Dec 2 Run: PBT Parking Lot (31rst St Bridge run)

All
In a continuing celebration of bridge openings, next Sunday we will run across the 31rst bridge to Herr's Island and the running trail along the Allegheny River, perhaps adding a loop around the Island for fun. Meet at 7AM in the parking lot across from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre/School which is on the right side of Liberty Ave. going into town, at 29th street. If you have time, bring along some extra cash just in case we decide to eat breakfast in the strip, perhaps at DeLuca's or Pamela's (both Pittsburgh legends).

It is difficult to find enough appropriately enthusiastic adjectives for this morning's run. 6 of us ran down to the South Side enjoying the clear, cold weather and sightings of the full-moon in that early morning sky. Luckily Tom showed up when we reached our destination or I would have been writing about our run back up to Squirrel Hill. Instead, the 6 of us (Tom opted for the bridge but joined us on the way back) overcame a few obstacles to run across the pedestrian portion of the Hot Metal Bridge and it was well worth it! The bridge is very wide and offered us a stunning view of the sliver-bright moon glimmering over the city sky line and Monongahela River. We headed toward the city on the wooded path that skirts the river and under several of Pittsburgh's many bridges. Tom reeled in Elaine, who I think might have taken us all the way down to Station Square, just as we passed under the 10th Street bridge. She led us into the South Side for the Urban part of the run. We once again visited the Victorian Tea Garden and Duke's Tire Service which does not have a web page but Tom tells us you can get while-you-wait service and reasonably priced tires. We also passed the The Double Wide Grill where several of our members have enjoyed meals as well as many other South Side bars and restaurants. We saw a clutch of police cars at the Birmingham Bridge and thought perhaps we were in trouble for earlier transgressions but they were surrounding a gushing water main break that was icing up the road. We quickly passed, trying not to attract attention and finished with another bridge crossing this time with the rising sun on our right and the fading image of the full moon on our left - spectacular.