Pittsburgh – Geeky Girl Engineer

I took the Rivers of Steel Uniquely Pittsburgh Sightseeing Tour today. I have to admit to being slightly disappointed that I could not see more of the leftovers from the steel industry on the boat ride, but it was a nice boat ride. It started near where the Monongahela River and the Allegheny River join to form the Ohio River. It went down the Ohio River just a little then it turned went up the Monongahela River for a bit before turning around and going up the Allegheny River for a little. It was a beautiful day, and it appears everyone who had a boat was on it, and everyone who didn’t was out on their bike or just walking.

Barge going down the Ohio River

Monongahela Incline

Looking down the Monongahela River

In the middle of three rivers

Duquesne Incline with a coal barge on the river and train going under the incline

On the Allegheny River

Looking up the Allegheny River

I’m in Pittsburgh for the long weekend. Today I took a tour with Rivers of Steel of the Carrie Blast Furnaces. The area is part of the former U.S. Steel Homestead Steel Works. Blast Furnaces #6 and #7 and the accompanying equipment is all that remains of the site. The site is really interesting, and the tour was lead by a former iron worker who used to work at a similar type of facility. It was rather amazing to hear such first hand knowledge. I admit I did not catch everything, but the tour was fascinating. It was also incredibly interesting and fun to photograph. I’ve tried to name things in the captions of the photos below, but I may have gotten some of it wrong. I should have taken notes while on the tour. If you are in Pittsburgh, I highly recommend the tour. It is a wonderful tour of some incredible history.