Dec 6 Run: 40th & Butler Sts for a Lawrenceville Run <--- NOTE CHANGE

Next Sunday's run will NOT be to the Waterfront - it was thought that Lawrenceville will provide a more holiday like experience. So meet at the Rite-Aid Parking lot at 40th & Butler Streets for a tour of one of Pittsburgh's hip neighborhoods.

For those hardy souls desiring a longer run there will be a run to the run from the Coffee Tree leaving at 6:15 AM (it is about 3.5 miles). The route will go down Wilkins so people can join along the way.

Although there was a request for a not so hilly run today, it was not to be so. We ran toward Greenfield and up Wendy's Smoking Steps, then up some more on Burchfield (providing a stunning view of the city) and finally to Beechwood. There was still one more killer hill up Darlington but coffee was near, providing the push we needed. We saw some early holiday decorations, getting us in the mood.

Nov. 29 and Thanksgiving runs: Coffee Tree at 7

Tom led a soothingly familiar and lovely run under grey skies, through Oakland and Schenley Park, stopping only to contemplate the turtle shell on the statue of Stephen Foster. And he was truly the host with the most, as he offered us an apres-run plate of delicious home-baked blueberry muffins, which some of us devoured immediately en route back to the coffee tree, giving a new meaning to the term "eat and run." Talk ranged far afield as usual, some topics being the marvels of Costco, homemade presents, and good books. Speaking of which, there is an offer out for this week only, from Audible.com, for a free download of one of a selection of audiobooks that includes the RG-recommended "3 cups of tea." Go to www.audible.com/thanksgiving.

Next runs: Thanksgiving run from the Coffee Tree at 7, and next Sunday ditto.

Nov 22 run: Tom's House

I had my note all written and then just blew it away with a "ctrl v" instead of a "ctrl c" so I am afraid you will have to get the shortened version :-(

I heard this second hand so I hope it is right - next week's run will start at Tom's house at 5434 Ayesboro - about a 1/2 block from Forbes.

Another beautiful morning (where do we live any way?) and a lovely tour of Shadyside. Here is the route:

to view 11/15/2009 Route, follow the link below:
http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_route?r=305125829229495924

Coffee was raucous romp through a wide range of subjects. We drifted toward books as we discussed Cheryl's upcoming trip to Spain (safe and happy travels!). Below are two that were recommended. This is not advertising for Amazon - just a quick way to get to a review:

My Year of Meats:

http://www.amazon.com/My-Year-Meats-Ruth-Ozeki/dp/0140280464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258311758&sr=1-1

Three Cups of Tea

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Cups-Tea-Mission-Promote/dp/0143038257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258311679&sr=8-1

Nov 15 Run: Playground at Beechwood and 5th Ave

Hi All

Meet at the playground (part of Mellon Park) where Beechwood T's into 5th Ave.

Tom lead us on what many of feared would be a run all the way downtown (would we have to run back? what about bus money?) but turned out to be a repeat of the surprise filled Uptown route. After a dispute over whether the symbol on the side of Mercy Hospital was a duck or a dove (similar to the glass 1/2 full/1/2 empty views of life), we headed into the often overlooked Uptown neighborhood. Hidden there are some beautifully restored houses, lush gardens supplied by rain barrels, a new coffee house called Asylum (http://www.asylumcoffeebar.com/) and of course the Gorilla and new dog scupltures on Gist Street (http://www.simonsculpture.com/html/artongiststreet.html). Note the painting of the man in the glasses is of Antoine Lynn - a long time resident of Gist Street. It was a great run for a beautiful morning.

Quote for the day:

"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many." Unknown

Nov 8 Run: Fountain at Frick Fine Arts Building (across from Schenley Plaza)

Tom volunteered to lead us next week starting at the newly restored fountain in front of the Frick Fine Arts Building. He said, mysteriously, that leaves many possibilities.... so join us for a classic Tom run -always interesting, always fun.

It was a glorious morning to run and those of us who did not run the 1/2 marathon were sending good vibes that way. You could not have a more perfect Sunday - cool and sunny! The rest of us were happy with an autumnal jaunt through Homewood Cemetery. Tom showed off his manly skills by pointing out a buck with a rack as well as siting a fox - no kidding, the cemetery besides being particularly pretty in its fall dress, was a little nature wonderland.