Trip #513 Virginia Avenue to Natchez Street, Mount Washington, Pittsburgh took place on October 23, 2020, and was published on November 11, 2020.
Happiness cannot depend on life progressing smoothly. If we only allow joy, satisfaction, and pleasure to enter our lives when all conditions are perfect and all of our desires met, then our happy days will be few and far between. Living under such rigid constraints is a real shame because every day, even when nothing goes as planned, has a generous crop of happy moments worth harvesting. So try your best to relish the challenge of an uphill climb. Allow yourself to laugh at the mistakes and foibles that always trip you up. Be your own best coach, and give yourself a pat on the back when you’ve tried your best. And keep your eyes open for the tasty nuts and berries, the pretty leaves, and fantastical creations that surround you (Hello, Monkey Balls!) Start each day remembering that happiness does not need anyone or anything else but you.
Field Notes: It took THREE tries to get this photo of the city steps leading down from Natchez Street to Virginia Avenue – that Polaroid Spectra has been giving me a heck of a time lately. Anyway, it was worth it to capture the gorgeous fall foliage, the church, and a peak of downtown in the far distance.
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.
