Before my college experience, I always believed spring was my favorite season, what with the trickle of melting snow announcing the plants emerging from their winter slumbers. In fact, even now I forget how much I love fall, until it returns again, and I'm living at Houghton College where it's is everything fall's supposed to be.

I've never been anywhere else where the trees perform such flawless colorful displays. This time of year, everything is about the smell of leaves, the feel of sunlight that is somehow more golden than in any other season, and the clear, cool air. The air outside the dining hall windows is filled with bright yellow leaves like flower petals, not falling, just flying around almost gravity-free.

And, of course, 'tis the season for reading some wonderful books. I finally got my hands on a copy of Neverwhere, courtesy of Houghton's library, and spent a couple lovely days reading it and drinking tea. I think such things are inspired by the magical autumn atmosphere - I'm not the only one sitting outside under the trees in cozy sweaters with my tea or coffee and a good book.

And, of course, there's the Paine Science Center's greenhouse. I'm aware that this is open year-round, but fall is definitely my favorite time to study there. Remember that golden sunlight I mentioned? Well, when it's too chilly to sit outside but I can't quite bear to stay indoors, the greenhouse is the place to be. There are a number of little garden tables at which to sit, and a fish pond (pictured below) and chameleons to keep you company. The chameleons are a new addition this semester, and I have determined to make them my friends. Unfortunately they don't like cameras, so I apologize for the lack of pictures.

Houghton is a small enough campus that you can walk everywhere, and especially in the fall, it's well worth it to do so! For me, that means a walk across campus from my apartment to the art building, along sidewalks lined with oak trees turning all shades of red and yellow. Along the sides of the roads are fluffy purple wildflowers with petals like feathers, and hanging from lampposts are baskets overflowing with flowers (which we all agree look a lot like jellyfish this year, what with their long trailing vines drifting this way and that in the breeze).

So, in conclusion, thank you, Houghton, for being the most beautiful place in the state this fall!