14 Things Michiganders Miss About Summer
We love all the seasons up here in Michigan, even winter. We make the most out of it by hitting the ski slopes, snowshoeing in the woods and Fat Tire biking. But this time of year our thoughts turn to spring, and we start to long for warmer days. Summer here is the best! Of course we miss it.
1. The Sun – In Michigan, we only get about 340 hours of sunshine the entire winter. That adds up to 36 percent of total sunshine possible. By the middle of February we’re jonesing for some vitamin D.
2. Wearing Flip-flops – It’s fun to put on your new winter boots and take them for a spin when the first snow falls. But by the middle of February we’re tired of stomping around in heavy-duty footwear. As soon as the snow melts, we’re pulling the flip-flops out of the closet.
3. Walking on the Warm Sand – We still visit the beach in the winter to see the incredible ice formations and big waves winter whips up. It’s beautiful, but it’s just not the same as walking barefoot on the warm sand on a sunny day.
4. Long Hours of Daylight – In the summer the sun is out until almost 10pm. That gives us lots of extra time in the evening to enjoy fishing, swimming, hiking and other outdoor activities. In the winter, it’s dark around 5 o’clock. It makes for some long, cold nights.
5. Fresh Air Through an Open Window – The windows are closed, locked and sealed again the cold all winter, and the heat is cranked. It can get a little stuffy in the house. There’s nothing like that first spring day when you open the windows and feel the breeze off the lake.
6. Driving with the Windows Down – We don’t take a lot of road trips in the winter. If we do, we definitely keep the windows up. As soon as it starts to warm up, we feel the urge to hit the road, roll down the windows and feel the wind in our hair.
7. Boating on the Open Water – Michigan has one of the highest rates of boat ownership in the country. Marinas along the Great Lakes are full all summer, and there’s always someone out fishing on our inland lakes. But ice and high waves stop most of us from taking our boats out on the water in the winter.
8. Camping Under the Stars – We love to spend our summer weekends camping in Michigan. There’s no better way to enjoy the outdoors. There are a few hardcore folks who pitch their tents in the snow, but most of us wait for warmer weather to sing Kum-ba-yah around the campfire.
9. Swimming in a Big Lake – Almost all of us are a two-hour drive or less from a Great Lake, so taking a dip to cool off is pretty common in the summer. If we can’t get to a Big Lake, we all live within six miles or less of an inland lake, river or stream. But the cold puts a damper on our aquatic activities. Unless we’re one of those brave souls who likes to take a Polar Bear Swim. Brrr!
10. Color – We miss color! In the spring and summer, everything is green and highlighted with bright flowers. In the fall, the forest turns brilliant shades or red, orange and yellow. But in the winter, everything is brown, gray and white. The snow is pretty, but we’re ready for the cheerful daffodils and tulips come spring.
11. The Tigers – Sure there’s football, hockey and basketball to get us through the winter. But there’s just something about sitting in Comerica Park, eating a juicy hot dog while watching the Boys of Summer play America’s favorite pastime.
12. Fresh From the Farm Fruits and Veggies – Fruit Stands, farmer’s markets, farms and orchards are all over Michigan. In the summer and fall, it’s easy to find your favorite in-season produce fresh from the field. Nothing tastes as good as an apple right off the tree. In the winter, we have to settle for grocery store fare.
13. Fireflies – The fireflies come out in late June and light the night until late August. It’s always exciting to see them do their beautiful dance for the first time each season.
14. Heat – It’s cold here in the winter! Of all the things we miss, we probably miss the warmth of summer the most. While we do get a few unbearably hot days, most of the summer we have comfortable temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s. Just perfect for a day at the beach!
