Heading North Part I: A Visit With Family

Pittsburgh, PA - Events of Monday, July 9 to Tuesday, July 16, 2019

It's been over a month since our last post because there hasn't been much that's been newsworthy to report up until now. There was no sightseeing, there were no interesting projects, and were no new restaurants. We've only been running the usual errands, visiting the usual restaurants, and the doing the usual puttering.

On Monday, July 9, however, we headed north to Pittsburgh to visit Lora, J. Michael, and Lydia. We left at 5:30 a.m. because we had a long travel day and because we wanted to get through Orlando before the height of morning rush. After only minor slow-downs in Orlando, we pulled into our usual overnight stopping place in Rock Hill, North Carolina shortly after 3:00.

We met our old RVing friends, Dick and Barbara who live in the Rock Hill area, for dinner at the nearby Texas Roadhouse. We had a good time catching up.

We got on the road fairly early the next morning and had an uneventful travel day arriving in Pittsburgh in time to unpack and go to Lydia's 5:00 swim lesson. Last year for Lydia's birthday and again this year, we gave her several swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School. Goldfish Swim School is a nationwide franchise of schools that teach kids age 4 to 12 to swim. There are currently over 80 schools located in 26 states.

Lydia has learned quite a bit since she first started. She was afraid to put her face in the water last year, even while wearing swim goggles. But the instructors are very good at working with the kids to calm their fears and get them used to the water. This year, Lydia has no problem submerging her face, at least for short periods, even without goggles. She can also float on her back and on her stomach, and she can kick and paddle short distances.

Lydia floating on her back

We were lucky enough to be at this particular lesson because we got to see Lydia graduate from Junior 1 to Junior 2. After the lesson, Lora showed Lydia her certificate and ribbon. Lydia's "deer-in-the-headlights" look is due to the fact she doesn't like change. We all reassured her that in Junior 2 she would be in the same pool doing most of the same things. She would just be learning how to do them better so she could do them longer and paddle farther.

Lydia looking unsure about the fact she graduated to Junior 2 swim class

After the swim lesson, we stopped at Hunner's Pizza and took home a pizza and a hoagie for dinner. Hunner's makes some of the best pizza and the most delicious Italian hoagies! Yum!

The girls went grocery shopping on Wednesday while Paul hung around the house. On Thursday, Paul met a few of his buddies from work for lunch while Margery ran some errands. It was good seeing the guys again, but Paul sure is glad he is retired.

While J. Michael was at work on Friday, the rest of us went into the Oakland section of Pittsburgh to Phipps Conservatory. Paul is fond of Phipps, not only because of his interest in gardening, but also because his grandfather took him there when he was a kid. We took Lora there when she was young, and she still loves Phipps, too. Paul always liked the spring flower show the best because, although it was still cool outside, there were tons of flowers in bloom inside the conservatory providing a wonderful preview of spring and summer.

Phipps Conservatory

In summer, Phipps has flowers inside and several garden areas to view outside.

Outdoor flower border

Outdoor Japanese garden

Lora and Lydia posing atop a huge faux tree stump in one of the outdoor garden areas

Phipps had a show going on called "Van Gough in Flowers" where they recreated various Van Gogh paintings using plants. Right inside the entrance was a floral recreation of Van Gogh's self portrait. Notice the copy of the painting in the lower right.

Van Gogh self portrait in flowers

Another painting was called "Houses at Auvers"  shown below. Again, notice the copy of the painting in the lower right.

Recreation of Van Gogh's "Houses at Auvers"

Yet another painting was "Starry Night." The round hanging planters simulate the circular brush strokes around the moon and stars, while the plants below mimic the colors of the painting.

"Starry Night" painting

"Starry Night" in flowers

Phipps has a butterfly room where there are scores of butterflies flitting about. It was fun to see the wonder on Lydia's face.

Lydia watching butterflies

Orange Julia butterfly

There are also displays of several types of butterflies that are in the process of emerging from their chrysalises. Below is a Monarch butterfly that has recently emerged and is drying its wings.

Monarch butterfly that has recently emerged from its chrysalis

Volunteers at the conservatory help with various activities and crafts for kids. Lydia planted a pepper plant, and she made a pitcher plant from paper. Pitcher plants have long tubular stems that trap insects, which they then dissolve to absorb nutrients.

Lydia decorating her pitcher plant

Completed pitcher plant

We had always visited Phipps in the spring and for the holiday flower show in December, and we're thinking this was the first time that we have even been there in summer. What a treat! Below are just a few of the many beautiful blooms we saw.

A few of the many blooms

As we completed our tour of the conservatory, we stopped for one last photo. Margery apparently didn't get the "red shirt" memo.

Selfie on the way out

On Saturday, we headed over to J. Michel's brother's house for a dip in their pool. Lydia got to practice some of the things she has been learning in swim class.

Lydia practicing her swimming

Lydia's birthday party was on Sunday even though her actual birthday wasn't until a few days later because Sunday was the best day to have friends and family over to celebrate. The little boy next door, who was also in pre-school with Lydia, came over after lunch to play. Lora and J. Michael gave Lydia an early present of a blowup unicorn that sprays water from its horn so the kids could play during the hot afternoon while the adults prepared for the party.

Lydia and her friend playing in the water spray

After all the preparation was done, some of us took time to relax.

Margery and Freeway relaxing before the guests arrived

J. Michael spent most of Sunday smoking a beef brisket for dinner. Guests began arriving around 3:00. We enjoyed a few snacks during the afternoon, and then had dinned around 5:00. The brisket was yummy, as were all delicious accompaniments.

After dinner, it was time for Lydia to open gifts.

Lydia opening gifts

After the gifts were opened, there was a unicorn piñata for the youngsters. The candy was released by pulling the correct ribbon, not by batting the piñata with a stick, so it was a safe indoor activity.

After everyone gathered up their hoard of candy from the piñata, there was a "pin the horn on the unicorn" game.

Lydia pinning the horn on the unicorn

Anyone noticing a theme here? Yes, unicorns were the theme of the day with a blowup unicorn, unicorn games, unicorn decorations, unicorn gift wrap, and unicorn napkins. And we topped off the evening with a piece of unicorn birthday cake.

Singing "Happy Birthday" in front of the unicorn birthday cake

On Monday, Lora and Lydia joined us in going to lunch with Paul's step mom. After we finished packing on Tuesday morning (July 16), we had time to visit with Lora and Lydia for a while before heading off to Ohio's Amish country in Berlin, Ohio for a few days. We'll tell you about that visit in our next post.

Comments

[Marsha K Weaver]

The swim lessons are a super great idea.

The Conservatory is lovely.

Happy birthday, Lydia. You have the most beautiful eyes.

[Mike and Gerri Jones]

Happy Birthday to Lydia!!! 🎂🎂 What a neat birthday theme and what a fun unicorn to have in the backyard to spray water on you when hot!!! Fun fun!!!
The Conservatory is beautiful!!! I could spend time there in all seasons!!!
I never liked to put my face in the water either!!!

[Janice Evans]

A wonderful update.

Lydia is as adorable as always. Love those faces.

Enjoy your travel getaway.