Autumn: when the trees are bare, clutching only the occasional leaf to their weak grasps, and red and yellow leaves fill the road, making what was once the dusky color of an autumnal night into a vivid collage of brilliant hues. As you breathe in the pure, crisp air on a Saturday morning, you may be wondering what could possibly make this serene seasonal scene any more spectacular. The answer may lie just outside your door.

Just an hour away is Shenandoah National Park; during the fall season, this beloved park becomes a mosaic of color, with each trail more beautiful than the next. The crackling of the leaves leads nature’s orchestra while the wide array of colors creates a breathtaking, picturesque scene. As a reward for your valiant efforts to surmount these winding trails, you reach a view so extraordinarily breathtaking that it’s recommended to don an oxygen mask before you lay your eyes on a sight of such pure wonder.

“In the fall, the leaves are changing and the temperature is perfect for hiking,” senior Annie Silva said. “The higher you get, the crisper the air. It’s just really nice.”

If you aren’t in for the long haul to the summit, a more cozy option can take place in anyone’s backyard. A bonfire is a popular way to escape the frigid autumn nights. This activity provides the a perfect place to huddle up with a group of your closest friends, listening to music, cozied up in a furry blanket while waves of heat from the fire travel just far enough to keep you warm.

“We have a fire pit in my back yard, and I love to have people over and socialize because it’s the perfect atmosphere for good conversation,” senior Steven Risi said. “Bonfires are pretty cool.”

Autumn isn’t just the season of pumpkins and squash; it is also the prime season of apple picking. Some students are taking full advantage of this season by heading out to farms and picking their own fruit.

“I went to Heartland Orchard with my family, and we got in some nice family bonding,” senior Megan Van Rafelghem said. “My cousin, who was born in China, really wanted to do it, and when we got there, the whole family had a lot of fun.”

Winter is coming, thereby marking the end of the apples and the start of the frost. For the time being, however, the peak of apple picking season is not yet over, so if you are interested in getting a hands-on experience with picking your own produce, you should clear your calendar before the winds of winter begin.