Yes, this blog is about FJR Adventures but there will be a few days of non-riding and rather than skip them, I’ll write about what I’ve been up to between the rides since the ride is what got me here.
The past 3 days have been days of rest. First off, we are staying in my son’s new place. He bought this about a year ago and has spent the time getting some problem issues taken care of as well as doing remodeling and upgrading. He lives about 3/4 away and will move at some point. Both he and his girlfriend are busy people, both with full time jobs and both serious athletes who are, today, doing a half Ironman in Maryland so the new place gets worked on when there is time. Here it is.
I find it very interesting how the design of homes varies across the country based on the terrain, the materials available, local culture, weather, and other factors that impact the architecture. Here, in Pittsburgh, there are features that just say “This is Pittsburgh.” The history of the city and the legacy of the steel industry are all around. Many/most neighborhoods are single-family homes but are quite high in density. Homes are vertical, usually 3 stories, and fairly close together. The typical neighbor has homes that are separated by a driveway, if that, and almost appear as row houses.
Garages are fairly common but if there is one, it is located under the home as part of the basement. There is very little level ground here so homes are build on hills and if a home faces an uphill, there is a driveway that leads to the backyard and the vehicle would do a 180° turn to access the garage. When a house faces the downhill, the driveway goes to the garage in the front of the house. This means that houses facing the downhill can to be closer together because there isn’t a driveway separating them. Since it is so hilly, and most places have are 3 stories with a walkout basement.
Here’s one with the garage in front.
Here’s one with the garage in the rear.
A steep one.
Bricks must have been locally available as many homes are of that construction. Some of the masonry is quite attractive. Steep roofs are common, probably due to the snow, although Pittsburgh isn’t known for heavy snows. Most homes have a front porch as well as a rear deck. As I get out and walk/run through neighborhoods in the evenings, it is clear that congregating outside in the evenings is a local custom. I was out the last couple evenings and I’d say every 5 to 6 homes had people outside socializing. That is quite the contrast from what I have anecdotally noticed in Billings.
And, before I forget, many of the basements here have a “Pittsburgh Potty,” that is, a toilet in the basement. Not a bathroom, but simply a functional toiled somewhere located in the basement floor. The history of this is a bit unclear but some say it’s because the steel workers would come home and enter through the basement to shed their soiled clothing and toilet was handy to have there. When looking online at many Pittsburgh homes for sale, the toilet has been enclosed in a finished bathroom.
There is an obvious pride in ownership here and an indication that people want to show some individuality. No two home landscaping are the same and yard art is common. They even decorate the little islands in the street. Banners and signs showing political or sports affiliation are common.
Parking is an interesting feature. The streets tend to be narrow and to allow room for cars to pass on the street, parking with two wheels on the sidewalk is the way. It’s also notable how many sidewalks have concrete blocks or stones sitting on the curb. I believe these are partially to reserve the space in front of a house or to use to block the wheels once parked. I’ve read that there is a local custom to place a chair in the street in front of one’s house to “reserve” that spot and moving someone’s “parking chair” is held is disdain.
Pittsburgh is a city of neighborhoods. While most of them lie within the city limits, they seem to appear as distinct places with their own demographics and culture. Some of this goes back to the steel days and how workers from across the world settled in areas with their own people, not unlike Butte in Montana. I really like that feature of the city. I am staying in Brookline, which was inhabited by miners and farmers in its early days but grew in the early-20th century as part of the West Liberty borough. Brookline Blvd. Is the original “Main Street” and except for two gas stations and a CVS, is still dominated by locally-owned businesses including a few bakeries, some cafes, as well as an assortment of other services. There is a nice fire station there too.
Some others views from along the boulevard.
That does not mean that Brookline doesn’t have the national chains. They are found scattered around in other areas. Lowes, Home Depot, Trader Joes, Aldi, Whole Foods, and Walmart are all nearby. What I have noticed, is that locally owned restaurants are the rule rather than the chain places that dominate in other cities. When people here talk about eating out, it’s a local place that gets their loyalty rather than a chain. Ethnic food abounds. While in Billings I never eat out due to the lack of variety, I love exploring the range of options here. Some are Pittsburgh staples, like Primanti Brothers for sandwiches where your sandwich comes with cole slaw and French fries on the sandwich. A popular pizza place, Beto’s, bakes the crust and sauce and places the toppings on cold. Pierogies are everywhere. A Pittsburgh salad is topped with French fries. Hoagies and gyros are a common sight. Heinz catsup, a Pittsburgh company, is everywhere.
And, of course, beer. The range of options is truly amazing. One of my favorites are the various peanut butter and/or chocolate porters. And a visit here must include The Church Brew Works. This cathedral-sized former church is now a Gastropub with good food and excellent beer. The decor verges on the blasphemous.
So far I haven’t explored much but that’s about to change. We haven’t checked out the areas on the north side like Ross and Cranberry townships but we have an appointment at the Tesla Service Center to get the tires rotated on Tuesday in Wexford so that will take us there. In the meantime, I’ve been going out for my usual runs and for long walks with the dog. Walking, or running, between my son’s two houses is only 3/4 mile so the neither the car nor the motorcycle have been out since we arrived. I might get one or the other out later to make a grocery run when the rain lets up.
Here are some random views from along my walks or runs.
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