I’ve been sharing about “Bolt’s” adventures in Europe, Yellowstone/Grand Tetons, and Norway.
Today … I’ll tell you about a little adventure of my own.
It was just a weekend trip over the mountain and through the woods!
Literally, we crossed three mountain ranges!
Traveling west from Virginia, we crossed the Blue Ridge mountains. The Blue Ridge is the eastern most face of the larger Appalachian Range. The Blue Ridge line the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.
What does “Shenandoah” really mean? “Shenandoah” is derived from native American languages, most likely the Algonquin “schind-han-do-wi.” Many translations have been proposed, but the most enticing is “Beautiful Daughter of the Stars.”
The “valley” is a beautiful place resting between two mountain ranges.
I love when the Blue Ridge pops into view when traveling west for about 45 minutes. They always give me a relaxing sigh. The majestic sight never grows old. And true to their name, they give off a blue outline like no other mountain I’ve ever seen in the US or overseas. All three of my children lived among these mountains for their college years. They hold a familiarity and fondness. They make me smile and think of those I love.
After we crossed the Blue Ridge into West Virginia, we were in the Appalachian Mountains. That’s how I think of it. Actually, all three ranges we crossed are a part of the Appalachian range which covers the eastern seaboard of the US.
Then, as we approached Pittsburg, PA, our destination, we were in the Allegheny Range of Appalachia.
Since I’ve lived on the east coast my whole life, I learned the names of ranges. In my mind, they are three separate places. They are ranges, but if you say the Appalachian mountains, it would cover all of them. I’ve known them from a closer lens and thus see them as individuals.
It was a weekend in the mountains for sure. Up and down, curves and swerves. Lots of road signs showing a steep decline! The declines are my least favorite! My husband worries about “burning up the brakes” and thus declines much faster than I would. I am quick to remind him that’s what brakes are for and replacing brakes is normal car maintenance!! While I stomp my foot through the floorboard and brace my arms in a fruitless effort to slow our roll!!
Pittsburg, though … I’ve never stopped there before, just drove around it.
It is quite the city, not that I’m an expert after two and a half days. Wow, it looks like houses built on mountainsides, so steep and on the tippy top!! Goodness me, they look a little unstable and scary!
Down by the river, in flat places, industry abounds. I was taught Pittsburg is the hub of the steel industry, at least in the east. The city has a built-up appearance and seems somewhat congested, more so than some modern cities. The buildings were close together downtown, much closer than New York City or Washington D.C.. I also didn’t notice green spaces in the city, just buildings.
I was reminded that Pittsburg sits at the confluence of two rivers; the Allegheny and the Monongahela (which I never heard pronounced). They join to make the Ohio River! Needless to say, Pittsburg has bridges.
A WHOOPING 446 bridges!! Giving it the title of the most bridges than any other city in the world (sorry Venice). According to the internet. Wow!
Little Travel Hint: When in Pittsburg, don’t think you know where you are just because you crossed a bridge. There’s a 1 in 445 chance it was a different bridge!!
On the way home, we noticed a sign on the side of the road …
The Eastern Continental Divide!
I said to my husband, “Do you remember what that means?” The name was familiar. I’m sure it was on some test in geography back in school. I likely didn’t know the answer than either. My brain kept circling around, “What does it divide?” Giving up, I resorted to Siri.
“The Eastern Continental Divide, Eastern Divide or Appalachian Divide is a hydrological divide in eastern North America that separates the easterly Atlantic Seaboard watershed from the westerly Gulf of Mexico watershed.”
No wonder I didn’t remember it. Hydrological things aren’t logical to me! I’ll be lucky to remember it has to do with water. The one thing I will remember is I can ask Siri!
Our little westward jaunt was delightful. It centered on a wedding and meeting up with family and GRANDS! You know, this “Zee Zee” was in her favorite place. Three of our littles were in the wedding, ages 7, 4 and 20 months … oh my, that was adorableness in excess and overload.
Tears of joy, pride, love, and leaving flowed. I just can’t help it, they fill me up!! Not just the grands, their parents too!!
And, NO, it was not cooler there and the humidity was a wall of ickiness.😝
By the way, “Bolt” went with us and went home to MI with another! Another travel adventure for our young 6 week old!!
What did you do over the weekend?
Any travel fun?
Do Share!
Reminder: Bolt From The Blue is available on Amazon. Tell your family and friends! Leave us reviews, please😉
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Elaine Stone 