Trip #65 Arcola Way, Spring Garden, Pittsburgh was taken on October 22, 2017, and was published on December 1, 2017.
It’s a long way to the top, but the view from the middle stretch is incredible, all the grandeur of golden bridges and downtown with a fraction of the noise. Right here, right now, the primary sound generator is a scurry of squirrels. I cannot see them, but I hear what one could reasonably imagine being a dozen a least (although it’s probably just two), jumping from limb to limb, tree to tree. Up and down and over and around, their acrobatics sending cascades of dried leaves, loose bark, and various natural bits into the air. In a short time, they’re gone, the migration continuing across the slope. I’m left with a quiet breeze and the sounds of cars far off in the distance.
Field Notes: This is the third-longest flight I’ve been on so far (Trips #1 and #2 were longer) and the view of downtown was pretty spectacular!
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!!
