Pittsburgh visit 2011 part III

The night before we set off for the wilds of downtown Pittsburgh we visited with a close friend of the Missus going back to high school.  Since names are not to be mentioned in the blog, if you read this and recognize the picture you will know who we saw and if you don't, well then it doesn't really matter!   We drove to Pittsburgh and parked at Station Square (a former train terminal), shopped a bit and got the duck tour around town and in the river.   For those who aren't in the know, a duck tour means you get to ride in a WW2 DUKW, essentially an amphibious GMC 2.5 ton truck.  First we drove around town and then into the river.  Volunteers were selected to pilot the craft in the water and the whole Grouch party volunteered.  The Missus was quick to tell the driver of the craft that she had experience having driven (piloted?) one on the Boston river.  He kept his eye on her and a good thing too as she was trying to drive and take a picture at the same time!  http://www.justduckytours.com/content.php?p=10     After this fun we walked across the bridge over to the main part of town.  We visited the Andy Warhol museum which Young Son really was anxious to see   http://www.warhol.org/   I thought that many of the artists displayed in the museum were playing a joke on us when I viewed their efforts but the rest of the family liked what they saw so that was all that mattered.  The weather was hot and humid and I was feeling the effects!

After the fun in the city we walked across yet another bridge, this one closed to traffic, to the PNC park to see the Pirates play the Baltimore Orioles.  We met one of the many sisters in law and her kids along with my mother in law at the park and saw a great game.  The stadium is great and much more pleasant than the old Three Rivers stadium and somewhat reminiscent of the long departed Forbes Field.   When the game ended we took the water taxi back across the river to Station Square, the car and back home.  What a day!

The Missus and her best friend from high school who is a real sweetie!

Young son pilots the dukw and wears a cap appropriate to the task

The Missus piloting the dukw after the actual captain suggested that she put the camera down before we ran hard aground!

The Ground showing his nonchalance will piloting the dukw.  This craft didn't react like a land vehicle and constant course corrections were needed to keep going the correct way.  The river current was pretty strong.

The crew of the SS Minnow, I mean the Miss Liberty.

One of the dinosaurs on display in downtown Pittsburgh.  We liked this one because of the Heinz tie-in.  There is a story to the dinosaurs but we don't have time to  review it now!

The 'burgh

Nothing like a ball game!  The 1971 Pirates team was on the field to be recognized by the fans.  It brought back memories for us old duffers who remember the glory days of Roberto,Maz, Willie and Danny Murtaugh.  Those were the days!