Trip #594 Transverse Street, Carrick, Pittsburgh took place on May 21, 2021, and was published on June 7, 2021.
It’s said the expression “May you live in interesting times” is a curse, and while I don’t wholly agree with that interpretation, I now have a better understanding of its warning. Throughout life, I’ve gravitated toward “interesting,” but the last few years, with its never-ending barrage of turmoil, have offered a greater appreciation for the ordinary. To no longer feel like a pinball ricocheting from one tumultuous event to the next. To stop racing through anxious days and sleepless nights. Turbo-charged adrenaline-fueled times gradually numb us to the quietly intriguing and subtle qualities of the people, places, and things right in front of us. It’s not unlike how a diet high in refined sugars robs us of our ability to enjoy the flavors of summer berries. Perhaps the antidote to an overdose of interesting times is to intentionally savor the ordinary offerings of each day.
Field Notes: This sidewalk flight appears to have seen some construction over the years but it’s always fun to find the mix of old and new(er). A very odd blob of sea-foam green paint graced a nearby utility pole. Not sure what that signifies…
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.
