Livin’ the LAKE LIFE Year-Round

Activities abound on the lakes through every season of the year. From old to young, Type-A to social sanguine, there’s something for everyone.

SUMMER

The height of activities on the lake, of course, occurs in the summer.

• For the active enthusiast, there’s swimming, rowing, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, skiing and more.
• For those in need of speed, Jet Skis are in full force, alongside speedboats and pontoons, not to mention the occasional aquaplane.
• For the nature lover, there is abundant wildlife to observe, including birds, insects, reptiles, turtles and of course fish.
• For the sportsman, fishing tournaments begin in April and can be found throughout summer. Even kiddos can check out free fishing days. Check www.Mi.gov/dnr for fishing listings. And don’t forget to get your license—Michigan fishing licenses are good March to March.
• For the competitive spirited, lawn games offer some serious summer fun. There’s corn-hole (aka baggo), badminton, volleyball, whiffle ball, lawn darts, horseshoes and bocce ball. And in recent years, new games have emerged including ladder toss, washer toss, Kubb, Molkky, lawn dice Yahtzee, human checkers, lawn Twister and Frisbee golf.
• For the more laid-back, enjoy a picnic, a walk along the lake, a slow cruise around the lake, sunbathing or back-deck sitting.
• For the socialite, head to the beaches or sandbars for social hour.
• For the crafty and the deal-seekers, lake neighborhood yard sales offer loads of goodies in one compact location and provide great opportunities to exhibit products. Check local listings throughout the summer.

And for all Americans, there’s nothing like Fourth of July fireworks over the lakes—and many lakes offer Fourth of July parades through the neighborhoods.

Summer provides a myriad of activities on the lakes!

FALL

Attendance at the lakes “falls” at this time of year, which can make for special times. Fall is a good time for picnics and football, chili making and pie baking, and chatting with neighbors over leaf raking. Fall boating lets you see some of the prettiest fall colors up close, and their reflection on the water makes it doubly nice. Fall is also the time to plant those flower bulbs for next spring, transplant overgrown flower beds and prune bushes and trees for next year’s beauty.

Also, don’t miss fall’s special time of apple harvest in local orchards near the lakes. For example, Orchard Beach Farm is located on Marble Lake off Fisher Road and offers 12 apple varieties along with pears and tart cherries. Make the orchard trip a family tradition! U-pickers, call ahead (517-639-4609). And although days are shorter, fall provides the perfect environment for bonfires and sunset cruises.
And one of my favorites: Fall says goodbye to geese for the winter. So long, “you mangy animals!”

WINTER

Winter brings with it so many “cool” activities on the lakes. When it gets good and cold and the ice gets thick, there’s snowmobiling atop the lakes. And for those with ice in their veins and the patience of Job, there’s ice fishing. Is there anything more satisfying than breaking through the ice barrier, dropping a line and catching them when they least expect it? (Insert maniacal laugh here.) Winter also provides polar dips for the thrill-seekers, along with sledding, ice skating and cross-country skiing.

And for photo enthusiasts, winter on the lakes brings some of the most amazing sunrise and sunset shots you’ll ever see.

SPRING

Ah! Spring is burgeoning with activity on the lakes. There’s a lot of prep to do for summer, but fling a little fun in there, too!

Up come the crocuses, lilies, irises; the trees begin to bud. Don’t forget to weed and feed the lawn for gorgeous green grass all season.

Stretch your legs: Dust off jogging shoes and fill bike tires after a long winter. Get out and say hello to neighbors who have not been seen in months. Grab patio furniture that’s waiting to be put out in the open again and enjoyed—and enjoy trying it out. Get your bird feeders ready, grab a book about bird watching and spot them one by one.

With spring come showers. Get the kids out and go puddle hopping for a taste of swimming in spring. Get the bubbles out and walk down to the beach, and don’t forget some bread to feed the ducks and fish.
Get a jump on summer by driving up to one of the local lake ice cream parlors and ordering up a tall one (maybe a triple dip!).

I have always told my family, “You can only be bored if you’re boring.” No matter the season, fun and memorable moments are for the taking. So, stay thankful for each season’s offering of activities and enjoy living the LAKE LIFE!