In PA...AGAIN!

[geneweigel]

In the span of a year I've been to Pennsylvania:

In late June on route to Wisconsin stop off in Western PA 1
On route back to NYC stop off in Southern and Central PA 1
August: Sesame Place outside Philadelphia 1
October; My nephew's wedding Central PA 1
Business trip to Philadelphia last weekend 1

and now I'm going to a Poconos resort in early June for a family reunion! that'll make it 6 times in the span of a year.

Philadelphia seemed a lot more aggressive than I recall from a childhood trip. Lots of vocal "toughs" in the outskirts. Very similiar to the outskirts of Boston with all the colonial architecture. How is Pittsburgh? I can imagine it being vastly different considering the size of the state.

[Scott]

Pittsburgh is almost more of a town than a city.
The neighborhood that I grew up in, which was in the 'city' was still farmland not too long ago. The rivers and hills really set the 'city' off. It's like living in Yggsburgh. My neighborhood would be like living on the south side of the western end of Serpent Ridge.

[stranger]

A few years back I spent nine days in Pittsburgh, I was surprised how nice it was. The city has done a nice job redeveloping the river front areas. Of course it didn't hurt that I got to see the Penguins from an owners box either.

Probably more in line with the food and drink thread but I must compliment the Monterey Bay as an exceptional seafood eatery. On the down side, the Hooters I ate at must of been an equal opportunity employer, the customers were better looking than the help.

One more interesting note, it was the first city I visited that I saw a drive through liquor store. Not just a drive through window but a drive through store.

[GT]

I was in Pittsburgh back in 1973 and the skies were all grey-brown from the steel manufacturing. I went back in the late 80's and again in the mid-90's and they were all nice and blue again! Were you old enough to remember when all of the smelters were goin' Scotty? And is the "Southside Shuffle" still practiced? ^__^

[geneweigel]

Did you ever run that Pitz Burke adventure from GAMMA WORLD 2e?

[GT]

'Deed I did--from the redone box set. It was one instance where I felt that the "new edition" was an improvement over the original--it had better clarification! ^__^

[geneweigel]

I played that whole area out then we headed to New York and I had to make that up from scratch and somebody lifted my map of it.

I think some of locales seemed like they were real places. The "Frick building" was filled with robots.

[GT]

"One more interesting note, it was the first city I visited that I saw a drive through liquor store. Not just a drive through window but a drive through store. "

On this note, Pennsylvania and Ohio are the only two states I've encountered this; and I salute them!!!! ^__^

[Scott]

gt said:

And is the "Southside Shuffle" still practiced? ^__^

It is, but it's really called the South Side Crawl.
For those not in the know:
"This is dangerous territory, my friend: 20 blocks of bars, clubs, and music halls, gushing with draft beer, mixed drinks, live rock and jazz, and more darts, billiards and jukeboxes than you can shake a stick at. You may enjoy clubbing in the Strip; you may dig the martini get-togethers in Shadyside; maybe you're more an Oakland beer-and-a-shot type. But you haven't really lived until you've faced -- and survived -- the South Side Crawl.

The infamous route has attracted hipsters, truckers, frat boys and 21st-birthday celebrants for nearly two decades -- not surprising, it's often hailed at sobriety's Bermuda Triangle. Rumor has it that South Side contains more bars per acre than any neighborhood in the U.S. Whether or not that's true, Friday nights are a virtual relay race of jubilant crowds, who weave through South Side's maze of avenues in search of music, booze and wild experiences.

Traditionally, the true South Side Crawler begins at Jack's Rose Bar and bounces down Carson Street, checking out every second or third spot before hitting Zythos or the Lava Lounge (the reverse route also is kosher). We can't promise you'll feel very well the morning after, but hey, you're only young once."

[Scott]

If there was a South Side Walk of Fame, I'd have my own star.

[GT]

A rather "tomboyish" girl that Woodstock and I knew dragged us through this after she graduated from Cornell and got a job in Pittsburgh back in the later 80's... indeed, a trial of stamina!! Not sure at nearly 50 that I could still survive it--but willing to try if I ever get out to visit ya, Scott (hang in there, Liver, old boy!!)

[Scott]

Rocky's still throwing punches, Rambo is still menacing southeast Asia; I think you could manage another Crawl.

[GT]

I'll have to get into training! Where'd I put that Everclear...? ^__^

[Scott]

stranger said:

One more interesting note, it was the first city I visited that I saw a drive through liquor store. Not just a drive through window but a drive through store.

The first time I ever got 'served', I was 17, and it was at a drive through.

[GT]

Heh!!! You're gonna get "served" on the whole Monk thing, Amigo!! ^__^

[Scott]

I must be at least a 9th level monk myself, since I have successfully resisted your attempts to beguile.

[GT]

Prepare to join your 8th level brethern as I best you in "monkish" combat... ^__^

[Scott]

I suppose the drive-through, wasn't really being served, since it was take-out.
The first time I bought drinks, by the drink, was at a strip club. When I first walked in, for the very first time, I was asked for my ID, and then another employee says, "He's OK, I know him." And I never got carded there again.
Some time later, after I'd become a 'regular', I stopped in that club with a guy I worked with. He was probably 15 years or so older than me. They carded him, and he didn't have his ID, so they wouldn't serve him. Kim, a bartender, started yelling at me, still a teenager at the time, for trying to bring an underager into the club, and said if he was as old as I said, we could both come back and drink for free all night.
And several days later we came back and drank for free all night.

[GT]

Mmmmmm.... drink all night... FREE!!!!!!

[xelloss]

Free drinks... Mmmmmmmmmm... Stouts all night long.... ;D ;D ;D