Trip #523 Dewitt Street, Mount Washington, Pittsburgh took place on November 13, 2020, and was published on December 7, 2020.
Winter is here. The time has come to “go inside” and start the natural hibernation process. Part of the joy of winter rest is that it follows holiday parties and gatherings, shopping, celebrating, and travel. But how are we to look forward to a quiet time when we’ve avoided most social activities since March? I often look for answers and inspiration in books, and right now, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “The Long Winter” comes to mind. It’s a story describing an especially harsh mid-western blizzard in the 1880s, and years ago, it kept a 10-year old me turning the pages. The story’s premise sounds oddly familiar in our 2020-COVID world: How will a family trapped inside their home survive such extraordinary circumstances? And without electricity, internet, or take out? While the pandemic might not find us isolated on the South Dakota prairie, the long winter IS ahead of us. Search out sources of motivation, develop a list of diversions, and renew efforts to connect even if you’re sick and tired of Zoom. Stay patient; the thaw will come.
Field Notes: This flight has some decay at the very top but other than that, it’s pretty solid and looks nice. It’s been a real eye-opener walking about the Mount Washington neighborhood. I knew almost nothing about what it was like beyond the little section along Grandview Avenue. It’s a decent place. 🙂
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.
