Spring Garden and Troy Hill

My mom gave me her old camera so I have been out every day since Sunday trying to figure the damn thing out. It takes great pictures, don't get me wrong but I have limited experience with things like F stops.

Spring Garden lies between Troy Hill and Spring Hill. The Black Locust trees and honeysuckle are in bloom so this particular trip was a treat for the old schnoz. It would have been great if I had remembered my tissues...damn allergies.


Spring Hill is behind Troy Hill if you're looking toward downtown. It makes for some interesting hiking. You can walk down spring hill then up Troy Hill and then right back down like some kind of roller coaster. I recommend starting at the top of Steine St. Then walking down Homer Street till you get to Diana Street (likely the most twisted and crazy looking set of steps in Pittsburgh). From there it's up. Meander your way to Arcola Way. I am not giving you specific directions, people. We all have smart phones. Then up and over Troy Hill via Basin Street. Follow Province Street to right before the intersection of Goettmann. On your left will be an unassuming pathway that runs between two houses. This is the Vinial Street steps. They go pretty much straight down. It was kind of scary to be honest. I found myself using the railings.


I hope there are some of you that are feeling inspired to be doing this right now. If you wait too much later in the season, the ivy will have overcome many a set of steps.

Brookline

I decided to write about Brookline today because, hey, I live here. Also, today is the Pittsburgh Marathon and any hopes that I had for getting out anywhere new to do steps have been dashed. (puns)

This is Ray Avenue; The one that started it all. It winds its way down the hill at a gentle incline. Total Steps 258


I've lived in Brookline for almost 5 years and have owned Cannon Coffee for nearly 4. I am kind of biased when I say how great this neighborhood is. Brookline sprung up in the 1920s during the big South Pittsburgh housing boom due to the construction of the liberty tunnels.

Brookline Boulevard is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation project that will include new sidewalks, new sewerage infrastructure, new street lamps, the addition of benches, trees, etc. But right now this is what we are dealing with.


It's not too bad really. The jackhammering gets on my nerves sometimes but that's the price of progress.

Brookline is a picture perfect Pittsburgh neighborhood.

Mount WARSHington

Inclines are for wusses.
Everyone knows Mount Washington. It's that big hill that looks over downtown...wait. That would be all the hills. Well Mount Washington is the one with the inclines. The Duquesne and the Monongahela. At one point there were 16 inclines in Pittsburgh. With the advent of the automobile and the trolley, these inclines slowly faded away one by one. Even with so many inclines (or funiculars) Pittsburgh still has so many city steps. Why? Well the funiculars require a fare but the steps are free. Some people just couldn't afford the ride up the hill everyday. Many of the inclines were freight inclines as well meaning you could actually take your car or horse on with you. Like land ferries. Any average blue collar Joe will tell you how bourgeois that is. Real men walk up the steps.

Mount Washington is home to the famous views thus hordes of tourists. It isn't just Grandview Avenue, mind you. Mount Washington has many hidden gems and many interesting enclaves. I often start on one side of the hill and walk all the way over to downtown. I don't think there is another neighborhood so dynamic as Mount Washington. With its mix of old and new architecture, poor, middle, and upper-class demographics, this neighborhood will always surprise you.

South side slopes

The south side slopes neighborhood is unparalleled with its number of city steps; 69 separate sets totaling almost 7000 steps. locals call it "the slopes" and its thoroughfares are a labyrinth of switchback roadways, super steep hills, and the narrowest streets in the city. WARNING: do not attempt to drive here. the neighborhood itself has a variety of architectural styles including your basic Pittsburgh row house and some beautifully ornate queen Anne and Victorian homes. There are also a number of churches and a very notable monastery. I have a friend that lives in the slopes so I often visit then find myself meandering around the neighborhood. It's very convenient to park at the top of Arlington avenue and walk to the Southside which has a number of bars and eateries. On a Saturday night, it's impossible to find parking. So if you're fit, strap on the hiking shoes and hoof it down to Carson street. Just keep in mind it's about 400 steps to get back up (that's about 18 stories).

Observatory Hill

Home to the Pittsburgh Observatory and a number of other architectural gems, Observatory hill seems somewhat classier than many other neighborhoods in the city albeit highly underdeveloped. Will someone please revitalize the North Hills of Pittsburgh please? Thanks

Brighton Heights and Woods Run

I am on a roll lately. Breezing past the halfway point was easier than I thought. I have pretty much finished the South Hills and now it's time for the North Hills. I am thinking about which steps I want to finish with and I think it's going to be the Hill District. The neighborhood is right in the middle of the city and it's called the Hill. It just seems fitting.