The captivating beauty of the Upper peninsula of Michigan lovingly called UP has made this sparsely populated region a famous tourist destination. In -25 degree Celsius the entire area radiates in white snow. The lakes become solid ice, hard enough to run heavy cars on it. The time and zone is declared and people with families and children throng to participate or simply to watch the race. The sharp bites of chilly winds and the soft flakes coming dancing from the sky to join the happy company of children never ever dampens their spirit. Some get busy fishing –lying on the snow watching into deep holes the shimmering fishes frolicking in the water under the floor of solid snow. The natives eagerly get ready for another love– their alternative vehicles known as snow mobiles. You can see men and women speeding up on snow mobiles on the winding narrow strips making their way through the snowy forests or running along the pavement of the roads. The excitement on their faces is so contagious that anybody can be envious of their free and wild spirit whirling against the calm and serene background of Nature. It is the common way of going outside during winters – easy, fast and safe.
The main attraction during winters is skating which brings as if the whole neighboring area especially Chicago to the lake country side. Children learn skating here and elders love every second of swishing up and down on the slopes of snowy hills. The warmth of crowds in the cafes, and the mellow light reflecting from the yellow lamp shades in the bars, struggle to dispel the dense fog outside. And if it is windy it is fun watching through the windshield glass of the car, how it carries snow dust and soft particles of fresh snow running hither and thither like crazy forming myriad patterns. Even the sun cannot resist the temptation of watching the magic of snow drama and lingers in the sky the whole afternoon, its red, round face matching with the cold rosy happy faces of children busy making the snow man.
The long spell of winter gradually draws its curtains. Lo you can hear the soft steps of spring sneakingly peeping through every nook and corner. The trees catch the enthusiasm and shrug off their white attire to cover themselves in a tender, fresh, verdant shimmering apparel. Joy and enthusiasm are contagious and run in the air. Sun too in this jubilant spirit nudges its warmth up to paint the entire scene in bright rainbow colours. Thousand lakes get up from their wintery slumber and with a new vigour play with the waves trying to catch the tiny crystals pinned up on the drops of water. The dance of life is maddening all over and takes into its grip the entire UP again — now in a different colour and different mood !!
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