Fall in Champaign-Urbana

Fall in Champaign-Urbana So, I admit this post is a little bit ill-timed because yesterday was actually the first day of fall and what Im about to tell you about actually happened on Labor Day, but Id argue that fall is a state of mind just as much as its a season. Here in Champaign-Urbana, we do fall up right. (Ha.) The leaves of all the trees on campus change color. The weather gets temperate and a little breezy. I get to bust out my ankle boots, scarves, and cardigans. Its a great time. Unfortunately for me and my fall fanaticism, it still feels like summer. The temperatures been averaging around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which translates to being frequently sweaty and then feeling grumpy  about it. The leaves havent changed yet, either. Ive still been trying to get in the autumn spirit, though, so my boyfriend and I went to Curtis Orchard  in Champaign a few weeks back. Curtis Orchard is officially Curtis Orchard Pumpkin Patch, but our aim was apple picking because it was too early for pumpkins. Each person entering the actual orchard area of Curtis pays $5 for a clear plastic bag to fill full of as many apples as you can. Certain apples are ripe at certain times, so you want to look on their website to see if your favorites going to be available for picking. Im going to make a blog post about this! Quick, take an action shot! Me to my boyfriend Going on Labor Day was actually pretty nice because it wasnt too crowded. My biggest complaint was the heat, which was, again, not very festive and autumnal. Aside from the farm area where the apples and pumpkins are, theres  a store (where you can buy apple cider donuts!!!), a little restaurant, a petting zoo, a childrens play area, and one incredibly large chair people always take photos in when they visit. Trust me, fall semester on Facebook means a lot of pictures of people you know in that giant chair. Exhibit A! (And for proof it was toasty? My forehead.) Ultimately, I think it was a tie between me and the kindergartener types for  Most Enthusiastic to be Apple Picking. A lot of registered student organizations (RSOs) will go on field trips here  during fall semester.  Its hard to get to Curtis without a car, so one of these RSO trips could be your golden ticket to some wholesome fall fun (and apple cider donuts to enjoy as midterms hit). Ill probably write about midterms next, in which I promise to keep it real  and probably tell you a story or two of regretful procrastination. Look out for that! Happy autumn to you, wherever you are! Maggie Class of 2017 After starting my time at Illinois Undeclared in the Division of General Studies, I’m majoring in English and Economics with a minor in Informatics from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I’m from the relatively small town of Manhattan, Illinois.