The road to Pittsburgh from Columbus is a simple, three-hour excursion and the end destination is a beautiful one.
In just one day of being in the Steel City, I've been able to experience a flurry of fantastic locations and memorable events.
My first encounter was a twenty-third story view from the Fairmont Hotel. Equ
ipped with a full bar, attentive valet service and stocked spa and gym, this resort should surely be on your radar when planning your trip to the city. Not only are the amenities impeccable, but the location is pristine: located a baseball's throw away from PNC Park, countless restaurants and a quick walk to the bountiful cultural arts division.
However, the first stop on the itinerary was the Mattress Factory. I wasn't sure what to expect, given the name of the art purveyor, so I was delightfully surprised when I found it was a sort of interactive creative experience.
The installation which stood out greatly was James Turrell's "Catso, Red," "Danae" and "Pleiades." Picture three sight-depriving rooms, each with their own quirk. While the first two were easy to grasp, the message behind the final piece took about 10 minutes. After having your eyes adjust to the pitch black darkness, the room begins to play tricks on you. As two incredibly faint lights begin to appear, the viewer has a hard time distinguishing between what is real and what optical illusions he or she may be experiencing.
Second up on the plan was Randyland. Located at 1501 Arch St., this public art installation could best be described as "
the house with a lot of stuff on it." Inside Randyland is an array of colorful displays and random artifacts. Stuffed dinosaurs, caged monsters, flamboyant stairs and a whole host of other crazy and fun objects litter the area and guests are welcome to interact with just about any of it.
For anyone with an artistic eye who may visit Pittsburgh, the Andy Warhol Museum is an obvious must. The building boasts seven stories, each telling the tale of Warhol's life and career - from his films, to his paintings, to his personal letters to and from celebrities, including Ralph Lauren. The most riveting of the collections, in my opinion, was the personal and revealing "Jackie." This showcase of former first lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis displays a fascinating dedication to the emotions of President Kennedy's widow before and after the assassination.
The strangest, yet most brilliant character we have met in the area so far is Mr. Arm of Trundle Manor. He and his wife, Velda Von Minx, run an oddities tour out of their home and his personality reflects that of a person who lives in a museum of weird. From prese
rved animals, to authentic historic medical tools, to a den that would make Wednesday Addams feel at home, there was something eerie, but exciting waiting in every inch of the house.
Mr. Arm has been collecting preserved creatures since he was seven and, now, accepts friendly donations to keep his already robust assemblage booming.
He and his wife got engaged, fittingly enough, in a cemetery, and it has been nothing but love ever since.
"This is just how we live," he says, as he peruses through his clever collections. "We typically do night and weekend tours, and we have had a few people rent out the house for parties. We host and provide the atmosphere for them for the night."
The final destination for day one was an evening at PNC Park with the Pirates. Obviously, it's a great time when your team wins, but the night couldn't have been better for a ballgame. Francisco Liriano was lights out for five innings, with the exception of a run scored on an error, and Starling Marte had the crowd in a frenzy after his RBI triple and almost inside-the-park homerun.
A 4 -2 score in the favor of the home team capped off a wonderful day and a victorious night.
Check out a recent CityScene article highlighting some of the greatest ballparks in the United States: Ballpark Figures.
