5 ways to enjoy the magic of autumn
Spending time studying outdoors is a relaxing way to get fresh air and get your studies done. If you have a four-legged friend, it’s also a way to get them their exercise as well. Multitasking at its finest. Photo by Cassie Weiss
By Cassie Weiss, Contributor
It isn’t hard to explain why autumn is my favourite season. There is something mystical about the way dying leaves brighten up the skyline with oranges and yellows, about the way the crisp air and earthy scents make me want to spend all of my time outside.
I’ve never been one to spend my days indoors, but autumn gets me feeling all spooky, outdoorsy and determined to soak up whatever warmth we have left as the days grow shorter and the snow slowly starts to creep in.
Luckily, I also enjoy sharing my love of autumn. I believe in the magic of pumpkin spice lattes and sweater weather.
So just in case you feel bogged down with schoolwork, and just need a tiny reprieve, here are some of my all-time favourite things to do when the leaves start to fall.
Go for a hike
Only a stone’s throw away from Calgary are the beautiful Rocky Mountains, filled to the brim with autumn glory. Larch trees are the only pine trees that turn yellow and shed in the fall. Chester Lake and Rummel Lake are two moderate hikes that feature snow-capped peaks and bright yellow and green foliage. And they only take a few hours round trip.
Create leaf art
While I’m out hiking, I collect foliage. Once I’m home, I throw it all together on a canvas and paint vibrant autumn colours across them. Once dried, I lift the leaves off. The picture left behind is a neat take on the season — it brightens up your living room too.
Find the perfect pumpkin
Calgary has some great pumpkin patches littered throughout. Take your partner, take your friends and go find the perfect pumpkin. I found one shaped like a goose last year.
Study by the river
I know, I know, this one is school related. But I’ve even found a way to enjoy autumn while doing the dreaded schoolwork. The Calgary trail and park systems are phenomenal, and I take every chance I get to grab my pup, take my textbooks with me and get outside. She plays in the leaves, I study in the fresh air — we both win.
Go for a (photo) walk
Not everyone is a photographer, and that’s okay. Take your camera, journal, phone — whatever you use to create — and make magic. Photograph weird angles, pretty reflections, that one lone leaf on the concrete. Write about the silence as the snow starts to fall. Remember there is beauty in everything, and that it really is all about our perspective.
The crispness of autumn leads into the coldness of winter, and no one wants to give up their sunny days. So, I make the best of it, and maybe with these suggestions you can as well. We enjoy every last bit of summer — why can’t we enjoy every second of autumn as well?
