Columbus to Pittsburgh

Our dinner Saturday night at The Guild House was lovely.   We had a very intimate room for the ten of us celebrating my sister-in-law's birthday.  Friends and co-workers made up an excellent group of conversationalists.   We had picked the wines in advance, a Snoqualmie syrah from Washington state and a Drouhin white burgundy.   These went well with the variety of main courses ten friends picked:  Ben had Dover sole, John had skate.  The other mains ran from vegetarian lasagne to filet mignon.  Desserts were equally good.  A great way to celebrate, helped by our cute waiter, Nathaniel.

Canal Boat reconstruction--Ohio and Chesapeake Canal

Sunday we dawdled across eastern Ohio heading to Pittsburgh.   We stopped in Roscoe Village, an old early 19th century canal stop and major station on the Underground Railroad before the civil war where local citizens helped fleeing slaves on their way to Canada.  Not very good coffee. No raves here, though the service was good at the local coffee shop.  From there we headed to Dennison, an old Pennsylvania Railroad site, now a museum.  We had a good salad lunch at the Dennison Yard restaurant overlooking old trains.  Then to Pittsburgh and visits with friends.  

John lunched with a friend yesterday at Aladdin's, a Mediterranean place on Rt 19 south of Pittsburgh in Peters Township.  Ben explored Shadyside and spent time with cousins. Today we visit friends for dinner in Greentree.  Today, Ben has lunch with a good friend of 40 years while John recuperates from a case of laryngitis that has laid his speaking abilities low.