The Steel City

Well, as my journeys continue, I was in Pittsburgh this past week and delightfully surprised.  I guess I though it would be all ugly factories and stuff but at least the parts I saw, were nothing like I had pictured in my mind.  I was there for a work conference so I didn't get to poke around as much as I would have liked, but did get some great shots of places around the hotel where I stayed at Station Square.

This is an old part of a steam engine, kind of cool with the city skyline in the background.  Right behind the engine was the train tracks and I gotta say, I love the sound of trains.

This is the end of the bridge leading across the river.  I loved the columns and the ivy growing on the front, very story book looking.

Well, it's not the Belagio fountains but it was pretty cool and instead of Sinatra it was set to classic rock, hello Guns and Roses!  I sat and watched for a long time, the night time temperature was perfect and just behind me is the Hard Rock Cafe, perfect for a little hot chocolate and people watching.

The bridge at night was pretty spectacular!

I hoofed it across the bridge to get a picture looking back at Station Square.  If you look to the left of the picture you will see 2 rows of blue lights going vertical.  That is the famous Incline.  It is a rail car that basically goes straight up the mountain behind the lights and then you see the row of lights (homes and businesses) along the top of the hill.  Of course we had to ride the Incline, it would have been unPittsburgian not too.

The city from the top of the Incline

These pictures are inside the old train station, it was incredible!  The stained glass was so amazing, the pictures just don't do it justice.

  3 Rivers Stadium where the Pittsburgh Steelers play (ok it's now called PNC Park, whatever!)

I loved the lights reflecting off the water, we were on a big boat motoring up the river.  This was the best part of the conference, by far!

The Eagle has Landed

From my recent Minnesota trip, finally able to edit some photos.  I was flying the Cub and we had to dodge him as he came in for a landing in the tree.  We took several passes to get the pictures and it didn't seem to bother him, he just watched from his perch.  Tom is flying I am snapping the shots.

Dresden, OH

The home of the Longeberger Basket Company.  This place was nuts for baskets, I didn't really understand why the ladies were so crazy for the baskets and why they are so expensive but I'm hoping Patty GB sees this and sheds a little light.  The town was very quaint, I got there with about 1hour before the stores all closed and too late for a tour of the actual factory, so will have to go back again and get my basket on!

One of the basket shops

and another one that had retired baskets

Inside one of the shops...

That's one big picnic basket!

It would have been a lot of fun and very interesting to get to go on a tour, I just didn't know about this place even though I had heard of the baskets.  For sure this will be on my list of places to visit.  Anyone want to go?

Fall in Ohio

I Have been so lucky to have experienced at least 3 Falls this year, Colorado's came and went pretty fast, but I also got to see Minnesota and now here are pictures from my trip last week to Ohio.  I flew into Columbus and drove east for and hour to Zanesville.  These are pictures along the way.

The window of the church was incredible

The whole church

A very cool headstone in the cemetary next to the church

The long and winding road...

Loved the barns!

A cool surprise in the high school parking lot that I just happened to pull into to turn around, who knew?

I love the reflection in the water, very cool!

Another surprise, these were just sitting in a field - wish I knew the story.  Check out the deer to the left of the chopper.

I would love to do some shots on tracks like this, I love trains and this was a fun photo stop.

The Veterans Memorial in Zanesville

The City Building in Zanesville

Something that reaaly struck me in this small city was all the different churches.  I drove around looking at them and can't believe that I don't have one stinkin' picture.  Next time!  Another thing I discovered was the Bob Evan's restaurant.  I have seen them in my travels but never stopped at one.  s starving and decided to stop for breakfast, I had french toast with blueberries, it was INCREDIBLE!  I'll be stopping in there again for sure.

Another shot

Since we all liked that last picture, here's another one.  I think Bruce was shocked!

A Rare Thing

I just like this picture, wish life was just this simple....

We're expecting!

Well, if all works out...Dira should be expecting puppies around November 9!  So exciting and something good to look forward too.  No Hoss is not the dad, he's still maturing and has all the moves but just doesn't quite get the connections made, maybe next time around.  Dad is a beautiful male named Vito.

Should be gorgeous puppies, I'm already trying to prepare myself so I won't want to keep all of them, but it will be tough!

Vito

Leave it to Beaver

When I first thought about flying float planes, I found this plane and its owner on the web.  Until last week, we had talked and emailed, I was surprised to run into John and the Beaver at the end of my flying day.  This is a gorgeous plane with a long history.  It is a 1957 DeHavilland Beaver, they don't make them any more so you are very lucky if you get to own one.  They sound even better than they look.  When John finished flying for the day it was just getting dusk, he asked me if I wanted to go up for a quick flight, you don't have to ask me twice, I was in the right seat so fast his head was spinning.  After we took off, he handed the plane over to me and I flew for a bit, what a great experience and the perfect end to an already incredible day.

Getting ready to put her in the water.

Taxiing out to the channel

Beautiful in the sun streaks

In flight against the setting sun

On final approach

We have a successful touchdown

A very proud and excited papa!  Watching John watch his plane and seeing the sheer joy he had at hearing the engine, seeing it come in for a landing or any minute part of his plane's existance was contageous.  He was giddy with excitement and it made us all giggle and remember why we like flying and being around flying so much.

My turn at the controls, check out the grin...

Bringing her in for the night

John said that flying the Beaver was almost better than sex...he is almost right.  Me and the guys, the smiles say it all.

Flying the Northland

Another picture perfect day flying float planes off Lake Superior in Duluth, MN.  I wish I was closer so I could do it more often.  I flew twice on Wednesday and the morning was the best ever.  Some shots from the cockpit.

This is before the first take off of the day on a seriously calm lake.  This is what is referred to as glassy water.  Very difficult to land on it simply because it is hard to gauge where the water actually is in relation to the plane without waves.  It is deceptive because it is so calm and so clear.

Me and my instructor, Tom Sullivan.  I lucked on to flying with him, he's kind of a rock star in the world of flying and float flying.  He's been a great instructor and I like him a lot as a friend.

First pass over the landing spot on the lake making sure I know where the sand bars, boats, islands and rocks are.  Glassy water and check out the changing fall colors, simply beautiful!

I practiced cross wind landings around this point taking off and landing on one float.  It was a lot of fun and I got pretty good at it.  Check out the house in the background.

Here's the close up.  Pretty nice place, this might need to go on my vision board.  What an awesome place to get away too.  With the economy in the toilet these homes are pretty inexpensive, so who knows, I guess you can never say never...

On to the next lake and landing spot, as you can see the lakes are just one right after the next.  So beautiful and this is one of my favorite shots from the day.  Yes I am flying and have one hand on the stick!

This guy or gal has the right idea! Check out the plane at the end of the dock.

The shadow is me flying in the Cub, very serene.

The bald eagle sitting in this tree didn't seem to bothered by us making several passes for pictures.  We saw a handful of bald eagles and for me it was pretty exciting.  From what Tom said, they are the only bird that holds their ground and does not get out of the way of the plane so you have to be watching, guess someone told them they are protected!

Another shadow shot of the Cub as we prepare to head back to Lake Superior.  What an awesome flight!  I could have stayed up much longer, but the rest of the learning has to get done in the time I have.

Heading back across the farms to finish up before lunch.  I feel so grateful for the opportunities I have to travel and experience so many great places.  Both times I have been in Duluth it has been spectacular as far as the weather.  After lunch we headed back to the plane to finish getting me ready for my check ride which is scheduled for 7:00 am the next morning.  After a great morning, I SUCK in the afternoon.  The only thing that went right was my emergency landings.  I was getting tired I guess, it takes a lot of strength, especially in the right arm to continually take off and land the Cub.  By the end of the day I have probably done 35 or so take offs and landings.  On the last one, I just could not physically hold the stick back, so Tom took over and we just did some fun flying.  He showed me some maneuvers he does as practice and I must say that practice makes perfect. 

Next post I'll put up some pictures from the late day fun flight in the Beaver.  But to wrap this post up, in the middle of the night the rain started, the wind was howling and it was pretty evident that I would not be doing my check ride on this trip.  Part of me was grateful for that because I was so tired from all the flying the day before.  It also creates the necessity to go back to Duluth at least one more time to finish up and hang out with the guys up there, which I enjoyed immensely.