Trip #607 Englert Street, Overbrook, Pittsburgh took place on June 26, 2021, and was published on July 9, 2021.
Brain science has shown that we create neural pathways through repeated actions or thoughts. But too much repetition and not enough variety potentially damage our body and mind. Despite knowing this, following old habits (even when they no longer serve our best interest) is easy because they feel entirely natural and second nature. Forging a new pathway takes time, but it becomes easier each time you try a different activity or make yourself think outside your old, beat-up box of thoughts. In time, the route we used to travel becomes filled with moss and leaves, tree sprouts, and native plants, and we soon discover there isn’t much of a reason to travel it any longer.
Field Notes: You can see the bottom portion of this flight from a stoplight on Saw Mill Run Boulevard. It’s still in very good shape despite having lots of tree canopy around it. This spotted leaf was right alongside the city steps – I wonder what caused this to happen? No idea!
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.
