Michigan has Florida Beat Hands Down
I had the pleasure of spending a couple days in Florida last week. The weather was 86 and sunny since I know you were wondering that very thing. How come when it comes to places like Florida the first thing we want to know is the weather and if rain is in the forecast?
After visiting our Pavilion showroom, I checked into the Hilton Suites and quickly found the pool. After two minutes in the sun, I pounced to the vending machine for SPF30. After 15 minutes back in the sun, the sweat was dripping from all directions and when it landed in my eyes, it was time for the pool. I will say that if Florida has anything on us, it’s that their pools are open all year long (OK, so are their golf courses).
It was then back to the A/C hotel room. The door wall was sweating too. The A/C was cranked but I was still sweating. The best came the next morning. At 7:15AM, I went for my 6 mile run. It was 76 degrees, the sun was out and there was a wind. I’ve run in Vegas, Mexico and other places, but this was one of my tougher runs. People were shaking their heads as I passed them by thinking "poor soul."
After the run was another plunge into the pool. Steam came out and I am not joking! Then a cold shower and none of it helped. My hair was a mess and would not dry. Oh well.
My brother took me for lunch on the ocean at this place called Johnny G’s. They are famous for fish and chips and the 70-80 year olds were chowing away like it was their last meal. Of course I didn’t eat that but the broiled fish sandwich was great. We did have to move our chairs however several times for walkers, canes, wheel chairs and whatever else Florida is famous for.
Here’s the thing about Florida. It’s hot, humid and filled with old people that can’t drive. You risk your life every time you get in the car. The traffic lights are 4 minutes long. And everyone lives in A/C and never opens a window.
As my plane made it’s way into Metro Airport, the sky was gray, it was raining and looked cold. Why? Because it was cold. But you know what? It’s nice to have the four seasons and be cold–it keeps you conscious.
The next day I ran at 7:15AM and it was a wonderful 34 degrees. It was a delight and one thing was certain: I didn’t have to worry about heat exhaustion.
Happy Tuesday!
November 18th, 2008 at 9:56 am
When I was younger, it seemed like we spent every christmas in florida. I think I was 5 before I saw an actual heavy snow fall. Being in Florida always made for an adventure and you knew it was vacation because you were in sunshine, when you new back home it was cold and snowy. But then when I got older I realized I was the spoiled one with the snow and the cold. We northerners get to experiance the four seasons to it’s finest. We see the spring, summer, fall (my favorite) and the winter. It is said that if you were to ever leave Michigan eventually you will return. (if you were born and raised here) Why? Cause people really miss getting to see the leaves and snow fall. When your in the south, it may seem nice to have sunshine all the time, but you miss on the really pretty scenery with the seaons changing right before your eyes! 34 degrees, I love it!
November 18th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I would never give up the 4 seasons that we get here in Michigan…I mean..what more could you ask for. We get the Florida weather in the summer, and then the fall winter and spring are beautiful here! You can’t beat it. I love vacationing in Florida, but I couldn’t ever live there. I wouldn’t give up the weather in Michigan for anything! As much as we all complain about it ALL the time…WE LOVE IT!
November 18th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
When I was little, my parents use to take us to Disney in Florida for the 4th of July!! As if Florida wasn’t hot enough that time of the year, I am also so pale I’m almost transparent. So needless to say, it isn’t one of my most fond memories. I was miserable and could never keep dry, or get comfortable. My favorite part of our vacation was getting on the people movers to go from one place to another b/c they were always air conditioned.
There are not a ton of reasons why I love Michigan. Besides my family and friends living here, the only other reason I enjoy Michigan is b/c of the weather. I am in the small percent of people who absolutely LOVE the snow, the rain and the cold. I love to layer my clothes, bundle up in a warm blanket and watch a good movie.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Bull_hit…….
Here’s the thing about Michigan. It’s cold, snowy and full of idiots that can’t drive on icey roads. Talk about risking your life. And, I don’t think there are too many people in Michigan with their windows open today.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I love the spring, summer, and fall, but absolutely HATE the winter. I’m good till the temp drops below 50. Snow, ice, cold wind, and freezing rain, chapped hands, chapped lips, hair static, and brittle nails… all things I could easily live without. The only good thing about winter is Christmas and hot cocoa. Maybe Florida isn’t so great either, but I can think of a lot of places other than Michigan that I would rather be!
November 18th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I love the four season as well, fall is my favorite. Not a big fan of the winter but I would not move to Florida – to many old people and the summer weather is horrid.
Gary if you think driving here in the winter is full of idots and bad drivers try living down south and having an ice storm – then you truly appreciate Michigan drivers. When ever the south has a minor ice storm or snow they close everything people down there dont know how to drive in winter weathere they think it is the end of the world!
November 18th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
What’s the beef with old people ???
One of my goals is to become an old person.
November 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I completely agree with Melissa!
Winter is also just too gray for me too. North Carolina is my fav because you don’t deal with the extreme winters as you do here, but they still have 4 seasons. They also have the ocean and mountains. My ideal state!
November 18th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I lived in NW Florida for 12 years. If the wages were better I would have never left. I didn’t miss the seasons-I’d come up here for a few days in the fall and a few days in the winter. Enough for me. I am a beach bum through and through. (Sigh-When will summer be back?)
November 18th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Gaye, please make sure Gary never dries the lift truck once he gets old. I saw him drive yesterday and that alone was enough!
November 18th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Awe man……That’s colder than a Michigan winter.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
I used live by the Gulf of Mexico for 10 years before I moved here. It’s funny to me that the people down there says they wouldn’t move up here, even though it was hot as heck for 6 month.
I’ve also lived in Oregon and Rhode Island and they have four seasons a lot more clear than Michigan does, I mean sure we do have seasons here but 6 months of winter is too long. Some of you might know my only reason to live in Michigan is so I can watch Wings, Pistons and Tigers play. If I can do that in Oregon, that’ll be my ideal place to live.
But at the moment, like people says HOME is where LOVE is, no matter how hot or cold.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:37 am
BS Larry.
November 21st, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I agree with some of the other. Some of the eastern states have some great seasons. They have great summers, and snow in the winter- but not so much snow. We get entirely too much snow, and cold weather here in MI. I would like to move to MD where my sister is. I just wouldn’t be able to navigate the raods there. They are all messed up. LOL.