How to Get Through the Summer in Michigan

If you live in Michigan you may welcome the summer with open arms after the long winter, but after a while you forget how cold the winter was and the heat starts to drive you mad. Michigan is known for its Great Lakes, but if you live in the middle of the mitten like I do, the lakes are quite a drive. If your close to any of the lakes, their quite nice in the summer time and I suggest you go visit, or if you don't mind the drive out, by all means head out to whichever is nearest to you, but if you are stuck in the heat with seemingly no way out, here are some things to try.

Michigan's Adventure I know I said the Great Lakes were a drive, but a trip out to Michigan's Adventure is still a much more reasonable drive for most people. With the addition of Michigan Adventure's "WildWater Adventure" Water park, you can now get both the roller coasters, and the water park for the same low price of $23 dollars for a full days pass. One of the most cooling things to do is hit the water park, and then ride a roller coaster while your still moderately wet, this can actually make some people a little too cold if you can imagine!

Squirt Guns and Water Balloons Squirt guns have made some amazing advances in the past years. You can almost drown someone in water today if you know where to get the right water gun. Some even have backpacks full of water that connect to the gun itself and pack quite a punch, its almost unfair, but only if your the one with the squirt handgun from 1989. Water balloons were always the ideal choice for completely drenching an opponent, but their almost unnecessary now, that is if they weren't so darn fun to throw, and even more rewarding to hear them slap loudly against the skin of someone you've been trying to hit all day. Furthermore, I know some of you may think your to old for water balloons and squirt gun fights, and thats just outright wrong. Have enough beers and all of a sudden your a kid again. However I must stress the point that beer and other alcohol mixed with sun can be bad if your not properly hydrated.

Swimming Finding a pool is obviously a no brainer, but if you can find one its always worth the search. Yes there are some public pools in Michigan, but honestly who wants to do that? Unless your really desperate I think most people avoid public pools like the plague. If you are one of the lucky ones that finds a friend or acquaintance with a pool, it will always guarantee a full day of entertainment while staying cool at the same time. Don't be selfish though, the more the merrier, as long as they're friendly.

Tubing and Rafting One thing that Michigan does have plenty of is rivers. You can usually find a river that serves as a tubing and rafting site close by you. The only downside to this is you will need lots of sunscreen because you will most likely be on the river for hours. Also some people, like myself, don't like the idea of possibly becoming friends with a big fish or a big stick. This option i would say is for the more adventurous.

Movie Theaters If you want to stay cool, but don't want to get wet, movie theaters are your best bet. You can usually find a theater pretty cheap, I have two theaters close by me that have movies for two or three dollars, so thats a plus. Movie theaters are ideal for staying cool in the summer because they are air conditioned, they're dark, and you don't perform any physical activity which would lead to heat. Plus they keep you entertained for a few hours.

Basements Your basement is usually about ten degrees cooler than the rest of your house. A basement and a bowl of ice cream can usually cool you down pretty quick and have you feeling refreshed in no time.

Ice Ice cream, Ice pops, Ice in general, just about anything with the word ice in it is a good bet to stay cool. Popsicles and cool drinks are good as well. Water especially because you need to remain hydrated, and even if you don't usually drink it, try to at very least drink a glass per day.

Clothing Loose cotton clothing in lighter colors is the best tip regarding dressing for the summer. If you don't want to have to sacrifice your amazing gift of fashion sense this summer by dressing outside your style, you can always keep cool with one of the other ways listed above.