Trip #62 Lappe Lane, Spring Garden, Pittsburgh took place on October 21, 2017, and was published on November 24, 2017.
Looking up, I see the cloud trail of an airplane and a rooftop TV antenna. It reminds me of when rooftop antennas were common, and air travel, exotic. My mind dredges up the special outfit sewn by my mother in 1977 for my very first airplane trip to visit my grandparents in Florida: high-waisted, flare-legged denim pants with a matching vest. Red trim and heart-shaped red buttons. Feeling oh-so-very grown-up and stylish I walked down the aisle to my seat. The status and sophistication of flying in an airplane was now mine.
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I wonder if the person in this house still watches television using an antenna. I wonder if the person in this house traveled on an airplane when it was still exciting and new. When it was something you looked forward to and dressed up for.
Field Notes: Lappe Lane is easy to find, very clear and passable. Yellow rails and brown leaves were so lovely on this unseasonably warm (almost hot!) day.
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
See the Risograph print of this photo and story in the Mis.Steps Shop.
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. If the location has an abundance of illegal dumping and trash, also contact Allegheny Cleanways, letting them know the location and the nature of the garbage. Thank you!!
