July 1 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead (see message for map) for Schenley Park run

On Sunday we'll meet at our fave Wendy Bennett Trailhead - map here if you need one - and head into Schenley park in all its glory.  Coffee most likely at 61C.

Last time we beat the crowds to Open Streets territory on the Strip from Penn Ave. to Butler St., where apparently 36,000 people made their way after we left.  My only regret is that I left before seeing the Pittsburgh Sword Fighters.  For the all-important coffee hour, we had a toss-up between La Prima and Smallman Galley: right-out-of-the-oven almond meles or a bathroom?  Weirdly, the bathroom won, but maybe not next time.

Endorsed:

• The Squirrel Hill Night Market, which seems to grow exponentially each year.  "It felt like another city - or Lawrenceville!"
• Lainy 's box of Irish rainbow shoelaces promoting concussion awareness - we tried to figure that out but failed.
• Restaurants:  
• Someone said it is lobster ravioli week at Legume 
• Authentic Chinese Northeastern Kitchen in Squirrel Hill - where the Mediterranean Grill used to be (as in: things that are not there anymore.)
• Basha 21 on Murray - evidently was once Taza 21?
• Books:  Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose, Hernan Diaz's In the Distance, James Michener's Iberia (if you're going to Spain)
• TV:  Fauda, Israelis and Palestinians together; The Night Manager, Le Carre updated; Dietland
• Time: "I don't have time for loose tea."  

June 24 Run: meet at Strip District parking lot at Liberty Ave. and 21st St.

On Sunday we'll celebrate the 2nd Open Streets event this year by doing a Strip District run on the route, and meet at the parking lot at Liberty and 21st, at 7 per usual.  Coffee at La Prima or Smallman Galley - we'll vote! (Schenley Farms run is still on hold - stay tuned.)  Walkers please come too!

Last Sunday we returned to our old standby, 61C, and did a little exploration of Greenfield and the greenway that was Pocusset St.  The weather was perfect of course, and even though the view from the Greenfield Bridge was over the parkway, it still gave us a boost.

As did the usual far-ranging and stream-of-consciousness talk, with endorsements of course:

• The Seven Daily Habits Whole Life Challenge - according to the NY Daily News everyone was doing this in 2016, but hey, we're in Pittsburgh.  Be aware that it seems to mean you can't eat any of the shared scones at coffee.  But it may be worth it!
• Rita's Italian Ice and Custard - the ice or the custard?  You decide. 
• Audubon Society - join a group and get birdy.
• Even if you don't join, if you've seen a Blue Footed Booby, it's pretty exciting.
• Martin Sheen - anything he's in - but mainly because of that exquisite and heartbreaking alternate reality where he is our president... and OMG, could the West Wing be coming back?
• The Camino de Santiago - finding peace and solace on the medieval highway
• The clearly undercover PETA sympathizer (I almost said "mole") at Pittsburgh Animal Control who graphically described the awful consequences of trapping groundhogs.  He had a point. 
• Quote of the day:  "Everybody's got their varmint."  

This is not run-related, but may be of interest to many:  tonight (Wednesday) at 9 pm at the corner of Forbes and Murray there is a vigil to protest the separation of children from their parents at the border.  Bring your candle and your hope for a better world.

June 17 Run: 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill

Starting at the 61C Cafe, we'll maybe do a Bird Run, or Schenley Park, or Greenfield, or anyone's choice who has a good idea!  I personally like the one where we go by the B'nai Emunoh synagogue in Greenfield and hear Wendy pronounce it correctly (it's hard!)  But we're open to anything.  The planned Schenley Farms run is postponed until next week.

Last Sunday I was the guilty one who had little faith, and wimped out by just showing up at 8 for coffee at Enrico's with an umbrella, as did a few others who will not be named.  We did have a delightful time, but kudos to Sarah and Joanne for making the Highland Park run, starting out in a downpour which stopped almost immediately thereafter. 

Much talk of travel adventures, and a few endorsements:

• Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Craftsbury VT - amazing place where you can do almost anything outdoors in a spectacular setting, get training if you want it (sculling particularly recommended), and eat and sleep healthily and deliciously.  Let's go!
• OK, if that's a stretch, then how about Pittsburgh Parks?  Calendar with all kinds of events - moonlight walk especially.
• Really traveling anywhere but to places where there aren't tons of tourists
• Both Mr. Rogers (the movie) and Rob Rogers (the cartoonist - how can we get him back?)

June 10 Run: Tazzo d'Oro for a Highland Park Run

June 10: Start at Tazzo d'Oro in Highland Park.

Save the date: The following Sunday, June 17 will feature a run starting from Schenley Farms and exploring the Upper Hill.

This past Sunday, Virginia led five of us (only runners this time), starting at 21st Street in the Strip District, going across the 31st Street Bridge, exploring Washington's Landing a.k.a. Herr's Island, and then along the trail to the 16th Street Bridge back to the Strip for warm meles in La Prima/Colangelo's.

June 3 Run: 21st Street Parking Lot in the Strip, ending at La Prima Coffee on 21st Street

Sending this out on the late side...my apologies!

Last week was a humid run, with rain having just fallen, and rain on the way, but no rain on the run (as is the rule!).  We started out in Allegheny Cemetery with the goal of trying to find Stephen Foster's grave.

Not to leave out the walkers-- below is a photo of them taken from a distance:

Virginia had a map of the cemetery with somewhat hidden numbered sections that were inscrutable.  We temporarily gave up and ran around the verdant cemetery, keeping company with the numerous deer and chipmunks, only to find ourselves back to the general area of the grave once again.  After finding a triangular landmark, Virginia led us to the grave and Eureka, we found it!