"My Running Route through Pittsburgh" Personal Page by Lacristina

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The start

My route runs for four miles through the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. I've run this route thousands of times but maybe these photos will help explain why I still haven't grown tired of it. Less than a half mile from home, I turn up one of the few cobblestone streets left in Pittsburgh. Cars make a pockety-pockety-pockety racket. Everyone drives slowly, afraid that car parts will shake off at more than 25k per hour. You can't tell it from the photo, but this is quite a steep grade and I'm always huffing by the time I turn off.

Chatham College

From the cobblestone, I turn unto the grounds of Chatham College. It has the look of a quaint women's college in New England - but it's here in the middle of my city.

Mini-mansions of Chatham College

Woodland Rd., Chatham College

The trees and mini-mansions of the campus are elegant and old. It is usually very quiet here - I almost never see anyone (no self respecting college student would be up at this hour.)

Squirrel Hill

Beechwood Boulevard

I follow the road through the college, then through some residential streets in Squirrel Hill, then a long, lovely mile on the curvy, upscale section of Beechwood Blvd.

A brief moment of mansion envy

Beechwood Blvd. bungalow

One of the many mansions on Beechwood Blvd. that I sometimes lust after. Until I think about the vacuuming.

Mini Park

Mellon Park

Near the end of Beechwood Blvd. is a small park, so I usually cut the corner and run through it. I tell myself it's not cheating as the park is hillier than the sidewalk around it.

Makes me smile every time!

Sidewalk art

Out of the park, and then, a half mile from my house, I smile. I always smile when I see this. The handprints and initials of a small child, perhaps 4 years old. The best part? The initials are the SAME as MINE!

Nearly home

Ginkos in fall

Finally, just a hundred meters from my house, I see the light filtered through these golden ginko trees. (Ginko trees are best gazed at from afar - they drop a horrid small fruit that, when ripe, smells like vomit if you inadvertantly step on it and squash it!)

Page Updated Nov 11, 2005
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Written Dec 11, 2005

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Dinosaur Deep-Freeze - Pittsburgh in Winter

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Comments (156)

EllenH Feb 5, 2012 at 9:16 PM Report Abuse

Hope it was a great one. Wonderful gorgeous day cross country skiing. Hope you did something way fun. (knowing you...I am not worried)
aussiejen Feb 5, 2012 at 3:23 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday. Hope you're having a lovely day. xx
hopang Feb 5, 2012 at 1:07 AM Report Abuse

Hi Cristina, We wish you a very happy birthday. Hope you have a great day. Greetings from cold Sweden. ~ho & pang
pieter_jan_v Feb 5, 2012 at 12:58 AM Report Abuse

Congratulations, have a great Birthday. Greetings from the Netherlands. PJ
MalenaN Feb 4, 2012 at 11:12 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday Christina! Have a great day!
riorich55 Dec 29, 2011 at 4:02 PM Report Abuse

Hi Christiana, My wife and I are planning a trip to Italy in 2012. I will be checking out your pages.
AlbuqRay Nov 2, 2011 at 4:14 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Cristina! I bet the updated house will be really nice when they are done. Please give my regards to Ray. Take care.
effeti Jul 11, 2011 at 10:37 PM Report Abuse

Grazie, Cristina e Ray! Grazie.... Se foste stati a Verona, festeggiavate anche voi il mio mezzo secolo al Castello di Bevilacqua.... Un cameriere... tell me more! Comunque, a presto!
Nemorino Jun 7, 2011 at 3:13 PM Report Abuse

Yes, Calleja is a Frankfurt "discovery", i.e. he sang here several times before anyone else had even heard of him. Also he's a really nice person and has a fantastic memory, since he remembered my name the second time I spoke with him.
Xemx Feb 5, 2011 at 2:39 PM Report Abuse

Nawguralek gurnata sabiha b'dak kollu li tixtieq qalbek! In other words, Happy Birthday, Cristina!