November 3 Run: Meet at North Park Boathouse parking lot & change your clocks!

Sunday let's venture out to the 'burbs for a nice change of scenery.  Meet at North Park's Boathouse for a loop around the park. Don't forget to make your clocks fall back an hour on Saturday night!

Last week, Virginia and her LED-glowing ankle light brightened up a dark morning, and the rain stopped just in time for the run!  She led us through the Halloween-decked out streets of Regent Square and we saw some really great displays.  Photos to follow.  Coffee by Biddle Street and pastries by Madeleine's rounded out a perfect morning.

October 27 Run: Start at Biddle's Escape for a Wilkinsburg/Regent Square Halloween Run

We'll meet at Biddle's Escape (401 Biddle Ave.) for our annual visit to extravagantly creepy scenes in that neighborhood.  Let's access our inner witches and cast some spells.  Away with toil and trouble!  After this week we'll need that.  All for now - hope to see you on Sunday!

Oct. 20 Run: Meet at Tazza D'Oro at 1125 N. Highland Ave.

We haven't been to Highland Park since May, so it's time to return! Meet at Tazza D'Oro  at 1125 N. Highland (7 am, don't forget) and we'll head somewhere from there.

Last week:  We traversed the quaint back streets of the South Side Flats, coming back on the trail with a view of a glowing sunrise (photo 1) and finished with perfectly made cappuccinos at Big Dog with a view of Lainy's custom dog socks (that's HER dog - photo 2.)
Don't miss:

• Book:  Commander-in-Cheat, How Golf Explains Trump
• Food:  Cranberry Walnut Bread from Costco
• Half-marathon:  Buffalo Creek
• (Almost) free tickets:  SeatStir
• Archive:  The Wayback Machine (OK, I'm a librarian, but you have to try this.) 

October 13 Run: Meet at Big Dog Coffee, 2717 Sarah Street, on the South Side

Wow - this week got away, so just a bulletin here: let's meet at Big Dog Coffee, 2717 Sarah Street, on the South Side.  We can do our own StepTrek up the stairs, or else go back to that new trail to Hazelwood on the other side of the Hot Metal Bridge - or anywhere really.
See you there!

October 6 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead

We made no specific plans on Sunday, so we'll head back to the Wendy Bennett Trailhead in Schenley Park (corner of Overlook Drive and Greenfield Ave. - here's a map) and see if we want to head down that dark path into the woods (as in the fairy tales) or over the bridge to Greenfield. 

Last week a few of us who didn't feel great enough for the Great Race headed into Frick Park and then luxuriated in the Pittsburgh-on-the-Seine ambiance of Madeleine's under the trees.  However, I'm leaving out the inspirational Sarah, who truly is greater than the Great Race, as she ran up to join us BEFORE running it afterwards.  See below, with some of our other racers (and offspring!)

Highly recommended:
Books:  The Nickel Boys, The Testaments, and Educated
Movie: Fair Game
TV: Cable Girls, Derry Girls

September 29 Run: Biddle's Escape, 401 Biddle Ave., Wilkinsburg

Sunday is the Great Race, so for those of us who aren't racing, we'll try to avoid the street closings by meeting at old favorite Biddle's Escape, 401 Biddle Ave. in Wilkinsburg.  Run can be in any direction.  Afterwards, if the weather is fine and there are enough seats outside, we may decamp to Madeleine's down the street for the unpronounceable scrumptious Kouign-Amanns. 

Two weeks of great runs displaying the housing improvements, or gentrification (depending on how you look at it) of East Liberty and The Strip.  Either way, change is afoot. See photos below for the gorgeous grunge we visited near Railroad St. (Photo credits to Pam and Virginia.) Also, a very different scene from Carrie and Karen, after the marathon in Bar Harbor.

Pent-up endorsements:

• SO much TV (clearly we need an escape from reality):  Netflix's Unbelievable; Nurse Jackie; Fleabag's 2nd series; new seasons of the Great British Baking Show and Queer Eye, Orange is the New Black (already a classic) inspiring the thought experiment, "if you were in prison, which person would you be?" and the ultimate tranquilizer, Animal Babies.
• If you want your kids to call you, change your Netflix password.
• Fun escape read:  Where did you go, Bernadette?
• Oakland:  The Cathedral of Learning, run up the 36 flights, take the elevator down, and then sink into the consolation of the exquisite Heinz Memorial Chapel.
• Borland Garden - funky treasure discovered in the middle of East Liberty
• Farm Camps - there are a lot of these!
• Western River Expeditions Grand Canyon Tour
• Media surveillance - NOT endorsed - we're being watched endlessly
• The women warriors at Fair Districts PA

Sept. 22 Run: Meet at La Prima on 21st St. on the Strip

Short version today due to a computer meltdown.  Also a memory meltdown (perhaps related) because though I know we are meeting at La Prima on 21st on the Strip, I'm not sure why.

But we'll all see!

Parking probably best on Penn since I don't know if the parking lot off of Liberty and 21st is still legit.

Sept. 15 Run: Meet at The Detective Building, 224 N. Euclid Ave. in East Liberty

On Sunday we're going with Wendy's idea from 2 weeks ago:

How about we meet next week at the recently refurbished Detective Building (a 

few blocks from the Ace Hotel) for a run/walk around East Liberty? Then we can check out 

the coffee and treats at The Bureau, pictured below. 

                                          The Detective Bldg

                                          224 N Euclid Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

                                          The Bureau

Last week attracted a great crowd!  Delightful weather and the promise of the ever-better Squirrel Hill Farmer's Market may have helped.  We did the Reverse Bird Run with a dramatic detour into Frick Park to rescue Sunny the Adorable Dog.  Theme: love for our fellow creatures.

Top endorsements from the last 2 weeks:

• Upcoming Festival of Combustion at the Carrie Furnace
• Theater:  August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean, outdoors in the Hill and an all-female Julius Caesar in Pittsburgh's Shakespeare in the Parks.
• TV:  Offspring (again! - those who have seen it say "the all-time best"), Mindhunter - filmed in Pittsburgh, The Great Hack, Reese Witherspoon (in anything but you can watch Legally Blonde forever)
• Food:  Turkish Kebab House, on "restaurant row"
• Make your own yogurt - you can start with EuroCuisine yogurt maker 
• Mahjongg - we need to start our group again!  You can learn it from Dorothy at the Pittsburgh Meetup at Panera- sign up here.

Sept. 8 Run: From 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill to parts unknown

Just a bulletin today - we're starting and coffee-ing at our old standby, the 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill.  Maybe we'll head towards Greenfield?  We'll see. 

Last week:  The Rollercoaster Trail:

Sept. 1 Run: meet at entrance to Frick Park at Reynolds and S. Homewood at 7. Labor Day Holiday run at 7:30 at 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill.

Ready for more forest bathing in Frick Park?  We'll meet at the entrance at Reynolds and S. Homewood at 7.  Coffee location TBD.  The Labor Day Holiday run will be as always at 7:30 at 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill. 

Summer feels like it's over!  College students are pouring in and the inside of Target looks like a bomb went off.  I came back from the beach with a miserable cold so I can't report on last week's run, but I did manage to drag myself to coffee and of course it was worth it.  I learned:

• We're having another Happy Hour! On Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 5:45 at the Oaklander Hotel in (where else?) Oakland. Meet in the 10th floor bar.  Come even if you have never been to the run. (Actually, that's true for most of the people on this list.)
• The Pittsburgh Ghost Tour is hilarious.  Don't miss the County Mortuary.
• That funny little Greek restaurant that you've passed on 6th St. a million times on your way to the Pirates game is run by a former chef on the Onassis yacht!  And they have created a dessert called "Jackie-o's Cake" which is free if you don't like it.  A must go!  Christos Mediterranean Grille at 130 6th St. 

Aug. 25 Run: Meet at 61C Cafe for a Runner's Choice Run

We have been in so many different neighborhoods for so long, let's meet back at home base for a 61C run, where there are so many different options for routes.  1839 Murray Ave.

Last week, we started at Biddle's Escape and Virginia led us through the leafy Edgewood streets, under and over the Parkway, train tracks, and the busway.   We enjoyed the buttery treats from Madeleine's and were joined by various RG guests, which enhanced the sweetness of the pastries/coffee.

I since received notes from Wendy from the previous week's run/walk that started in Lawrenceville, so I am including them below:

İMi gente!

Yesterday, walkers enjoyed a brisk hike through secret L’ville passages (courtesy Beth) followed by some enthusiastic window shopping along Butler Street (“…like Shadyside, 40 years ago.”) In between, we toured the architecturally fascinating Hatfield Street, including Hatfield Laundry, the home of the Pittsburgh Lettering Club. At the well-attended coffee at Espresso a Mano, runners and walkers tucked into some excellent pastries during their usual Sunday morning gabfest. The discussion ranged from CHoP to Brooklyn to Target; the overall theme: female empowerment.

Stay tuned for a NEW, exciting starting location for a run/walk coming up over the next few weeks.

Aug. 18 Run: Meet at Biddle’s Escape, 401 Biddle Ave

A quick post today as I’m on vacation and forgot to take notes last week.  We had two great groups of runners and walkers starting in Lawrenceville and crisscrossing the river to Washington’s Landing for some great cooler temps and river breezes.  I don’t recall any endorsements, only the usual catching up on each other’s lives and enjoying Espresso a Mano’s great goodies, both of which count as the stuff of life.

Next week let’s keep it simple and start at another favorite spot: Biddle’s Escape.  Hope to see you there!

Aug 11 Run: Meet in Lawrenceville at espresso a mano 3623 Butler Street

Aug. 11 Run: Meet in Lawrenceville at espresso a mano  3623 Butler Street

Next run we can meet in L’ville and explore the riverfront and at least one bridge. And we'll head back to espresso a mano for coffee after.

This week on the run we had a rowdy group as we explored some of the lesser traveled streets of Shadyside and Friendship. Stately homes and urban estates were themes and then we emerged into artsy Garfield and the ever-transitioning East Liberty. Coffee was at the new (rumored to be temporary) Starbucks at Bakery Square where the formerly new apartment buildings are being shadowed by high rise office construction. Oops- there went the view out of those pricey abodes!

At coffee we discussed:

7^th edition of the Wonderland of Nature, now available on Amazon, written by our own Chris Horwitz’s Mum!

Sunday night Soul Line Dancing at Highland Park, 7pm each Sunday in August. Some of us will be there because we love the inimitable Roland Ford. Could you stand to miss this? (can you find some East End Runners in this video?)

Respectfully submitted by Elaine, filing in for Roye.

Aug. 4 Run: Meet at Mellon Park (the Spray side) parking lot, corner Beechwood and Fifth

Next run we can meet and park in the Mellon Park lot - next to the Spray Playground, corner of Beechwood and Fifth.  7 am as always.  But we'll head over to Bakery Square for coffee later at the new Starbucks - and see if by some chance it could be different from a million other Starbucks.  Actually I won't be there so don't forget to find a new blogger for a few weeks.  (Aimee, Wendy, Lainy, and Teri can all post to the blog, but everyone can send out the message.)

Last week on the South Side it was still steamy but bearable as we headed for the river trail.  On the way, we peered at the anonymous local office for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 3000 Sidney Street - no identifying sign, except for a flag - but the site of hundreds of heartbreaking stories.  Down on the riverside there is a sudden glut of fancy boats in marinas.  What is Pittsburgh coming to?   We also previewed the big set-up for Open Streets, which later on was a huge fiesta.  And then we experienced our future if Roboburgh has its way.

In the comfort zone of Big Dog Coffee, we discussed Mexico, appliances, cars and bikes, and teenagers:

• Kraynick's Bike Shop - appeared magically in my hour of need and totally rescued a vacation, in 30 minutes.  Plus, should be a Pittsburgh Historic Landmark.
• Books:  The Lacuna by Kingsolver, and any good bio. of Frida Kahlo
• Movies:  more Mexico: Frida - which is fascinating, and Roma - which is brilliant.
• TV - The Great Hack - we are all at risk.
• AirBNB Experiences - things to do while your staying in one! 
• The new kitchen faucet with a spray feature INSIDE.  Find it and a million more things at the Home Improvement Warehouse.
• Don's Appliances!  So much faster and easier than big box stores.  Don't let the showrooms with the high end models put you off - they carry all levels, just find them on the website.  But you have to call it Dawn's.
• Aimee is selling a Subaru - come to the run to talk to her if you're interested
• Teen trajectory:  "First it's the bar mitzvah parties, then finally the driving test."

July 28 Run: Meet at Big Dog Coffee, 2717 Sarah Street, on the South Side

It's Open Streets again, so we'll meet (at 7 am, of course) close to its route at one of our favorites, Big Dog Coffee, 2717 Sarah Street on the South Side. (This is in case anyone wants to bike or hike the Open Streets fiesta when it starts at 9.)   There should be plenty of parking on the street, and since it's outside of the route, no street closings in the way if you arrive via the Hot Metal Bridge.

Last Sunday it was STILL steamy hot, and I must say it was a relief to be one of the walkers.  So I can't speak for the runners, who made it all the way to Herr's Island and back, but they were definitely sweatier.  All evaporated as we lounged in the lovable but grungy sidewalk courtyard of the Original La Prima, (or, La Prima Primera!) downing the incomparable meles from Colangelo's next door.  A shout-out to Bella Notte down the street, for graciously letting us use their bathroom, even before they opened. Women of a certain age are grateful.

What did we talk about? A LOT, but the only things that will be recorded here are:

• Rooftop Happy Hours (we will try one of these before the winter) - Tryp Hotel, The Oaklander.  
• August will soon be here with Line Dancing at Highland Park on Sunday nights with the famous Roland Ford!  (Some of us were recorded for all time here - in the back somewhere.)
• Shakshouka, aka Eggs in Hades - great for brunch.

July 21 Run: Start at La Prima Espresso on the strip - probably best to park on Penn Ave.

It will still be pretty hot, so let's go to a place with few hills and with a river breeze - Herr's Island!  No coffee there, though, so let's start at La Prima, 21st off of Penn Ave.  Though we usually park off of Liberty Ave., the last time I was there I saw some severe NO PARKING signs, so I think we can park on Penn - it will be early enough to find spaces.

Last week we peered at a few honorary consulate residences and then just moseyed around Pt. Breeze and Squirrel Hill, stopping (we love to stop) at Howard Aiken's Sterrett School garden on the way. Highlight: celebrating Bastille Day by snarfing down croissants of various kinds in Wendy's cool bamboo-shaded yard, and heading out carrying beautiful veggies from HER garden.
Endorsements:

• Gardens!
• Kretschmann Farm CSA
• Movie:  Drum Line
• TV:  Big Little Lies (Meryl is amazing) and Aziz Ansari's apologetic Right Now
• Bathroom colors - NOT dark ones, too hard to clean mold
• Elaine's Israeli contractor for home remodeling (ask her for contact)
• David Coulson Hand Lettering and calligraphy - exquisite!

July 14 Run: Meet at 1447 Beechwood Blvd. in Squirrel Hill (off of Wilkins)

Why are we meeting at 1447 Beechwood Blvd. on Sunday?  It's Bastille Day! And that (for a reason we need to investigate) is the address of the French Honorary Consulate in Pittsburgh.  There are some clues in this article by PG columnist Brian O'Neill, who has also written a book called "The Paris of Appalachia: Pittsburgh in the 21st Century" which I think we all have to read.  And afterwards, how about cafe et croissants au chocolat at Five Points Bakery on Wilkins?  We can grab the outdoor tables, or if there's no room, just smuggle them into the 61C.

It must be admitted that, impossibly, we were all rained on in Schenley Park last Sunday.  But only at the end.  We dripped a little bit on the floor of the 61C. 
Endorsements (had some saveur francaise even then)

• Janet's umbrella - acquired at a Placenta Meeting in Paris
• US Women's Soccer!!  They had beaten the French team - then the World Cup!!
• Fall Run Park in Glenshaw - not Niagara but something
• As Bastille Day also brings to mind prisons: Pittsburgh's Lights for Liberty Vigil is Thursday evening, July 12, 7:30 pm in Schenley Plaza in Oakland - to stand with people all over the world against the horrific abuses in US detention camps.  (There is one in Paris too!) 

July 7 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead in Schenley Park, at Overlook Drive and Greenfield Ave.

Here's a map to the Wendy Bennett Trailhead, where we are meeting on Sunday.  Beyond that, who knows?  The urban forest beckons, full of mystery.  Coffee to follow at 61C, full of schmoozers.
Happy Fourth!

Here's how we were last week -

June 30 Run: Meet at Market Square downtown - it's Open Streets!

We'll meet at Market Square (map) downtown, at 7 as usual, because...  Open Streets starts at 9 am with Zumba  right in the Square!  But also because downtown is always a treat.  A note about parking: there is no parking on the route, and it's a pain to cross it in a car (only possible at certain points) so be sure to be on the side of Penn Ave. that you want to be.  I think our usual parking spots on Third Ave. will be fine, especially at that hour.

No time for a recap of last week on the North Side, but 3 pictures are worth a thousand words.  I just learned that we were only blocks away from the house where Gertrude 'Stein was born!  Next time...

June 23 Run: North Side run starting at Commonplace Coffee, 1501 Buena Vista St.

Coming up this week:  back to the North Side, at Commonplace Coffee, 1501 Buena Vista St. in the Mexican War Streets.  I personally am hoping to visit the statue of George Washington, the birds at the Aviary, the scenic steps up to Fineview, the corner of Compromise and Hemlock, Randyland, City of Asylum - please add your own favorites and we'll work them in.

Last week we toured around, over and next to the 3 rivers, and, on the basis of good advice, avoided running across the Parkway.  Refreshment was had on the downwind side of the fountain, and also at the new La Prima, located at yet another shiny new hotel near the Convention Center.  Who is staying at all these hotels?  Are there really tourists here?  Apart from the annual Furries Convention, I mean - which by the way is happening July 4.  We may have to plan on returning for that.

Fascinatingly disjointed conversation topics:

• The earthquake in Cleveland - last week?
• Pornographic potholders
• The Casbah Happy Hour, and its new restaurant in Aspinwall, Altavia
• Mullin's Diner in Deutschtown -- on second thought
• The Farmer's Daughter Flower Shop
• Keeping your photos on Amazon Prime
• The artichoke and lemon taco at Tako downtown
• Research a Veteran at the WW2 Museum 
• Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, which Chris claims is about drug-induced states - I disagree! - feel free to weigh in on Sunday. 
• Tree guys - ask Sharon who she decided on