Winter is the season that seems to slip away some years here in Grand Junction. Winter is the best season in weather, fashion trends (layers are the best!), outdoor and indoor activities and holiday celebrations.
Winter haters will tell you that the cold makes it impossible to do anything, while I firmly hold the position that I would rather be outside on the coldest night of the coldest year than outside on most afternoons during a Grand Junction summer.
Winter haters will also tell you that winter driving is more dangerous, but the most auto vehicle accidents actually occur in July, August, and October according to the National Safety Council.
While less vehicles are on the road in winter months, there is also something to be said for winter weather conditions that forces people to drive more carefully than they would on a clear sunny day with dry roads.
When it’s cold, it is much easier for one to put on more layers of clothing or to bundle up with blankets than it is for one to cool down when it’s hot. After all, you can only take off so many layers of clothing. You can’t take off your skin (not that it would help anyways).
In a true winter, snow coats the ground and makes everything go quiet. The air and wind are bitter and cold which makes getting warm inside with hot cocoa or a blanket a euphoric experience.
The holiday season rolls around in winter in the Western Hemisphere and millions gather with their families to celebrate and keep warm together with food, alcohol and merriment. People flock to Colorado mountains to ski and snowboard down world-renowned slopes. This is the site to make memories that last a lifetime.
The seemingly harsh winter conditions brings out a warmth from within me that makes the world a little more bearable. The 100 degree heat of summer here brings out a little too much heat in me and channels rage like no other.
I love winter and I hope that snow in the mountains of Colorado isn’t going to be a thing of the past. I would hate to be the last to ski here, to experience the joy of snow here. The snow may not be as plentiful as usual this season, but we can always keep snow dancing and hoping for the best.
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Fall is wonderful. It is sandwiched between polar opposite seasons which has its perks, so it’s not hard to see why fall is held near and dear to the hearts of many.
It’s not too hot, not too cold, you can layer up on clothes without the punishment of the sun looming over your shoulder. The reds, golds and oranges that adorn the trees are unmatched and the atmosphere (while short) provides the perfect cozy time vibes.
So how is there even an argument as to which season is the best? The clear answer is fall!
Fall has the perfect temperament for both outdoor and indoor activities. Hiking while the leaves are changing and the air is cool and crisp is a spiritual experience. You don’t have to worry about the heat or cold being too much, unlike that of summer or winter. It’s also cozy enough to snuggle up at home with a cup of hot cider, a blanket and watch movies or play board games.
Fall fashion is also iconic. Layering becomes possible, especially within the toasty confines of Grand Junction. It provides an opportunity to finally wear that stylish coat and sweater you’ve been thinking about wearing. Boots, scarfs and hats are also available to keep you warm, while not having to layer up excessively. There are so many fall based fashion trends that surpass that of any other season.
You can’t mention fall without mentioning the fall foods and drinks. While looked down upon, pumpkin flavored things are peak during this time of the year. I may be biased but my mom bakes an addictive pumpkin bread. Soups are also a fall specialty. Warm liquid foods make the soul glow and don’t have the potential to cause a brain freeze.
Fall leaves are the center stage show stopper. The gorgeous colors that they change to will always leave me speechless, no matter how many times I see them. Watching the aspens in the mountains paint the slopes a golden yellow, hiking the paths as their leaves flutter down, is practically a spiritual experience. The reds and oranges that line the streets of the neighborhoods never fail to display how beautiful Colorado truly is.
Fall is about the beauty of change and appreciation for the fragility of life. Being a hybrid between the harshest seasons of the year, fall both provides a break from intensity and allows for us to enjoy the best of both, what’s not to love? No matter what fall dismissers say about this sensational season, it will always be the best in my eyes.
