After buying way too many groceries in preparation for Hurricane Florence, I'm thankful for a slight breeze during the day and cooler nights.
And naturally, on Sept. 22, everyone and their mamas were posting pictures, etc. celebrating the coming of fall. You know, memes like, "Gotta love fall. You can go from wearing the same five things all summer to the same five things all fall. #hoodieseason #layers."
Of course, they were also the same people posting, "When it's fall and North Carolina is like, eff that summer is still coming." Hypocrites.
But seeing all the memes, whatever the reason, I started to have daydreams about how excited I am for the fall. Especially when I always wear layers, no matter what time of year it is and I have a boo thang to snuggle up to. Yes, it's officially the start of cuffing season.
Last year, I spent the majority of my time going to house parties complete with bonfires, shows and believe it or not, going to Uptown Cabaret after Sunday Funday and football. Weird combo, I know. But there are a litany of other activities I'd suggest for the good people of Queen City and here they are:
Clutch your pearls at Scarowinds: A few years ago, one of my roommates wanted to go to Scarowinds for her birthday. Now, anyone that knows me knows that I'm not a fan of roller coasters. I don't even like driving too fast over a hump in the road. So me and another friend ended up riding the big swings over and over again until we mustered up enough courage to go to the haunted corn maze. Mistake. We were so terrified we ended up bear-hugging two complete strangers who dragged us through the entire maze. Sorry not sorry. However, the allure of living in a scary movie for a short period of time, between rides, is definitely what keeps Charlotteans going back.
Discover the Great Pumpkin Wall: What's fall without a pumpkin? Pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice, pumpkin lattes. I giggled at the last one #basic. But the Great Pumpkin Wall, located in Elizabeth, will surely get you hype. Locals gather in droves to carve pumpkins, which are then displayed on a wall for everyone to gawk at. The warm glow that's created with the lighting is absolutely heartwarming. And two years ago, when I went, I met the mayor. #goals
Watch a "scury" movie in the woods: Think back to your childhood. What was your favorite movie to watch during the Halloween season? Nightmare Before Christmas? Halloweentown? Sorry I'm not reaching too far back, oldheads.
Nevertheless, I received the greatest notification I ever did see on Facebook for an event called Movie in the Woods: Hocus Pocus. Um, sign me up! That's one of those movies the young folk watch on repeat during this wonderful time of year when channels are playing scary movies on repeat. That event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 13, at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord.
Be adventurous and see a random show: If you're anything like me, you have a preference for the type of music you listen to. However, Sofar Sounds is one of the greatest things to come to the Queen City. You purchase tickets after signing up on their website, but here's the catch: you have no idea who's going to be playing or where the show is going to be in Charlotte. Come on, who doesn't like a good secret? Don't worry, they tell you the day before. And I'll be the first to say, every show I've been to has been completely enjoyable.
Take a hayride and explore a pumpkin patch: If you don't want to settle for seeing carved pumpkins at The Great Pumpkin Wall, carve your own. Every year, I try to grab a pumpkin, usually from a store, and bake the seeds so I can munch on them while I attempt to carve it.
But this year, I want to go to an actual pumpkin patch so I can experience what it feels like to see a sea of pumpkins in a field. But a hayride? That will make the whole experience that much better.
These days, we can't predict how long each season in North Carolina is going to be. That's why we need to make the most of our time before it's too cold to enjoy life and we're smuggling Tic Tacs in our shirts.
Tell me, what do you plan on doing, besides drinking, in the Queen City for "pumpkin spice season," aka fall, this year? Share it with me.
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