📍Third Time at Pittsburgh’s Highland Park!

This is my third visit to Highland Park in Pittsburgh this year. Each time feels like opening a blind box of life—every season brings its own unique surprises. ❄️ First Encounter in Deep Winter: Snow and Exploration On February 22nd, under a bright but chilly winter sun, I stepped into the park filled with anticipation. At the Victorian-style garden entrance, two bronze granite sculptures of horseback youths stood like silent guardians keeping the park’s secrets. I was eager to find the famous lake area, but when I climbed the steps, I found it blanketed in snow—like a silver quilt. Here and there, patches of ice revealed glimpses of the water breathing gently beneath. Walking along the Bigelow Trail, the snow crunched underfoot with a crisp, satisfying sound. From the hill, the view of the river was a breathtaking gift from nature. A selfie on a forest bench captured the excitement and my first impression of the park. 🌺 Spring Revisit: Blossoms and New Life On March 14th, I returned with my daughter. The lawn near the entrance seemed enchanted—patches of green sprouts and crocuses were bursting into a colorful show. Lilac, deep purple, orange, and soft blue... I wandered around the lawn like a treasure hunter, utterly delighted. These early spring bulbs are nature’s messengers announcing the end of winter. The lake was no longer frozen—its blue waters dotted with fallen leaves looked poetic. “Look, ducks!” my daughter shouted. To our surprise, we saw ducks and mandarin ducks swimming together like a little joke played by the park. On a bench by the lake, warm sunlight streamed through the trees—bright yet soothing. As we strolled downhill, we encountered graffiti, fallen trees, white mushrooms, a dog park, and confident Canadian geese—all vivid touches of a spring day. 🌆 Summer Twilight: Peace and Vitality This time I arrived at 7:30 PM on a summer evening. The sun was still shining brightly, casting dappled light through the trees. Colorful handmade Chinese-style fabric ornaments hung on the stone railings—a warm, familiar touch. The freshly cut grass smelled sweet, flower beds were in full bloom, and the statue of Flora stood quietly, blending symbolism and surrealism as if telling stories of nature and myth.😒 The central fountain sprayed vigorously against a backdrop of blue skies, white clouds, and trees—reminiscent of a European palace. People read and chatted on benches, relaxed and content. I opened my borrowed copy of The Lovely Bones—in this atmosphere, I understood deeply that “books must be borrowed to be truly read.”😁 Before sunset, the lake became a stunning stage. The clear water mirrored the sky, and a mother duck led her fluffy ducklings along the shore—a heartwarming and healing scene. Joggers and parkgoers reminded me of Pittsburghers’ love for life. As golden sunset light spread over the lake, I left reluctantly around 9 PM.💕 Walking through the park on a Pittsburgh summer evening, I pieced together the fragments of four seasons into a picture of life. Three visits, endless stories. #HighlandPark #PittsburghParks #FourSeasons #NatureDiary #TravelJournal #ParkLife #USATravel #Wanderlust #LifeInPittsburgh #HiddenGems 🌳🦆📖🌅