As I mentioned in part one last week, my husband and I are originally from Pittsburgh. I have felt the need to show my grandkids where our roots are so we recently took a road trip to Pittsburgh with my oldest son, his wife and daughters.
The end of our first full day in Pittsburgh is probably my favorite. My husband and I are die-hard Pirates fans. For many years, I have had Pirates memorabilia on my desk at home. At one point, my granddaughter made the comment that "Mimi LOVES Pirates" and ever since it's become a running joke in our family and I've been on the receiving and giving end of many pirate-related gifts over the years. Taking the train from the Carnegie Science Center to PNC Park was itself exciting for my granddaughters. But, for me and my husband, stepping out into the sunshine and walking up to the park was truly a moment we won't forget. Hosted by the Pirates, we were thrilled with being so close to the field. The twins had a surprise after the fourth inning when a "Happy Birthday" message appeared on the jumbotron. A walk-off home run to win the game for the Pirates was icing on the cake!
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On our final full day in Pittsburgh, we spent the morning with relatives we hadn't seen in many years. My mom's family is large, primarily live in Pittsburgh, and I have so many memories of driving to Pittsburgh from wherever we lived as I was growing up and spending time with aunts, uncles and cousins. I was so glad to see my son and his family meet these relatives who they had heard names over the years. Again, a connection to this city.
After taking the incline down to Station Square, we headed to The Strip District -- a one-half square mile shopping district, chock full of ethnic grocers, produce stands, meat and fish markets and sidewalk vendors. Just walking down the streets made us appreciate the different cultures that call Pittsburgh home.
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Needless to say, we packed quite a bit into three days but I'd do it all over again. This was one of those memories I will hold dear, knowing it was a trip with meaning for all of us.
Here's what I learned from our grandparent road trip:
--If you have children, you know planning is critical. We began planning this trip a year before we actually went. Where to go, where to stay, what to take were all priorities. With two ten year olds and a seven year old, I knew we could keep busy and walk to many activities. The transit system was amazing and, if going to a big city, that would definitely be a way to get around.
--Think about the trip there and back. Whether driving or flying, busy bags are essential. I am so fortunate to have a son and daughter-in-law that are comfortable travelling with their kids and have a routine to make sure each child has a busy bag.
--Once you've decided what activities you're going to do, check ahead to see if you can bring drinks and snacks. In the case of the Science Center, they allowed you to bring these items in but had some restrictions where you could eat and drink. Bringing our own definitely helped with the travel budget.
--Enjoy the moment. There were several times that I found myself getting emotional, watching my family having this experience we had planned for so long. The phone stayed in my pocket. I guess I'm that generation that doesn't automatically grab the cell phone to capture the moment. I knew between us, we'd have plenty of pictures. Some moments should just be stored in your heart.
--Finally, appreciate the meaning of this type of trip. We may travel elsewhere but we'll never have THIS experience again. Understand there might be stresses along the way...children get tired and hungry, adults get hot and sweaty and sometimes Grandpa and Mimi just need to sit down for a minute. Pocket those memories of hands being held, hugs being given and smiles making a grandparent's day.
