America's High Five

 

I'm linking up with Fifth in the Middle to join with other Michigan bloggers on this sunny, relaxing Sunday.  While I'm at it, I thought I'd share the top 5 things that I love about The Great Lakes State.

1. The coastline.  We have almost as much coastline as Florida.  I live approximately 1.2 miles from the beach, and we often just walk there...on Holiday weekends it's so crowded that people actually park in front of our house to get to the beach...so obviously, it's easier to walk than drive.  We have an amazing boardwalk, a very cool pier, and one of the oldest lighthouses in America...ok, that's not actually true...I have no idea if it's one of the oldest, but it's pretty darn cool!

Home Sweet Home

 2. Four seasons.  Ok, I actually only like 2 of the seasons...Summer and Fall.  But I spent 4 years living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and I can now totally appreciate that it's not 95 degrees for 12 months in a row.

Baby Girl and her BFF Lena P. on a rare day when it was warm enough for shorts but cold enough that the snow didn't melt...40 degrees?

 3. Labor Day.  Unlike many other states who go back to school in August.  We "Mitten" folks (notice the shape of our state...and therefore the "high five" reference) don't go back until after Labor Day...but we also don't usually get out until the 1st week of June.

4. Snow Days.  When we lived in Fort Lauderdale, a snow day was the day when the school would bring in a snow machine and pile snow (actually shaved ice) on the hill behind the school and let students slide down on sleds...they also handed out snow cones and had a snowflake design contest with construction paper, glitter, and glue.  Up here in Michigan, a snow day is when it snows so dang much that it's unsafe to be out on the roads, and we all get to sleep in and watch soap operas all day.

Yours Truly on Snow Day 2008 in Fort Lauderdale...notice the Palm Trees in the back ground.

And Finally,

5.  Small Town Living.  Fort Lauderdale was crazy...and big...and fast...and trafficky (I'm an English teacher so it's OK if I use that "word").  Here in Michigan (at least here on the coastline) it's slow and relaxed.  Your neighbors know all your business, but they still invite you over for a cookout every weekend despite the fact that they've heard all of your personal conversations over the fence.  And if this sounds interesting, well here's a shameless plug for my blog all about small-town life.

Looking forward to connecting with other Michigan bloggers!

Mrs. V.