Trip #521 Southern Ave to Greenbush Street, Mount Washington, Pittsburgh took place on November 13, 2020, and was published on December 2, 2020.
There are times when I wonder where all the people are. On this afternoon visit to Mount Washington, no one was outside. No one was sitting on their porches or stoops, running for the bus, or walking with grocery bags. No one passed by in work-out clothes, talking on their phone, or pushing a baby stroller. As I sat alone on the city steps, feeling like the last living human in an environment lost and forgotten, a young Siberian Husky suddenly bounded in my direction, pulling its human behind them. Energetically happy in a way that young dogs are famous for, with its tail wagging vigorously and wet tongue slobbering after my hands. The walker laughs as we exchange pleasantries about the pup and the lovely weather. Then, with a quick bark and a playful bounce, they’re off and heading up the hill. Soon, they fade into the distance, and the quiet emptiness of the street returns. I wonder how long it might be before another person passes by.
Field Notes: I just love that big old building on the corner of the street by the city steps. Chances are, that building dates to a time when there were NOT any city steps and the road going uphill wasn’t paved!
Love city steps? Get yourself the latest issue of Mis.Steps: Our Missed Connections with Pittsburgh’s City Steps! Each copy is unique and features 10 randomly selected “trading cards” of Pittsburgh’s 739 public stairways. Visit the Mis.Steps online store to see all issues and place your order.
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.
