12-13 June - Cards vs Pirates Baseball Game, Fort Ligonier and Preparing to Depart

12 June
Sunday we took care of some chores around here and then in the afternoon ventured back into Pittsburgh to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates play the St Louis Cardinals.  The day prior we toured the ballpark and attempted to scout out the parking situation.  It was very evident we should purchase reserved parking, so we did that on line - the only way to fly!  Parking was ultra-smooth and they even accommodated our large pickup in a special spot (thank you, thank you, thank you!)  Was well worth the few extra bucks.

We had a very nice time at the ball game.  It was sunny and warm, but our seat selection was in the shade at 4pm so that worked out well.

View from our seats on third base side.

The entrance to PNC Park

The Pirate outside the ball park

Iron City beer, a local favorite.

We wore our Joel Hanrahan 52 shirts and I'm sure there were those who wondered who Hanrahan was since he is no longer on their roster.  Our son, Dan was Joel's catcher in high school. Joel was drafted to the big's right out of high school and became a nearly unhittable closer (pitcher) for the Pirates 2009-2012.

Doreen purchased a major league ball park "passport" book and we got that stamped at PNC park to document our visit.  I bought a ballpark hotdog and compared it with the two previous games.  Cincinnati is still in the lead, followed by St Louis and then Pittsburgh as far as the best "dog".

St Louis beat the Pirates 8-3, but it was a good game.  We boogied at the bottom of the 7th to get back to the RV and let the dog out.  

13 June
Stepping lively this morning in the RV with temps dipping into the 50's.  After breakfast we headed east and north to a small town called Ligonier PA. This town was settled in 1758 and was the site of Fort Ligonier, named after Field Marshall John Ligonier who was in the British Army.  They reconstructed the fort and it is amazing and HUGE.  

They boast the most complete collection of artifacts from the French and Indian War in their museum.  The George Washington items including his saddle pistols were unbelieveable. 

One of the many cannons

George Washington's saddle pistols.  Presented as a gift from Marquis de Lafayette in  1778.

 

The trajectory of a projectile that pierced the chest and the forearm.  In 2007 they analyzed the human cells remaining in the garment.  Pretty amazing.  

French 18th century "Caltrops".  Iron forged tetrahedrons scattered on the battlefield to obstruct, delay and injure the enemy

 

A pair of 1757 English "sash" pistols.  Removable barrels, .56 caliber carried in an officer's sash for personal protection

The fort reconstruction was very interesting and it is massive.  .

Chevaux de Frise.  Portable wooden obstacles with sharpened points used to block entrances and repel attackers.

The moat.

Inside the officer's mess.

Halt!  Who goes there?

Stores.  

 

After touring the museum and the fort, we drove downtown and dropped off some cards at their post office and then visited the Ligonier Creamery for an ice cream cone.  

  

Doreen is sometimes amazed by what I can remember.  Not the important stuff that I forget, but the little, insignificant nuggets that plug up my memory banks!  So there we were, driving along and I saw a sign for Latrobe PA.  I proceeded to tell her that Latrobe was home to Arnold Palmer AND Rolling Rock beer!  So she Googles Rolling Rock and it said they offered tours!  So we redirected the GPS and headed for the brewery.  Upon arriving at City Brewery, we headed into the visitor's door (pictured below) to get tickets for the tour.  We were quickly informed they don't do tours and Rolling Rock was bought out by Budweiser seven years ago!  Oh well, time to head back to the RV!

Tomorrow morning we will pull chocks and head for Deer Run Camping Resort near Gettysburg PA.  In route we will stop by the Flight 93 Memorial at Shanksville PA.