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Lopez: 5 fall activities to participate in this October

Dominique Lopez, Opinion Director

October 1, 2023

Collegian | Trin Bonner

Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.

While the hot weather doesn’t feel very autumn-like, it is officially October and time to enjoy all of the fun festivities that come with my favorite season of the year.

1. Go searching for fall colors

If this is your first fall in Colorado, then you’re in for a treat this season. You get to witness all of the fall leaves and color changes on mountainsides throughout this beautiful state. It is a gorgeous sight to see and something I highly encourage everyone to take advantage of in the fall. You get to see such pretty landscapes, and going on a hunt to see them in the mountains can make for a fun day trip.

2. Wear sweaters

Soon the air will be chilly as the wind blows across campus and the temperature begins to drop. This signifies sweater weather — my favorite kind of weather. Sweater weather means being able to wear cardigans, baggy sweaters or even that shirt you may have bought in August that you have been waiting to bust out.

3. Enjoy chilly mornings with a hot beverage

The combination of the fall colors and warm sweaters with hot coffee on chilly mornings is the best feeling in the world. In fall, the weather is at the perfect middle ground of not too cold and not too hot. There is so much bliss in spending the quiet morning outside in the chilly air — if you wake up early enough to sit and take it all in before school, that is.

4. Drink pumpkin-flavored beverages

In my opinion, fall beverages are always the best when warm. So when it was excruciatingly hot in August and early September, it wasn’t quite time for the deliciousness of seasonal beverages. However, now that it is cooling down outside and sweaters are wearable yet again, it is finally time to start enjoying those pumpkin-flavored beverages. Whether it be picking one up on your way to class, grabbing one on the way to see the fall colors or maybe purchasing one just to enjoy the crisp morning outside, it is finally pumpkin beverages’ season to shine.

5. Go to a pumpkin patch

And finally, my favorite activity that can be enjoyed by all ages is going to a pumpkin patch and picking out your own pumpkin. Personally, this wasn’t something I experienced until last year, but it was a wonderful activity. Going to a pumpkin patch is so much fun, and you get the chance to spend time with friends, invite new people and even explore the farm that has taken the time set up these activities just for you.

So with October finally arriving, it’s time to start doing fall activities while the season is still here.

Reach Dominique Lopez at letters@collegian.com or on Twitter @caffeinateddee6.

About the Contributors

Dominique Lopez, Opinion Editor

Returning as opinion editor for the 2024-25 school year, Dominique Lopez is eager to once again foster a space where a multiplicity of voices and perspectives is published by the opinion desk.

Hailing from Alamosa, Colorado, Lopez moved to Fort Collins to attend Colorado State University in 2021. She is studying journalism and media communication with a minor in women’s studies, and she is in her final year at CSU.

Lopez first joined The Collegian because she sought a place where she could have a voice. After spending three years at The Collegian — one of those years as an opinion editor — Lopez invites all voices to write for the opinion desk. She encourages writers to use their voice and challenge themselves to write about topics that are not often given space in media and communication. She believes it is of utmost importance that opinion writers approach each topic from a responsible and well-informed position.

Lopez challenges herself to find the hidden story, which is largely why she chose to write as well as why she continues to share her thoughts within her writing, all while making sure the voice of a writer still shows.

When Lopez isn’t typing away at a keyboard, attending classes or working at the local swim school, she can be found reading books, watching her favorite TV shows or stress baking — sometimes all at the same time.

Trin Bonner, Illustration Director

Trin Bonner is the illustration editor for The Collegian newspaper. This will be her fourth year in the position, and she loves being a part of the creative and amazing design team of The Collegian. As the illustration editor, Bonner provides creative insight and ideas that bring the newspaper the best graphics and illustrations possible. She loves working with artists to develop fun and unique weekly illustrations for readers. She enjoys helping the illustrators on her desk explore and expand their artistic abilities as well as challenge their skills with every edition. Bonner is a senior studying graphic design and electronic art and is also a community coordinator for Aggie Village Apartments on Colorado State University's campus. She finds immense joy in illustration and comic creation. She hopes to explore more in the realm of graphic design and video game design as she approaches the end of her undergraduate experience. Trin spends her free time crocheting, doing beadwork and playing guitar when she’s not working on illustrations or acting as community coordinator, though she spends much of her free time sketching and brainstorming her next webcomic. Bonner finds that making people laugh and smile through her art is incredibly fulfilling and is excited to continue to bring her love for illustration and art to The Collegian.

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