STEELER NATION UK'S ADVENTURE TO PITTSBURGH 2013

With the visit of the Steelers to our shores in September, my Pittsburgh friends did wonder if I would be making my annual visit, but it’s not usually in doubt. To spend time in a great city with my great friends and to see the Steelers and Penguins is a must.

Usually, I try and arrange it to see back to back home games and for the 2013 season I had the choice of two dates, so decided the Bengals game was probably going to be the best of the two, and planned my visit with Pete for December.

All the best plans can go astray. I didn’t know when I booked the flights and hotels for the Dolphins and Bengals games that I would be spending time in hospital with a collapsed lung. The two days I spent in hospital wasn’t such a trauma as the doctors and nurses, at my urging, did their best to get me home just in time for the Steelers game.

It was Oakland and I missed their first two scores, so maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing that I thought kick-off was half eight and not the eight o’clock it actually was. Unfortunately, because of my lung challenge, I wasn’t able to fly for six weeks after they drained it. That almost put paid to the trip, but cutting out the Dolphins’ game meant I could travel as long as we gave up the first four days of our plans and retaining the flying home date.

There are no direct flights to Pittsburgh now, so we always spend a couple of days on the way visiting places of interest. It’s usually New York and one year we did Gettysburg. This year we decided to spend a day in Washington. It’s a city where there is a lot of interesting places to visit and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museums were the priorities although I always like to pay my respect at the Kennedy graves and the Vietnam memorial when there.

The plan was to visit the Vietnam memorial when we landed as I like to take my photos of memorials with no one in them, just the memorial, and an evening visit appeared to be appropriate. Unfortunately, it was snowing when we landed so we quickly changed our itinerary and decided to postpone the visit until the morning. It was very cold and I had to give some consideration to my poor old recovering lung.

WASHINGTON DC

In the morning, the snow was still falling, but I now had a revised plan in my mind. Flexibility is the name of the game. After an early breakfast, it was a taxi to the Iwo Jima memorial before travelling to Arlington. We would have walked, but with the inclement weather and a lot to pack in, the taxi proved a good idea and not too expensive.

We arrived at Arlington just as it opened and I got my wish. It was empty apart from the Parks personnel who were blowing the snow off to ensure visitors had a safe visit. It would only be mad dogs and Englishmen who would want to pay their respects in the snow, but they quite rightly were making it safe.

We had never been to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, so after visiting JFK and RFK, we walked the half mile or so in the snowy conditions to pay homage at the tomb.

The lone soldier on guard at the tomb deserves a lot of recognition for his vigilance in those atrocious conditions.

After trying to dry off a little in the visitor’s centre, we headed for the challenge of the Metro. The bonus from starting our journeys at Arlington was there would be no commuters hustling us as we were the sole passengers alighting at the station.

As I was looking very pensive while surveying the ticket machine in an attempt to rise to the challenge, a gentleman member of the staff offered to help. Trauma over as he showed us how to select the relevant ticket and told us which platform to wait for the train on.

My ticket gave me a little hassle as I tried the first turnstile as the ticket machine rejected it so I just moved onto another. Job finally done and we waited alone on the platform in the snow for the train to arrive. We had plenty of time before the Smithsonian opened as our itinerary timing was good.

There are two Air and Space Museums in the Washington area and our first visit was to the one in the city itself. It’s an amazing aeronautical museum with exhibits taking the visitor from the very early days of flight to the Apollo mission. Pictures speak louder than any words that I could write, so please visit my photos here>>>

We needed to take the metro into town, but I again had problems with my ticket being rejected by most machines. With Pete’s rebuke, “It needs to go in the right way up,” ringing in my ears, and my retort, “I’m not as stupid as you look,” equally abrasive, it eventually let me in.

We travelled downtown to have a photo shoot outside the White House with the Steeler Nation flag before moving on to the memorials (where the flag wouldn’t be displayed in respect to where we were). The Vietnam Memorial must be one of the most stunning monuments to have been built to commemorate the fallen and the Korean War memorial is not far behind in its imagination.

Even on a cold winter’s day the Vietnam Memorial receives many visitors. I waited patiently in an attempt to photograph the memorial with no people in the photo, just the sombre image of the names in the gabbro wall. Eventually I decided that the best I could achieve would have two men in the image. After I took the photo I walked passed them to have a photo taken at the point the two walls meet and they noticed my Steelers’ scarf. We ended up talking as they were from Pittsburgh, working on construction at Langley.

We also visited the Korean War memorial where the very relevant statement, “Freedom is not Free” is not only prominent, but so true.

The next Metro journey would be our last so as you would expect my ticket finally gave up the ghost and would not allow me to gain access. I approached a gentleman sitting in the booth at the station entrance and, after he verified my ticket was valid, he punched a hole into it and said, “You won’t get any more problems now and the train you need is on platform one.”

We legged it down the stairs and just as I approached the waiting train, it emitted a bleep, bleep noise indicating the doors were just about to close. I managed to jump onto the train just as the doors were closing. I turned around to see if Pete made it only to see an arm pointing through the now almost fully closed doors.

Pete struggled in an attempt to force the doors open as you would on the London tube, but failed. I had visions of the train moving off with Pete rapidly running in parallel to keep up. Common sense reigned and before the train moved, Pete pulled his arm out and a lady on the platform threw some comforting words his way. “Good try,” she offered.

We only had to travel one stop to get to our hotel in Rosslyn, but Pete didn’t know that as I had organised the arrangements. Fortunately, the metro has communications throughout its system, so I was able to respond to Pete’s text inquiring what station to alight at. We then enjoyed a pleasant drink at meal at Ruby Tuesdays at Rosslyn.

JOHNSTOWN PA

Wednesday was travel to Pittsburgh day, but I had planned the journey to go via Johnstown. It was a favoured area in the early days of football in producing star players and I had read a lot about the flood of 1889. The tragedy was recently featured on, “The Men Who Built America,” the very interesting History channel series.

Pete brought his Sat Nav with him (nicknamed Sat Nav Sally after the hit record) on the trip, so we used it to find the city, but not our final destination – the Visitor’s Center.

I saw the signs for that many times, but we never did come across it. All we appeared to do is circumnavigate the city as we went around and around in circles. In frustration, we stopped and asked for directions, first a postman and when we still failed, a policeman. Obviously there is a communication barrier, which is for us is a major challenge because we invented the English language!

Eventually we stopped at the railroad station to ask for directions once again. We parked up and I entered the building that appeared empty. It was eerie… I thought I had gone back in time… it could have been a scene from a fifties movie.

The station was immersed in silence and inactivity. The impression was of only one train stopping each day so it complemented the ambiance of being taken back into the past.

I spotted the ticket desk and then realised there were people in the back. I asked where the Flood museum was and the lady said it was just across the street and explained the station car park doubled as the museum’s car park. I asked if I could take photos of the waiting room and she said of course I could and that if she had access to the key she would have let me in.

After taking some photos, we took the short walk to the museum. There we were greeted by a guide who took us to the fibre optic map that illustrates the path of the flood down the Conemaugh Valley in both time and motion. Light and sound effects illustrate the flood's timeline, from the period the rains began to threaten the dam until after the flood when the waters began to subside.

After his detailed talk, the guide then took us to the theatre where the award winning documentary, "The Johnstown Flood," was screened. After viewing the exhibits, I asked for directions to the memorial site at South Fork so we could drive to there.

After spending time at the memorial, we continued on our way to Pittsburgh, arriving tired but well enough to enjoy meeting our friends and spending a relaxing evening with them in the hotel bar. We were pleased to see Ed, Mike and Stacey again after a year since our last trip.

Our hotel room had a large wardrobe with two folding doors and as I told the story about Pete’s episode with the Metro I said my one regret was not having the camera ready to take a photo of the incident. I was even more disappointed that Pete wouldn’t re-enact the event in the hotel for a photo using the wardrobe door as a substitute for the Metro doors.  

Thursday was our shopping day. Well, Christmas was approaching and I had a list from Andy after his failed expedition to Florida for Pittsburgh souvenirs. We drove to Grove City, which is an hour north of Pittsburgh on I-79. In the cold we managed to spend a couple of hours emptying the stores before heading even further north towards Lake Erie. During our September Steeler exploits, I had met Patrick Hargest and the merry band from Edinboro so decided to pay a surprise visit to his bar. You know me, any excuse for a drink. After all, we were going to be there until after noon which is the watershed when on holiday.

The snow around Edinboro was pretty deep. Being close to the lakes, they obviously had received a lot more than Pittsburgh. Sat Nav Sally got us to the correct location and we ventured in out of the cold and sat at the bar. I asked the young lady behind the bar if Patrick was around. She confirmed that he was and asked if she should go and get him, but I wanted to extend the surprise so we just sat and had a beer.

After a couple of glances, Patrick finally emerged to say, “I thought that was you Gordon.” I was relieved that he remembered me. I guess I would have felt pretty foolish if he hadn’t. Patrick showed me around his neat bar and we had a photo shoot, inside and out.

We had to make our way back to Pittsburgh as I was seeing another old friend, Mike Fabus, so we took our leave and headed towards I-79. Now, if we had turned north, in another hour we could have been in Cleveland, but I’ll leave that journey to hell for another time. In the evening we met up with our friend Mike, who was the Steelers’ photographer and is now semi-retired, but still works one day a week for the team. Mike always has interesting stories to tell about the players he has been involved with. I suggested that he ought to write a book about his experiences. I am certain it would make for a very good read.

IT'S A GOOD DAY FOR HOCKEY

Friday was hockey day although we did some more shopping beforehand, including our annual visit to Ralph’s Army Surplus in Monroeville. Now that Pete has an old Willy, he needed to source some appropriate gear.

To watch the Penguins, we were fortunate to have access to a suite at the game with Ed and his family and friends , courtesy of Jenn, who didn’t make the game because of a relative’s illness. The Penguins took a 3-0 lead in the first period and the game should have been over, but to give the New Jersey Devils their due, they fought back in the second period with two goals.

The Devils tried in the third period to force the game into overtime, but Fleury was at his best and saved the win for Pittsburgh. He was named the man of the match so I reckon he must have done pretty well.

The three goals were the most the Penguins have scored in first period this season. Dan Bylsma said he was pleased with the start to the game but said the Penguins needed to play more consistently to avoid surrendering early leads.

Loaded down with a few extra programmes, provided by Ed’s family, we made our way back to the hotel for a nightcap to celebrate the win. We were alone in the bar with a gentleman and his guest who had also been to the game. He was intrigued as to why I had so many programmes so I explained that I was taking them back to the UK for fellow Penguins fans.

He couldn’t believe that we had come over to see the Steelers and the Penguins, so introduced himself as Mike and told us he had a big tailgate party before the game that we should go to on Sunday. We inquired where the tailgate was so he asked Pete if he knew how to text… well, we were Limeys, so I guess it was a reasonable question to ask… or not! I guess he intended to text us the location.

Saturday it was snowing, but we still ventured into town. First to the Strip because it has fascinating shops and stalls full of Pittsburgh sports goodies. We then headed to the Consol Energy Center for more shopping where I picked up a superb pink Penguins top for my granddaughter’s Christmas present.

In the evening it was the Saturday evening meal at Dikta’s, almost a tradition now on our trips. The place is one of Mike Dikta’s chain of restaurants. Mike, the guy who we met in the bar after the Penguins game was there too and knew Ed. He again invited us to the tailgate party and now we found out where it was, next to Clark’s – one of our old stomping grounds.

GAME DAY

Sunday was game day and as it was very cold and a night game, we wrapped up very, very warm. We parked at the casino, so it was only a short walk to pick up our tickets from the Science Center before going into the stadium. Due to the cold and aware of my collapsed lung, we decided to go straight into the North club area where our seats were and not venture across to the tailgate at Clark’s. The North club is the best place to be, especially when it is cold or wet.

On the game, as division leaders, the Bengals had the edge, but this was the Steelers and they were in their house.

After the Steelers first drive fizzled out, the Bengal’s took over on their own 7. Their first play from scrimmage managed 9 yards, but the Steelers’ defense stopped any further advance and the cold night was just about to sparkle as the Steelers turned up the heat.

The Bengals’ kicker fumbled the ball when it was snapped to him and as he gathered it up; he was tackled by Will Allen. Most fans thought Cincinnati had given up a safety, but the officials review confirmed the kicker’s forward progress had placed the ball on the one-yard line. This gave the Steelers a first and goal from the Bengals’ one and the fans were now feeling a lot warmer.

Le’Veon Bell took two downs to go the one yard and put six points on the board before Shaun Suisham’s successful point after attempt gave the Steelers a seven-point lead.

Cincinnati’s next series made more progress until they came up against a Ziggy Hood sack. Starting the drive from their opponents’ 47, Ben took eight plays to guide the Steelers to another score completed with a touchdown pass to Antonio Brown.

Just over a minute later, Brown increased the Steelers’ lead when he returned a Bengals’ punt 67 yards for another touchdown to give the Steelers a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Heinz Field was now rocking.

Suisham extended Pittsburgh’s lead with a 25-yard field goal in the second quarter before Cincinnati began their fight back. A 52-yard kick-off return led to a Bengals scoring drive. The Steelers replied with a 45-yard field goal and the Steelers led 27-7 at the half.

On a freezing December night in Pittsburgh, it is a good time to spend halftime in the warmth of the North Club. That wasn’t to be though as my friend Mike had offered to take me to the video booth at the top of the north stand to meet Andy Lazanich, the Steelers’ Video Assistant.

It was a long, cold haul up to the booth. We passed fans massing round the bars as they attempted to obtain some sustenance before the third quarter. Their time would have been better spent in the toilets which are heated so they could recharge those drained batteries that keep the body warm.

It takes an awful amount of courage to watch the Steelers from the north stand on a night as cold as it was. The fans deserve all the credit in the world and you can understand why there are so many no shows when it’s a night game in the depths of winter. The Seahawks have their twelfth man apparently… well the Steelers have their dedicated Nation.

Andy sits in the booth, which is fortunately heated, videoing the Steelers and, in the middle is a video guy for the NFL and then the other side of him, someone for the Bengals.

We made our way back to the comfort of the North club to see the second half and have a photo taken with a Pittsburgh policeman.

After exchanging turnovers and Suisham kicking another field goal, this one from 26 yards, the Bengals continued their fight back. This season the Steelers have never made any lead they had look easy and even their 23 points advantage began to look a little fragile. As the likely AFC North champions, perhaps the Bengals decided they should play like champs, not chumps.

The Bengals managed 13 points in the final quarter, excluding their failed two point after attempt, and that was enough to see the Steelers finish the game with a 30-20 victory. On the way out, I asked a police lady to have her photo taken with the flag and she was only too happy to oblige.

Monday is always down to the stadium day to have a final look around the shop and buy a program for the game. The evening sees us saying our good byes to our friends in a relaxed manner.

We left our hotel at the airport at 0730 and hit the rush hour traffic into Pittsburgh as we hadn’t realised the road to Washington went through the city and the sign to Washington on the 376 is to Washington County, not Washington D.C. Fortunately, Sat Nav Sally put us right… right into rush hour traffic so it was a long crawl to the east side of the city.

As we past Monroeville, the intensity of the snow increased and it stayed like that for a couple of hours. It wasn’t a pleasant journey and I was a little apprehensive having experienced previous snow traumas when driving in Pennsylvania.  Travelling on I-70 east, we stopped at Breezewood for breakfast and I was only too happy to hand the driving over to Pete. The snow did eventually ease off and we made good time to our final visit, the Air and Space Museum at Dulles.

As we it was close to the airport where we were going to fly home from, it made sense to put it down as the last visit on our itinerary. The museum is an amazing place, crammed full of aircraft from the early days to the near present. Basking in the glory of the Space Shuttle Discovery, please visit my photos that try to capture how magnificent the museum is.

PHOTO GALLERIES

Washington photos can be found here>>>

Johnstown photos can be found here>>>

Pittsburgh Penguins photos can be found here>>>

Pittsburgh Steelers photos can be found here>>>

Dulles Air and Space Museum photos can be found here>>>

Thank you to our hosts and everyone for making this visit such an enjoyable one as usual.