Loving Detroit: Fall

Colorful leaves. Football. Apple cider & donuts. Crisp, cool mornings. When I surveyed family, friends, and social media, asking, “What’s your favorite part about Fall in the Midwest?” these were the most frequent replies. If you head to your favorite search engine and type in “America’s favorite season,” you’ll see survey results that confirm Americans love Fall.

I haven’t lived through a midwestern autumn in 13 years, so I’ve been taking all of these things in with fresh senses–and I’m loving it! 

The idea of Fall in the Midwest was actually a big part of what drew me back to Michigan, and specifically to Detroit. Allow me to explain: 

Over the two recent winters I spent in Florida (and the five months I spent on the Appalachian Trail last year), I spent a lot of time considering where I might head for my next life chapter. As I considered, I had a lot of conversations with people about my priorities. I’d left Japan and moved back to the United States in large part so that I could be a more present, consistent part of my family’s life. So, I wanted to be somewhere close to family. After that, I considered what contributes to my own mental health and productivity, and two major factors stood out there.

First, I love being in a city, where I can be surrounded by the energy of people all pursuing their own dreams and pouring into different communities with their diverse gifts. Second, I love being in a place that has all four seasons. I really struggled being in Florida, where every day was predictably sunny and hot, and where late-afternoon storms (which also happen to give me headaches) can be expected promptly. I found myself relating a little too much to Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, reliving the same day over and over. I fell into mental funks and found it hard to motivate myself to go write or get other work done. Changes in seasons help propel me forward, reminding me that time is progressing–that things are changing, and that I can be changing, too. At this stage of my life, cities with seasons contribute hugely to my motivation and energy. 

So, two cities matched the above criteria: Chicago and Detroit. When a job I was genuinely excited about lined up in Detroit, I felt at complete peace about accepting it and making the move. I arrived in Michigan on August 2, with summer here winding to a close and eager talk of Fall floating through the air. 

It’s really a classic energy, this northern autumn. Just last night, I was listening to an episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, where Conan was interviewing Ed Sheeran about his latest album, Autumn Variations. I laughed listening to Ed (who is from England) provide some context for the album’s concept: “I find it weird talking to Americans about, I mean, you call it Fall, but like–September’s great everywhere, but England is sh*t in November. Autumn in England is not fun. Whereas, you guys, it’s all Fall and apple juice and everyone’s having a great time.” Scooting right past his confusion of apple cider with apple juice, it’s clear Ed has a mental image of the classic northern autumn in the US. He went on to reference what I’d been reflecting on so much ahead of this move: “It’s weird the changes that happen in people’s lives. After summer, there is a switch in people’s heads that goes, Right, back to work; back to school. It’s a different feeling.” Conan agreed, “I still feel like, Well, time to get back at it, even though nothing’s really changed.” Conan lives in LA, which is like Florida in its lack of seasons, so it makes sense that he’d note that “nothing’s really changed” when Fall comes.

For me, though, in the Midwest, something does change with this time of year. It’s visiting a cider mill, picking apples in an orchard, picking out pumpkins, taking a hay ride or going through a corn maze. It’s playing cornhole before a football game (and then having football on TV practically anytime there’s a game on, if you’re into that sort of thing). It’s the crisp morning air, perfect for sipping your hot morning coffee, or for improving your run time because you can finally breathe out there. It’s that back-to-school, back-to-work energy. It’s Halloween and Thanksgiving season. It’s Fall! 

I’ve enjoyed walking (and running) around Detroit this fall. I’ve had local ciders, visited more than one local fall festival, and attended more than one fall sporting event. Many locals are already articulating their dread of the long winter that will inevitably follow, but for now, I’m cherishing the positive energy of all those who love this season. 

For the sake of full transparency, I’ll admit I do have a fall birthday (11/22). It’s possible I’m biased. But I doubt it…

Up Next: Accessible Activities 

Sources: 

1. Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. “Ed Sheeran Live from the SiriusXM Garage.” October 2, 2023.  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ed-sheeran-live-from-the-siriusxm-garage/id1438054347?i=1000629854019

1. “Fall is America’s Favorite Season, Survey Shows.” CBS. September 7, 2023.  https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/fall-is-americans-favorite-season-survey-shows/#

Recommended Resource: 

1. If you’re looking for or are curious about some classic Fall experiences in Detroit, check out this article by Visit Detroit: https://visitdetroit.com/inside-the-d/fall-in-love-with-fall-in-metro-detroit/