Welcome to Thursday Doors! This is a weekly challenge for people who love doors and architecture to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos, drawings, or other images or stories from around the world. If you’d like to join us, simply create your own Thursday Doors post each (or any) week and then share a link to your post in the comments below, anytime between 12:01 am Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time). If you like, you can add our badge to your post.

in primo piano – photos

As the title suggests, I am back on Oakland today. More photos and doors from around the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. The featured photo and at least one in the gallery is from Carnegie Mellon University. I didn’t visit that campus (I may this summer) but author, blogger and friend Staci Troilo went to school there. She’s been checking out these Pittsburgh posts, so I wanted to include them.

The remaining photos are explained in their captions. They aren’t all doors, but the building under construction will have doors in the future, and I love cranes.

The Thursday Doors Writing Challenge has begun. As I am preparing this post, we have two writing entries:

I will display all the entries in a table on the TDWC Page this weekend.

For today, I hope you enjoy my photos and I hope you will take a few minutes to check out the other doors by following the links in the comments. And, be sure to come back for the Recap on Sunday where we will have doors and stories to share.

All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.

Bridge to Nowhere

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106 responses to “Back in Oakland”

  1. I always like to see all the locks people hang on fences or bridges. And I also like the brick building on Panther Hollow.

    My door is here

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks. The weight of those locks adds up., They recently renovated a bridge in Pittsburgh and cut over 11,000 locks off. They saved them so a group of Industrial Arts students can incorporate them into a project.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    Hey, Dan. Big man on campus. Good mix of old and new. I think I saw on The Today Show the other day that you’re having record -breaking so far this year in Pittsburgh.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Pete. It has been an interesting spring. I’ll be back in Pittsburgh in the summer. I like the mix of old and new around that city.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. […] the interest of not clogging your Reader or email, I’m combining two challenges today: my usual Thursday Doors and Becky’s Squares. One of her words for May is burgeoning , meaning flourishing or growing […]

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  4. Great pictures, Dan. I’ve also got some University pictures this week. Good to be back. https://dancingwithmagpies.wordpress.com/2024/05/02/thursday-doors-at-u-q/

    Like

  5. I do like the Union building, very interesting shapes.

    Here is mine:

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks. That building serves so many purposes. It’s almost a different building from each side.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. […] yet equally appropriate for the moment. But these open and closed doors did. Given that it’s Dan’s Thursday Doors, it seems like the universe conspired to present you with a fitting tribute to the […]

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    1. Thanks Sharukh. I added your doors to the gallery on the TDWC page.

      Like

  7. […] Taken a few weeks ago, this door is in Lakeview. To see more doors, visit No Facilities. […]

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  8. Another fine campus post, Dan – I am enjoying this series very much. I was inspired enough to check out the area on Google Maps. I love those large arches, almost looking like ancient relics.

    Another post from Highgate in London from me this week: https://scooj.org/2024/05/02/thursday-doors-2-may-2024-doors-from-highgate-london/#Highgate#London#UK#Bakery

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Steve. This area has been a favorite place since I was in high school. There was always something happening in Oakland. At the time, I didn’t think I’d end up attending school there. Funny how life works sometimes.

      Great doors today and a cool little story.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Your post today sent me to Google to find out more about Panther Hollow. What an interesting history there. I loved the part about it’s a place where everyone knows your name or at least your nickname. It seemed everyone had one! I see an acknowledgement of the role of the women of Panther Hollow, but I didn’t see mention of their nicknames! An urban campus has its own character, it would seem. Very functional. But then a noodle shop — what could be more homey? And a saloon — I bet those tables get lively!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Research while having breakfast? We never stop learning, do we. I’m glad you enjoyed learning about the place. If you’re interested in a more personal view of Panther Hollow, our daughter and I hiked into it and along a watery run a few years ago. You can find that post here.

      If I were in school today, I think I’d be very familiar with the Noodle shop and that saloon.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes, research with breakfast — imagine that! And I’ve looked through the photos in the old post; I love them all. That thick, cool green world is beautiful to me, and I also love all the stone. The WPA gave us a lot. It was a good thing I was finished with breakfast when I read your comment about being in school today.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. That little hiking trail is such an interesting place, just outside the urban area. It’s amazing.

          Liked by 1 person

  10. Hi Dan – it’s a huge campus … and that first pic of the building behind the trees … is that a bandstand – at the junction area? Good to see different areas around the globe – cheers Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You have a sharp eye, Hilary. I believe that is a structure near a garden area. The area is a combination of two large campuses, a very large museum complex and a large city park. I could spend all day walking around here.

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      1. Hi Dan – it looks like lots of our bandstands in our town parks and by the seaside as here in Eastbourne – ours was built in 1935 or so … there were plenty of earlier ones in the 18th and 19th centuries … cheers Hilary

        Liked by 1 person

  11. So many doors and windows, you certainly had your pick for your choices this week

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The area is filled with interesting building from several different eras. I’ll either have one more post, or there will be some photos in a batch of leftovers.

      Thanks for sharing your post, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. The Union building doorway is my favorite.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love that building, GP. I’ve featured one side of it in each of the three posts from Oakland. It’s huge, and it serves students in so many ways.

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  13. I too love Noodle shops and Panther Hollow looks and sounds like an interesting spot. Love the brick building too. Here are my doors this week Dan https://wrookieschu.com/2024/05/02/doors-of-wordpress-v83/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. If the Noodle shop and saloon had been there when I was a student, Wayne, my grades might have suffered ;-)

      Thanks for joining us today with another group from which it was hard to choose a favorite.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Haha good point Dan!

        Liked by 1 person

  14. […] am linking this to Dan’s Thursday Doors […]

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  15. Great shots Dan. Love the Noodle House as well.
    Here is mine https://wanderingteresa.com/vicinity-of-dom-luis-bridge/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s early, Teresa, but I could go to that noodle house right now 😉

      You have some great doors today.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Lots of good things to eat in that neighborhood! I really like the geometry of the library/law school.

    I’ve written my first poem for the writing challenge.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Kerfe, and thanks so much for your poem. I am honored that you chose my photo. I hope to have a story using that photo for Memorial Day. You captured some powerful feelings in a short span of words. Well done.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks Dan. Some things you only understand in retrospect.

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Great photos, Dan. I like that feature photo. The sky is amazing.
    The taco shop has the perfect door and an inviting vibe.
    How cool is that fence with the locks, my ..that is a lot of locks!!. Not to mention the time to attach them all.
    P.S. i love the Noodle shop.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Suzette. The city renovated a much longer bridge in the downtown area, and they removed over 11,000 locks. They gave them to a school for industrial arts so the students could make something from them. The Taco Shop and Noodle shop are favorites (now I’m hungry).

      Liked by 1 person

      1. A very creative reuse of those locks.

        Enjoy the noodles and tacos…delicious!

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Aww. Thanks so much for thinking of me. And for the shout-out.

    I love looking at these pics. It immediately transports me home (which is about a thousand miles away from where I currently live). So many people think of Pittsburgh as a dirty steel town, but it’s had a renaissance. It’s a beautiful city. Thanks for showcasing it.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You’re welcome, Staci. I thought it would be good to link to the post about your new name for your new blog. I wish you much success with that. The area around Oakland and Squirrel Hill has always been my favorite. I love showcasing the city.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. All three of us greatly appreciate any traffic you send our way. I can’t think of a more important message to share with the world.

        That area is stunning. Mt. Washington gets a lot of attention, but nothing beats Shadyside/Oakland/Squirrel Hill (IMHO).

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Seeing this great, varied architecture is a treat, Dan.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dave. I took so many pictures, I may never get back to Connecticut doors.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Murphy's Law Avatar
    Murphy’s Law

    Another nice tour featuring great doors and awesome buildings and arches, I never heard of Noodle Shops. The name alone would draw me in!

    Love all the locks on the bridge over Panther Hollow. That name could be a title for a Dolly Parton song. 🤗

    The residence halls are very impressive. It’s so nice to see photos of a college campus that’s calm and functional, as opposed to what we’re seeing today.

    Ginger🦋

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Ginger. They did have a protest on campus. Actually, it was in the green area in front of the Hilman Library. By all accounts, it was quite peaceful. I think they were there for about two weeks, but only two people were arrested. I saw in the paper last night that the kids are taking it down and heading for home..

      I love this area. I always have. From going to ballgames here with my dad, museums with my mom, to shopping at discount record shops in the late 60s-early 70s to attending school.

      I love noodle shops. I’m not sure if we have a good one around here. I need to look.

      I hope you have a great weekend.

      Like

  21. That’s such a cool area for doors, Dan. The brick house makes me think of the old west.

    My doors today are yellow — and a short story for TDWC. Hugs.

    Wednesday Writing & #ThursdayDoors Challenge — The Yellow Door – Teagan’s Books (teagansbooks.com)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Teagan. Yours was the first entry in the challenge. I’ll be creating the table of entries on the TDWC page this weekend. We have four now. It’s exciting!

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Business around campus come and go. I’ve got the feeling those eateries weren’t there during your day. But – wondering – any of the bars of your era still in business?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t think so, Frank. My brother and I have looked for bars we remember, including one where our father worked as a bartender after he retired. We haven’t found any. We did find one that shows up in a search of the previous name. We think it may be a reincarnation. We’re going to visit the next time. The one place I wish had survived in Oakland was the The Original Hot Dog Shop – The O as it was known. I’ve been back as an adult, but it didn’t survive Covid. In my day, the place was packed. Best fries ever!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Unfortunately, the business around colleges change over time … and some last long enough for a wide generation – but only a few truly survive to truly be multi-generational. The O sounds wonderful!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. When they were crowded, it was a mob scene inside. A clerk would make eye contact and take your order. By the time you got to the counter, it was ready.

          Like

  23. Gwen M. Plano Avatar
    Gwen M. Plano

    Wonderful photos, Dan. I particularly like the last one, because I can imagine sitting inside and having a sip or two. Very colorful spot!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Gwen. A sip or two would be perfect.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Great selection today. I liked the tower on Carnegie Mellon’s building, and man, there are a lot of locks on that bridge!

    I’m torn between the Mexican and Noodle place. I’d want to try them both. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Now… the taqueria or the saloon? Both? ;-)

    Liked by 1 person

      1. That’s what I would do ;-)

        Liked by 1 person

      1. I need to write for the writing challenge. I’m thinking …

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I hope you can. You have time.

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  26. I like that brick house in Panther Hollow.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I do, too, John. It reminds me of one of my favorite aunt’s house when I was a kid.

      Like

  27. More great photos, Dan. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks John. It was a fun day.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. […] Check out other – probably more interesting doors – at Dan’s place. […]

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  29. Love locks – how interesting! Here’s my “door” https://jttwissel.com/2024/05/01/__trashed/ – for some reason it thinks it’s trashed. I’m having that kind of day!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The love locks are fascinating.

      You have some very cool doors today.

      Like

    1. Yours are wonderful doors.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. […] For Dan’s Thursday Doors. […]

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  31. Nice trip through Oakland 🙂. My entry here:

    Art Museum

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you! And thanks for your lovely doors.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Thanks for sharing, Dan. I’m curious about the love locks, though. :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Here’s an article from the Pitt News in 2014 which explains the locks a little more, Jan. A couple of years ago, they renovated a bridge in Pittsburgh and cut over 11,000 locks off. They saved them so a group of Industrial Arts students can incorporate them into a project.

      Liked by 1 person

  33. Another great tour of the area. I remember being at Carnegie Mellon the year I went to Point Park, but for the life of me can’t recall why I was there. I like that door on the Noodle Shop, and am wondering what I’d find on the other side because we don’t have something here that fits that description. I also like the red brick of Mario’s as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. If I can only sample one, I think I’ll try the saloon, but the Noodle shop has some interesting items on the menu. I was used to these shops offering basic soups with a variety of noodles. This place has everything from mac & cheese to steak stroganoff. Clearly worth a visit.

      Liked by 1 person

  34. A saloon! I don’t know the last time I saw a bar that called itself that. Great photo.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Makes you want to step inside, doesn’t it?

      Liked by 1 person

  35. Panther Hollow looks like an interesting place.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It is, Liz. There’s a fascinating history around the hollow.

      Liked by 1 person

  36. I enjoyed these doors, Dan. Thanks for including Carnegie Mellon. What a great school, and one I have never seen.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. My pleasure, Jennie. I hope to tour that campus if we go back during the summer.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That would be great.

        Liked by 1 person

  37. I love those locks on the bridge, Dan!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They are interesting, Cheryl.

      Liked by 1 person

  38. […] These are the last of my photographs of doors from my recent trip to Ivory Tree Lodge in the Pilanesberg National Park. You can join in Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2024/05/02/back-in-oakland/ […]

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  39. I think I’d like to visit the saloon, too, Day. Every time I see “Oakland” in your title, I first think “California”, then recalibrate. :-) 

    You’re the WP go-to guy. Any ideas why my link won’t publish in your comment section? It’s the same in a few other comment sections, so I have to go to the Reader and comment there if I want to share a link. It’s very frustrating!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Interesting. Even though it wouldn’t show up before I published the post, (I just got the circle of death), it posted when I commented. But I can’t include the #’s if it does it that way. Oh, well.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I can’t figure this out.

        Like

    2. I don’t know. I do know you’re not the only one, but the other person having problems is on Blogger, not WP. I’m going to ask the Happiness Engineers.

      Liked by 1 person

  40. […] trip to Ivory Tree Lodge in the Pilanesberg National Park. You can join in Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2024/05/02/back-in-oakland/ These are photographs of some gorgeous hartebeest we saw during our trip. Hartebeest is an African […]

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