Pittsburgh

June 5, 2015 – Day 3

Columbus, OH – Pittsburgh, PA

257 miles/four hours

The Brown House

We got an early start this morning, because we had a date with some roller coasters! We rolled into town at noon, and after Patty (a friend from my Lauderdale days) picked her kids up from school, we were Kennywood-bound!

Kennywood is an amusement park that offers fun for all. There are super-scary rides, but also a kiddie-land. For our first ride we chose the Jack Rabbit, which is middle-of-the-road in terms size and scariness. It’s a wooden coaster and looks quite rickety, but still…we dared. Everyone rode, including Little Man, who didn’t like it last year. Well, guess what? He still doesn’t - and was very mad at me for urging him try it again. Very mad. In fact, he never quite recovered from all day. Mommy fail.

The sky opened up on us around five – it poured! We ran to the car and went to dinner at Red Robin. Once again, aside from Camden’s tongue-lashing, it was an easy day. Who are these kids?

Patty and I caught up over a glass of wine, while the big kids hung outside playing kickball until almost 10:00 p.m.! Ah, summertime up north.  After the rain was gone, it was a beautiful night.

The gang.

Mom & Cammy, just before the roller coaster left the station.

Cammy and Bear in solidarity - on the kiddie coaster!

Mallory, Aud & McKenna, after a water ride. They didn't care about getting rained on!

A Day Full of Amusement

Day 5 - June 1, 2014

Pittsburgh, PA

We had a fantastic day!  Leading up to our trip, I kept telling the kids I had a surprise for them when we got to Pittsburgh.  My friend Patty works for the school system and she scored some discount tickets to Kennywood, an amusement park close to their house.  I never take the kids to parks like that.  Too expensive and I’m way outnumbered - but with discount tickets and Patty cheering me on, I decided to go for it.

I was expecting pure unbridled excitement when I told the kids.  Yeah, that didn’t happened.  They were disappointingly blasé about my announcement, so I approached the day as if it were a chore.  OMG, it was so much better than that.  We had a blast!  The park was very cool and not the least bit crowded.  The kids in this area are still in school and I’m guessing there may have been some other end-of-year activities occurring, because we never waited more than ten minutes for a ride and this park had some serious roller-coasters.

Upon arrival, I went to guest services to see what kind of accommodations I could get for Barrett.  They were wonderful and basically he got a “pass” – but there were nine of us, so it was going to be tricky (the pass was for four).  The first couple of rides, I didn’t bother with the pass, because the lines looked very reasonable and Bear did great.  Honestly, I’m still in shock at how calm he was – all day long.  He waited in line with his siblings and friends and just hung out as one of the gang.  I held him back from a couple of rides, thinking they would wig him out, but he did ride each and every roller coaster (two of which I wouldn't get on).  He was a rock star!

I scored a first, as well.  I haven’t been on a water ride since Bush Gardens, circa 1983.  The kids were all wearing swimsuits, but Patty and I were in street clothes.  She refused to go on the water rides – warning me that I may get soaked.  I’m trying very hard to loosen up and be a little more “fun” – so I went for it on the Raging Rapids.  Well, the three bathing suit clad girls lucked out, but not me.  I got drenched.  Although I had a spare t-shirt, I had to buy a pair of shorts in the gift shop – with “Kennywood” printed on the bottom!  I’ve sunk to a new low, all in my quest to be a cool mom on the road trip.  Just call me Brittney!

Patty was watching from the bridge - and captured my drenching.  I'm in the red visor.

Audrey miraculously got over her fear of rides.  That, or she didn’t want her Pittsburgh Pals to think she was a chicken, because she rode everything and didn’t cry once!  Hunter was his usual wild-man self and my little guy rode his first roller coaster - although he was not thrilled.  As we pulled in at the end of the ride, he couldn’t get his seat belt off fast enough – and I quote, “Get me out of here, I am never doing that again!”

We stayed at the park for almost SEVEN hours!  Can you believe that?  I can’t, not in my wildest dreams.  We had dinner at Red Robin and then home to bed.  Everyone – moms included – was exhausted!!!!

Hanging with The Brown Family in Pittsburgh

Day Four – May 31, 2014

Charleston, WV – Monroeville, PA

229 miles/ 3 ½ hours

The Brown House

We got up slowly today.  When we opened the hotel room curtains this morning, we were literally blinded by the sun rising over the mountains.  Wow.  Seriously, it was the brightest light I think I've ever seen.  I tried to take a picture of it, but it doesn't even come close to capturing the brilliance.

It woke everybody up.  We headed down to the hotel gym to get in a little workout.  Hunter has to log some miles for Cross Country.  After that, we did a grab and go breakfast, which we took back to the room.  I will spare you more of the boring morning logistics, but we were lazy and didn't leave Charleston until after 11.  I don’t know what has gotten into me this summer, but I’m trying not to rush.

Monroeville (suburb of Pittsburgh) is the home of my friend Patty and her family.  This is the third time we’ve invaded them on our road trip.  Our kids love each other.  Patty’s son is two years younger than Barrett and Hunter, and her twin girls are one year behind Audrey.  We spent the afternoon getting everyone reacquainted, while Patty and I caught up.  We had a nice cookout and the weather was perfect! 

I know it’s been a little zzzzzzz so far, but as I get ready to post this, we've completed day five – and it was awesome!  Good stuff coming:).