There’s always been a curious asymmetry between fall and spring semester here in Ithaca.
Fall semester begins with a month of blissful summer sun creeping down into the craggy gorges and flooding Collegetown and Libe Slope with golden afternoon light. In October, we break out our stylish sweaters and scarves as the air turns crisp and the trees come alive in shades of orange and yellow. The farmer’s market fills with apples, squash, pumpkins and sweet potatoes. Traipsing through the Plantations, you find yourself surrounded by colorful autumn flowers. At this time of year, I like to wander down the stone steps to Fall Creek just past the suspension bridge. I sit on a rocky ledge and watch silhouetted cars streak across the sunset along the Stewart Avenue Bridge. And in December the first snows fall and Christmas songs from the Clocktower chimes fill the valley with festive music.