Trip #462 Walbridge Street, Elliott, Pittsburgh took place on June 28, 2020, and was published on July 13, 2020.
When we’re feeling pressured, it’s tempting to do things very quickly: skim through that chapter for class, dash off the email without reviewing, pretend we don’t see the neighbor or colleague who might want to chat. If we have misgivings about this behavior, we justify it by saying we’re under pressure, we’re in a rush. For me, walking up a steep hill on a 90-degree day turns the pressure up a few notches. I would have preferred to move quickly and reach my destination as fast as possible, but it was near impossible. I had to take it slow, and that was a challenge. But as I gradually accepted the weight of my backpack, the sweat pouring down my face, and my uncomfortably hot feet, the urge to move fast receded a bit. Suddenly, I became aware of the beautiful details that line Walbridge Street – a restored home with friendly people sitting on the porch, old stained glass windows, and flowers blooming everywhere. When I reached the little stairs at Harker Street, I enjoyed a shady seat for a moment before slowly making my way back down past all the sights and sounds, which now felt very familiar and welcoming. It was still hot, but the pressure to rush had all but disappeared.
Field Notes: This is a little round the corner flight near the top of a long, steep hill. A little overgrown but the plants are quite attractive!
See the Risograph print of this photo and story in the Mis.Steps Shop.
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
Be a good neighbor! Have you visited these stairs and found them in poor condition or that illegal dumping (large items like tires, old furniture, and construction debris) and trash were abundant in the area? There are two things you can do to take action and make our city steps cleaner and safer for everyone! First, grab a photo if you can, and submit a report to Pittsburgh 311. All problems, both broken stairs, and railings, as well as trash and dumping, should be reported to the city. You can easily do this online or by calling.
