Everything Old is New Again!

I'm happy to announce a new location for Your Active Blog. Thanks to the hard work of Prime Design Solutions, I now have a brand new website and beautiful new blog space. Check it out when you get a chance: http://bit.ly/dwybGw
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The Other Ski Resort – Hidden Valley

So, I and Your Annoyingly-Good-Snowboarding Husband have been love, love, loving all this snow. We thought moving back from New England that we had seen the last of nice long days of snow, but no! Here we are in a long cold snap and I couldn’t be happier. Now, of course, the one thing we’re missing is access to the vast array of NE ski resorts (our fav – Jay Peak). But not to complain, at least there are options around and our choice was Hidden Valley. I know…why Hidden Valley? Well, here is my case for choosing that Other western PA ski resort.

#1. Price. Like any good entrepreneur, I’m scrounging and saving and just can’t see putting down $45+ on certain other nearby ski resorts when Hidden Valley is only $25 weekdays and $30 on Fridays!! You can’t beat that!

#2. Conditions. (Note that I’m not talking trail quality, I’m talking conditions.) We thought the snow was pretty decent for where we are and compared to what it used to be. There was a decent base and a few spots of powder (some actually deep for this area). Hidden Valley has a surprising number of what look like fairly new snow guns, so they’re putting money into the right places. Husband was surprised to see that the half pipe is in the same location that it was in 1994. I, myself, always enjoying hitting the baby terrain parks and HV’s was fun, although limited.

#3. Ambiance. What I have always liked about Hidden Valley is it’s low-stress feel and general sense of fun. I’m not going to lose anyone on the mountain here for hours. You can be confident that of where your kids are and that they probably aren’t in that much trouble, and you can actually find a place to sit inside.

Overall, I think Hidden Valley is great for beginners and young families, or anyone that just wants to get out but doesn’t need to take it too seriously. It’s a decent, nearby, and well-priced option and I had a great time. I was also happy to establish for the second year in a row that I am a better winter athlete than Husband, since I can now ski AND snowboard competently. If he wants to catch up he has to learn to ski, and good luck with that!

P.S. On a shocking note, I didn’t see one (not one!) skier in jeans and a leather jacket. What’s happened here? No Steelers garb either, which I am actually all for, despite our past season record.

P.P.S. It was also music to my ears to hear the occasional Pittsburgh accent (I’m going dahn that hill) and no Boston/New York shouting, cell-phone-talking skiers. I’m just being honest here; if you’ve been there, you know.

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Mattress Factory - it made me feel all funny inside.

Over the Thanksgiving break I finally got to the Mattress Factory along with Your Active Art-Loving Husband, and it definitely made me feel all funny inside. I would say it also made my soul giggle and kind of made my head hurt, too.

The Mattress Factory is a contemporary art museum located in the North Side and has all sorts of in your face, interactive, mind-blowing installation pieces. The Mattress Factory is appropriate for all ages and during my visit there was a great mix of visitors from couples to families to grandparents and grandkids. Here’s a video posted recently demonstrating the power of one of the permanent installations on toddlers.

The museum is actually located in two refurbished historic buildings along Jacksonia Street; a parking lot is located at 505 Jacksonia and provides entrance to the main building. And as you enter the building, the helpful staff at the front desk directs you on where to start and what to expect. I highly recommend you pick up one the paper guides to the current exhibit at the front desk; it tells you about the artists and the show. For a contemporary art novice like me, the guide was invaluable!

We started on the top floor (4th floor), which is devoted to the newest exhibit. It is a group exhibition called LIKENESS, all about an artistic exploration of how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us. The installations include a funny piece of storytelling that was one of my favorites. LIKENESS exhibits are also found on the 3rd floor and basement level. **Don’t miss the piece in the basement, it’s both creepy and funny and was also one of my favorites. LIKENESS runs until March 2010.

On the lower floors are several permanent installations including exhibits by Greer Lankton, James Turrell, and Yayoi Kusama that were all pretty trippy. The Turrell and Kusama exhibits in particular are not to be missed. They are very guest interactive and lots of fun and kind of blew my mind. A staff member said that when they hold receptions there they have to watch the guests before they get a little too interactive; I can only imagine!

The second building owned by the Mattress Factory is located about a block and a half from the main museum. This building houses some of the artist-in-residence pieces and is also well worth a look.

For those who are not particular fans of contemporary art and could basically take it or leave it, I do understand you. I mostly missed out on the art appreciate gene, myself, and my interest tends to run to pretty colors and straight lines. I would still encourage everyone to visit MF at least once because I believe this kind museum challenges your perceptions of art and the world, and because I believe supporting the arts has always been a huge part of what makes Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh.

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Riverview Park

I was recently out enjoying a fine November weekend and decided to explore Riverview Park. Riverview Park is located just north of Pittsburgh along Perrysville Ave (Route 19). Probably the most well-known and visible feature of the park is the Allegheny Observatory, located on a hilltop in the center of the park. The park itself winds around the hilltop and includes wooded paths, a road/path, several pavilions and a pool. The park opened in 1894 within the City of Allegheny and today is undergoing some improvements thanks to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

At this time of year, there was ample space to park up by the Observatory. Because the leaves are all down, you can get a good sense of the overall layout of the paths and roads without much difficulty (I can imagine in the summer months that the paths would feel much more secluded). I really loved how the domes of the Observatory peaked out through the trees almost everywhere I walked; it was an easy way to navigate and quite scenic as well.

The hillside around the observatory is well maintained with a long sloping lawn. A fenced-in, off-leash dog area is located here next to the Observatory. Around the lower portions of the hillside and on the slopes, the park has a number of wooded paths. The paths can be as short or as long as you like since they mostly double back on themselves. They were fairly well kept and several joggers were out when I was there.

One section of paths that is beyond the hill is the Snyder Point natural area. The conservancy is working to restore the setting and right now with the trees bare, you can enjoy the view across to the Ohio River.

A narrow road winds throughout the park with wide shoulders well marked on either side. This is a great option for bicyclists and joggers, and even a number of dog walkers that I saw. The speed is of cars is kept down and there is little traffic. A few pavilions, a playground, and a pool are also located within the park.

Being lucky enough to live near Frick Park, I get to enjoy the Pittsburgh city parks almost every day. Riverview Park is another nice option within the parks system and we’re lucky to have it. I’m glad I took the chance to explore a new part of my city.

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The family's all here! Now what do we do?

The holiday season is fast approaching, a time to be surrounded by family and friends, to feel the joy of the season, ... to generally stress out!

Let Your Active City do our part to relieve your stress and encourage you to have a fun and connected holiday season. Below is our list of ideas for things to do with the family around Thanksgiving.

#1. Take a tour - Ok, I may be biased, but tours are a great way to spend a big chunk of time with friends and family and maybe even learn something new.

Oakland on the World Stage is a walking tour of Schenley Plaza, which sounds pretty tame but it actually a surprisingly interesting and information-packed tour. For example, on the tour you learn about the 1st artificial ice rink in North America, a bridge that was buried in the ground, and a hotel that housed the rich and famous of the early 20th century - all in Oakland! It’s an easy walk and fully accessible.

Another great tour option are the 27 Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning. The rooms are visited by over 15,000 people each year (no kidding) and are world-renowned. Take a tour with us and you’ll learn all the secrets of these rooms. Groups of 10 or more can also tour with University of Pittsburgh student guides, or simply wander through the rooms on their own (although there is a lot to see and a guide is highly recommended).

Both tours can be modified to run either 1 hour or 1½ hours in length. They can also be combined for a 2-hour tour experience. Call (412) 303-0566 or email info@youractivecity.comto ask questions or to set up a tour for your family and friends. More details can also be found at http://www.youractivecity.com/.

Hint 1: Combine a tour with a visit to the Carnegie Museums or Phipps Conservatory. You’ll have a full day of activities with your loved ones and no stress added!

Other great tours in the Pittsburgh area include‘Burgh Bits & Bites food tours and Sole City tours.

#2. Go to a park - I know, I know. It’s too cold, there’s no leaves, what will we do there, etc, etc. I am a huge fan of fall and winter hiking and if you’re looking for a free and fun way to spend some time out of the house – I say “Send your family to a park!”

Now that the leaves are down, you’ll see things you never noticed, before I guarantee it. Plus, this is the time when we really need to get outside and enjoy the sun (what there is of it) and crisp fall air. You’ll be amazed at how refreshed and invigorated you feel after even an hour outside. There are no crowds, parking spaces are there for the taking, and the kids can run around. It’s not really that cold anyway. Come on, give it a try. Admission is FREE.

#3. Museums - Museums abound around Pittsburgh, so you can take your pick. Both sections of the Carnegie Museum in Oakland have new exhibitions running which will please patrons of all ages. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History has just opened Whales/Tohora, on loan from New Zealand’s National Museum. It is all about whales and the connection between whales and the peoples of New Zealand.

The Carnegie Museum of Art has just opened a new section – the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Galleries, which showcase some amazing pieces from the museum's decorative arts collection. These galleries include furniture from the 18th century to mid-20th century modern. Admission is good for both museums and is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $11 for kids 3-18. *Remember that the museums are closed Mondays and major holidays.

Phipps Conservatory is another great staple for all ages and interests right there in Oakland. With the winter season, it’s nice to be back among flowers and warmth. The glass art pieces scattered throughout the conservatory add a great dimension to the visit, and kids will adore the Tropical Forest. You can read my review of Phipps here. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and students with ID, and $7 for kids 2-18. Phipps is closed on Thanksgiving day both otherwise open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm, plus open late on Fridays until 10 pm.

Other museum possibilities are the Warhol, hosting the Shepard Fairey exhibition Supply and Demand until the end of the year, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, celebrating 50 years, or the Frick Art and Historical Center where admission to the Art Museum and Car and Carriage Museum is free.

Please search our Your Active Blog archives for further ideas and feel free to provide some suggestions of your own by commenting below. I hope every one has a happy Thanksgiving celebration!

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Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum

Since this week includes Veteran’s Day and I’ve just launched my historic tour of Oakland, the signs all seem to be indicating that it’s time to blog about the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum in Oakland.

Many do not realize there is a museum inside the large temple-like building along 5th Avenue in Oakland, just across from the William Pitt Union. Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum opened in 1910 as a project of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) to honor the veterans of the Civil War. Today the Hall honors American veterans from all eras and houses a great hidden treasure - the military museum.

The building was designed by Henry Hornbostel, the architect also responsible for the CMU campus and an early version of the University of Pittsburgh campus in Oakland. For those that appreciate neo-classical architecture, this is an impressive example of Beaux-Arts in the original Oakland Civic Center.

Journey up the long lawn and you’ll come to the main entrance of the Hall. Step inside and sign in, no admission is required in 2009 although a donation is encouraged. Once you’ve signed in, you’ll be able to walk around the “museum”. The majority of the hall is taken up by a central auditorium, but the halls around the auditorium have been made into a museum housing over a hundred years’ worth of militaria.

Starting to the left, you’ll move through military history from pre-Civil War to the recent conflicts in the Middle East. In addition to the hallway exhibits, there are a few thematic rooms displaying aspects of military life.

Along the main halls of the museum, the amount and variety of military memorabilia is impressive and certainly a must-see for anyone interested in militaria. In addition to numerous uniforms and a scattering of guns and cannons, there are a variety of personal artifacts and even a Korean War-era Jeep. As to the thematic exhibits, I particularly liked the “Thinking of You” section, which includes touching mementoes and letters from service men and women to their families.

Wandering these halls, you can also learn about the some of the unsung and unremembered groups in the military. There were a number of pieces about the place of women, including a WWII female pilot from our area whose service was only recognized decades later. Near the start of the museum there is a small room describing the place of children in wartime, which included becoming soldiers themselves during the Civil War.

If you are looking for a hidden museum and/or enjoy militaria, this is the place for you. It is also a great time to honor the service and sacrifice of thousands of local military service men and women. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday 10 am – 4 pm and parking can be found in the garage under the hall as well as around Oakland.

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I’m on a roll. And now…Frick Park

Since I’ve covered the Frick house and the Frick Art Gallery, I might as well complete the trifecta and review my favorite park – Frick Park! Sadly, I never really appreciated the beauty of Frick Park until I moved to Squirrel Hill and can now visit it nearly every day. If you have only ever driven past and never entered the park (as I did countless times) give yourself a little present and take some time to explore it during these last days of fall. I’ve included some photos here to give you a sense of the park.

Frick is the largest of the Pittsburgh parks at 561 acres (!) and the most natural-feeling, in my opinion. While I enjoy the other city parks, Frick is absolutely my favorite for its variety and sense of wilderness in the city. Unlike the other city parks, Frick Park was not as obviously “created” or landscaped by the Victorian sensibility of the early 1900s, and so you retain the slopes and valleys and woodland feeling. I’ll try to cover the park in sections since there is so much to see.

Upper Park (Beechwood and Nicholson/English Lane, Squirrel Hill)
At one time there was a golf course in the park and you can see evidence of this in the grassy plateau mounds in the upper part of Frick. This section of the park is kept more like a large lawn and offers a great view of the Monongahela River valley. There is also the Blue Slide Playground, a baseball diamond, and in the winter some really great sledding riding here! If you're up for it, you can also take advantage of the exercise stops around the path here (or just practice your parcour moves).

Dog lovers take note – there is an off-leash dog area in the park which is most easily found by parking along Beechwood and entering here. Simply take the paved path back through the lawn area and keep walking until you see the sign for the OLEA (Off-Leash Exercise Area). Or, more simply, just follow all the other dogs and you’ll find it.

This is also a good entrance to the mountain biking singletrack which runs throughout the park. Just enter along the pathway and angle up above the baseball diamond, there’s a dirt path up the embankment that leads into the singletrack. Other paths run off the wider multi-purpose trails, just keep a look out on the sides. Here is a link to a nice map of the singletrack trais. Please remember that these trails are multi-use and consider joggers/kids/dogs.

Frick Environmental Center entrance (Beechwood just off Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill)
This is a great entrance for hikers and joggers. Once you enter the park here, you are right on the wooded jogging paths and have a variety of options. Check out the wooden deck “overlook”, it’s a relaxing spot to hang out. If you don’t want to hike very far, there is a short loop around the deck that is perfect for young kids. Also take a stroll up past the summer camp area into the path through the brush. This used to be kept mowed, but is now allowed to grow as a natural meadow. The FEC still holds classes and a summer camp for kids, although the main building was burned out decades ago and has never been refurbished. There is a parking lot at this entrance.

Lower Parking lot – Commercial St (Squirrel Hill/Swisshelm Park)
There are three gravel parking areas just off Commercial St, at the bottom of the valley, which lead to the lower Frick trails. These parking areas are a great starting point for mountain bikers and those who want to hike both sides of Nine Mile Run. Nine Mile Run is in the process of being restored by the great work of the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association and deserves a look. Where it passes through the main part of Frick Park, the run is now kept cleared and protected (where necessary) to encourage the return of more native species. Please note that the water in the creek, however, is still not suitable for drinking or play and does contain runoff matter.

Cross the street from the main park, and you can hike/bike a relatively new portion of Frick Park. This trail runs along the valley at the bottom of the Summerset residential plan, which was built on a slag dump. This trail gives you a sense of the earlier character of the area before restoration and leads ultimately to the Monongahela River at Duck Hollow.

Tennis Courts and Lower Parking (Lot off W. Hutchinson, Regent Square)
For those entering Frick Park from the Regent Square side, both parking lots offer direct access to the lower portion of Frick Park, Nine Mile Run, and the hiking/jogging paths. You do start at the bottom of the valley on this side, so at least you get a downhill going back to your car. There are playing fields next to the lower parking lot and what used to be the rugby pitch. There is also a small picnic shelter.

There are several other entrances to the park, some with parking and some without. A full map of the park and entrances can be found here or on the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy website.

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