First of all it is 30+ degrees cooler than Texas. Second, saugutuck milk stout is delicious. And also I got to meet Al Bergler at a family pig roast and I have to say it is odd meeting someone I have only read about in magazines. My brother in law told me "you're a car guy, my neighbor is a car guy too, I'll introduce you." I like cars but I don't think I'll get into any hall of fame any time soon.
AND...
How do you Michigan people put up with these horrible frost heaved roads? And good lord the rust!
Yup. that's why I left 8+ years ago, and never looked back.
I left 19 years ago. Rarely miss it.
The rust has almost pushed me out a few times.
Rust seems to be down lower in Michigan. Up on the U.P., there seems to be a lot less. Probably has to do with salting down south, and giving up further north.
Ojala wrote: AND... How do you Michigan people put up with these horrible frost heaved roads? And good lord the rust!
Wait, I thought rust = patina. Didn't you "Texas guys" came up with that. 
But we do have rather abundant water.
I'm always impressed with the rust when I'm up there. I'm also impressed with sleeping with the windows open and being able to walk around barefoot without the ever present fear of fire ants.
Can't wait to move back quite honestly.
In reply to mazdeuce:
Good lord yes. I talked to a friend back in Fort Worth and he said it was 106 yesterday as I was sitting in a restaurant with all of the walls open to the outside.
Im sad that im going to miss Woodward dream cruise and head back into the blast furnace.
The thermometer on the truck was reading 102 when I pulled into the driveway yesterday. I was sorely tempted to turn right back around without unpacking. I have to go mow the lawn now. I'm unhappy. 
My cottage doesn't even have a lawn. Stupid Texas.
Go back and vacation in 6 months when all the roads are a salty, snowy mess and the high temps are in the low teens. I remember a few winter threads on here where the people of the south were enjoying 70 degree weather while the north was digging out of ice.
I personally have fallen in love with Kalamazoo and the west coast of Michigan since the divorce.
logdog wrote: Go back and vacation in 6 months when all the roads are a salty, snowy mess and the high temps are in the low teens. I remember a few winter threads on here where the people of the south were enjoying 70 degree weather while the north was digging out of ice.
That's why we play hockey.
alfadriver wrote:logdog wrote: Go back and vacation in 6 months when all the roads are a salty, snowy mess and the high temps are in the low teens. I remember a few winter threads on here where the people of the south were enjoying 70 degree weather while the north was digging out of ice.That's why we play hockey.
Also see: snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and the relatively new "fat tire" bike phenomenon (yes, people are bicycling trails in the snow now).
Like any other place, it has it's good points and bad points. I'm on record as hating winter with a passion. The roads and the rust, I guess I'm just used to. But it is nice to have all this water, not just the great lakes, but tons of inland lakes, as well. Lots of trees and other vegetation mean that in the summer it's very "green" here, which I like. And there are not many nasty insects or reptiles to potentially kill or injure you.
Ideally, when I retire I'd like to spend winters somewhere down south, but I'd still rather be here ~8 months out of the year.
Michigan is one of those states that sort of hits every demographic. Personally like the area in the UP around where the Lake Superior Performance rally is held(Hancock, Hougton,etc).
After 29 winters, including that awesome blizzard in '77, I moved. I may have lost a lot but pee on having to have a winter coat on in September and not taking it off until May. That being said I will enjoy my few days this week when I travel back to enjoy some time with my dad and awesome beer.
Don't forget ice racing!
Mazdaduce, my house is for sale. 3+ car garage, 220v, plenty of electrical outlets, insulated, and the house has a full basement too.
Quasi Mofo wrote: I personally have fallen in love with Kalamazoo and the west coast of Michigan since the divorce.
Wow, didn't realize you were in SW Michigan. If you autocross, sign up for this one before the last few slots are gone. http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmEventDetail.Show?psevent_id=15607
Grattan is a hoot and the Furrin Group is a great group to run with. I'll be in the "hairdressing parking only" section with a blue/green Miata.
Yeah, it's been over 100 for the past week or so but it's not completely unbearable like it was in Knoxville or Cincy in the upper 90's. I still prefer to be cold over being hot but 104 here is not that bad.
CGLockRacer wrote: Don't forget ice racing! Mazdaduce, my house is for sale. 3+ car garage, 220v, plenty of electrical outlets, insulated, and the house has a full basement too.
While that's tempting, the plan is to retire to the cottage and build a shop on the 250 acres we own just down the road from it. I've sort of made a promise to not buy any more houses.
Nick (Not-Stig) Comstock wrote: Yeah, it's been over 100 for the past week or so but it's not completely unbearable like it was in Knoxville or Cincy in the upper 90's. I still prefer to be cold over being hot but 104 here is not that bad.
That's because you're in the dry part of Texas you a-hole. It's hot AND humid in Houston. I'm pretty much stuck in the house after noon unless I want to die.
I love Michigan. I might feel differently in late January but it always comes back around. It's 73 and sunny right now. I think I'll go hiking after work.
I won't pretend that the salt on the roads and ensuing rust doesn't suck though.
Tom_Spangler wrote: And there are not many nasty insects or reptiles to potentially kill or injure you.
Maybe not, but the mosquitoes and black flies sure do try to compensate for that.
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