BY MICHALA SAWYER '17
Now that it’s late September and fall is finally upon the beautiful Mount Holyoke campus, it is time to go out and enjoy this glorious season.
- It’s apple season. Now that it’s dropping into the 30’s at night, the apples will be at their peak crispness. There are many orchards in the area where those succulent fruits are ripe for the picking! And if you can’t manage the day trip to go apple picking, then head down to Atkins Farm and get a bag of local apples. Grab a few cider donuts while you’re at it! Or a dozen.
Now that the weather is getting colder, it’s time to switch out those iced drinks for something warmer. Head over to Thirsty Mind and order a London Fog. For those who don’t know, a London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte with vanilla syrup that tastes like ambrosia. If you can, order one “for here,” grab a table and play a couple rounds of cribbage with a friend. Or, if you have the time and feel secure enough in your friendships, play a game of Monopoly.
Get a group of friends together and carve some pumpkins. It is pumpkin season, as well as apple season. Go to a farmers market, Atkins or Big Y and grab a couple of those orange beauties. It’s a perfect fall activity to do on a weekend or weekday evening. There are plenty of carving templates online. Or you could always hand draw your design if you have the skill and the confidence. After you’re done carving, go to a Golden Pear kitchen and roast the seeds with some oil and salt. Nothing beats freshly roasted pumpkin seeds.
Go look at the leaves. The trees are just starting to change into fiery oranges, reds and yellows. This will be the perfect time to get a group of friends together and go for a scenic drive. South Hadley is surrounded by beautiful farms and forests. Go for a hike in one of the many trails in the area, take in the crisp autumn air and enjoy the beautiful colors. If you find that you don’t have the time or the transportation to do this, then take a walk around the Upper Lake trail. The leaves there are just as beautiful and the lake is always a pretty sight.
Say goodbye to shorts and tank tops and bring out those flannels. The weather is just about perfect for you to start wearing your favorite flannel shirts again. Those beloved button downs can finally come out of storage and keep you warm as you walk from building to building. While you’re at it, wash those flannel sheets and put them on your bed. The 30 degree nights we are currently experiencing require curling up between something soft and warm.
It has got to be said: order a pumpkin spice latte. It doesn’t matter where, but those drinks are popular for a reason. Put aside the internal cringe you feel when you order it from the barista and just enjoy the taste of fall.