While travel influencers rave about the fall foliage in New England, residents of Humboldt County find that fall can feel just as festive on the West Coast. The changing leaves, community festivals, and crisp breeze in the air cultivate the perfect autumn vibes, and with the change in season comes a change in activities.
Many locals find that stories set in autumn help to embrace the fall spirit. Movies and TV shows such as Gilmore Girls, When Harry Met Sally, and Fantastic Mr. Fox provide cozy, feel-good vibes, while spookier films and series’ like Coraline, Hocus Pocus, Pretty Little Liars, and the recently-released Beetlejuice Beetlejuice can help to put you in the Halloween spirit.
Some students find solace in baking during the fall to distract from feelings of distaste for the back-to-school season. One popular autumn baking hit is singer Taylor Swift’s chai cookies recipe. The recipe first appeared on Swift’s Instagram account in 2014 and features seasonal flavors such as nutmeg, ginger, chai, etc. However, some students feel a little apprehensive about the idea of them. “Bet it’s ass. Like, she can sing, but can she bake? Genuine question,” senior Amara Rex, on the recipe, said. Regardless of whether you think these spiced cookies sound tasty or not, there are plenty of other fall recipes circulating the internet for baked goods such as pumpkin muffins, apple crisps, cinnamon rolls, and more.
Many students also find that the local pumpkin patches, such as Huddie’s Harvest and Organic Matters Ranch, are the best places to find pumpkins to carve or decorate. Both sophomore Zoe Cappuccio and junior Gintaras Bright mentioned that going to Huddie’s Harvest, a local pumpkin patch located in the Arcata Bottoms is a regular part of their fall seasons.
Autumnal music is also a typically integral part of immersing oneself in the fall spirit. Senior and Arcata Arts Institute musician Ruby Auckland cited the Smashing Pumpkins and Mazzy Star as regular favorite fall bands. “Quiet in the Winter Harbor, and, um, Halah, Before I Sleep, Blue Light,” Auckland listed as fall songs by Mazzy Star. The alternative, the slow feel of Mazzy Star, as well as other classic fall-ish artists such as Elliott Smith, The Smiths, Noah Kahan, and more, can bring feelings of autumn.
