Aug 29 Run: Phipps for a run up to the water tower in Oakland

On the last Sunday of August 2010 (!) meet at Phipps Conservatory for a run up, up, up to the water tower on Heron Hill with the 360 degree views of Pittsburgh. I am hoping it is an uneventful run so I don't have to write so much....

Dr. Murray Pulls Out Another Corker*
With pamphlets in hand but with no particular route planned, Pam Murray led us on another rewarding Pittsburgh neighborhood discovery tour, this one in Homestead/ Munhall. We began on the always favored Waterfront trail with stops at the Pump-house and the Labyrinth (where people traveled the paths discussing cell phone plans - not sure this constituted meditation). These were once destinations in of themselves but today were only appetizers.

Crossing the rail-road tracks and climbing barriers we headed up into Homestead, which according to Wikipedia is comprised of the boroughs of Homestead, Munhall and West Homestead - thus the source of the Homestead vs. Munhall confusion - it was both Homestead AND Munhall. We were all surprised at the beautiful Victorian mansions perched on the hill overlooking the river where likely all those mill managers lived to escape the polluted air. While some are slightly (well, more than slightly) shabby there are a number that have been kept up and are surrounded by colorful gardens and ornate iron fences. Of course we paid to visit the beautiful Carnegie Library which is finding new life as a concert venue and still houses a swim club - an odd combination.

Then onto churches and funeral homes - on one street there were 3 funeral homes and I think 3 churches - one of which was/still is? a synagogue. Around the corner we stopped to admire St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and a deacon who was on his way in told us it was open. Of course we took this as an invitation to go in. The church was in beautiful condition, all glowing blue and gold murals of patron saints and other religious scenes. Feeling inappropriately dressed and quite sweaty we were creeping out when what I think must have been the pastor dressed in robes that were equally stunningly blue and gold came to speak with us. He told us about the church itself (75 years old, 500 parishioners, the history of the orthodox religion and gave us a short lesson on the source of light in the icons painted on the back of the church. What a serendipitous encounter!

The run did not end there - we checked out the stores on Eighth Ave including the The Annex, once located in Shadyside and its companion vegetarian restaurant. Then it really was back to the stacks with a short stop at Blue Dust which Pam called a "gastro pub" - great beer, good food.

There was too much fun on the run so coffee hour was very limited. But here is the link to Slow Food Pittsburgh:
http://www.slowfoodpgh.com/aboutus.html for those who would like to get on their mailing list ad find out about their events which are open to all - well worth it!


* I don't plan on making a habit of appending titles but this one was well deserved