At long last, the temperature is beginning to drop and the trees are exhibiting their true colors. The leaves will soon adorn the hills in glorious shades of gold, orange, and red. Long pants are reasonable and hot beverages are pleasing to cold hands. Unfortunately, this is only a temporary delight, as the leaves will soon fall to the ground and the wind will freeze, rather than refresh, the soul. Thus it is necessary that we make the best of the fall season while it lasts. Here I have composed a list of the top ten ways to embrace the spirit of Autumn before we are bombarded with the presence of Christmas.
10. Hikes.
Nothing can beat a late-October hike. The feeling that one gets when surrounded by the vibrant pigments of the forest are unparalleled. Take a group of friends and hit the trails. Feel free to lose yourselves in the beauty of the outdoors.
9. Corn Mazes and Hay Rides.
This is the time to find a local autumn festival and test your merit against a labyrinth made of corn stalks. When you reach the other side, many locations offer bouncy hay rides that contribute to the atmosphere and let everyone feel like a kid again.
8. Jumping in Leaves.
When the leaves do start to fall, a nice blanket forms on the ground. However, in the interest of tradition and yard upkeep, it is time to break out the rakes and go to work. It doesn't take too terribly long before a majestic pile of dead nature is fashioned to completion. Remember to get a running start before all of the morning's work is wasted in a single leap.
7. Bonfires.
Although some might consider them a summer affair, bonfires are an activity that carry well into the later months. It is not too late in the year to break out the hot dogs and s'mores. After all, the fire is more appealing to stand beside as the nights get chillier.
6. Farmer's Market.
Farmer's Markets and all go hand in hand. This is the harvest season and so farmers are able to bust out the finest of their produce. Not to mention, the baked goods available are always top notch, so feel free to indulge in an oatmeal muffin or applesauce bread.
5. Jackets and Jeans.
As the tank tops are put away, the hoodies and sweaters can at last be released from the bottoms of our dressers. The time of the swimsuit body has come and gone, and the Thanksgiving pudge that is inevitable can be hid under layers of jackets. You can also distract others with fun, colorful knee socks that lighten the mood.
4. Carving Pumpkins.
Before a knife is taken to our orange gourd friends, they must first be retrieved. Picking one's pumpkin is almost as important as picking a Christmas tree. They must have character and there must be an emotional connection. As long as these requirements are met, feel free to carve a face and decorate your living area.
3. Candy and Costumes.
Before the turkeys and scarecrows of Thanksgiving, and the Santas and reindeer of Christmas, a scary presence dominates department stores. Skeletons and cobwebs line the shelves, and people spend the month searching for the perfect Halloween costume. Tubs of candy in shareable sizes appear with fun twists, such as Reese's pumpkins and Twix ghosts.
2. Football.
Everyone has their favorite team, and weekends are often spent tailgating in a sea of tents. Mascots dance across the television screens as men in uniforms go head to head, electrifying the country in excitement.
1. Cinnamon and Pumpkin Spice.
The smell is intoxicating. Everywhere there are pumpkin spice candle and cinnamon sticks. Pumpkin spice drinks and snickerdoodles appear on menus everywhere. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin granola lines the aisles of grocery stores. This is the moment to stock up for the year on every kind of pumpkin spiced goody imaginable.
