So, we fly tonight on a 6:45pm redeye to Dublin. It's been 3 weeks since we left Seattle, and 2 months since we vamonos'd Baja Sur and began our nomad travels. Previous lengthy posts here explored our highlights in Charleston and Asheville, but to finish our stateside venture, here are a few bonus sidebars:
Charlotte
We stayed at the Moxy Charlotte Downtown across the street from the Transit Center. This is one of those funkier Moxy’s with the check-in upstairs on the 13th floor, along with their cocktail and goodies bar, and a sweeping northeast view of the city. The Charlotte Hornet’s Spectrum stadium is only a block away.
We only spent one night here, a layover between Charleston and Asheville, but were intrigued by what we experienced.
We stayed at the Moxy Charlotte Downtown across the street from the Transit Center. This is one of those funkier Moxy’s with the check-in upstairs on the 13th floor, along with their cocktail and goodies bar, and a sweeping northeast view of the city. The Charlotte Hornet’s Spectrum stadium is only a block away.
A post-prandial stroll along South Tryon Street showcased several next-time venues and we enjoyed the vibe of the city's center. We finished the night at Bar Moxy with our free thanks-for-being guests cocktails.
Charlotte
We stayed at the Moxy Charlotte Downtown across the street from the Transit Center. This is one of those funkier Moxy’s with the check-in upstairs on the 13th floor, along with their cocktail and goodies bar, and a sweeping northeast view of the city. The Charlotte Hornet’s Spectrum stadium is only a block away.
We only spent one night here, a layover between Charleston and Asheville, but were intrigued by what we experienced.
We stayed at the Moxy Charlotte Downtown across the street from the Transit Center. This is one of those funkier Moxy’s with the check-in upstairs on the 13th floor, along with their cocktail and goodies bar, and a sweeping northeast view of the city. The Charlotte Hornet’s Spectrum stadium is only a block away.
A post-prandial stroll along South Tryon Street showcased several next-time venues and we enjoyed the vibe of the city's center. We finished the night at Bar Moxy with our free thanks-for-being guests cocktails.
The Interstate
An hour into our drive from Staunton, VA to Mt Lebanon, PA we passed a sign welcoming us to Maryland. Wait, what?! Maryland? I'm thinking Maryland County?
But there's a logo emblazoned on the sign, and from daughter Kylene's college education at U of M in College Park, I know that's the branding for the state of Maryland.
So, I texted her: How the hell am I in Maryland?
She texted back, giggling. Yep, Dad. You're in Maryland.
Check out a map and see for yourselves. There's a little dogtail sticking up at the far western end of this crazily-shaped state. and we were driving straight through it. (According to Google, the amorphous borders are the result of colonial land disputes, poorly surveyed borders, and the influence of natural features like rivers and bays. 🤷🏼♂️ Who knew?)
The Interstate
An hour into our drive from Staunton, VA to Mt Lebanon, PA we passed a sign welcoming us to Maryland. Wait, what?! Maryland? I'm thinking Maryland County?
But there's a logo emblazoned on the sign, and from daughter Kylene's college education at U of M in College Park, I know that's the branding for the state of Maryland.
So, I texted her: How the hell am I in Maryland?
She texted back, giggling. Yep, Dad. You're in Maryland.
Check out a map and see for yourselves. There's a little dogtail sticking up at the far western end of this crazily-shaped state. and we were driving straight through it. (According to Google, the amorphous borders are the result of colonial land disputes, poorly surveyed borders, and the influence of natural features like rivers and bays. 🤷🏼♂️ Who knew?)
The Interstate
An hour into our drive from Staunton, VA to Mt Lebanon, PA we passed a sign welcoming us to Maryland. Wait, what?! Maryland? I'm thinking Maryland County?
But there's a logo emblazoned on the sign, and from daughter Kylene's college education at U of M in College Park, I know that's the branding for the state of Maryland.
So, I texted her: How the hell am I in Maryland?
She texted back, giggling. Yep, Dad. You're in Maryland.
Check out a map and see for yourselves. There's a little dogtail sticking up at the far western end of this crazily-shaped state. and we were driving straight through it. (According to Google, the amorphous borders are the result of colonial land disputes, poorly surveyed borders, and the influence of natural features like rivers and bays. 🤷🏼♂️ Who knew?)
Favorite Youngest
My favorite youngest daughter Kylene moved to Mt Lebanon, a southern suburb of Pittsburgh, 8 months ago, after securing a position at St. Clair Hospital as their Director of Organizational Performance Improvement. She and her family (Cory & Henry) have a gorgeous home in the south Cedarhurst neighborhood. For 2.5 jam-packed days they showed us around Pittsburgh, and we loved what we experienced.
Breakfasts were insanely delicious: a 12-minute walk to Anthos Greek Bakery & Cafe in Castle Shannon (photo, left) and Pamela’s Diner in the Strip District of Pittsburgh (photos, middle and right). Both had lines out the door.
The breweries did not disappoint. We spent our Friday afternoon crawling to four of them: Helltown, Lolev, Dancing Gnome, and Grist House. All kid and taste bud-friendly. That's GH in the pics below.
Favorite Youngest
My favorite youngest daughter Kylene moved to Mt Lebanon, a southern suburb of Pittsburgh, 8 months ago, after securing a position at St. Clair Hospital as their Director of Organizational Performance Improvement. She and her family (Cory & Henry) have a gorgeous home in the south Cedarhurst neighborhood. For 2.5 jam-packed days they showed us around Pittsburgh, and we loved what we experienced.
Breakfasts were insanely delicious: a 12-minute walk to Anthos Greek Bakery & Cafe in Castle Shannon (photo, left) and Pamela’s Diner in the Strip District of Pittsburgh (photos, middle and right). Both had lines out the door.
The breweries did not disappoint. We spent our Friday afternoon crawling to four of them: Helltown, Lolev, Dancing Gnome, and Grist House. All kid and taste bud-friendly. That's GH in the pics below.
Doing Science
A highlight was the Carnegie Science Center, on Allegheny Avenue, right nextdoor to the Steelers' Acrisure Stadium. The five level building was overrun with summer camp adolescents having the time of their lives, and Henry eagerly joined them.
Bonus exhibits for we adults included a Das Boot descent into the claustrophobic bowels of the WWII submarine USS Requim, a retro throwback to favorite old school robots, and a massive model railroad display, including a replica of Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic house Fallingwater, located 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
Doing Science
A highlight was the Carnegie Science Center, on Allegheny Avenue, right nextdoor to the Steelers' Acrisure Stadium. The five level building was overrun with summer camp adolescents having the time of their lives, and Henry eagerly joined them.
Bonus exhibits for we adults included a Das Boot descent into the claustrophobic bowels of the WWII submarine USS Requim, a retro throwback to favorite old school robots, and a massive model railroad display, including a replica of Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic house Fallingwater, located 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
The Shops on Penn Ave
No doubt our favorite Pittsburgh experience was joining the black & gold-swathed local Yinzers perusing the shops on Penn Ave in the Strip District. Century old businesses with proprietors plying their trades behind the same counters for 30, 40, 50 years. My half-talian wife immersed herself in warm memories of growing up with similar visits to DeVitis Market in Akron, Ohio.
A hundred different pasta shapes at the Pennsylvania Macaroni Co, and they also do meats and cheeses. Like that hanging provolone "heavy bag" in the photo. An endless number of spices at Penzeys (photo, center left). 63 flavors of biscotti at Enrico's. And "Coffee Worth Knowing About" at Prestogeorge (photo, bottom left).
And don't forget the fish at Wholey's. They've been around since 1912. We chatted for a bit with VP of Operations, Sam Wholey, renowned as the best orange juice maker in the city. He actually looks pretty much like the fan artist rendition below.
The Shops on Penn Ave
No doubt our favorite Pittsburgh experience was joining the black & gold-swathed local Yinzers perusing the shops on Penn Ave in the Strip District. Century old businesses with proprietors plying their trades behind the same counters for 30, 40, 50 years. My half-talian wife immersed herself in warm memories of growing up with similar visits to DeVitis Market in Akron, Ohio.
A hundred different pasta shapes at the Pennsylvania Macaroni Co, and they also do meats and cheeses. Like that hanging provolone "heavy bag" in the photo. An endless number of spices at Penzeys (photo, center left). 63 flavors of biscotti at Enrico's. And "Coffee Worth Knowing About" at Prestogeorge (photo, bottom left).
And don't forget the fish at Wholey's. They've been around since 1912. We chatted for a bit with VP of Operations, Sam Wholey, renowned as the best orange juice maker in the city. He actually looks pretty much like the fan artist rendition below.
And that was Pittsburgh. We had no idea we'd enjoy the city so much, and are excited to re-visit Kylene & Co. here on our return to the U.S. in mid-October.
Saturday afternoon we drove 5 hours across the state to Kennett Square for a rendezvous with my brother Eric, his wife Jerri, and their daughter Nicole and her husband Neil. We enjoyed a catch-up dinner at Letty's Tavern and learned more about the launch of Nicole's soy-free Asian sauce company, NIKIGO. This area grows 65% of the mushrooms in the U.S., the key ingredient to her products. Keep an eye out for NIKIGO on your store shelves in the near future. P.S. They're really, really good!
We'll be in touch. (Next time from Ireland!)
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