Baseball Vacation 2006

Fallingwater; Pirates vs Giants: July 28, 2006

      We checked out of our hotel in Somerset and took off for Ohiopyle State Park again, since it had rained overnight. As we got close, we realized that area had not seen much rain, so we went to the nearby Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece "Fallingwater" instead. We went around the grounds and took some photos. Mitchell enjoyed it and especially like many items in the gift shop where we bought a few things.
      Originally, we had planned to go from Cleveland to Kansas City and then home. But after watching the All Star game and the beauty of PNC Park, we added a few days to the trip. I intentionally bought seats on the back row up high, behind home plate. That turned out to be a good decision, especially since, during early drizzle, we were under the press box. PNC park has a beautiful view of the river. We parked across the street and walked across Clemente bridge which is closed to traffic on game days. Mitchell bought an All Star game pin.
      The Pirates shut out the Giants 3-0. Bonds was 0 for 4 and Jason Schmidt pitched pretty well for the Giants but did not get any run support. It was kind of nice just sitting back there enjoying the ballgame and the wonderful view. Occasionally boats would pass by including a steamship, etc. (check out the middle photo in the 3rd row).
      After the game there was a terrible traffic jam due to road construction. Traffic re-routing was a mess. Pittsburgh has a great baseball stadium but I was not so impressed with the traffic control.
1
We had some time before the night game in Pittsburgh, so we took our time going in and stopped by to see Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece "Fallingwater." Mitchell enjoyed it quite a bit and dad got a lot of pictures.
2
A wider angle view of Fallingwater.
3
Now a little closer view of Falliingwater.
4
Mitchell in front of Fallingwater.
5
Dad has to sit down and rest and get ready to eat another hot dog.
6
The view from our parking space in a parking garage across the river from the stadium.
7
No wonder the Steelers have done so well through the years.
8
When we came in from the river, we crossed the Clemente bridge in centerfield which is open only to pedestrians on game day. There were some neat things on sale from the All Star game still.
9
Rather than sit near the dugout as we did for most games, we intentionally got seats behind home plate at the top of the upper level. It was a great view. Here Barry Bonds bats in the first inning.
10
11
A shot during the top of the 3rd inning.
12
Bonds bats in the top of the 4th inning. Bonds went 0 for 4, and Kip Wells out-pitched Jason Schmidt.
13
14
A view of PNC Park at night.
15
Mitchell was pretty excited to see PNC Park after watching the All Star game there a couple of weeks before.
16
I am not sure which one of us took this photo but it shows a close up of centerfield from our seats.
Baseball Trip Home