So, why is it that I feel this need to travel to watch a Pittsburgh Steelers’ game at least once a year? While normal people have a week or two in the sun to relax and get away from the traumas of work, I have this incessant urge to go watch a football game in Pittsburgh.
"Where's Pittsburgh?" Most people I know ask me that question when I tell them where I am holidaying. They know it's cold, and it's up there somewhere in North America. That's about it usually. Pittsburgh is a great place, which does get a mite cold in the winter, but it does get hot in the summer.
Just make the trip once and you’ll understand why I love to do the journey, despite the obstacles that seem to fall my way.
While my advancing years begin to make an impression on me, the logistics become slightly more difficult to manage. But trust me, any problem that is thrown my way is worth overcoming if it means you get to see the black and gold at the end of it.
There’s no direct flight now from the United Kingdom to Pittsburgh so it was into Newark for Jodie and myself to so we could catch the connecting flight. For once, the immigration queues in Newark were small.
Whether that was timing or luck doesn’t really matter, we just enjoyed the experience. There’s nothing worse after an international flight to be stood in a long line waiting to clear immigration.
The hour and a half in which to clear immigration, pick up your and then get to the gate to catch your internal flight may look plenty, but trust me it squeezes the nerves just a little.
Jodie manage to get this shot of Heinz Field as our plane came into Pittsburgh airport. At least when we made our way out there were no more queues to join. As we picked up our car, the rental lady did ask me if I wanted directions to the hotel, but I declined. First mistake. It was just seven minutes away and I had printed the directions off to reduce the hassle. What could go wrong? Umm…
Two hours and a lot of swearing later we reached our destination. It doesn’t make it easy if the directions you printed are for a hotel forty minutes away. It also complicates matters if you can see your hotel on the top of the hill, but no one knows how to direct you there.
Anyway, we got there and we’ll look back and laugh about that particular adventure for a few years.
Rock and Roll Ed came over with Dave for a drink and a deluge of goodies, including some specific (interesting and mainly Browns related) items that I’ve acquired to add to the site. Almost forgot to mention that Ed had problems finding the hotel – and he lives close by. Certainly made me feel better when he asked me the way!
I’m usually up very early on the first morning of a trip because of the time difference, but the late night in the bar meant we didn’t get down to the shops until 0900. Trust me, that’s the best time to go shopping in the USA. Early.
Lunch time, we went down to the soccer bar on Carlson Street to watch the England game, but apparently there had been little interest before the match by the usual patrons (as explained by the bartender), so they were watching USA playing Scotland.
Saturday night was Ashes to Ashes at the Stardust Lounge and meeting old friends and new. They began a little flat, which was probably due to not having played together for two months. As they warmed up, they got better and they finished well.
Sunday. Game day, but with a 2030 kick-off, plenty of time to go shopping first and have a quiet afternoon wine while writing out the first of the many postcards. Most of the ones sent to my workplace seemed to go astray.
Just after four, Dave and Ed arrived in the Norah Battymobile with Rich to take Jodie and the old man down to the stadium, picking up Sheri on the way.
Dave presented me with a 2005 Steelers Yearbook, which went to a good Steelers home and then Sheri presented me with another Yearbook that went to another good home in the UK. And the recipients thank you very much.
Sheri then presented me with an autographed football that she acquired at the 5th Annual H.J. Heinz/NFL Alumni Charity Golf Classic. Signed by some great Steelers and NFL stars. Many thanks Sheri.
Down to the stadium to park next to Clarks Bar to participate in that unique American experience of tailgating. Why is it that we don’t do this in the UK?
It’s not a complicated ritual. All you need are a few beers, some food and some Steelers company. As I always mention, the alcohol is purely to lubricate the vocal chords, ready to use against the Browns' defense during the game.
Jodie took to it quickly, especially fast for a rookie. She has seen a Browns’ game before, but we got stuck in the snow on the way to the stadium so missed that year’s tailgating.
For me, tailgating was also an opportunity to renew a few more acquaintances of the great people I see once a year (probably once too often for them if the truth be known) and make some new friends.
After indulging ourselves, Jodie and myself made our way past the magnificent stadium that is Heinz Field to the busy gate.
We scaled the heights to our seats to find we were sitting next to three Brownies. They were very vocal at the start of the spectacle. Probably because the Browns scored on their opening drive.
Like all fans though they began to reduce those verbal retorts as the Steelers started to dominate. The stadium rose as one when Hines Ward broke the Steelers’ record of 543 receptions and gave him an ovation worthy of the star he has become.
Eventually Bubba the Brownie was left by himself as his two friends stole away midway through the third quarter as the Steelers began to overwhelm the Browns. They couldn't stand the heat.
We moved down to behind the goal before the game finished to get some great photos of the Steelers. Unfortunately I managed to get some superb shots of the blocked field goal. Not a Steelers play you would want to see again.
I also managed to take some photos of the final Steelers' touchdown as Verron Hayes ran into the end zone.
The happy crowds found their weary way back to their cars. More liquid refreshment was made available while waiting for the stragglers.
Monday was a definite lie in day. Well, three nights in a row and getting in past midnight? Never been known for a long time.
I always visit the Steelers store at Heinz Field the afternoon after a game to ensure that I go home with the previous year’s highlights DVD and whatever else Steelers wise that takes my fancy. It's tradition and it was definitely time to replace my weather worn Steelers’ flag.
It’s also a great opportunity to drive through the Fort Pitt tunnel to catch the Pittsburgh skyline as you exit. Fantastic – try it at night, even better.
Jodie offered to drive as she didn’t want to get the blame for any bad photos, but as I knew the route, it made sense for her to take the camera.
So, with Mad Max at the wheel and Jodie juggling the camera, the photos turned out very good.
Enter the tunnel in the left lane. A little dash of yellow, green and white in the distance begins to take shape. Rapidly the blob begins to separate into a bridge, then exit signs and buildings. Downtown Pittsburgh. Beautiful.
Keeping left all the way, but watchful of traffic merging from the left, stay on 279 North. Cross the Fort Pitt bridge and the Monongahela river, swinging left and keeping left across the Fort Duquesne bridge that straddles another of the Three Rivers, the Allegheny.
Take the first exit ramp after crossing the bridge and swing left, down towards the stadium, which will be on your left. If on a game day, be prepared to scalpe to park.
Fortunately for us parking was easy, right next to the shop. It's worth a visit. Especially if the DVD highlights are as good as they were from last season.
The day is completed with a Sheraton (at Station Square) steak, complimented by the fabulous view of the city skyline. Jodi and Sheri decided to play with the candyfloss served after dinner. Maybe, just maybe, they were encouraged by me…
Tuesday, our last day in Pittsburgh before flying to New York, was spent shopping in Grove City. In the evening we had dinner with our great friends Mike and Linda at Mario’s on Carlson. A lot more gifts, including the media preview of the Browns' game.
On the way back to our hotel we stopped off at Wal-Mart’s to buy another carry case (obviously one with the Steelers' logo on it) as I had run out of space in my luggage and was determined to get everything in. My contingency was to leave my Steelers jacket behind as it had seen better years, but it’s very difficult to jettison any Steelers gear.
Ed came round to say goodbye, so I was up a little later than I expected to be. Blimey. Was that a fifth night in a row getting to bed after midnight? That must be a record for this old man.
I had brought some bargains (as I always seem to do) as Christmas presents for my niece’s boys. Trouble was I did run out of luggage space so I had to take the items (still on the secret list) out of their packaging. You try doing that after a few wines in the middle of the night – plus trying hard not to wake your daughter up!
I knew that I had acquired a lot of yearbooks, programs and old media guides during my stay. Add to that the books I had brought and it doesn’t take long to run out of room, but worse than that, put on weight. Something that I had never had to worry about before.
New York was Jodie’s part of the holiday. Having been exposed to nothing but football (and I suppose a few shops) for the previous four days, Jodie deserved her time in New York.
We drove to the airport early Wednesday morning to fly to Newark. We had no hassles dropping the car off and at that time I should have guessed that things were going too smoothly.
In the past it has been known for me to bring home 100 Steelers catalogues as hand luggage for the UK black and gold members. What I have never experienced is the trauma of getting to the airport and finding out that one of your cases in 9lb over the limit.
I guess everyone watching, as I frantically transferred the weight from one case to another, would have been impressed with the amount of Steelers literature I was moving around.
I managed to organise the cases so that my previously overweight case was now a pound lighter than the limit. That led to a wise crack from another traveller who said that I could put something back now!
I had intended to get a cab from Newark airport to our hotel, but changed my mind at the last minute. Only a male could do that and have it cause aggravation. We brought bus tickets at the terminal. Big mistake.
When I had travelled into New York by bus from the airport before, it had been hassle free. Depends who you go with. One company takes you straight to your hotel, another company takes you to Union Station and then you have to change to a different bus.
Not a real problem - unless you have someone at the turnaround who is no help to you at all. That’s probably why he’s got the job.
If you want some travel advice: if there’s more than one of you to share the cost, use a taxi. Less hassle, quicker and stress free.
When you get to the taxi rank, which is signposted throughout the terminal, tell the person controlling the rank where you are going and they will tell you the price and print a ticket for the taxi driver confirming the price. Quite straight forward and sensible.
Another travel tip: print the hotel name and location to show anyone that needs that information. This will save there being any language difficulties. Trust me.
Why is it that I have so many problems getting to my hotels? If I could manage this challenge, my trips would be totally stress free.
Having checked into our hotel, we were straight back onto the streets of New York to take in the atmosphere of this busy city. More shopping, this time in Macy’s before taking a trip up to the top of the Empire State Building - with no queues!
Thursday was more shopping. Taking the bus to Woodbury Common, Jodie was in her element while this old man spent most of the time in the food hall making a start on the hundreds of photos I had taken.
It’s very handy having a laptop when on holiday with a digital camera. As soon as shopping has you beat, you can start cropping your holiday snaps.
We rushed back to New York to make our 1700 reservation at the (allegedly) finest steak house in New York. Peter Luger, which is just across the East River in Brooklyn. We decided to get a cab. Seemed the easiest thing to do. Umm… so you would think. Don't be a cheapskate and use the subway, take a cab. Umm...
We spent ten minutes trying to hail a cab before one made a tentative approach towards us. We told the non-american driver where we wanted to go and he then questioned us as to where it was. We did suggest that he should know the answer, and that is why we were taking a taxi.
He moved about 100 yards before pulling over to the kerb and asking us to get out. Umm… Fine.
As frustration began to boil to the top, another cab appeared on the horizon and without us hailing him, pulled over and asked us if we wanted a taxi? He was also non-american and something told me that he just might not be that knight in shining armour we were hoping for.
“Peter Luger?” we inquired despairingly. “Where’s that?” he replied. Umm… here we go again. Brooklyn we pleaded. He mused over it for a while and told us to jump in. I was very agreeable to this as he had parked the cab at a 45 degrees angle to the kerb and I was a tad concerned about the danger it invited.
Fortunately I had written the restaurant’s name, address and telephone number on a piece of paper. As he continued to chew over our destination, I thrust the paper anxiously into his hand.
A glimmer of optimism flickered across his face. “That’s my area code,” he commented on the telephone number, “I know where that is.” Eureka! Let’s finally get it on. Turned out he was Senegalese and had been in New York for five years.
We asked him how much training he had undertaken before driving his taxi around the streets of this big cit. Apparently not very much' just two days. He had driven a delivery truck around New York before becoming a taxi driver so he had picked up a lot of knowledge then.
Travel tip: write down as much information as you can about your destination. Legibly. In this instance, it was our saviour.
Described as a working-man's steakhouse, I found the waiters warm and helpful in Peter Luger. Perhaps they were having an off day because they are not described in the guidebook as such.
With their guidance, we picked a T-bone for two ($79). The wine list was comprehensive and I decided on a Californian red that I hadn’t tasted before, a Beringer. A superb choice (by luck) and the steak was supreme and cooked exactly as requested.
No complaints at all, so give it a try if you are ever in New York. Allegedly the stars go there. Can’t help you there because I wasn’t really looking.
Friday, Jodie suggested a ride on the Staten Island Ferry and what a good suggestion it was – and it’s free! It was a golden chance to take some decent photos of the Statue of Liberty. And it’s free? Run that past me again… it doesn’t cost anything and it provides a unique Kodak moment. Try it.
We also paid a visit to Ground Zero. I like to go back each year to see how much progress has been made in rebuilding the site.
During the afternoon we went to Times Square to queue up for half price theatre tickets. Worth the wait because Jodie wanted to see Hairspray and we managed to get decent seats for that evening.
While we were queuing, a street vendor appeared to set up his stall in a very busy spot. Ideal place to try and make a living with a captive audience.
A volatile situation arose when another musician, together with his steel drums, arrived claiming it was his spot.
Umm… I thought. This should make an interesting photo.
The problem for photographers though is what might look good to you as a Kodak moment means nothing later to anyone who wasn’t there to witness it. I think you can get the gist of what was happening in the photo and several friends had said how good it is, so I have to bore you with it I’m afraid.
Friday evening in New York? The bars are heaving as the New Yorkers have a drink before going home for the weekend. As long as you venture off the main drag, you’ll find some places that are not so crowded. Well, not so manic.
We left early for the theatre in case we had problems finding it. It proved to be no hassle and with an hour to spare, we discovered a bar that was alive with people enjoying themselves after a hard week’s work. Noisy, but why not as people have fun refuelling those tired minds and bodies with a refreshing cold beer.
Saturday. Jodie wanted to ice skate in New York and if we can, we do, and she did. At Rockefeller Centre. Can you imagine the strange looks I was getting? There's this old man wandering around aimlessly clutching desperately to a pair of lady's shoes.
While Jodie was skating, this old man was carrying her shoes. Seemed like a good idea at the time as I walked around a bustling Music City Hall. The queue for their show was enormous.
On the way back to the hotel, I decided we would have a drink. We had some spare time and the sun was over the yard arm. We found an empty bar with college football and soccer showing on their televisions; not that we were in viewing mode. We just wanted to relax and have a quiet drink before the flight home.
Two gentlemen came in and sat on the stools adjacent to us and asked for the television station to be changed to a different ball game. They started to talk about the Steelers and my ears obviously then went on red alert. As the conversation continued on the theme of the Steelers, I gave the gentlemen one of my steelersuk cards.
They quickly went from friendly to long lost brother’s mode and did make the comment, "Unbelievable! We go into an Irish bar in New York and meet some Steelers fans from the UK.”
Jodie's pink Steelers' hat impressed them. Earlier, Jodie had been stopped on the street by a stranger and asked if she had brought the hat in New York. The lady was bitterly disappointed to hear it was had been purchased in Pittsburgh.
They offered to buy us a drink, but we had to be off as our taxi was waiting to take us to the airport… and so our trip came to an end and it was back home after another great trip to see the Steelers, Pittsburgh, and New York.
Just try it once… and you will be hooked. Who needs the sun when you can you have all the thrills of a Steelers trip to enjoy.