This Sunday, let's meet at the Panera at the Waterfront.
Sharon hosted a lovely brunch at her house and we enjoyed the feast on her gorgeous patio. I didn't take any notes from the coffee, but on the run endorsements included the book Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, and on the same topic the book (and show) Dopesick.
Hi everyone! Filling in for Roye today. It's car race weekend, so let's meet at Sharon's house near the corner of Woodmont and Wightman and we can head over to see the Vintage Grand Prix.
Last Sunday, runners and walkers enjoyed the streets of North Point Breeze/Homewood/Larimer and explored the Brilliant Line. Coffee and conversation were enjoyed at Commonplace by the coop.
This will be a photo-heavy blog, since I didn't take any notes of endorsements. Thanks to Michelle and Virginia for sharing the photos!
We'll meet in front of the East End Food Coop (map) with the idea of having coffee later at the new Commonplace Coffee across the street. There should be plenty of on-street parking on Meade St. on a Sunday morning.
Last week in Squirrel Hill included high drama: a mother and baby deer caught by the new barrier in the middle of Forbes Ave., along with some of us trying to save them - somehow made it over! A successful group mind-meld to find Michelle's keys in the middle of Frick Park, ultimately getting to "I know exactly where it is" (Paula the Brain, naturally.) And of course the threat of downpour holding off until we were under the big umbrella at 61C. OK, Raiders of the Lost Ark it was not, but our standards are pretty low. However, lots of endorsements:
Quick bulletin today: we'll meet at 61C cafe in Squirrel Hill - see you there!
Last week's visuals:
If you haven't heard of Anthrocon, a pretty strange sight awaits. I think we'll see some of the action on Sunday morning, when we meet at the La Prima near the Convention Center, at 1100 Smallman St., at 11th St. There should be parking on either Smallman or Penn Ave. around there. Also there is a giant blow-up sculpture thing and the massive demolition of Wholey's old warehouse nearby. So much to see dahntahn!
Also, though we had thought we had seen everything in Oakland, last Sunday we found it still holds surprises, i.e. the puzzle maze at CMU, and the deeply retrograde motto inscribed in stone on the Margaret Morrison building, describing "woman's high prerogatives" (read it here). We relaxed under the Schenley Plaza tent where tables and chairs were set out just for us. Endorsed:
We'll start at the Schenley Plaza tent (map), and then for coffee, take over the chairs and tables - and either BYOBeverage or get something at Starbucks.
We had a Highland Park excursion last Sunday, during which there were no lions or tigers to be heard, but Joanne heard some roars the other day, so maybe next time. Tazza D' now has delightful outdoor seating - luckily for those inside who want some peace and quiet. As always, numerous suggestions:
Next up: Highland Park, and we'll meet at the homey Tazza D'Oro. Too late in the year to see the sunrise over the reservoir (it's at 5:49 a.m.) but just in time to see the garden. My personal goal is to get close enough to the zoo to hear the lions and tigers.
We explored Wilkinsburg and Edgewood, highlights being the Hamnett Station, hidden parks, and unknown swanky streets and homes, especially this one. Biddle's offered us a real bower to have a coffee and klatch in. Some highlights:
Meeting this Sunday at Biddle's Escape, 401 Biddle Ave., with multiple route choices and the slim chance of a short line to grab an ooh-la-la pastry at Madeleine's Bakery down the street.
Last week, we celebrated Wendy's birthday starting at her namesake Trailhead in Schenley Park, followed by a delish carrot cake baked by Linda at ye old 61C. Could the parks be more forest-bathing-worthy than they are now? Major interest in a Mahjong sideline was expressed, though how to find time what with zumba, evening bike rides, soul line dancing, and we haven't even assigned a date for the next happy hour...
Endorsed:
Next up: we'll meet at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead (MAP) for a leafy Schenley Park excursion. Coffee locale TBD.
Last week Upper Lawrenceville called, and we scaled the hill that Aimee heard was called "The Homie". Why? Most likely The Protestant Home for Incurables, once located on Butler and 54th. Thanks to the evil come-hither call of The Internet, I just wasted 20 minutes on that. Mediterra Cafe, also on Butler, maybe on the same spot?, was awesome and the first of the endorsements (which also include some from the 61C holiday run.) More of them:
Today just a bulletin: Meet at the new Mediterra Cafe, 5202 Butler St. in Lawrenceville, which will probably circumvent the various street closings for Open Streets.
(But don't miss Open Streets later!)
We'll meet on Sunday at the tried and true 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill - just because. Last week we paid homage to the Blessed Mother at her Parkway Shrine (which is looking a little bare these days?) and tried the latest Tazza D'Oro in Oakland (which could use more outdoor seats but sunshine made it delightful anyway.) There was a valiant attempt to scale the Cathedral stairs beforehand but it got stuck on the 4th floor. Next time!
Endorsements:
We'll meet at the Cathedral of Learning (map, but you can't miss it) on the Fifth Ave. side. There should be free parking on Fifth Ave. or thereabouts on Sunday at 7. Then we'll head for the Shrine of the Blessed Mother, most appropriate Mother's Day destination! Coffee TBD but in the vicinity.
Last week we traversed Squirrel Hill to say hello to the Marathon route, and then kibitzed delightfully in Wendy's bright new kitchen and already leafy garden. In addition to endorsing:
It's Marathon Day on Sunday, so we'll navigate the road situation and start at Wendy's house on the corner of Beechwood and Wilkins. There should be plenty of street parking around there, and here's the info. about road closures that morning. Coffee at Wendy's (thank you!)
Last week we visited Art All Night (a few bleary-eyed attendants and LOTS of definitely unusual art pieces) and its rarely visited environs around The Strip, Polish Hill, and Lawrenceville. The James Cafe turned out to be just right - we tarried lots of time to endorse
After our memorable visit there last year, we want to catch the 26th Annual Art All Night at the 31st St. Studios, so we'll meet at the nearby James Cafe, another new one for us. It's at 2550 Smallman and they have "adaptogenic drinks" - OK! (Also coffee and pastry, no worries.)
Last week we visited the hills, dales, deer, turkeys, and deceased Mellons and Fricks at Homewood Cemetery. Not to mention the haunting Motherless statue. Also we walked down Woodwell St., the most poetic street in Pittsburgh. Even more poetic: the cardamom buns at Five Points, where we endorsed:
We know about the yummy confections at Five Points, but they also have Espresso a Mano coffee and some seating, so we'll give that a try this week. It's at 6520 Wilkins, corner of Severn, street parking all around. We can walk around a neighborhood poetry installation, wander through the famous graves in Homewood Cemetery (including the Princess, my favorite), see the marvelous mosaics made by Max, etc.
Last week we visited the Strip environs once again, and rounded the 3 Rivers, wondering: why they didn't turn on the fountain?! Or the fabulous water walkway under the Convention Center?! These were sorely missed, but at least at La Prima #2 we celebrated the return of Springtime and outdoor convos. What we learned:
As we lament the state of Pittsburgh's Amtrak Station, which is pathetic, we will at least honor the remains of the historic Union Station next to it and meet under the Grand Rotunda. Here's a map - it is currently the entrance to the Pennsylvanian Apartments at 1100 Liberty Ave. Parking may be a little tricky - but there is a parking garage at Penn and 12th St. a block away, with some parking spaces on Penn too. Coffee to follow at the new La Prima that is 2 blocks away on Smallman (another map.)
Last Sunday's foray to the Duck Hollow trail and thereabouts featured sunrise on the Mon, and a terrifying underground tunnel that looked like the Mouth of Hell. We still can't see how to get to the Glenwood Bridge though. At Panera - topics included husbands and uteri - and multiple endorsements (with a few from last week):
Two seders and my own general inefficiency are resulting in a short script this week:
On Sunday we're going to investigate Duck Hollow and the Duck Hollow Trail, and then we'll figure out where to have coffee. Get to the Duck Hollow Trail parking lot using this map. Basically go down Browns Hill Road, pass the IHOP and the CVS to take a left onto Parkview and then a fairly quick right onto Old Browns Hill Road (but don't go into the JAA apartment complex) which you follow down the hill until the end and then take a right at the river - you should see the parking lot there.
Last week: Swisshelm Park revisited after 16? years was totally fun and so was the Parisi Cafe.
Happy Easter and Passover and Ramadan and Springtime to all!
Not since April of 2007 have we had a run in Swisshelm Park, then led by Wendy who at the time lived on Goodman St. Time flies! And so did we at the time. This week we return, maybe not flying so much, with Wendy and Beth to show us around 💕. We'll start at the Parisi Cafe, about which we know nothing but it looks cute! Map is here.
Last week we honored our new Senator Fetterman by spending a morning around his favorite Sunday spot, the Waterfront, where we often hung out together. Well, sort of. Anyway, all ensconced at Panera we raised our coffee cups to heartily wish him a speedy recovery. Hopefully we'll see him on the trail sometime this summer! Many fascinating topics for endorsement:
This Sunday, let's meet at the Waterfront Starbucks, in support of John Fetterman.
Last Sunday, we were at Riverview Park to see Beth's amazing tree plantings and to applaud her volunteer work as a Forest Steward. If I remember correctly, she said there were 300 trees planted! She will have a photo time lapse to see how the trees grow over time. Great work, Beth!
Then the runners and walkers split off and I can say the runners enjoyed a full-body workout when we went off-trail to take a look at Perry High School. You know it's a good incline when you have to put your hands down for balance! Then on our way back to the cars, we found the house where Joanne's dad grew up (see photo below).
Coffee at Commonplace coffee included the following endorsements:
The Nordic Theory of Everything
The Mother Tree
The Overstory
Hidden Life of Trees
