Pittsburgh II

I goofed up by forgetting that today's Pirates game was today, mistakenly thinking it was scheduled for tonight. But it worked out fine -- I've already seen three games in as many days, so instead I spent the day doing some non-hurried Pittsburgh sightseeing.

Starting off was the site of Forbes Field, home of the Pirates from 1909 to 1970. It's the coolest former-stadium location that I've seen (not that there've been many). On the Pitt campus, in a little grove off Roberto Clemete Drive, a stretch of the outfield wall has been preserved, as has the flagpole, which was in the actual field of play (like at today's Minute Maid Park). Home plate is on display in Posvar Hall, though in an approximate location (the actual location would've put it in the ladies' room). On a nearby wall is this killer photo from Life magazine, taken during the 1960 World Series.

It was shot from the top of my next stop, the Cathedral of Learning. I only got as high as the 36th floor, which has amazing views of the city, but unfortunately I was denied roof access. Still, a beautiful, fantastic, inspiring gothic tower, dedicated to learning. Killer.

Over to the Mellon Arena, site of The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh. I browsed through the Penguins store and saw hockey groupies hound players for autographs in the parking lot. Then, in the Strip District, I inhaled a killer pastrami and cheese and coleslaw and french fries sammich at Primanti Bros., perhaps the best I've ever eaten. Also, a sidewalk vendor sold me this $1 handmade Batman finger puppet:

At least I think it's Batman.

I breezed through the Heinz Museum's gift shop and drove around Heinz Field, and hit a North Side Goodwill. I searched for Pens and/or Bucs tees, but mainly I was inspired by one of my favorite 'zines, the Pittsburgh-based Thrift SCORE. Then I strolled around the "Golden Triangle" (a chamber of commerce name for downtown; serious bummer that Wiener World had closed for the day), and then Point State Park, where the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers form the mighty Ohio. Here I stand at the pointiest point of the point:

My last touristy mission of the day was a trip up the Duquesne Incline -- it was fun-icular!

For dinner I returned to the Original Hot Dog Shop, which seriously needs a Seattle franchise.
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