Spring in the upper peninsula of Michigan
Just last week I was wondering if Spring and Summer would ever come to northern Michigan. I was checking the weather and hoping for a day around 70 but it only seemed to get in the mid 50s. The nights brought frost and temps in the 30s and 40s too.
Today the temps are getting around 70 degrees near me and there are a lot of signs of spring and summer coming. The birds are out singing, the grass is green, and the trees are showing some leaves. There is life budding in the UP.
With Spring comes, thankfully, less mud with the dogs. It is a full time job giving dogs baths and wiping feet after letting them outside for a romp. Now they will come in and look at you to get wiped off and they get the OK. Life is good for them too.
dog with forget me not necklace
forget me nots ~ spring bloom in UP Michigan
It is easy to complain about the weather but the fact is that I love the change in seasons and the feeling of renewal every year. I have lived in the South, West Coast, and East and the Midwest is still the most dinamic place to live, in my mind. You just don’t get the obvious seasons anywhere else that I have seen. Yah, winter may be 6 or 7 months long some years but when Spring comes it goes from grey and white to green and blazing flowers. You really can’t beat it!
So, here we are almost into June and I am itching to get my boat out and see some new areas. My friend joked yesterday saying that this weather is nothing for a professional captain (if you don’t know I have my 100 ton masters). I responded, “that is why the boat is called a pleasure craft.” Not much pleasure in 50 degree water in the face and 40-50 degree temperatures cruising in a boat.
Memorial Day is really the start of the boating, camping, and tourism season. Hopefully everyone will find time to venture to the UP and see the beautiful lands up here. Mackinac Island is a wonderful spot in the world too and it is a great day trip or a vacation location. Don’t forget about the Les Cheneaux and Drummond Island where there are fantastic views and opportunities for kayaking, camping, boating, and more.
If you like hiking, the North Country Trail is fantastic! You will get on a trail and, most likely, not see another soul. How cool is that. Talk about solitude and natural beauty. The North Country Trail can be accessed from numerous locations along roads for easy on and offs for short hikes too.
Last but not least, try exploring the Great Lakes. In the UP you can see Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron all in one day if you wish. I live 30 minutes from each of them. It is tough to pick a favorite because they all have their own special qualities. Get out and explore the Upper Michigan Great Lakes and you may find yourself staying for the rest of your lives.
