CLEVELAND - Three Points of Pride
Ahh, summer in Cleveland - gotta love it, especially three of my favorite activities - visiting the Towpath Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, attending the annual 'Solstice' party at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Pride Parade and Festival, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Lots of photos - sit back and let them load.
Part 1 - Towpath Trail/Cuyahoga Valley National Park First up, the Towpath Trail which largely follows the original canals that lead to Cleveland's growth. I know there's debate about whether the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is 'worthy' of the designation. I don't care, I just love that it's so easily accessible and offers a variety of backdrops from busy bike trails to isolated waterfalls and of course, the flora and fauna. http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...th060813_1.jpg My partner and I like to start in Peninsula, a charming small town located along the Cuyahoga River. It has a 'New England' feel, which isn't surprising considering the area was once part of Connecticut. http://ech.case.edu/cgi/article.pl?id=WR2 http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...th060813_2.jpg I love the Leg Lamp from 'A Christmas Story': http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...th060813_3.jpg We always grab lunch and fuel :cheers: at the Winking Lizard, located in this historic former dance hall. http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...th060813_4.jpg Bridge over the Cuyahoga, and Century Cycles - they're always busy in spring and summer with the bike rentals: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...th060813_5.jpg Today's fuel, a Black and Gold - Great Lakes Brewing Dortmunder Gold + Guiness: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...th060813_6.jpg Another fun part of the park is the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad - in addition to regular rides, you can take your bike on board: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...th060813_7.jpg Anyway, over to the Towpath Trail we go: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...th060813_8.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...th060813_9.jpg There are quite a few galleries in the area and artists: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_10.jpg First stretch of the trail is paved: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_11.jpg Interesting flora right off the bat: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_12.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_13.jpg The waters of the Cuyahoga, cleaner and healthier than ever: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_14.jpg Pretty sure this is a grackel: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_15.jpg Industrial ruins from the canal: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_16.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_17.jpg Let's have some fun, guys... :rolleyes: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_18.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_19.jpg Woodpecker! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_20.jpg I'm always hopeful to see a great blue heron - well, not a close up but a decent shot I suppose: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_21.jpg More flora: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_22.jpg Railroad bridge - still active but not frequently used. The tunnel underneath doubles as a kick-arse echo chamber: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_23.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_24.jpg ALVIN!!! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_25.jpg Wasn't sure what kind of bird this is: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_26.jpg The next stretch is boardwalked over a marsh: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_27.jpg Alien flora? http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_28.jpg Again, ALVIN!!! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_29.jpg Grackel with a snackel :rolleyes: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_30.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_31.jpg I don't care if they poo every five seconds, I think Canadian Geese are beautiful: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_32.jpg Photo doesn't show it, but this was one *big* turtle: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_33.jpg Remember how I said I hoped to see a great blue heron? We've managed to see a few over the years but there was usually trees and whatnot in the way. My jaw dropped - this was a huge heron and just RIGHT THERE: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_34.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_35.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_36.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_37.jpg Canadian Geese again - they mate for life :hug: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_38.jpg No, this is not the dreaded emerald ash borer - if it were, I'd have squished it: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_39.jpg More of this stuff - not sure what it is: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_40.jpg As much as the river has been cleaned up, there's still progress to be made - this is an overflow area which collects debris and litter from a much larger area: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_41.jpg The towpath is around 100 miles long from Cleveland to Tuscarawas County - most of it is complete but there are a few gaps. It's interesting how they've tied it all together, including bridges, boardwalks, etc.: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_42.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_44.jpg Get out of here - another heron! :) http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_43.jpg Speaking of getting out of here, time to go home via the Ohio Turnpike - downtown Cleveland's visible from the bridge over the Cuyahoga: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...h060813_45.jpg Part 2 - Solstice party at the Cleveland Museum of Art Every year, this party sells out - staggered admission/pricing makes the crowd more interesting as the night goes on. At 7pm, the people who have $ection$ of the museum named after them, they get open bar and free food. At 8pm it's the regular museum members and non-members willing to shell out a little extra. At 10pm it's time for 'steerage' - JUST KIDDING - that's essentially the general admission but skews younger and more diverse. By night's end all these people are hobnobbing together, with diverse musical acts all with the backdrop of the museum. Speaking of - the expansion of the museum is ongoing but they recently opened the Asian galleries - a strongpoint of the museum's collection. I'd say 'worth the price of admission' but general admission to the museum is FREE :) Starting out like so many trips - the view at the end of my street: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...tice2013_1.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...tice2013_2.jpg En route to one world-class Cleveland institution, we pass another: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...tice2013_3.jpg The plan was to 'pre-game' at a nearby Asian spot in the Uptown development - here's phase two under construction: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...tice2013_4.jpg That's directly across the street from the newly opened Museum of Contemporary Art. Here's a close-up of the mirror-finished steel facade: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...tice2013_5.jpg Ah here we are - Accent; notice the empty patio? Yeah, it was in the upper 80s and tropical dewpoints (aka ick!!!) so we opted to sit inside: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...tice2013_6.jpg Did I mention they have a Saturday happy hour? Five dollar half-pitchers of Sapporo served in frosted mugs? If you happen to go - get the pork belly, edamame chips and hummus, and of course the Sapporo! :cheers: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...tice2013_7.jpg I love the funky sci-fi decor (the pattern is made of the restaurant's name) http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...tice2013_8.jpg Alright, over to the party - we pass by Case Western Reserve University's 'Old Main' building: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...tice2013_9.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_10.jpg And here we are - a major part of the expansion was this atrium, larger than a football field. I have to applaud Raphael Viñoly - I was apprehensive about how this would turn out and it's flat out amazing: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_11.jpg The atrium frames the original 1916 building - I love how airy it looks: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_12.jpg First stop, the newly opened Asian art galleries - there were people getting misty-eyed. This collection used to be housed in a cubby hole on the museum's lower level. It's absolutely exquisite and does the collection justice: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_13.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_14.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_15.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_16.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_17.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_18.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_19.jpg Immediately adjacent are the also newly-opened Art of the Americas galleries: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_20.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_21.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_22.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_23.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_24.jpg Kids with the 'gauges' crack me up - try wearing THESE in your nose! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_25.jpg Of course, being an art museum party there's bound to be some wacky costumes. These reminded me of the creepy monsters in the subway in the movie 'The Wiz'. http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_26.jpg Yeah, yeah - Impressionists gallery - sorry, didn't have time (that's how crazy and cool this party gets!) http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_27.jpg Contemporary art installation: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_28.jpg Outside to the south terrace, people are still filing in: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_29.jpg Back inside, I've always loved this guy - and no, the glasses aren't "ironic" http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_30.jpg Another gem in this gem, the Armor Court: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_31.jpg A 'performance art' installation - each speaker had a different monk chanting: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_32.jpg Yep, this guy enjoyed the party too! :cheers: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_34.jpg South terrace, one of the busier spots: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_35.jpg Some of the music groups are people you've never heard of, but they always pick a great variety and the crowds appreciate it: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_36.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_37.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_38.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_39.jpg See the bottom of 'The Thinker'? Apparently in the 1970s, anarchists planted a pipe bomb on the statue - the museum decided to leave the statue as is, to reflect history: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_40.jpg As the temps went down, more people came outside: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_41.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_42.jpg And *another* cool part of the expansion is Gallery One - a fully interactive gallery with a gigantic 'touch' wall which is the largest of its kind in the world. I love that they designed it to encourage people to go find the original piece, not just see it on a screen. Check it out http://www.clevelandart.org/gallery-one/about They use the facade of the museum to show off different aspects - this year was about Gallery One: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_43.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_44.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_45.jpg Back inside for a second: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_46.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_47.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_48.jpg My partner loves the collection of Fabergé pieces, and I'm more than happy to indulge him: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_49.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_50.jpg Imperial Red Cross egg - one of two in the world: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_51.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_52.jpg The central rotunda - a great spot to sit for a minute and people watch: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_53.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_54.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_55.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_56.jpg No rest for the MayDay, back out to the south terrace http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_57.jpg The Crystal Ark had a great show: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_58.jpg And back inside, where we danced our arses off to DJ Afrika Bambaattaa and closed the joint! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ice2013_59.jpg Part 3 - 25th Annual Cleveland Pride Parade and Festival This year we couldn't make it to the parade, so it's just festival photos. They managed to get Deborah Cox as the headliner and she did a great job. Along with the 25th anniversary, the Supreme Court decisions this week added to the revelry :) You know the routine, the view from the end of my street :) http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ride2013_1.jpg Lots of construction cranes - they're building the new Innerbelt bridge, largest transportation project in the history of the State of Ohio: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ride2013_2.jpg Passing through Playhouse Square en route to the festival: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ride2013_3.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ride2013_4.jpg Almost there! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ride2013_5.jpg A lot of people go to the parade and stay all day for the festival, so I can't blame them for being a little tired! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ride2013_6.jpg C'mon now, like I'm *not* going to get a shot of Key Tower? http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ride2013_7.jpg Yep, I think we're in the right spot! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ride2013_8.jpg My partner remarked that "you can't say that our Pride festival isn't diverse!" and I agree - but to be honest, for every drag queen or scantily-clad whatever, there are plenty more plain ol' regular-looking people who happen to be gay. http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ride2013_9.jpg The festival is held at Voinovich Park, with a great view of the Rock Hall and the skyline: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_10.jpg The lawn near the performance stage: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_11.jpg This performer goes by "Bitch" - last time we saw her, she was doing some weird folk 'chant', this time around she was really good! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_12.jpg Like I said - diverse! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_13.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_14.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_15.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_16.jpg Plenty of people selling rainbow accoutrements: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_17.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_18.jpg Diverse footwear - though not the best for walking on grass, I would think? http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_19.jpg And then the DJ started to spin some old school 'line dance' tunes and Clevelanders love their line dancing and... WHOA!!! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_20.jpg To her credit, she was wearing pasties but I, I... I got nothin' :uhh: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_21.jpg That reminds me, I need to get to the gym: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_22.jpg A little more line dancing: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_23.jpg The lyrics at this moment were indeed "how low can you go?" http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_24.jpg Like I said (I'm not a fan) but Clevelanders go batsh!t over line dancing: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_25.jpg This gentleman had writing on his back saying "I'm Single". I'm hoping he finds someone who can cook - my inner ethnic grandmother was saying "Look at you - you so skiiiinny, you need to EAT!" http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_26.jpg It's not just a black and white issue ;) http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_27.jpg Or male/female: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_28.jpg More of the crowd: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_29.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_30.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_31.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_32.jpg Deborah Cox - fabulous!!! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_33.jpg Terminal Tower - also fabulous!!! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_34.jpg Not sure what they were going for but it's distinctive! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_35.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_36.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_37.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_38.jpg Remember what I said about the footwear? http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_39.jpg I had a similar pair back in the day :) http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_40.jpg Ah well, time to wrap it up - speaking of, the Federal Building is undergoing a glass 'encasement' - oughta be interesting: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_41.jpg On the way home: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_42.jpg Hope you enjoyed! http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ide2013_43.jpg |
Thank you so much for sharing, I enjoy your Cleveland threads and especially your concise informative commentary. I only visited Cleveland once and the only downtown area I even got to walk around was between the Rock and Roll Hall and the Browns Stadium!
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Very cool. You know I've never actually explored the Cuyahoga Valley NP? I've driven through it east-west and have been to Peninsula but never actually walked around it. I should next time.
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lovely photos. love the valley. and those gay festivities are a lot more civilized than the ones going on in front of our apt today that is for sure.
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Well that does it, I'm worn out.
Entertaining thread MayDay, and so much to see. That huge space at the Museum is amazing. btw, Afrika Bambaataa is a the visiting hip-hop scholar at Cornell for three years. Thanks for the fun pics. |
How very cool, Shawn - thanks so much for sharing. ;)
You are making me very homesick for my roots! |
FUCK'N AWESOME.... ALL OF IT.
Loved the National Park pics, skyline pics, the art museum (excellent expansion), and the pride pics. Aaaaall great stuff. ROCK ON CLEVELAND. :cheers: |
Great pics. That trail and the national park look so relaxing.
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It just seems to me that one needs an incredible amount of faith/confidence to wear boots like these. Every step could be the last one before a rolled ankle, you know what I mean? Running for a bus or cab really can't be practical in those things.
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Connecticut's influence lives on.
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Thanks everyone, I appreciate the comments!
geomorph, I love so much of the photography on SSP but sometimes I'm wondering what I'm seeing, so I try to give some context. ColDayMan - stop in Peninsula for a day, grab lunch at the Winking Lizard and go north on the Towpath. mrnyc, having been to Toronto Pride, I can appreciate the mega-festivals and they're fun but I don't know that I need to see everyones' bits flapping and flopping in the wind to be proud of who I am :shrug: Ex-Ith, who'da thunk there would be such a thing as a 'visiting hip-hop scholar'? volguus, back in my clubbing days, I wore a set of 8" stack platforms similar to the photo I pointed out. When you slap those on your feet, there's no running for anything and you plan accordingly. :) With that, a good friend offered choice seats at the Cleveland Orchestra's annual performance on Public Square this year. So, I figure we're talking the Cleveland Orchestra and the Terminal Tower, I might as well just add them to this thread: Let me tell ya, when you have the opportunity to listen to one of the world's best orchestras with the Terminal Tower as the backdrop, you take it :) http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ra070113_1.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ra070113_2.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ra070113_3.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ra070113_4.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ra070113_5.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ra070113_6.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ra070113_7.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ra070113_8.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...ra070113_9.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...a070113_10.jpg One of my favorite parts is when the Orchestra performs the songs of all four divisions of the Armed Forces and those in attendance are asked to stand and represent. To those reading this, thank you for your service. http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...a070113_11.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...a070113_12.jpg The show is wrapped up with a brief fireworks display: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...a070113_13.jpg http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...a070113_14.jpg |
The 'big city' when I was a kid.
Thanks for the Cleveland orchestra concert pics! |
Lovely, all of it!
As a homosexual, it's always nice to see how other cities celebrate pride. Thanks! |
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Thanks for posting those wonderful photos. I really like the photos of the Cuyahoga National Park. I have driven through part of it, but I have never actually walked on the trails. It is such blessing for Cleveland and Akron to have such an amazing park along with the "Emerald Necklace" of all the Cleveland Metroparks. The photos of the skyline are awe inspiring and the Terminal Tower is one of the top historic skyscrapers in the country. I need to get up to the observation deck again. I love the photos of all the people and the various ways they dress. I tend to like people watching. The photos with people and the skyline in the background provide a great contrast. Of course every city should have a big pride day, but a lot don't and Cleveland does theirs well and sets an example for others. Cleveland Rocks and it is nice to live only 2hrs away.
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That's a helluva way to advertise UrbanOhio ;) :tup:
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