May 3 Run: Coffee Tree Squirrel Hill

In order to avoid getting entangled in potential Marathon related traffic/road blocks etc. we will do an impromptu 'hood run starting from the Coffee Tree. We will also send a blast of psychic support to those in the group running the 1/2 and full marathon - Go EE Runners!!!

Janet Catov and her cute as a button dog, Willie, joined us this morning as our celebrity alumni runner; plus injured but getting better regular,  Sharon Riddler, joined us for coffee - these visits along with the almost summer weather lent a holiday-like atmosphere to today's run. Karen led us through Frick Park, a great choice because I don't think you can get enough of the parks during this bright green season. As Jonathan aptly commented we are coming to the end of the "see-through" season  and right now we are at the magical in-between point as the trees form a lacy backdrop to the surrounding hillsides.

Even coffee was special today, as we were able to sit outside for the first time in a long while.

Apr 26 Run: Reynolds Ave. Entrance to Frick Park

Hi All
Karen will lead us on a run through Frick Park and Nine-mile run this coming Sunday. It will be a good chance to see this lovely area dressed for Spring. Meet at the Reynolds Ave, Entrance to Frick (at the traffic circle).

Tom named today's run: Palumbo to Palumbo and it was a doozy. We ran from Oakland to the Palumbo Center at Duquesne then back to the Palumbo building at Carlow. In between we saw all sorts of interesting, provocative and amazing building/street art. Someone has been painting vibrant murals in uptown, which along with the seeding of some vacant lots is making that area seem less seedy ;-) One theme was definitely animals - we saw a chicken on a mural; parrots, dogs and a turtle(!) in a scupltural mural on the side DU Palumbo center, rabbit sculptures peaking from a backyard, a large monkey face on the side of a house and eagles on the new bridge over Forbes. We also got a ground level view of the new and imposing hockey arena. Again, we were all surprised by what we saw as we ran through the uptown neighborhood - Pittsburgh has so many of these hidden gems.

Our coffee meetings are getting so popular we are now attracting non-runners!

Apr 19 Run: University of Pittsburgh Law School

Although Tom was not on the run today, I understand he volunteered for the run this coming Sunday. It will start from Pitt's Law School which according to Google Maps is at 3900 Forbes Ave, near the intersection of Bouquet Street. 

If people would like to run to the run, it is a little over two miles from the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill so meet at 6:35 AM (the route is Forbes, through the golf course, behind Hillman Library and up Bouquet St). 

Although it was a small group of holiday runners we gladly followed Paula as she led us through what seemed to be every corner of Squirrel Hill in search of Spring flowers. We saw many on this glorious Easter day - perfect spring weather and a lovely run. 

I am cutting this short because it is just too pretty to be spending any more time in front of the computer!

Apr 12 Run: Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill

[Thanks to Roye Werner for this wonderful account]

Despite a modest but energetic turnout (6) much to report today!

First, plans for upcoming runs:  next Sunday, due to the Easter holiday and the fact that apparently none of today's runners will be around, it's an ad hoc run to start at Coffee Tree.  The following Sunday, Tom will lead from the Pitt law school, and was characteristically enigmatic as to the details.  And weekday runners, please note a new and unique opportunity this coming Wednesday!  We discovered that on this day at sunrise, to mark a once-every-28-years ancient Jewish belief about special sun alignment, some sort of ceremony will happen at Blue Slide Park (on Beechwood.)  So there will be the option of leaving from the usual 5:45 Forbes/Murray meetup and going in the other direction to get to the park at around sunrise (well, a little early.)  To be ecumenical, yoga sun salutations will be involved, and anything else you like.

Today, Tom's excellent run in the bright brisk weather went through the Heart of Oakland, where we puzzled over the giant mural of Mr. Rogers and other odd things in a sea of red, white and blue bubbles, and reminisced about The Decade and missing the Sex Pistols.  Discussion topics later, as always, were effervescent:  the recommended Bavarian Inn in WV, the NOT recommended Japanese restaurant at the Waterfront, matzos, AK-47's, hot cross buns, texting chacha, the above sun worship plan for Wednesday, visa issues for P. the B., and finally, a possible solution for that having to do with a 1000-year old Mayan prediction - for which amazing story, see:
http://www.pointoflight.com/htmlpages/PghMaya.html (questionable version)
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08174/891772-52.stm (more reasonable version)
Much going on in the cosmos, as you see.