Posts Tagged ‘Strip District’
A Long Walk ends
Tuesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Pictured are various overhead trestles branching off the 33rd street rail bridge, here in Pittsburgh. This bridge serves as – more or less – the division marker for when you’re exiting the Lawrenceville section and entering Pittsburgh’s Strip District.
One had followed the shoreline of the Allegheny River from nearby the Highland Park Bridge, scuttled along Butler Street, and then headed slightly northwards to capture railroad shots. As the crow flies, this would be a six to seven mile walk, but with all the curves that the river introduces to the path, by the time I returned to HQ in Dormont, I had scuttled around twelve and change miles by the time I returned to HQ.
That’s what the phone said it was, at any rate.
This walk was a major ‘post broken ankle’ threshold point for me, as a note. Longest scuttle I’ve managed to pull off since shattering the joint back in the fall of 2024.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As mentioned at the start of this opus, I was traveling light. No tripods or other heavy gear, which I absolutely regretted when observing the scene above. I’ll be back for this one at some point. That’s the ‘Washington’s Crossing’ bridge, pictured above, as a note.
I actually stopped off at a sandwich shop and ‘filled my tanks’ for the last stage of things. The sandwich was shit, but the icy cold Gatorade was key.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
From here, it was all ‘known territory’ for me.
I feel obliged to mention that the Newtown Pentacle time warp is still very much in effect. These shots were gathered on the 14th of September, and the posts are being written during the first week of October. If my scheduling is correct, you’re seeing this during the second week of November. Given that there are literally thousands of undeveloped shots on my hard drive at HQ which are ‘in production,’ it’s likely that the time warp will continue and intensify as we move into the winter months.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This pedestrian survey of mine has ranged all over Pittsburgh in the last year, as the ankle has healed and the post surgical atrophy of the musculature in my legs has receded.
North Side, South Side, East, West, all over the place.
At this point, I can pretty much say that if it’s within ten miles of downtown and there are sidewalks which you can see a river or train tracks from, I’ve likely wandered through it by this point. I’m beginning to understand the place, and develop some intimacy with it.
Next up, and one of my winter projects, will be ‘Operation Busway.’ That set of moves is still being planned, but I’m hoping to achieve some level of granularity on the subject in those posts. Long time readers of Newtown Pentacle will tell you – there’s nothing more interesting to me than novel transit infrastructure.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The long walk had taken a toll.
My ankle was sore, and so was my back. As mentioned above, I had stopped off for luncheon at a shop along the way but otherwise I’d pretty much been walking nonstop for something like four to five hours by this point.
As a note, that concrete wall you see in the distance there is ‘Crosstown Boulevard,’ and that blue tower is the brand new FNB building. Both of these were described in prior posts, click the links if interested.
Leaving the Strip District, you soon find yourself ‘Downtown.’
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The last scraping steps of this scuttle saw a horrific localized phenomenon best described as your humble narrator alter course, as it pointed that loathsome pre-corpse, within which I dwell, in the direction of the T Light Rail’s ‘Gateway’ station.
The usual wilting of plants and barking of dogs occurred as one moved along, as did the always welcome purse clutching, and defensive deployments of cell phones and pitchforks amongst the gentry. Security cameras swiveled, and followed my path. ‘Flock that,’ I said.
A quick ride on the T, and I was soon back in the tender embrace of Moe the Dog and Our Lady of the Pentacle. This spared anyone from outside the household any chance of being startled by my ignominy.
Back tomorrow with something different – at this – your Newtown Pentacle.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
Down, and then out
Friday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
After negotiating a Boulevard called Bigelow, and descending the steep streets of Polish Hill, and then crossing a set of rail tracks and a busway, one arrived at a flat section of the City of Pittsburgh, built upon the flood plain of the Allegheny River.
As is my recent habit, further scuttling occurred along the ‘way’ or alley streets in this zone. In Pittsburgh, if a street is called a ‘way,’ it’s an alley. The avenue blocks could be popping with crowds, but the ways are fairly unoccupied.
I avoid human infestations whenever possible.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The way led me, unfortunately, back to an avenue.
The humans gamboled and played, honking car horns and drinking sugar solutions from plastic vessels. Some ate fried things. Others gesticulated towards various points of interest. Everybody seemed to have somewhere to go. There was a baseball game scheduled for the night of the day which this scuttle occurred on, so lots of humans were in the area, dubbed ‘The Strip District.’ They were buying souvenirs and sports jerseys, drinking their carbonated syrups, and eating the high fat foods.
Many of them seemed disused to walking. Their feet pointed outwards, and the steps were shuffling. They hung together in family groupings. Formations of mutual defense, perhaps. These units would often flatten out into skirmish lines, with five or more people slowly shuffling along shoulder to shoulder while pouring things into their mouths and watching their phones carefully for some sort of update. When a skirmish line met an opposing group or line, chaos ensued. Socially awkward and passive aggressive maneuvering of their formations occurred, designed to allow access through for the interloper’s passage but not comfortably so.
They walk just like they drive, I thought.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Many were clothed in what I’d describe as ‘redneck drag.’ Suburbanites all dressed up to look rural. One guy I saw was wearing a shirt that said ‘patriot.’ He was wearing an American flag themed hat, which is – of course – a no-no as far as the official rules surrounding usage of the United States Flag, for patriots. Ask a Scout, they’ll tell you what’s kosher as far as using or handling the Stars and Stripes.
It was really, really hot out. My path was altered a bit to accommodate finding some shade. Luckily, lots of off and on ramps hereabouts.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This was a short walk, maybe four miles in length if you consider the changes in elevation. I was engaged for about two hours worth of walking, all I had time for on this day. I wasn’t feeling terribly well, I should mention, due to a specialized diet which yet another forthcoming medical test demanded I eat. The plan involved me eating exactly the set of foods which I normally avoid, regarding my cardiovascular situation. Lotsa fats and carbs, basically zero vegetables or fruit. Yuck.
Luckily, at this writing, that test has been accomplished. Now, I’ve only got a Dentist Appointment to make and I’m done with my annual set of ordeals. I may have to admit that the Doctors are smarter than me, and thereby it’s logical to subvert my will to theirs, but I don’t have to like it.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
A rideshare was summoned, which would carry me back to HQ in Dormont in air conditioned comfort. Worth every damned penny.
Now, on to my latest obsession.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The entire time I was sitting in that god damned wheelchair in Dormont, I was hearing train horns sounding off from a direction which didn’t make any sense to me. It took me a bit of searching, but… there ye be.
This is Wheeling & Lake Erie’s Rook Yard, which I’ve visited at street level, via Carnegie, in the past. I’ve finally figured out a spot where I can both park the car and also get elevated POV photos of the yard. This is where the RR enters into a trench, which then leads it into a tunnel under the neighborhood of Greentree, and I now have a pretty good idea where that tunnel comes out in West End… so, yeah…
For one such as myself, this is nepenthe.
Back next week with something different.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
Mud splatters
Tuesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Well, I finally missed a day, yesterday, disappointing all those who expect regularly posted missives from your humble narrator to appear in their inboxes as normal, on a Monday. At any rate, there you are. Sorry, and ‘Oops.’
Pictured is an apartment complex in Pittsburgh’s Green Tree neighborhood. Don’t know much about it, other than marveling at its observed size and bulky brutalist architecture. There’s a few large apartment complexes in Green Tree, and I often wonder why. Most of the community is housed in one family suburban style homes, yet…
Recently, I learned that quite a few of those suburban style homes are built on top of a subterranean freight rail tunnel, and also where that tunnel emerges back onto the surface. It’s a bit of a hike, involves a bit of fence climbing and woods walking, activities which I’m not ready to chance yet.
Something to look forward to.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
A recent social engagement in Pittsburgh’s Strip District found me waiting for a cab afterwards, and standing under the 16th street David McCullough Bridge while sheltering from rain. McCullough, a noted historian and Pittsburgh native, wrote what I consider to be the best book on the building of the Brooklyn Bridge (1983’s ‘The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge.’) McCullough narrated the audiobook of it as well, which I listen to periodically.
It seems like life is returning to normal, finally, or at least whatever ‘normal’ is for one such as myself. I’ve been walking as much as the weather and schedules allow, and following the instructions from the team of doctors who cared for me during all of this busted ankle related drama. Continuing the stretching exercises from ‘PT’ and all that.
See… I mentioned the ankle. Promise that I’ll stop talking about that situation soon. Should be nothing more than just another war story within a few months.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Circumstance recently found me in one of the lesser populated sections of Mount Washington’s Grandview Avenue, where this view awaited. I’m planning on heading to this location again with the full kit, setting up the tripod and getting busy. This is pretty far from the overlooks and inclines, this particular spot, and a less common point of view.
Back tomorrow with something different, at this – your Newtown Pentacle.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
The views from Valaskjálf
Tuesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Continuing with what I saw during a recent double decker tourist bus excursion in Pittsburgh, in todays post. As mentioned yesterday, the bus I was riding on had a preordained route which it rides through, one which is designed to hit several areas of interest in the metro area. It crossed the Allegheny River, heading south, and then towards the convention center, using one of the Three Sister’s Bridges. As it happens, this was the Andy Warhol Bridge which we were riding over.
A humble narrator was randomly pointing the camera around, and working the dials in a very quick fashion. It’s a good exercise, photography wise, this sort of thing. A lot like when I used to ride the Staten Island and NYC Ferries looking for random stuff in NY Harbor.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
For instance – as the bus turned off the bridge, the scene above popped at me. I had about 5 seconds to recognize, compose, and click the shutter while the vehicle I was in was moving at about 15-20 mph. Try this sort of thing sometime, photo peeps. Breaks you out of the same old/same old way that you do things.
Not something I’d normally shoot for Newtown Pentacle, the scene above, but when I spotted that ‘How’s it going’ ad on the bus shelter – woof. Ka-click.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The route progressed into the Strip District, and St. Stanislaus Kostka R. C. Church and headed more or less eastwards.
Regarding the gobblety gook in the title: part of my continuing treatise on obscure terms associated with Odin and the spiritual side of Proto Germanic and Scandinavian antiquity, Valaskjálf was the Asgardian Palace in which Odin placed his ‘Hlidskjalf’ or ‘High Seat’ from which he could look down on and observe the worlds of both Midgard (men) and Jotunheim (monsters).
Back tomorrow with more.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
Apples are Doctor prophylaxis
Tuesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I’m only joking with that title, but I actually have been eating a daily apple since I moved to Pittsburgh for some reason. Granny Smith kind. Yummy. As I’ve discovered, my new friend Moe the Dog likes the green apples too, so double win.
That’s the 16th street or David McCullough Bridge pictured above, which spans the Allegheny River. Pittsburgh native McCullough wrote one of my all time favorite NYC history books about the Brooklyn Bridge’s construction – ‘The Great Bridge, the epic story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.’ I can highly recommend the audiobook version available on Amazon’s Audible service, which is free if you’re a ‘Prime’ member. The last time I posted a photo of the 16th street span, interest in the comments section was espoused in seeing a close up of the ornamental metalwork at the top of the bridge towers, so here you go.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
On the north side of the river, there’s a bit of heavy industrial activity going on, including a waste transfer/recycling facility called “Warhola Recycling.’ Yes, they are related to Andy Warhol (his nephews), and yes they are scrappers. There’s an Andy Warhol bridge in Pittsburgh, and a museum, not too far from this spot. I’ve been to the bridge, but haven’t been to the museum yet.
I continued on my merry freaking way, while sweating heavily. It was a very humid day, with atmospheric dew points in the high 70’s, as I was taking this walk. Rain, snow, sun… whatever, I’m still obliged to scuttle about every other day.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
On the peninsular section of the city, on the Allegheny’s southern shore, is found Pittsburgh’s ‘strip district.’ A cold storage warehouse used to be located where the rubble in the shot above is observed, and oddly enough – given my newness to the area – I’ve somehow managed to document several phases of its demolition. Funny that.
It seems that the bar next door, which is located in the extant red brick building, has been structurally compromised due to the demolition project, which has slowed down the process of building – you guessed it – affordable housing – on the surrounding site. There’s lots of newly constructed housing stock nearby, but I’m told it’s largely occupied by the ‘tech Bros’ from Microsoft and Google who are working on developing self driving automobiles here in Pittsburgh.
There’s someone in Pittsburgh who’s working on what are essentially robot shoes, too. If anyone wants to send me $1,100 to get a pair, I’ll gladly get them and let you know how many bones I ended up breaking.
Back tomorrow.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
