Because caramel apples

I love Denver in the autumn, especially when it’s in full force like it is now. Things are more pretty, people are more happy, the weather is more exciting, and there are more intellectually stimulating things happening around town.

People always say that their favorite part of autumn is the fact that the trees are changing color. I agree that it is a remarkable aesthetic—walking down the street means that you’ll be greeted with rows upon rows of bright oranges and deep auburns and dirty yellows. It is beautiful.

But even better than the leaves changing color is the fact that they fall off. I’m not some kind of sadistic tree-hater or a diehard minimalist; there’s just something poetic about a tree becoming more beautiful through leaf changes, and then immediately having to shed that beauty. Not only that, but the sidewalks become littered with crunchy leaves, a sea of this intermingling of color and nature and beauty underneath the foot of man.

And this is even better when that foot is inside of a boot, because I love boots. All fall fashion, really. I’m a big fan of the gloomy weather that November brings. There’s something about the briskness of the air, the loom of the clouds, and that great, signature fall fashion that goes along with it.

Also, there are caramel apples. I love caramel apples. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Writer Square always has loads of them in supply, although I prefer to make my own. Sweet and crunchy and gooey and hard to eat—just how food was meant to be.

Another thing that autumn brings is a fresh slate of events for the area. The Starz Denver Film Festival is one of my favorite events of the year—I basically live at the theater. You’ll get to see all kinds of interesting and smart films you’d never get to see otherwise. Fall also means a new slew of art shows opening at galleries and some fresh stage performances at local production houses.

Many people complain that fall brings the flu and harsh winds and unwelcome midterms. These things may be true but the benefits far outweigh these minor inconveniences.

Because, let’s be honest: caramel apples.