Donna Klein

Spring is usually just a date on the calendar up here, but I’m excited to see that day creeping ever closer! Before moving to Michigan, I thought there were four seasons – winter, spring, summer, and autumn/fall. However, after living in Ocqueoc for more than 20 years, I believe there are more than four. Here’s my quick tour through the many seasons of northern Michigan

Winter – is the season of snow and cold temperatures. Winds howl, and the air feels even colder than it is when you’re outside. It reminds me of the Currier & Ives winter prints of the 19th century.

Ice – Winter is often interrupted or enhanced (depending on your attitude) by ice season. If you must walk or drive during ice season, it can be interpreted as an interruption – to your day, to your balance, to your ability to brake safely, add your own here. If you love to fish on a frozen lake or ride a sled/snowmobile, you may consider ice season as an enhancement if the warmer days that melt the snow that makes the ice are not too warm or too many are strung together in a row, and each day is followed by a cold night.

Mud – Between winter and spring, we have mud season. As the days get longer and the sun rises higher in the sky, ice and snow melt, and we’re left with lots of mud. Every thump of your footprints as you slog through the mud is an exercise in balance. Is your core ready?

Brown – Once mud season is over and before spring blooms, we experience brown season. The mud is gone, only its hard brown remains remind us of the winter we left behind. Everything is brown as far as the eye can see. But change is on the way! Yes, mud season returns as April showers rain over us. Oh, and brown season often returns after autumn and before winter.

Spring – All of that brings us to spring! Birdsong returns, grass grows, daffodils, crocuses, and tulips bloom. Leaves unfurl as do the ferns. The Earth inhales and exhales. Fertile soil sprouts the bounty we’ll enjoy later in the year. The colors are light and airy. It’s time to get out and do things!

Summer – probably the favorite season in northern Michigan is summer. It’s never long enough (unless you are a snow lover), even as the longest days’ light lingers until nearly midnight. The days are warm, and evenings are generally cool. Tree leaf colors turn lush, and there’s a richness to the colors of the flowers and crops. Lake Huron heats up enough to enjoy a swim after a good game of beach volleyball. We make memories on boats, at festivals, and at family reunions.

Autumn – We never know when we’re going to fall into autumn. Sometimes the first cool breezes appear during the last week in August. Sometimes, the switch doesn’t flip until October! Green fades and a blaze of colors adorns all the deciduous trees as they enjoy a final hurrah. Autumn-blooming plants join in the display, competing for the big prize like a fireworks finale.

Crazy Deer – once brown season returns and deer are mating, and hunters are in the woods, it’s crazy deer season! This is the one season I will never get used to. My husband has been ‘bowling for deer’ with his truck. I’ve hit a few and avoided a few more, fortunately. I’ve learned to continually scan the sides of the road year-round (it’s always crazy deer season to me) and have come to understand that where one is crossing the road, there are sure to be more!

I hope you enjoyed this quick tour of northern Michigan’s seasons. Which is your favorite? Oh, and come on, spring!