Between the slag heaps

Perhaps "between the slag heaps" serves as a kind of metaphor for my life. As Lincoln said, "We cannot escape history." The slag heaps at Nine Mile Run represent the massive steel-making industry in the Pittsburgh area, particularly during WWII as a historian has told me is when most of this slag was generated. He also mentioned that at least 5 Pyramids of the Giza would fit inside the heaps or 25 Washington Monuments. Whichever analogy you use, that's a lot of material! Today, the stream runs straight between the mounds for nearly a mile, and there is an interesting "greenway" that has developed. Generally, this is not a good thing for the environment, as there is no place else for the water to go after a rain or heavy snow. I have been told that at least in part there was somewhat of a flood plain between some hills in the valley that would have absorbed any run-off back in the day, 100 years ago. Now it pretty much runs straight to the Monongahela, either through waste-water sewer overflow pipes or the stream itself. It would be nice if this area were more amenable to foot traffic, as there is no real trail here at present. A wooden walk-way is on my wish list.