The Newtown Pentacle

Wednesday

– photo by Mitch Waxman

A recent ‘longish’ walk began on Pittsburgh’s north side, at the convergence of McClure Avenue and Eckert Street – right about here, if you want to nose around on Google maps.

There’s two vehicle bridges which overfly this spot; the California Avenue Bridge and the Ohio River Boulevard Eckert Street Bridge. There’s also a complex of Norfolk Southern rail trestles, and elevated trackways, moving through this spot.

The goal for the day was to walk about five to six miles along the Ohio River, then over the T light rail for a ride back to HQ.

A Lyft rideshare was utilized to get from ‘a’ to ‘b,’ which deposited me on this corner, and after sorting out my gear and slotting the knapsack on, a scuttling did I go.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

That’s Don’s Diner, which kind of demanded me to take a picture of it. The two bridges which frame it are in fairly disastrous condition. The folks from this diner have had to raise the alarm about their spot, as debris has been falling off the vintage bridges, and concrete and steel have rained down on the building and its parking lot. It made the news.

They didn’t seem to be open, but I’d like to check this place out sometime. Love me a ‘greasy spoon’ diner. Always the best coffee.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Looking back towards the California Avenue Bridge from beneath the Ohio River Blvd. Eckert Street span. The former is of the steel truss type, and is incredibly rusty. Looks like it hasn’t been painted in decades. That’s the diner in bottom right center, and we’re looking away from the direction of the Ohio River back up towards the (more or less) north.

I’ve found utility of late in the addition of a cheap compass to my camera bag’s coterie of wonders and carryable tools. Really comes in handy, given that I can no longer navigate using the Empire State/Freedom Tower/432 Park to triangulate my position, as I used to back in NYC.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Just as I was getting out of the hired car, there was a freight train transiting over these tracks, so they’re definitely active tracks.

It was a pleasant day, with temperatures in the low 70’s and a steady breeze. The area I was heading for is basically a treeless industrial zone, so the urban heat island effect is definitely something that happens in this area, meaning that a summertime walk here will require precautions – water bottle and a big floppy sun hat, for instance.

The rail infrastructure was similarly in need of an application of paint and basic rust related maintenance.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Two rail trestle bridges and two high volume road bridges, all stacked up in the shot above. Yay.

I’ve been working on my camera bag’s organizational scheme, and have included a few things which weigh nothing but I’d rather have with me than not – just in case. A few Band-aids, for instance. a short length of paracord, and one of those Mylar safety blankets (which also makes a great reflector). I’ve also got basic tools with me, hex wrench’s and the like, in case I need to repair or adjust anything camera related.

Essentially, I need my camera bag’s innards to be able to sustain my aspirations for often long distances. I don’t carry snacks or water, generally, but that really depends on the ‘when,’ ‘where,’ and so on. Back when I was riding on boats a lot, for instance, I’d pack a sandwich.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

The path was a pretty easy one, chosen for its flatness, and that water tower in the shot above was one of my pole stars for the walk. My toes were pointed in a generally southern direction and like Lewis and Clark, I headed for the Ohio River.

Yes, it’s time to mention the ankle again. The ‘flat’ terrain was conducive to the particular exercise which the ankle requires as part of recovery from this endless nightmare of an injury. This was an ‘endurance walk,’ meant to fully flex and strengthen the affected area.

Back tomorrow with more.

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