Fall into the local autumn spirit

Posted in Life by mostlymotto

The changing leaves and crisp air have those on campus reaching for comfy sweaters, stopping in at the nearest Starbucks to grab a Pumpkin Spice Latte and cozying up near the fire while watching Sunday Night Football games. That’s right, fall is upon us.

While partaking in these activities is a natural reaction for many when the cool fall weather hits, there are plenty of other ways to fully indulge in the fall spirit. Whether you are looking for something artsy, active or relaxing, here are five fall-themed, and fully Instagrammable, things to do to celebrate the fall season.

Find the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

The quintessential fall outing involves picking your own pumpkin, preferably at a local farm. Stopping by Target or Pick’n Save may be the easy option when it comes to snagging a pumpkin to spice up your apartment, but local farms such as Schuster’s and Treinen offer acres upon acres of pumpkins to choose from. If making your way off campus to a local farm is not in the cards, consider stopping by the Dane County Farmer’s Market on a Saturday morning as pumpkins and gourds are beginning to pop up at various vendors. Be sure to customize your pumpkin by either painting or carving it at home!

Get Lost in a Corn Maze

Have you ever wanted to get lost in the eyes of a true stud, Bucky Badger? Well, now you can. This year, local family farm Enchanted Valley Acres shaped their corn maze in the image of the beloved Bucky Badger. If you’re not confident in your abilities to make it out of the big corn maze, they also offer a smaller, one-acre maze, for those who may not be the best at directions. General admission to Enchanted Valley Acres is $10, which includes access to hayrides, their giant slide and of course, their Bucky corn maze.

Pick the Perfect Apple

Fall means that local apple orchards are bursting with seasonal apples just waiting to be picked. Whether you are looking for a single apple or a brimming bag full, local farms and apple orchards are the best place to shop during the fall. A few apple orchards near campus include Jones Orchard, Eplegaarden and Bickler’s Apple Farm. Local farms offer a variety of apples, but if you are looking for a specific type, be sure to check their produce varieties before visiting. To save you the time, Jones Orchard and Green’s Pleasant Springs Orchard currently offer Honeycrisp apples. You’re welcome.

Did Someone Say “Pie”?

Now that you have had the chance to pick your pumpkins and gather your apples, there is no excuse not to call up your mom to get her favorite pie recipes. Fall baking is the best as apple and pumpkin pies are staple treats. Whether you are baking alone or with friends, the sweet smells that fill your kitchen are reason enough to budget the two hours it may take to prepare and bake your sweet treats. As Friends-Giving nears, you will be the star of the meal as you dazzle your friends with your pie-baking skills.

Get Spooky

For all you thrill seekers, fall is your season to thrive. ‘Tis the season to get spooky and as we near Halloween, there are tons of haunted houses and trails to visit. Just south of campus, visit Horror in the Dark at Olin Park, a local haunted house. Or, if you are up for a drive and in the mood for some realistic zombies, make your way to Wisconsin Scaryland in Waunakee. Wisconsin Scaryland is a live-actor haunt, truly meant to make you scream. It is not for the faint of heart. For the rest of us, a scary movie streamed at the Marquee at Union South may be the perfect balance of thrill instead. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Shaun of the Dead (2004) and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) all play throughout the month of October.

7Oct2017

Top reasons you should travel solo

Posted in Life, Travel by mostlymotto

While traveling abroad in a group has its advantages – safety, someone to take photos for you and it helps your parents to relax a bit – traveling alone can be one of the best decisions you can make. Here are the top seven reasons to travel abroad alone.

1. You can do what you want to do

When traveling alone, it’s completely up to you to make your agenda for the day. Wake up early to head out to explore or take a morning to sleep in, it’s up to you. Rather than collaborating with friends to determine a plan, all the decision making is in your hands. Not only that, but if you don’t want to spend money on an excursion your friend wanted to go on, you don’t have to!

2. You will meet so many new people

It’s a misconception that if you travel alone, you will always be on your own. When traveling with a big group, it would be unusual that you would go off on your own and end up meeting new people. Traveling alone forces you to go out of your comfort zone and talk to people you normally would have no reason to.

3. You can wander aimlessly

Sometimes, it’s fun to just go out in a new city and walk, taking in the sights with no set destination in mind. Traveling alone allows you to truly connect with the city and take your time while doing so. Wandering in to quaint little stores or inviting coffee shops, there are limitless possibilities when wandering alone in a new city.

4. Only one spot left? No problem

Whether it’s the last bed in a hostel, the last spot on the excursion you wanted to go on, or the last seat on a train, bus or plane, you can say yes and take it. There’s absolutely nothing, or anyone, holding you back from doing so.

5. Independence is the best

There is absolutely no more freeing feeling than hopping on a train and traveling to a new city alone. If you’ve been looking for independence and autonomy, traveling alone is the single-best way to feel free and independent.

6. You can eat when and where you want to.

Whether you’re a picky eater or adventurous eater, traveling alone is the best decision you can make. If you prefer to play it safe and stick to pizza and pasta or if you are all about trying the most out-there local cuisine that you can find, that decision is completely up to you when traveling solo.

7. Quality photography, of you!

Traveling alone does not mean that all your photos will consist of selfies. Instead, you’re forced to talk to strangers and ask if they can take a photo for you. Pro-tip: scope out a fellow sightseer with a fancy camera as they will most likely take a quality photo for you.

7Oct2017

Get your sweat on, sans the SERF

Posted in College by mostlymotto

Nearly a month has passed since the University’s beloved SERF closed its doors and said farewell until 2020. Gone are the beloved basketball courts, cardio room and pool that served as the central workout facility for the Southeast community.

Since the SERF officially closed on August 18, many students have been at a loss as to where to go to get their workouts in. Despite the closing of the SERF, there are plenty of other options both on and near campus to get your sweat on.

Ogg Hall Fitness Center

To help fill the gap that the SERF left in the Southeast community, Rec Sports transformed the main lounge of Ogg Hall into the Ogg Hall Fitness Center. Complete with a variety of cardio machines, free weights and weight machines, the newest fitness center accommodates a variety of workouts. Doors to Ogg Hall are open during the Fitness Center hours, but be aware that the Fitness Center closes on Badger Football home game days.

The Natatorium

The Nat is one of the busiest workout facilities on campus due to the closing of the SERF. Whether you’re looking to play basketball or badminton, hit the cardio or weight rooms, or go for a swim in the eight-lane pool, it is all possible at the Nat. The Nat also now serves as the primary facility for Group Fitness classes.

The Shell

Officially known as the Camp Randall Sports Center, the Shell is a good option for those living in the Southeast neighborhood who are not looking to make the cross-campus trek to the Nat. The Shell offers various places to work out, including four basketball courts, an indoor track, weight lifting machines and a few cardio machines. If you’re looking for a “chiller” workout, look no further. The Shell also boasts an ice rink and skates are available to rent. Like the Ogg Hall Fitness Center, the Shell closes its doors on Badger Football home game days.

The Nielsen Tennis Stadium

A well-kept Rec Sports secret, the Nielsen Tennis Stadium is located just past the Nat and serves all your tennis and squash needs. The facility has both indoor and outdoor tennis courts, making it easy to play year-round. The 80 bus stops a short walk away from the facility, so there really is no excuse not to venture out to play a match.

The Near West Fields

The opening of the Near West Fields marked the completion of the first project for the Rec Sports Master Plan—a plan for new recreational facilities on campus for the next 50 years. Synthetic turf covers nearly seven acres of land that is usable for flag football, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, baseball and softball games.

Anytime Fitness

Located above Walgreens on East Campus Mall, Anytime Fitness is a great option if you’re looking for a place to get in a cardio or lifting workout at any time of the day. The space has cardio machines, free weights and weight machines. To see if Anytime Fitness is the right fit for you, apply for a free, seven day pass online.

Kamps Fitness

Look no further for a HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workout that will kick you into shape. Located below the Hub, Kamps Fitness offers a variety of group fitness classes ranging from upper and lower body to core and arms. And, if you need more incentive to get your sweat on, Bachelorette favorite Peter Kraus serves as one of the seven trainers at Kamps Fitness.

Southwest Commuter and Lakeshore Paths

Run, walk or bike on either of the two paths that wind their way through campus. The Lakeshore Path is a great option if you’re looking for a scenic jog along the lake. Meanwhile, the Southwest Commuter Path stretches well beyond the confines of campus. If you don’t own a bike, rent one from one of the Madison BCycle stations scattered throughout campus.

Inner Fire Yoga

Slow things down, while getting a great workout at Inner Fire Yoga. Whether you are a yoga novice or pro, Inner Fire Yoga offers a variety of classes — including hot yoga. Your first class is free, so if you’re not sure if yoga is for you, test out a class at Inner Fire.