The air is crisp. Leaves are starting to fall. And people are trying to make pumpkin spice vodka a thing. In short, autumn is here and summer is long gone. If you are like us, there was a lot you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to, so we made a new to-do list. This is our official fall checklist for young lawyers in New Jersey.

Get Some Apples

During the Revolutionary Era New Jersey was known for its apples, most of which were converted to applejack, aka Jersey Lightning. While many of the state's orchards have been turned into strip malls and McMansions, there are still plenty around.

The best orchards offer more than just pick-your-own fruit. Some have activities that can keep your kids busy and allow them to burn off excess energy in the great outdoors. Others are affiliated with wineries where you can sit, sip, and do a little leaf peeping.

Shake Some Hands and Kiss Some Babies

If the current political climate has you motivated to get involved with politics, fall is the best time to do so. The midterm elections are rapidly approaching, which means campaigns are heating up and county clerks are looking for Election Day volunteers.

Want to get involved but don't know where to start? Reach out to the local office of your preferred political party, or contact the campaign of your preferred U.S. Senator. Don't want to get overly political? Contact your county clerk and see if they still need Election Day volunteers to help everyone make sure their vote is cast and counted.

#FakeNews

Eighty years ago this month, Orson Welles caused a panic by claiming aliens had landed in Grover's Mill, New Jersey. His “The War of the Worlds” radio broadcast sparked widespread debate over what responsibility stations have to vet their content, and when it is okay to make #FakeNews sound like the real thing; questions we are still wrestling with today. You can commemorate the fictional Martian landing by visiting a very real monument to it in West Windsor, or by listening to a recording of the original broadcast.

If you make the trip to the monument, you might consider extending your stay in Central Jersey with a visit to the Grounds for Sculpture. The 42-acre park has over 300 pieces of art you can walk around and admire. There are also several indoor galleries and places to eat.

Head to the Shore

It may be too late in the year to lay out on the sand and splash around in the surf, but going down the shore is always a good idea. During the fall, there are a ton of local festivals to enjoy and concerts to attend. Or take a trip to one of the many lighthouses our state boasts and get a bird's eye view of the fall foliage.

If you want to make a weekend out of it, you're in luck because hotels and B&Bs are significantly cheaper and less crowded than they were just a few weeks ago.

Enjoy the Everyday

In the drive to the end of the year, it is easy to forget to stop and take a moment to enjoy the everyday moments that make this season, and this time in your life your life, meaningful. As a profession, we glorify accomplishments and stretching ourselves too thin. Let this be your reminder that it is okay to take some time off to enjoy the little things, and the big things, that will have you saying you have lived a life worth living.

The NJLJ Young Lawyers Advisory Board is a diverse group of young attorneys from around the state. Follow them on Twitter, @YoungLawyersNJL.