June 30 Run: Through the Strip, starting at parking lot, Liberty & 21st

Next week we will travel through one of our favorite neighborhoods and check out what's new: the Strip is getting more interesting all the time, and is the home of not only great food and Steelers regalia, but...I guess you'll have to come along to find out.  Start at the elevated parking lot off of Liberty at 21st, and coffee most likely at La Prima.

You may have noticed that we skipped a week!  Aha!  Well, that was just to prove the mind-meld of the RG, through which no fewer than 8 runners, 2 walkers, and numerous miscellaneous of our tribe showed up on Sunday morning on Forbes between Shady and Murray with no notification whatsoever. This happily included newest tribal member, baby Greta (accompanied by mom Aimee).  Hopefully it will not mean the demise of the blog, but it does mean that I can relax.  From coffee hour, I sadly neglected to record our various pearls of wisdom, but at least remember a promise to send out the recipe for these incredible Dulce de Leche Molten Cakes (provided on our vacation by our son's girlfriend who is just as sweet.)

June 16 Run: Commonplace Coffee for a Father's Day Run on the fly

Next week we really couldn't decide on, since so many of us are going to be out of town (including me, so someone else is responsible for napkin recording duty.)  So we'll go with the backup Commonplace Coffee run - and perhaps someone will come up with a good Father's Day theme.   We did however think of some super ideas for the future:  checking out all the new stores on the Strip, and biking all the new trails, including tandems for anyone who doesn't have a bike.  And let's not forget Allegheny Center.  So many runs, so little time!

Today went beautifully according to plan as Virginia led us to many downtown fountain locales, finally reaching literally the heights (150 ft.) of the fabulous renovated Fountain at the Point.  Not only did we take in its awesome power and sparkle, we got a special tour from its generalissimo, Damon (pictured below.) He gave us a fascinating insider's view of its many new aspects, such as:  how it operates - buttons replacing rusty old levers; it symbolism - 3 smaller "peacock" fountains standing for the 3 rivers; and what Channel 4 didn't mention in this newscast when it was fired all the way up and it soaked the governor and fellow VIPs - take a look at second 14 and you'll see their tiny figures in the back running like hell.

Coffee was under the trees outside Starbucks at Market Square, which inspired reminiscences of trips downtown with grandmas, including white gloves and Candyrama.
Endorsed:
Jacquie:  The Perfect Cappuccino - documentary film
Laurie:  Running and Being - book - and his son lives in Pittsburgh!
Everyone:  Cafes - much better for meeting people than bars.

June 9 Run: Starting at PPG Place (Tomb of the Unknown Bowler) for a Fountain Celebration Run

How many times have we in sadness looked over from Mt. Washington or the West End Bridge to the empty spot at the Point where the glorious old fountain used to be?  Well, this particular thing that isn't there any more is coming back this weekend!  So we will be there to celebrate on Sunday a.m., starting at PPG Place - with its own fountain (surrounding the aforesaid Unknown Bowler.)  In fact, maybe some of us can think of more downtown fountains to make this a super-themed run - so write in if you want one on the tour and we'll connect the dots.

Last Sunday we traversed the 3 miles of trail from the Lowe's lot to the end of the new trail past Sandcastle, and turned back just exactly across from the famed eagles' next, evidently only minutes after one was seen swooping in (according to a dedicated fan who apparently hangs out there on Sundays at 7 a.m.)  Passing by the Eat'N Park patio with that sweeping view overlooking the Mon, we thought that next time we should try to get coffee there - so totally 'Burgh!  (Speaking of which, have you heard that we have recently beat out Portland?)

Back at Commonplace we got the distressing announcement from David that the S.H. Giant Eagle no longer carries its store brand shredded wheat. What's next - no more Klondikes?!  And then, the demise of the letter - our children will be the first generation maybe since the invention of paper not to hold on to those yellowing packets tied up in ribbons.  That actually is distressing.  But cheer up - we now have podcasts and audiobooks, two of which were endorsed:
 - Cocktail Waitress, by James Cain
 - In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson - this one (along with many others) downloadable from the Carnegie Library!
Is that an even trade?
Roye