🏈My 2026 NFL Draft Recap in Pittsburgh

There is something truly electric about being in a host city during the NFL Draft. This year, I had the incredible pleasure of heading to Pittsburgh with my son, Ryan, and his girlfriend, Natalie. While we truly missed having my husband Cameron and my daughter Brea with us, the three of us were determined to soak up every bit of the atmosphere.

The Home Base: SpringHill Suites West Mifflin

We started the trip on a high note, scoring a fantastic deal with a Travel Agent rate at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott West Mifflin. The journey there was not exactly smooth. We hit a massive storm on the drive that made for some tense miles, but we made it safely and checked in around 11:00 PM.

The hospitality started the moment we walked through the door. The gentleman at the check-in counter (I really wish I had caught his name!) was exceptionally helpful. He ensured we had all the logistics squared away for the Draft the next morning and even went the extra mile to print out the "Trolley" schedule for us while we were still unloading the car. It is those small local tips that turn a good trip into a great one.

Navigating the "Trolley" and the North Shore

The next morning, after a quick hotel breakfast and a frantic dash to Dollar Tree (Ryan needed cheap sunglasses and I had managed to lose mine during the storm!), we headed to the South Hills Village station.

Pro-Tip for Pittsburgh Events: Parking at South Hills Village was only $2 (maybe just for this event but they offer day passes), and the Light Rail system, affectionately called the "Trolley" by locals, was completely free for Draft weekend!

The ride into the North Shore was seamless. We hopped off at the Allegheny Station, right in the heart of the action between Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park. We kicked things off with a quick drink at McFadden’s. It was so good that we actually circled back for lunch mid-day; you cannot beat a great burger and fries at a decent price when you are in the middle of a massive festival.

Stadium Surprises and "Super Lyte" Discoveries

One of the highlights of the day was the accessibility. We spent time exploring Acrisure Stadium and then realized PNC Park was also open to the public. We walked over after lunch to soak in the views of the skyline and grab another quick refreshment.

While there, we learned about a new local find: Sun Cruisers (Stateside Brands) has a new electrolyte beverage called Super Lyte. They are currently only available as a test in Pennsylvania, so we felt like we were getting a true insider experience! We liked them so much that we made a point to stop at Duffy’s on Friday to stock up for our upcoming trip to the Indy 500.

Lessons Learned for First-Timers

We did a pretty good job for our first Draft experience, but here are my top takeaways if you are planning a trip to a future NFL Draft:

• Comfy Shoes are Non-Negotiable: My watch clocked us at just under 18,000 steps for the day. There is almost no shade and a massive amount of standing, so support is key.

• The Hydration Hack: Bringing a refillable water bottle was a total lifesaver. It saves money and keeps you going in the heat.

• The "Pro" Porta-Potties: I have to give a shout-out to the flushing porta-potties at the event. It sounds small, but it is a luxury you will appreciate!

• Time Your Exit: We left right after Pittsburgh called their pick. The lines for the Light Rail home were already becoming massive; leaving when we did saved us hours of waiting in the crowd.

Final Thoughts

Pittsburgh, you were amazing. What an incredible weekend with Ryan and Natalie; we truly could not have asked for a better trip. If you have not experienced a Draft in person, I highly recommend adding it to your bucket list. Just remember to support local businesses, stay hydrated, and wear your walking shoes!

If you want to hear more, we did an episode of travel trivia surrounding the NFL Draft. You can watch it here: 

Beyond the Game: Building Our Marriage (And Travel Business) from the Chat

For 16 years, I have shared my husband, Cameron (you might know him as CabinetTerror6), with a screen. For a long time, I felt abandoned, neglected, and honestly just frustrated by the time those games took from us. I would sit in the other room doing my own thing, feeling like a gaming widow while he was lost in another world.

If you are the partner of a gamer or a streamer, you know that specific sting. You have probably wished they would just turn it off. I was in that place for over a decade. But recently, something shifted.

The Turning Point: A Shared Vision

About six months ago, I realized that this hobby could actually become a viable part of our professional lives. More importantly, Cameron and I had a real conversation about how to bridge his worlds: his travel business, his love for gaming, and his natural patience for teaching others. We saw an opportunity to bring travel into the stream, incorporate charitable goals, and launch Mentor Mondays as a way for him to help other streamers grow and learn. It turned into a win-win-win. 

It was no longer just a hobby that took him away from the family; it became a brand we were building together as a team. While Cameron and my son, HolaMoca, originally started the Clashy Gaming Community back in 2020, Cameron has since returned from a break, and I'm excited to continue to grow and build it together.

From Feeling Neglected to Being Included

I am still not a gamer. I probably never will be! But now, I am his moderator, and that role has become a huge part of our daily life.

I stay busy behind the scenes adding points for his viewers and running ads if he needs a break. I track all of our charity donations and manage his social media to make sure the community stays connected. Basically, I do whatever I can to help his stream grow. The best part is that this work has not just helped him; it has actually helped the stream I co-host with my sister-in-law, Travel Wives, grow as well.

Moderating and streaming are not my full time jobs. I still own and operate my real estate company, Dream Real Estate Group, located in Washington and Ohio. Additionally, Cameron and I own and run Olson Travel Group, Dream Vacations. While my professional life is busy, being in the chat and helping manage the backstage of the stream has replaced that old feeling of abandonment with a sense of inclusion. I am no longer the person waiting for the game to end. I am a part of the team making the stream happen.

A Note to the Streamers and the Partners

To the streamers out there: Your significant other's feelings are not an obstacle to your stream; they are the foundation of it. If they feel dismissed or like an afterthought, that team feeling disappears instantly. Inclusion is the best way to bridge that gap of disconnection. A little appreciation goes a long way, acknowledging your partner's support on-stream makes them feel like a valued part of the success rather than a spectator to it.

And to the partners who feel like I used to: I wish I could go back 16 years and tell myself that it was not going to change, so we had to find a way to make it work for us sooner. If you are struggling with a spouse who is glued to the monitor, I want to be a shoulder for you to lean on. I am here to listen to your journey and share what I have learned over the years, because you do not have to navigate this transition alone.

The Digital Destination

Just like we help people plan escapes to tropical islands or European cities through Olson Travel Group, streaming is a different kind of destination. I used to hate that he was traveling to a digital world without me, but now I have realized I can be the one helping build the world he is in.

Let’s Connect

Whether you are married to a travel agent, a gamer, or both, I would love to hear your journey.

• Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/CrqDJtKmQd Let’s vent, share, and support each other.

• Catch the Travel Wives Stream: Join Kahla and me once a week where we talk travel, trivia, and the reality of being Travel Wives and new streamers.