Florida basically has two seasons: smoldering hot and slightly less hot. Let’s face it, the Heat Miser has control of the south and he never wants to see a day that’s under 60 degrees; that means that most of our days are 80, 90, or 100 degrees. I’m originally from Michigan but I’ve lived in the Sunshine state since I was three. My family regularly goes home in the winter so I have seen plenty of snow in my short 20 years. My family, however, has never ventured home in the fall, meaning I’ve never seen the leaves change. Well, a few weeks ago my friend Lauren texted me, “I’m watching Gilmore Girls and I want it to be cold so bad. Let’s go to Connecticut.” I joked that we should take a road trip to Stars Hollow thinking that nothing would come of it. Cut to three weeks later and we were getting off a plane in Hartford, Connecticut. Over the four days we were on vacation we explored Yale, adventured around Manhattan, and went back in time at Mark Twain’s house. I kept a list of (slightly satirical) thoughts regarding my first time experiencing fall and have compiled them below. Enjoy xx.
Thoughts from the plane:
- There are so many colorful leaves below us!
- I feel like I'm in the Gilmore Girls title sequence.
- This is all so new!
- Do the trees look fluffier?
- It's more orange than I expected.
- All the different colors remind me of a Monet painting.
- Oh my goodness, was that an orange tree full of flowers? No? Just leaves? Cool.
- I want to snap this but the picture looks terrible…
- SO MUCH COLOR
- The mountains have trees on them??? That's weird, I’m so used to the bare mountains in the West.
Thoughts while driving through town:
- For some strange reason I keep expecting the grass to be colorful too and every time it's green I get confused. I know it doesn't make sense but fall doesn't make sense.
- Honestly any place with hills confuses me. Florida is so flat.
- SO many red barns but I can dig it.
- Barn weddings must be huge up here.
- But, like, why don't the leaves change in Florida? Do we just have different trees? I’m sure it’s based purely on science.
- Oh no, the sun is coming out. I hope that doesn't ruin the cold weather.
- Like, honestly, the sun is over rated. I want it gray and cold and cloudy.
- Wait, are the mountains actually landfills?
- Oh, look, that's Richard and Emily Gilmore's house.
- Holy cow, UConn law is enough to make me switch my major.
- These houses... I swear.
- LIKE IS THIS 1876 DID I DIE LOOK AT THESE HOUSES
- Okay these are a little more modest; it's more like 1980 now.
- Brick buildings look so nice against the foliage.
- I think the red trees are my favorite.
Thoughts on dealing with the weather:
- Ugh the house is cold…
- I'm so cold.
- The truth behind fall: it's just really cold.
- Wait, I can shop outside and not die of heat?
- WAIT, I can eat outside and actually feel comfortable?
- I love it here.
- Fall sunsets are pretty.... dare I say prettier than Florida's?
- It's dark, I guess I should go to bed...wait it's only 6:30?
- Mini skirt and tights may be cute fall attire, but not totally practical.
- I can’t comprehend how amazing it is to walk around town with hot cider in the cold.
- Wait, why can I see my breath right now?
Now that I’m back in Florida surrounded by green leaves and 80-degree weather, I already miss the cool fall days. Here’s to hoping that the Heat Miser will let it snow down here in Southtown, but if not, I’ll always have Hartford.
