Pittsburgh, PA. April 2012: A Repeat Performance

This was my third trip to Pittsburgh, PA to visit my friend Erika and my 4th time there total. The first was on a choir tour with my college Women's Chorus and we were there a total of about a day and all I really got to see was the inside of a church that was sadly lacking an audience for our concert, and the cramped spare bedroom of the grad school couple who were putting us up for the night. 

My first trip to Pittsburgh was in November of 2010 and it was something of an epiphany for me. I realized I could just buy a plane ticket, go somewhere for a long weekend and then come back without taking more than 1 vacation day. It was a discovery that changed my life and I've been attempting and perfecting these long weekends ever since. 

Starting in 2011, my good friend Jenna has joined in my yearly Pittsburgh Pilgrimage. Its like a mini high school reunion, except in a completely separate state and minus all the people you never want to see again. 

There are certain things we always do when we're in Pittsburgh, so every trip there almost seems like we're just repeating the events of the past year's trip. However, I really don't mind. And this year, when we tried to throw something new into the mix (go see a baseball game) it snowed.

In late April.

I'll take that as a warning from the universe to stick to what we know.

Things we always do in Pittsburgh: 

1. Go shopping at the Waterfront. I love outdoor malls, even when they are super fancy and contain things I cannot afford. We always hit up Barnes and Noble and compare reading lists. Jenna's is always full of academic stuff and Erika's is full of the classics with some history thrown in. Mine is usually an embarrassing combo of romances and fantasy, but read what you like, I say!

Then we go to Macy's and I spend as long as possible drooling over Fossil and Coach bags that I will never afford. I also take lost of pictures since last year my mom bought me a gorgeous Fossil I had been lusting over. I'm hoping for a repeat performance this year. I'll send you a picture, mom! 

2. We go to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PGH Aquarium. Simon and Garfunkel once told us that its all happening at the zoo and I believe them. I. Love. Zoos. I will go to any zoo anytime. The thing that really sets the Pittsburgh Zoo apart, is the zoo key you can buy for a couple of bucks. There are these boxes by the animals and when you put the key in one way, it will tell you information about the animal you're seeing. BUT! When you put the key in the other way, it plays a song about the animal. 

I have no idea why 3 "adults" are so obsessed with these zoo songs, but they're amazing. If you get a chance to hear the Tiger song and the Rhino song, I remember they were the best. 

3. We go to D's Six Pax & Dogz, home of my one true love: The Beer Cave. It is also where I discovered my favorite beer to date: Peak's Organic Nut Brown Ale. I am constantly searching for it in Michigan and can NEVER FIND IT! Even when I was recently in Colorado, where it is brewed, I could NOT FIND IT. I have pictures of the bottle on my phone and show it to people in liquor stores asking desperately if they have it. They never do. 

They also ask me to stop shoving my phone in their face. Its a problem. I guess what I'm saying is, if you see Peak Organic Nut Brown Ale, hold it close, because it is a precious gift. Also, if you find yourself at D's order the Mac & Cheese topped Hot Dog and a steak salad. Did you know that Steak Salad's in Pittsburgh come with french fries on them? Best. Salad. Ever. 

All in all, it was an amazing way to start out my Year of Travel. 

Grab some friends and get thee to Pittsburgh. You won't regret it. 

Next up: Boulder, CO!