Go Pirates

Today started in the downtown Hyatt in Cincinnati. We noticed after breakfast that there was a series of crosswalk bridges connecting many of the buildings in that downtown area, so of course we had to go exploring. The crosswalk tunnels led us to an indoor mall where we discovered a shoe store with Heely shoes (they're the shoes with wheels in the heels) prominently on display. We're on vacation and feeling a little impulsive and next thing you know, little Runcie, Elizabeth (with a pair 2 sizes too big). . . . and Mommy! . . . come out of the store with new sneakers ready to pop some wheelies.

We quickly popped in the wheels and the skating and wipeouts began. The kids loved them. Donna loves hers too but felt a little self-conscience, but one of the great things about having kids is that you get to be a kid yourself.




We checked out of the hotel and began our drive to Pittsburgh. This was a first for us as we've never driven in Ohio north of Cincinnati - and never through Pennsylvania. We admired the beautiful farms with old farmhouses and cornfields and soybean fields stretching as far as the eye could see. As we began heading east of Columbus, we stumbled on a pretty town called Zanesville that had seen it's better years about 75 years ago from all appearances - of course we had to pull off the road and drive around a bit - it didn't hurt that it had a Steak and Shake. Zanesville's claim to fame is being the second capital of Ohio at one time. It had some very pretty old architecture. After we left Zanesville, the terrain became hilly and then very hilly. All of the sudden we were in West Virginia and the interstate stopped in a town called Wheeling. This town had also once been rather bustling but appeared a little aged in 2007. The towns we passed and the architecture they boasted were very educational and somewhat of a history lesson as it felt we were traveling back in time.


After a few miles in West Virginia, we entered Pennsylvania - still very rugged terrain. Neither Donna nor I have ever been to Pittsburgh, but I'd heard great things. At 10 miles out and then 5 miles out . . . still no sign of a big city. Then we drove through a long tunnel through a steep hillside. As we drove out the other side of the tunnel - bam - what an incredible view of a georgious city on a big, wide river directly on the other side. We were just across the river.

We went straight to the hotel, got ready for the Pirates game, and were off again. We road in the Pittsburgh subway which was the first subway experience for Elizabeth and Gigi - and the first that Runcie likely remembers. After a short ride which they loved, we got off and headed to the game across the river.


The kids loved the sights and sounds of the game and PNC park - I highy recommend it for any baseball enthusiast. A few more impulsive souvenir buys later, and the kids are decked out in Pirates garb. I, Runcie, have always loved the Pirates, and thus the special stop in Pittsburgh and the baseball game.




I wish we had more time to explore a little here, but it's off bright and early to Niagara Falls in the morning. We hope to be there around lunch time. We've never seen the falls either, so we're full of anticipation. Now if we can only get the kids to sleep.

We'll post more later.