9 Thoughts Every Michigander Has At The Start Of Summer

Ah, summertime. Here in Michigan, summer is a season that seems to completely change the moods of each and every Michigander, for better or for worse. After all, life in the Great Lakes State looks a whole lot different when warmer weather makes an appearance. Here are nine common thoughts shared by Michigan residents as summer begins.

Flickr/Matt & Megan

If there’s one thing we Michiganders love, it’s stopping for ice cream at the end of a long summer day. After all, nothing pairs more perfectly with a beach day than a tasty sundae or chilly milkshake. Of course, our obsession with ice cream sometimes causes us to wonder if we’re overdoing it. Hint: the answer is no.

Flickr/Julie Falk

It’s all fun and games until you can’t even bear to leave your house. Recent temperatures have reached nearly 100 degrees throughout the Great Lakes State, and this heat wave might be a bit more than we bargained for when we wished for warmer weather. Unfortunately, we’ll just have to suffer through the heat wave until it becomes slightly more manageable.

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Flickr/williamhsu

Is there anything better than stepping into a delightfully air-conditioned Meijer store or restaurant after walking under the scorching rays of summer sun? Those of us who are lucky enough to have AC in our own homes and cars certainly don’t take it for granted during these warm months, and you’ll often hear us openly praising our beautiful air conditioning units.

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Flickr/haglundc

75 and sunny? Beach day. Cloudy and cool? Beach day. 95 and miserable? Beach day. We Michiganders are irrevocably attached to our beautiful Great Lakes, and we find it pretty tough to resist a good day at the beach. Whether we live right on the shoreline or in the center of the state, we’ll find a way to reach the water when the desire for beachfront fun strikes - and it strikes nearly every day during the summer.

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Flickr/Julie Falk

There’s a certain sense of franticness that seems to overcome Michiganders during the early summer months, particularly in our most charming waterfront towns that ultimately become tourist hotspots. We seem to live for those few short and sweet weeks in May and early June when schools haven’t yet let out and crowds of tourists haven’t descended on our favorite beaches.

Flickr/Sailing Nomad

Summertime and going "Up North" truly go hand-in-hand here in the Great Lakes State. After all, some of our most beloved warm weather memories have taken place at family cottages or beautiful resorts right on the water, and we’re always eager to enjoy these delightful traditions. No matter what "Up North" means to you, it’s synonymous with fun and togetherness.

Flickr/Clarkston SCAMP

For those of us who work year-round, summertime can sometimes feel like torture. After all, there’s nothing worse than sitting behind a desk for eight hours and being forced to stare out at the sunny beauty of a Michigan afternoon. If you really want to avoid the struggle, avoid social media at all costs during your summer work hours.

Flickr/spablab

I mean, it’s hot outside. Why not just walk around in our bathing suits all day? At the very least, we Michiganders often opt for the shortest shorts, lightest dresses, and thinnest t-shirts possible. When we’re spending most of our time getting sandy and soaked in the waves of our Great Lakes, there’s no need to think too much about dressing nicely.

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Flickr/yooperann

It’s funny how quickly our attitudes about Michigan can shift with the arrival of summer. Just months ago, many of us were lamenting our decision to live in a state that constantly puts us through unpredictable weather, snow storms, and freezing temperatures. When summertime rolls around, though, we realize that these beautiful months are our reward for surviving winter - and we’re thrilled with the trade-off.

Alright, Michiganders: it’s your turn! What are some of your typical thoughts when summer begins here in Michigan? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comment section!