Those who didn't grow up in Michigan will never know what it was like to grow up in the state shaped like a mitten. Here are 10 reasons why Michigan is the best.
1. The best vacations are going "up north."
Going up north could mean driving 30 minutes or five hours. Whether your cabin is a shack in the woods or a mansion on the lake, spending a week away with your family is always the best part of the summer.
2. We get all four of the seasons.
In the summer, 82 degrees is the norm and in the winter, a cool -82 degrees is to be expected. Watching the leaves turn to numerous shades of red and yellow makes the horrible winters worth it. The only plus side to all the snow is you can almost always count on a white Christmas.
3. We have some of the best colleges.
Whether you rooted for MSU or U of M growing up, your options after high school didn't stop there. Central Michigan University, Wayne State University, Grand Valley State University, Western University and Eastern University are all great schools that Michigan is lucky to have.
4. You most likely drove an American-made car.
Home of The Motor City, chances are that someone you know or knew works for GM or Chrysler. That meant driving a hand-me-down Trail Blazer or an old Pontiac, and questioning why anyone wouldn't want to drive an American made car.
5. Cedar Point and Mackinaw Island are two trips you made almost every summer.
If you weren't going up north for a short vacation, then Cedar Point or Mackinaw Island were your next best options. A city full of fudge and horse-drawn carriage rides versus some of the biggest roller coasters is always hard to choose between.
6. Fall meant numerous trips to Cider Mills.
Consuming dozens and dozens of sugar covered donuts always made fall the best time of the year. Also, Cider Mills almost always have goats and who doesn't love a cute goat.
7. We have some of the biggest and best lakes.
We grew up within hours of a small ocean, but salt and shark free. We are surrounded by miles and miles of beaches and let's not forget the monstrous sand dunes.8. We always get multiple snow days in a row.
When it snows, it snows. That means back roads are like ice skating rinks and at least a few feet of snow. Putting a spoon under your pillow and sleeping with your pajamas on inside out always made winter a little more exciting.
9. It's tradition to cheer on all the Detroit sports teams, even with little hope that they'll win.
Everyone knows the infamous Lions terrible winning streak and how the Pistons haven't won a championship since 2004, but that doesn't make cheering them on any less fun. At least we still have the Tigers and Red Wings.
10. Singing the 50 States song and always screaming "MICHIGAN IS THE BEST OF THE..."
Everyone sang the song growing up, but not everyone got to tell the truth. Michigan truly is the best of all the 50 states.
