https://strava.app.link/wrqNtjHEVKb
Departed Emlenton and said goodbye to innkeepers Cathy, Paul and faithful inn companion Brunie. Dogs make everything feel like home. In anticipation of a BIG ride into Pittsburgh, had to swing by the local coffee “haus” spotted while devouring ice cream last night. Coffee Haus is a local gathering place with folks lined up outside before the doors opened. Rosa, who pictured with me outside, is from Spain and “met an American man at a nightclub in Barcelona”. They moved back to his PA hometown 6 years ago, had a family, and opened up the shop. The Haus has become a little, community gem.
The ride was another pastural scene going from town to town. Came across two 4th of July pics I had to share. The first is a swimming “hole” with a slide and American flag. It was attached to a pristine farm with an older woman rocking outside. Americana! Made me want to stop to slide into the water and imagine there will be grandkids doing that this holiday weekend. The other pic is the PA warning billboard of two girls with sparklers aka blowtorches. This just sleighed me…two girls firing up sparklers with a blowtorch LOL. A reminder to be careful out there this 4th of July!
The highlight of the day was my ride into Pittsburgh using a few miles of bike trail along the Allegheny. With the three rivers of Pittsburgh, the entire city is a matrix of bridges, tunnels and waterway parks. However, this is the only major city on my CC route with a maze of roads unusually hard to follow and rush hour to boot. Once I made it across two bridges and followed my designated bike route towards Carnegie, I phoned a friend! My wife’s cousin Gretchen and husband Harold are family treasures. Harold collected my bike and me in his SUV to avoid riding 5 miles UPHILL to Mount Lebanon. I had logged nearly 80 miles for the day and every direction in Pittsburgh is UPHILL! I ate them out of house and home and we shared an amazing sunset sky. Went to bed in (Pittsburgh) heaven!
On one sad but real note, there is a significant tent community of unhoused folks along the Pittsburgh bike route. I didn’t take pics out of respect for them and the situation. There is much coverage for these exact circumstances across the country. Interestingly, the local walkers, joggers and bikers were abundant and seem to accept their presence. No one has the silver bullet here for what to do. We just need to find a way to help them as humans all made from the same DNA as us. Peace be with you all.
