I'm no weather expert, but I like to think I've experienced my fair share of weather patterns being as I grew up in Michigan. There's a saying in the Midwest that goes "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute." In my quick research I performed before penning this blog, I realized that saying is popular in many parts of the country. It basically means the weather changes quickly, and often. But I challenge anybody in Texas (it came up in research) who says that to spend a year in Michigan. No, really, you should. It's great up there...
Anyway, I remember one summer my family went camping (long story, look for it in my memoir) in the Upper Peninsula. It was the middle of July and hanging around 80 degrees when we pulled away from our home in the Detroit area. The second day of our camping trip, it was below freezing and snowing. Now, as kids, we were at that age where you seek independence from your parents, and the first way to do that is pack your own bags for vacation. So of course we packed bathing suits, tank tops, and shorts. I mean, its vacation. In July. 80 Degrees.
Needless to say, my father is the only one who got out of the camper that day, in all his warm clothes glory. I remember watching him from the window as he put a fire together thinking “I wonder how close the nearest hotel is…” My mom finally put her foot down and ended that camping trip early the next morning.
I am reminded of those cold days, and nights, now that temperatures have plummeted around the area. I won’t lie; I really thought I wouldn’t see temperatures below freezing at this time of year down here, even though I know they’ve already had their first few snows up in Michigan.
I think it’s funny I went from wearing a tank-style summer dress on Saturday (wasn’t it beautiful outside?!) to my thick, down, winter jacket on my way to work this morning. Almost feels like home.
I guess “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute” really does apply outside the Midwest.
Stay warm out there!
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