Keeping with my summer program, this post will let the pictures tell the story. Once again, since WordPress found it easier to break the Classic Gallery than to fix the Block Galleries, if you want to see any of the longer comments, you have to click the ‘i’ in the circle. If you’re wondering why I don’t suggest that they fix that – I did – two years ago. They said, “write shorter comments.”

During our visit to Pittsburgh (western Pennsylvania for those not in the US), we attended a baseball game. Our favorite way to get to the game is to take the shuttle operated by the Gateway Clipper riverboat fleet. It’s a little more expensive, but you get two boat rides and avoid all the traffic. It’s nostalgic for me, as I worked on those riverboats when I was in high school.

PNC Park, where the Pirates play, is one of the prettiest major league ballparks in the country. I hope you enjoy the gallery.

64 responses to “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”

  1. Murphy's Law Avatar
    Murphy’s Law

    “Family Fun”. It looks like that’s exactly what you and Faith are having…FUN! I like the Mr. Rogers Memorial. Plain but classy, like him. That’s a big boat. For some reason I thought they were smaller. It must’ve been fun to work on one of these. Nice shots of lights reflecting off the water. And that bunny with the sun lighting up one ear. Love it.

    Here’s hoping you have a great week. Weather looks pretty decent…..but this is only Monday!🤗
    Ginger

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks
      Ginger. The Empress II is still the largest boat in the fleet I think there are 8 or 9 boats now. They renamed the :Party Liner: for its 50th birthday, but it’s the same boat that I worked on in 1971.

      It’s hard to see, but Mr Rogers is sitting there, patient as ever.

      I love the reflections. I thought I had to include a river bunny for River. We ate dinner out on the patio by the river the first night we were there.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. It looks like a good time was had by all, just as it should be when family gets together. :-) Glad you had a good visit and safe and fun travels.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. We had a great time, Judy. We did our best to stay safe.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. What fun! I loved the photo story, Dan. I’ve only been to Pittsburgh once, long ago in the mid of winter. Your photos display a city I’ve not seen — beautiful. Some day… 😊

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I know its where I grew up, but I think it’s a beautiful city. When I was living there, there was very little built up around the rivers. The owner of the Gateway Clipper fleet is credited with highlighting the benefit of taking advantage of the city’s riverfront for tourism.

      Like

  4. Those night photos are beauties! City lights can be dazzling, most especially when reflected in water. The whole of it seemed to be a wonderful getaway.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It was a little too short, but we had fun every day. I love reflections on the water.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I’m not a Pirates fan, but every ball park is outstanding!! Even empty, you can still hear the cheers, laughter and gaiety in the stands and bull pens!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. We didn’t expect to see them win, but a night at the ballpark is always worth it. It’s such a great experience.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I love it. I get excited when either team gets a home run, stupid, I know! 🤪

        Liked by 1 person

        1. It’s all fun. Yesterday, we lost 13-2 that would not be as much fun.

          Liked by 1 person

  6. It sure does have a nice view from those seats! I like that river park view too.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I love being on/near that river, Deborah. Night games are the best. The vies of the city, the reflections on the river are all amazing.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. I didn’t know there was a Mr Rogers Memorial. Very nice. ‘Write shorter comments’–that’s some kind of help for you. The comments showed great, though. No clicking on the ‘circle i’ for me! Your ballfield is really pretty. I’d probably be looking at more than just the game with that beautiful water view. Happy Monday to you, Dan.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Happy Monday to you, my fellow retiree :)

      There is so much time during a ballgame when they aren’t playing ball, that it’s easy to get the city views in.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. A River bunny! Damn, you even find them in vacation. 😊
    Looks like a great stadium.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I only had my phone with me, so it isn’t a great photo, but the little guy was munching by our table as we were munching our takeout food. He scampered into the bushes next to the river a few times, but he kept coming back to eat a little more.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re just a bunny magnet.
        😉

        Liked by 2 people

          1. Do you wear carrot based cologne by any chance?

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Haha. You’ve discovered my secret.

              Liked by 1 person

  9. Nice, Dan! Glad you were able to enjoy family and baseball in your home city. I know what it feels like to sit in a stadium that makes you happy. Have a great week!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Mary. We had four games to choose from. Thankfully, we skipped the 3-game series with your guys – that was a disaster. We weren’t expecting a win – the Pirates are awful this year – but being in the stadium is a special kind of experience. Winning made it that much better.

      Like

  10. I have’t been to a professional baseball game in a long time. I like the atmosphere in a stadium, and don’t care which team I’m supposed to be rooting for. It’s the experience for me, but if the hometown team wins… who am I to complain?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. We didn’t expect the Pirates to win, but going to the game would be worth it anyway. We always try to go when we’re in town. It is a special experience.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Hi Dan – it’s worth paying a little more for comfort and ease of passage – great to see the three of you enjoying yourselves … looks like fun – cheers Hilary

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Hilary. Those seats aren’t as expensive as they are in some of the parks, and we only get there once a year. We like to treat ourselves. It was a great night out.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Beautiful photos, Dan! I love the flags in the ball park, the golden bridge, and the Mr. Rogers Memorial. Can you tell me a little more about it? Taking the river to the game sounds perfect!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The statue is on the the North Shore Riverwalk, Jennie. It was commissioned after he died in 2003. There a nice fact sheet about it here – https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-mister-rogers-statue/ – I love taking the riverboat to the game. When we go for a football game, we try to get a hotel where we can walk to the stadium, but for baseball, we love taking the boat. I thought of you when I took the picture of the flags. I’m glad you liked them.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you for the information, Dan. The riverboat is definitely the way to go! Of course you knew I would like the flag photo. 🙂 I’m headed over to your link to learn more about Mister Rogers.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Looks pretty and a fun time

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was fun. I’m biased, but I love the view in and around the stadium.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Beautiful pics Dan.

    Like

  15. Great photos, Dan. I thought it was genius to stay on the island and then take the boat to the game. Glad you had a great time.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It’s a great way to get to the ballparks, John. Neville Island is easy to get to, easy to leave, and it’s 15 minutes to the boats without getting on the highway.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes. I think it is terrific.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. This post feels like summer… great pics! I put a block gallery for the first time into my latest post. I was pretty happy with the way it looked but I didn’t see how to add captions – either long ones or short ones.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think, in the block galleries, you have to add Descriptions, instead of, or in addition to Captions.

      Our visit felt like summer.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. I think it’s much nicer than Three Rivers was. Is Three Rivers still around?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Three Rivers was awful. They tore it down when they built PNC and Heinz Field. PNC reminds me very much of Forbes Field which was the ballpark before Three Rivers.

      Like

      1. I saw Forbes on TV. It was an older park, but it looked like it would be a good place to see a game.

        Liked by 1 person

  18. I love the light reflections in the water!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Best of both worlds on your rides to and from on the riverboats with one during the day and one to see the city lights at night. Hope your team won :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They did – which, given their record this year, was a bit of a miracle.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Darn internet messed with my like button. Not sure why? Probably another wordpress thing.

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Sounds like a fun way to avoid traffic and get to the game in style. Great seats too! That ballpark is definitely among the top 5 prettiest in the league.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It really is a great park, Norm. Riding the riverboat is fun

      Liked by 1 person

  21. This is a terrific post, Dan. I really love your pictures. What a lovely getaway.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We had a great time, Robbie.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Cool pictures. I didn’t know there was a Mr. Rogers Memoral.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. I love the stadium 🏟️ it look cool and beautiful thanks for the picture .

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was a beautiful evening. It was cool, but not at all cold.

      Like

      1. That’s good. you sounds nicely.

        Liked by 1 person

  24. How cool is this! I would definitely have opted for the boat rides. You have such a colorfully diverse work history, Dan. These are great photos. Coming form the south, I love riverboats. 👍🏻

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I would take the riverboat even if I hadn’t worked on them, Cheryl. It’s by far the easiest way to get to the ballpark, and they drop you off much closer than even the most expensive parking lot.

      Like

  25. Riverboats are the coolest and who wouldn’t choose a shorter trip, sans traffic?

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Great pictures….so cool!! Haven’t been at a game in three years….miss going out to them!! When we were still in San Diego, my wife and I would go to a Friday Night Padre game at Petco park downtown by the bay. Beautiful ball park and great food (team was never that great but it was always fun). We did a few Diamondbacks games in the three years we were over in Phoenix and now we aren’t that far from Dodger Stadium….we got our vaccines there, but never been to a game. A must before we move up to Seattle.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The Pirates aren’t very good, but it’s always fun to be in the park.

      Moving to Seattle? I’m going to be jealous, Kirt.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Our two up there are getting ready to start families, so north we will go. Our LA family has been thinking about it also!!

        Liked by 1 person

  27. Our respective teams aren’t exactly having banner years, are they, Dan? 😋 Still fun to get out and catch a game!

    Like

    1. It’s tough being at the bottom of the rankings, but it is fun to go be in the park. We might have seen the best game they’ll play in the second half of this season, Paul. They beat the Phillies 7-0.

      Like

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