Easter Weekend Gallivanting

It just so happens that this year, our family decided to celebrate the Easter Holiday in Pittsburgh, and so, Marty took a half day vacation so that we could drive out today in anticipation of a fun weekend with family. 

Now let me just say.....this is a BIG deal, because tomorrow is opening day of trout season in Eastern PA, and my husband originally intended to cast his rod in the waters back east, catch his limit, come home, then hit the turnpike to make the drive.  After I recreated the scenario in real life, he relented and I honestly don't think he is regretting his decision.  

I found an awesome place for us to stay, convenient to our visits this weekend.  I had originally booked just one night, but as soon as Marty indicated that he would consider driving out today, I contacted the B&B and asked if I could add an additional night onto the stay.  Well, it turns out that the original room that I booked was filled for tonight, so the proprietor switched the room to Mr. Bogg's Suite, and I'd say that we just might have the best room in the house!

We are staying at the Inn on Mexican War Streets, and this is the view from our room:

That's the Pittsburgh sky line that you see in the distance.  How awesome is that?

The history behind the mansion involves an entrepreneur named Boggs (thus the name of the suite), who started an enterprise with Buhl (for which Buhl planetarium is named), on the North Side of Pittsburgh in the late 1880's.   The present proprietors bought the building in 1998, when it was in an extremely dilapidated condition.  They found photos of the original decor and painstakingly remodeled the building back to its original beauty. And believe me.....this place is gorgeous on the inside.

Here are just a few photos of our room:

and the giant chandelier that stands over the curved staircase

There is a gorgeous grand piano in the library as well as numerous unique clocks and statuary throughout the place.   The proprietors have certainly managed to recreate what would have been a stately mansion at one time.  But, in reality, this was Boggs' townhouse.  He owned another "mansion" in Sewickley Heights, just a few miles north of the city.

We arrived just in time for dinner, and Jeff, one of the proprietors, recommended an Irish Pub, Monterey's, just a half a block walking distance away.  Since parking is a premium here, and it was unseasonably cold (are we in Scotland?), we thought that was a fabulous idea.

The houses in this area have undergone a huge renovation, all cleaned up and remodeled to the era in which they were originally built.

And it wasn't difficult to spot the pub with the Irish flag flying right outside the door!

I didn't capture a photo of the flag, but I did get one of myself, taking a photo of the sign. 

We entered the doors of the establishment only to find it packed with people, and we were told it would be an hour wait.  We befriended some locals who walked through the door right after us, and they introduced us to the owners, Carl and Nancy.   We were having such a great time gabbing with these people who were, of course, super friendly, and the next thing we knew 45 minutes had passed, and our table was ready!

I ordered the fish and chips and I can honestly say that I think my meal was one of the best  fish'n'chips that I've eaten.  The interior  of the place was reminiscent of the tv series, Cheers, and the crowd was a bit exuberant, watching the Pirate's Season opener on big screen televisions.  (Pirates won 13-10 after 13 innings).  

And, you know it must be an authentic Irish pub if it has a huge picture of St. Patrick hanging on the wall!

(Those intent faces are watching the Pirate game on a television in the corner.)

After our tummies were full, we headed back to our room, and crossed the street to the park to check out the sunset highlighting the glass buildings in the distance. 

I spotted this extremely tall column, and we decided to get closer to check it out.

Much to our surprise, it was a monument devoted to the people of Allegheny County who had died fighting in the Civil War.

It was difficult to capture it in its entirety.  If you look closely, you can see the inscriptions on the bottom:  Antietam, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Appotomatox

and an inscription honoring those men who lost their lives.

It is obvious that this monument has stood in this place for quite some time, and we were both surprised that we had been unaware of its existence.

Walking back to the B&B, I captured a photo of the front of the place where we are staying.  Our room is the one with the 3 windows above the porch in the front.

And, this is what we are treated to, gazing out the window from our bed. 

I don't know about you....but I'd take this over fishing any day.  (which isn't really saying much because I'd probably take just about anything over fishing.)

So, I suppose I better stop here.

Hope you all have an awesome Easter!