For all those Whitties who are staying in Walla Walla for spring break, here is a list of 11 fun ways to spend your 17 days rather than simply catch up on sleep.

1. Traverse the wheat fields

This may seem like the back-up answer on anyone’s list of things to do over spring break. However, simply imagine a warm sunny day (anything above 60 degrees!) presenting itself after a winter of cold, snow, rain and overcast days–one has no choice but to embrace the day and head to the beloved fields. Grab some friends and go to a favorite restaurant, get some food to-go and have a picnic. Anyone spending their break at Whitman must spend at least one afternoon soaking up the Walla Walla rays.

2. Visit the Kirkman House Museum

The museum is currently featuring the Smithsonian exhibit entitled “Journey Stories.” According to the museum’s web site this exhibit “explores the roles of migration and transportation in the United States,” with the intention of commenting on the spirit of Americans, who are often on the move. Take advantage of this opportunity to visit a museum of your own free will rather than from a syllabus.

3. Listen to live music at Inland Octopus

The Rogues, an Irish family band, are playing a live show at the toy store Inland Octopus on Sunday, March 13 at 4 p.m. Gather a group of friends, walk downtown and enjoy an afternoon of free live music that may even expand your musical genre horizons.

4. Watch this month’s Walla Walla Symphony Concert

The symphony will be performing on Tuesday, March 15 in Whitman’s very own Cordiner Hall. Tickets are 13 dollars and the show begins at at 7:30 p.m. The symphony will play pieces from artists such as Williams, Tchaikovsky and Piazzola. For more information visit their web site: www.wwsypmhony.org

5. Saddle Up at the Riding Against Abuse College Rodeo

This annual event benefiting child abuse prevention is taking place from March 11 to March 13 this year. The pricing varies by event and the rodeo will take place at the fairgrounds. This is an opportunity to see something that you may not have experienced before — everyone has seen or heard about rodeos from movies, but who has actually watched one in person?

6. Camp-out on Ankeny

Sleeping indoors is overrated!   It may take some convincing, but gather some friends, some sleeping bags, a tent and quite a few layers and sleep on Ankeny. Star gaze and have a contest to see who lasts the longest outside.

7. Try a new restaurant

Why not treat every weekend like its Parents’ Weekend? Treat yourself to a nice meal off campus, spend some time researching restaurants in Walla Walla (Bangkok 103 Cafe is known to have great Thai food), save the necessary money and enjoy.

8. Catch up on movies/television

This is a priority. As college students we try to do our best to stay up-to-date with pop-culture references; however, this often feels like a lofty goal. Think of spring break as a way to redeem yourself in the eyes of friends and loved ones, so that the next time they ask you which movie you want to win Best Picture, you don’t have to confess that you don’t know what films were nominated or you haven’t been to a movie theater since “Inception.”

9. Go for a bike ride

Exercise and fresh air possess rejuvenating qualities for any worn-down, stress-riddled student. Explore Walla Walla and enjoy spending time outside by going on a bike ride around town. Here is a map of bike paths in the Walla Walla Valley (http://www.wallawalla.org/pdf/bicyclemap_wwvalley.pdf) and the town (http://www.wallawalla.org/pdf/bicyclemap_cityww.pdf).

10. Read for fun

A concept that so many take for granted, reading for fun often feels like an illusive idea during the semester. Visit one of Walla Walla’s many new and used book stores, pick out a book that seems interesting and spend the afternoon in a coffee shop, outside, or even Penrose library reading a book without a pen in one hand and a highlighter in the other. I recommend the newest edition to the chef memoir genre, “Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef” by Gabrielle Hamilton. “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen is also a recommended read according to many Whitties and “The New York Times” Best Seller List.

11. Go golfing

Challenge friends to a round of golf.   Walla Walla has numerous golf courses (http://www.wallawalla.org/golf.cfm). Make it fun by placing a friendly bet on the game; perhaps the losers can buy lunch for a wheat fields picnic.