing smoke stacks and dirty steel bridges when they think of pittsburgh? yea, i did too the first time i went there. maybe it was the movie "slap shot" that did it? i don't even know if that movie was set in pittsburgh, but that's how i pictured it.
i've now been to pittsburgh three times (four if you count my work trip to moon township near the airport) and it's beautiful. you see, one of my best friends in the whole wide world decided to do something wonderful for the world by getting her master's in public health. she went to school at the university of pittsburgh, and has stayed out there ever since working for the university. so obviously i've needed to come out here to see her new home and get some quality time with her.this most recent trip was suggested to me by my husband, who demanded that i use our tax return to buy a ticket to visit my little dove. his reasoning was that while we have the disposable income, we should use it on things that might be harder for us when we get older and have kids and a house and etcetera and so on. and he's right dang it! so that's where i spent my weekend. in lovely pittsburgh with her (and her awesome boyfriend).
pittsburgh is such an interesting place, because the neighborhoods there are so distinct and each have their own character. teags lives in the north side, an older neighborhood that is going through some development. her boyfriend lives in bloomfield, the old italian neighborhood which they tell me is full of old schoolers and crazies, but that i also noticed has adorable little storefronts all over. we took a little jaunt to polish hill to look at the gorgeous cathedral there, and ended up walking up a bunch of literal hills with polish names printed everywhere. i'm working at a coffee shop in lawrenceville, which is an old neighborhood that i have a sneaking suspicion is maybe like brooklyn? i don't know, i've never been to brooklyn. the whole city is old and beautiful and full of character. there are acres and acres of parks hidden around the city, and whoever planned that out is amazing.
|||
teags and alex are both avid climbers, and when teags asked if i would want to do some outdoor climbing while i was here, i said yes. because i have a stupid amount of self-confidence? no shame? who knows. so off we went climbing. and you know what? they barely giggled at my inexperience, and i didn't do that bad. although as i'm typing this, i have to take periodic breaks because my hand strength is pretty depleted. i can see why people get addicted to climbing (hear that climber family members?? i get it.), because it is always challenging you to try one more time to get to that next hand hold, or try a different way to push up on your feet to get to the top. i can tell i might have an itch to get to the climbing gym when i get back to minnesota.
[gallery type="square" link="file" ids="1791,1790"]
[gallery type="square" link="file" ids="1792,1793"]
|||
i also managed to convince teags to take me to primanti bros. in the strip, a pittsburgh classic that i've never had before. they are known for their sandwiches, which are made of meat and cheese, and also packed full of coleslaw and french fries. oh my gah. these will sit in your stomach forever, but they are so worth it. i obviously ate my whole sandwich. if you ever get the chance to go, i highly suggest getting the kielbasa and cheese with an egg on top. you will not regret it my friend.http://instagram.com/p/ZeZugGkdUg/the benefit of this being my third trip to the city is that we have the luxury of being able to sit and relax with each other. we spent sunday doing work in the living room with coffee and breakfast, then were able to go to dinner (for some delicious japanese pancakes!) and continue our lovefest while watching the penguins game. today i am going to take some photos in the city while she has a meeting at the health department, and then we will finish up our time together before she has to drive me to the airport. like i said, i'm finishing this here post at a coffee shop with an espresso, before i have to say goodbye to my love and fly back to minnesota. with a connection in detroit, or detroilet as my husband lovingly calls it.
thank you teags for taking your whole weekend and spending it with me. if you had rolled over in the middle of the night and spooned me because you thought i was alex, i wouldn't have minded. i love you so much my little dove. i'm so glad that we make it work from far away, because you are the best!
|||
elsewhere with love: bloglovin’ || facebook || twitter || instagram