One of my favorite things about northern Michigan is the variation we get in our weather. We have glorious snowfall in the winter, and long hot days in the summer. Add the explosion of blossoms in the spring and the fireworks of fall color, and each season has something that makes it “my favorite.” On either end of winter, we sometimes experience the whole summer-winter shift in one week. And some days – usually in the late spring – we experience huge shifts within a day.

At the end of May, we hiked some trails south of Frankfort that deposited us on the Lake Michigan shore. A continuous breeze drove waves crashing onto the sandy beach, but the temperature was comfortable.

After a while, we ascended the bluffs and watched as a small storm front took shape over Arcadia.

Rain fell in curtains, obscuring our view of a large sail boat on the lake. Thankfully, winds from the south blew the system toward Frankfort, and we happily stayed dry – though the temperature took a dive.

Less than an hour later, we walked down a sunny boardwalk to the beach in Elberta, greeted by cheerfully clear skies warmed by the gleaming sun.

A boardwalk leads to a sunny Lake Michigan beach

Waves roll in under sunny skies in Elberta

What’s your favorite thing about Michigan or where you live? Email me and we’ll commiserate.