Directions to Aliquippa for the Up With People performance.

Note... I have driven this route TWICE in the last week.  I *know* what
I'm describing.  If possible, do NOT *think* about these directions, 
just follow them.  

Here are the Verbose and Non-verbose directions...



Verbose:

Take 376 to downtown.  
Take the Northside/279North exit. (The Right, right before the Fort 
Pitt bridge.)
Follow the signs for the Ohio River Blvd, i.e. 65 North.  As you cross
the bridge (Fort Duquesne bridge?) it is the middle choice, not 279 North, 
not the stadium.

You are now on PA 65 North.

You will follow 65 North for 15 miles.

Yes... 15.  If you've got a trip odometer, reset it so you know
how close you are.

At 15 miles, you will be in Ambridge.  The bright green bridge in Ambridge 
is the one you want.  However, since this is PA, you can't get there from 
here...  You will have to go a couple blocks to your right to do it. 
Recommended method:  Use PA 989 which has a JCT with 65 at a stop light 
about 150 feet before 65 passes under the bridge.  Take the right, take the
first left you can make (at the first light), go three blocks (that's
2 stop signs and then), go left (at the light at the end of the 3rd block)... 
that puts you on the bridge.  (After you make that first left, you'll be 
in essentially a residential district... don't worry, this *is* where I 
intended you to be... as I said.. don't *think* about these directions... :)
Alternate: if you miss the turn off, and pass under the bright green bridge, 
take the immediate right, (It's labeled Old Economy District, or somesuch) 
and work your way back to the bridge, which is on 11th.

Cross the bridge, and go right (following the Aliquippa sign)  
You are now on 51.  Follow 51 north for about 1 mile, maybe a little over 
a mile.  Watch *VERY* carefully for the Aliquippa sign... It will say 
"Aliquippa, next right"  and it means it.  I missed this sign the first 
time I drove the route....  
*IF YOU MISS THAT SIGN*
	follow 51 till it forks, with a sign saying "West aliquippa" and 
	pointing left...  take the left...  and find someway to get turned
	around and back onto 51...  now follow 51 south, watch for the 
	aliquippa sign, which is even EASIER to miss than the first one...  
	Take that exit... this will put you one block off from the other route
	You need to shift left a block when you can...  See the map mentioned
	later...


Having NOT missed the sign you will follow a very open road for a fairly
short distance... It'll kinda drift left a bit, then end at Franklin Avenue (I
don't think theres a sign there... but doesn't matter much...)  Take the left.

Once you're on Franklin you will go a mile or so, through several lights.  
When you reach the light where Franklin curves right about 30 degrees, 
pay attention.  Shortly thereafter there will be a school crossing sign.  
Turn left right there, going UP the hill.  and I mean UP...  the school was
described to me as being on top of the mountain, and they're pretty much 
right.  Go UP, UP, UP, to the top, turn right, and follow whatever signs they
have directing you to parking...

See ~vitroth/alimap.gif for a Map of the last part of the drive, including 
the exit from 51, and the turn in Aliquippa.  It also shows where the 
"oops" route will put you.


Non-Verbose directions...
Take 376 to PA 65 North
Follow 65 for 15 miles.
Finagle yourself across the Ambridge bridge.
Turn right onto 51.
About a mile later, take the Aliquippa exit, which is VERY easy to miss.
Turn left onto Franklin.
Follow Franklin till after it hooks right, then turn left
at the School Crossing sign.
Go *UP* the hill, and turn right into the school.