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The fall equinox on September 22 marked the seasonal transition away from hot summer weather and into the cold winter temperatures of central Illinois. T-shirts and sunshine will soon give way to frost-covered grass and the crispy fall leaves that cover campus will soon be replaced by heavy snow.
As temperatures drop and the shifting seasons become more and more palpable, many students at IWU are doing their best to take advantage of the fleeting summer climate while others are looking forward to the moderate months of autumn.
Many students are outside and enjoying their favorite warm-weather activities while they still can. For many, these involve games that can be played in grassy areas on the quad, or going for a comfortable stroll without the need for heavy winter clothes.
“I go for walks a lot while the weather’s still warm. My friends and I also play frisbee when it’s nice out,” junior Katy Smit said.
“Other than playing lacrosse, I like going to the driving range when it’s warm out,” junior Ethan Hare said, a goalie on the men’s lacrosse team.
Bloomington-Normal has plenty of public golf courses for patrons to play a round of golf, or improve their swing at a driving range. A popular golf destination in the area is All Seasons Golf Learning Center, a driving range connected to BloNo Pizza Co. that offers food and beverage services in their lower golf bays.
Senior Daniel Kim enjoys doing lake activities before the frigid water temperatures of late fall take hold on the region’s bodies of water. Lake Michigan is a destination he highly recommends for aquatic fun on warm days. “Chicago winters are pretty long, so you don’t want to miss that time to visit Lake Michigan,” Kim said.
Lake Bloomington is a popular local spot for lake lovers in the Bloomington area. It’s located 15 miles from downtown, and has plenty of space for boating, fishing and swimming inside its 18.5 miles of shoreline.
While some students are mourning the end of summer, others are eagerly anticipating crisp autumn weather and the activities that accompany it. Junior Brendan Baumgarten always looks forward to fall weather, and “being outside in a sweatshirt even when it’s chillier,” he said. “In the fall I like going on walks, going to Rader’s farm and I love a chilly college football game.”
Rader family farms is a local farm just 4.4 miles away from campus that invites the public into a portion of their farm every year for fall festivities. They have a pumpkin patch, a corn maze and also sell a variety of seasonal foods and products.
While students enjoy fun fall activities and utilize the warm days that remain this year, preparation for the cold winter months is also on the minds of many.
Junior Donovan Johnson ensures he has the proper winter gear with him on campus before the weather becomes too severe. “Before winter, I always make sure I get all my winter gear from home,” Johnson said. “Usually around Thanksgiving I’ll come back to campus with all my gear.”