Crafton Heights

Crafton heights...what can I really say? It was a neighborhood, it bordered Crafton (it still borders Crafton) it had the BEST steps ever...(that's not true). Straka street is pure magic. Many city steps are blunt. They take you as quickly as possible to the bus stops or whatever. But straka street feels like a walk in the park. It's long but not difficult. Each step is separated by 3 or 4 feet (sometimes more) of flat, easybreezy sidewalk. And it's in the woods. Completely shaded. And it's well maintained. And it's in good shape. And it's....just go there.

Other parts of Crafton heights aren't quite as pristine but the allure remains. Clairhaven street is abandoned along the steps. Two houses sit as silent sentinel to the neglect of the past. They are beautiful, hidden monuments to the temporary. As vines invade, windows break, wood siding fades, and encroaching tree limbs sway to bring their kin in clabber board to earth; its final resting place....did I just write a poem? Shit.

Lincoln place

Lincoln place is south of the city bordering Munhall, Hays, and bum #*%¿ Egypt. It's not as stark as I describe it and it's damn near convenient transportation-wise. My only qualm is that it sits, completely isolated from the rest of Pittsburgh proper, in its own little world. I always lamented Lincoln Place doing my research because of how far removed it is. Its not practical for me to drive out there for its four sets of steps, when I have to go to work every day, slaving over a hot espresso machine, with no respect from anyone, and now the kids need money for summer basketball at the rec center...I mean, schools aht, I need em aht of my hair, I have a life too n'at...I list my train of thought...

Anyway, but, as I've said a million times by now, I've been pleasantly surprised. if you must live in Pittsburgh (city proper) Lincoln place is perfect. Ok, they don't have a lot, but it's a spit away from the waterfront, the Southside, and the country. The homes are modest but they all have actual YARDS! By that I mean your neighbors house isn't touching yours. There's about ten/fifteen feet betwixt yinz. Prefect for the gardener. It was quiet, peaceful, everything...

Upper Lawrenceville (again)

Along Route 8 by the 62nd Street Bridge, there are a few great sets of steps. They are very hard to find though.

This is Dressing Way. I like to think of it as Ranch Dressing Way. There certainly was enough greenery to make a salad.


This is the Baker St steps...mmmmm baked goods. I was very hungry during the trek today and these names didn't help.



I also found a set that I didn't know existed. It leads from Butler to Sawyer Street. It wasn't on the maps I researched but there it was, all 87 rungs and in great shape too.



Here is what else I saw.



And of course I revisited the 57th St. steps. The longest albeit half closed.




There are around half a dozen abandoned homes up along the way. Maybe if the hipsters knew they existed, they'd snatch them up and revitalize them. Oh wait, you can't get there on a fixed gear bicycle...never mind.

Fabled Parkway East Rises

It's not the best picture but it was the best I could do.

These are the Bohem Street Steps. They fall down the hillside from South Oakland toward the Parkway East (376). At one point in time there once was a pedestrian bridge that carried travelers over and down to Second Avenue. People always mention these steps to me and I have long yearned of hiking them. Alas, they are far too treacherous. This is the top at Bohem Street right by the Frazier Street Park.



As you can see, definitely not safe. Like so many other sets in the city. Since the demolition of the old steel mills that once riddled the Monongahela valley, a new industry has sprung up. The tech industry. Carnegie Mellon has spanking new research facilities, 3M has offices, among others. (forgive me for not knowing more details). Second Ave leading to Hazelwood has become the "Technology Corridor". Expansion is growing ever further up river and recently, the Hazelwood branch of the three rivers heritage trail has been undergoing some refurbishment. I think it would be perhaps prudent for these tech companies to foster a Bohem St. Steps revitalization effort. It would be a direct link from the universities. They may even be able to highlight its design by installing a lighting scheme. I can dream.

The Hazelwood trail is very interesting. It's pile on pile of rubble form the old industrial buildings that once stood here. There is an old round house which appears to be in use still.



...among other things



And there was another building. It was HUGE!!!


And guess what else I found? More steps.



It would appear that this set comes down from up yonder in Greenfield. If my calculations are correct, this set is one big mama. I do believe it is the continuation of Noah Street. Upon closer inspection, there are still steps on that hillside. These ones could be freaking awesome. I'm going to have to getup there and find out...



In closing, Hazelwood is a ghost-like remnant of Pittsburgh's past. The trail is very accessible and I recommend a trip out there ASAP. Some things you just have to see for yourself to understand.