What To Do With Those Cleveland Sunday Mornings

There's something about Sunday mornings... memories of dressing for church in the kitchen, being propped up in bed with a cup of coffee and newspaper, or waking up at a campsite when the temperature is a cool and bright 55 degrees. Sunday morning memories are part of my subconscious, but I think what sets Sunday mornings apart is how quiet they are. It's easy to have the illusion that we have the world to ourselves.

Because of the quiet, the slowing down, Sunday mornings are full of possibility. Saturday's chores, grocery shopping, soccer games, and dance lessons have been left behind. If you plan it right, Sunday can be a day of freedom to do something daring. You may have a list that includes pole vaulting or cliff diving, but for those of us looking for ways to relax that are not dangerous, here's a "bucket list" for Sunday mornings that can easily turn into summer afternoons this year:

1. Go to Huntington Beach, put down a blanket, and read while listening to the lake roll in and out, then buy some ice cream as soon as the Honey Hut opens.

2. Take the bikes down to Peninsula and ride south of Route 303 towards Akron, stop after an hour or so to eat handfuls of trail mix, then spend the afternoon wandering through galleries.

3. Drink some cappuccino on the sidewalk outside Presti’s in Little Italy then take in the latest exhibit at the Art Museum.

4. Hike the all-purpose trail in the Metroparks in Hinckley, then go swimming at Ledge Pool.

5. Walk along the Lake from Burke Lakefront Airport to Voinovich Park and over to Browns Stadium while checking out the seagulls and action on the Lake, then eat brunch at a downtown restaurant.

6. Walk or run for a good cause and take advantage of all the free Gatorade and chocolate bars.

7. Go to a new place of worship and experience a different way to connect with God and your fellow man and follow up the excursion with a pancake breakfast at home.

8. Pack up the car and head for Mentor Headlands where the beach is as wide as the ocean’s, then eat lunch outside on the Grand River at Pickle Bills.

9. Grab your coffee mugs, pick up some fresh bagels and cream cheese, and spread a blanket at Shaker Lakes to read the paper and people watch.

10. Drive to a farm to buy some fresh produce while enjoying the countryside along the way.

11. Read a book alone or with a child while cuddling up together in bed then make breakfast together.

12. Buy a picnic basket full of crackers and cheese, hummus and pita, salsa and chips, or jalapeno-lime cashews and some Italian lemonade at Trader Joes, then enjoy them while sunning on a riverbank and philosophizing about life.

13. Hang out at your favorite bookstore and give yourself permission to buy three books.

14. Rent a canoe and travel down the Grand River taking your best nature photos and rediscovering your love of quiet.

15. Gather the kids and head down to the Great Lakes Science Center for the day, and instead of being the parent, participate in the hands-on activities through the eyes of a child.

16. Ride your bike from downtown Berea into Millstream Reservation along Valley Parkway where the wetlands attract waterfowl and time the trip to catch opening hours at the Cornerstone Brewery.

17. Watch three movies in a row at a movie theater and don’t forget the popcorn.

18. Pack up the fishing poles and find a spot to fish on the Rocky River near the Lake while watching the boats float by.

19. Drive out to Schoepfle Gardens in Birmingham and allow the perennial gardens to give you ideas for your own garden then check out the antique-craft shop across the street.

20. Play Frisbee with people or dogs in Lakewood Park then go visit your parents.

21. Check out the estates and gardens at Stan Hywet Hall after an old-fashioned Sunday drive along country roads to get there.

22. Lay down on your back in the grass in your own backyard and watch the clouds go by then run through the sprinkler.

23. Fly some kites at Edgewater Park then wander around Tremont or Ohio City until an interesting gallery or eating spot grabs your attention and holds it.

24. Find a festival in Vermilion or Chagrin Falls or Medina and get there before it opens so you can window shop in a quaint downtown.

25. Get out those old art supplies from the back of the closet and try to capture the way the flowers look in your garden.

While I’m thinking about possibilities, I’m realizing how many more there are, like counting stars in the desert and having more pop out into the black sky. Tell me about how you spend Sunday mornings in ways that are uniquely Cleveland’s so we can get the word out. And help people relax. Send a note to letters@coolcleveland.com and tell us how you relax on Sundays!

From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia J. Taller ctallerwritesATwowway.com (:divend:)