I can’t help but smile this time of the year. I am sitting in the office in my woodshop getting some bookwork done and the sun is shining and the air is crisp and clean. OK, it’s 3 above, but the shop furnace seems to be keeping up quite well, the coffee is hot and even my shop dogs are comfortable. Burley is wearing a sweater, but he has always been a fashion statement.
Even with the cold weather and the work involving snow removal, I am still a fan of winter. It reminds me of my Dad who always said that you can dress for cold, but not for hot. Hard to argue with that logic, but I know all the folks who beat a path to the southern part of our country this time of year would say they enjoy trying meet that challenge of dressing for hot.
I also enjoy winter because of all the visitors my area gets from those who like to ski or snowmobile. The place is packed at times and I have made a lot of good friends along the way. You can tell the folks who save all year to spend some time away from their home base to enjoy this area and I know their business is much appreciated by many. For some reason we don’t see the same number of tourists in the summer and I am not sure why. To me, this is one of the most beautiful parts of the country and not matter what your interests are, there is lots to do no matter the time of year.
I meant some folks just the other day from central Wisconsin. They were up in the area for the second time getting some riding time in. We had a great conversation about where they were from and some of the challenges they face there and I could tell their time here was a great escape which I believe we all need every now and again.
When I was a young lad, I worked at a local ski hill. I bused tables in the cafeteria and while I appreciated a little jingle in my pocket, I also enjoyed learning more about the folks who were visiting the area and why they choose to come here rather than some other place. Many were families on a budget who enjoyed the outdoors and felt this area was a bargain for them. I don’t ski and never have as I couldn’t afford the equipment or the lessons it took not to kill yourself. Later in life when I probably could buy some skis, I was busy working and just didn’t take the time. I was a little envious though watching the smiles and listening to the stories when the folks came off the hill to grab a hot chocolate and a sandwich.
I spent my off time during the winter season in the woods hunting with my Dad and our beagles. We enjoyed rabbit hunting and I will always cherish those times with my Dad and the lessons he taught me. Wouldn’t trade any of that time for the best pair of skis.
I certainly look forward to the summer season and all the fun we have here, but winter is still special and it makes me smile to remember growing up here and all the good times that were had. I think I may have to play hooky today and run out to the ski hill to have a hot chocolate and watch the folks make their way down the ski runs. Lord knows if it were me doing it, the ski patrol would be following close behind with a leg splint and a stretcher.
And that’s the situation as I survey it …
After a 35-year career downstate amongst da trolls, during which he built a successful engineering and surveying business, John Matonich is back home in da U.P. His column will appear here occasionally, don’tcha know. His book “Surveyin’ Da Situation” is available on Amazon.com.
Image credit: Cheryl
I love winter, as well. Best thing for me? I never tire of looking at deciduous trees silhouetted against the sky. But really, I like it all.
Thank you Kathy! My sentiments exactly! I think trees in the winter look beautiful “undressed”.
Some are soft and symmetrical, some are brave but yielding, and some are thick, gnarly, angry and cold.
Please stop to enjoy and appreciate them. They were made just for you!
Ya! You got to love that fresh snow in the mornings up in the tree branches, then your breaking trail, WOW down the back of the neck it goes. It’ so cold you can see your breath in the air, goose bumps. Daybreak coming up over Lake Superior, exhilarating. Note: UP 200 Sled Dog is Feb.16-19 in Marquette and is quite the event.
I have been a Michigander my entire life. As a kid, I didn’t mind winter. That meant a possible snow day off from school and bundling up to go outside to make snow angels, snowmen, and play with my friends. As I’ve gotten older, I really don’t care for winter anymore. The first big snow fall of the season is beautiful on the trees but I am always looking forward to when that snow melts and I don’t have to drive on the snow covered/icy roads for a while.
Love reading your articles! This one was great! 🙂
Thank you, Tina… really appreciate it..
As someone who enjoys hiking and biking, winter makes me feel trapped. I also do not look forward to driving on snow covered roads, that is highly stressful for me. I hope we have an eatly spring.
The best thing about winter is, it really makes you appreciate the warmer months. I marvel at how beautiful Michigan is April through November.
I can’t disagree about the driving, Fred. It can get a little hairy at times. Even though I like the winter, my favorite time is fall… Michigan is second to none in looks at that time of year….
What are our Michigan Good Months? Fred (above) says, April through November. That would be eight months (= two-thirds or sixty-seven percent). But, Holy Socks, Fred! April and November usually are raw, and we can not even count on May. Just remember back to many cold, gray Memorial Days, at the ends of past Mays.
I say our Michigan climate is unsurpassed June through October. But, that is only five months. Five out of twelve = forty-two percent. Better than Lapland, but, what the heck?
Andy, it looks like the editors missed a couple this week!
I’ll go look. Always appreciate keen eyes…
I found one (may be more) after I hit the send button …meant = met in the beginning of the 4th paragraph…sorry
As a fellow Winter lover I loved this article. I hate Summer heat. Air conditioning makes me feel like I’m in jail because I can’t hear and smell the outdoors, high temps sap my energy. A brisk Winter day revs me up like nothing else. Besides, snow is beautiful.
Thank you Judith…I am in the same boat as you are…