This is the time of year a lot of people, myself included, look forward to. The leaves change from green to vibrant oranges, reds and golds. Halloween and Thanksgiving are right around the corner. Scarves and hoodies come out of closets to see the light of day, and pumpkin spice takes over the marketplace. Seriously it is everywhere; they make pumpkin-spice flavored dog treats. But to follow this beautiful time of year is another “Polar Vortex” winter. I suggest sacrificing a few pumpkin spice lattes and save up for a good winter coat.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, this winter is going to be just as bad as last year. Chicago already saw snow during the first week of October – that’s the earliest snowfall since World War II. So, take the early autumn cold as a warning for the long winter ahead of us and get outside as much as possible in the next month. Grab a PSL, head to the Metroparks and have an autumn picnic or ride bikes on the Towpath Trail. Soak up the colors of fall before winter freezes them all away.

Contact Chelsae Ketchum at [email protected].