If you live in Georgia, you know that your state can be one of extremes, especially in the context of weather, football teams, and seasons. The winters are cold, the summers hot, and when it rains, it pours.

However, nothing quite compares to summer in Georgia. It can be equally enjoyable and overwhelming. It's the season of torturous heat, family gatherings, barbecues, flies & mosquitoes, baseball games, and rain. I've experienced eighteen years of Georgia summers, and there are a few defining factors.

1. The Heat

When every day is 98 degrees, you just learn basically to stay inside. You could step outside and immediately start sweating. You know that your streets are probably deserted anytime from 10 am until 3 pm, because that is when it feels most torturous. And going for a run during that time? Unheard of, because you'd probably die.

2. The Fourth of July

People in the South love their Independence Day. Every block you turn, you smell burgers on the grill. Every neighborhood has their fireworks fanatics. Red, white, & blue colored outfits, sparklers, watermelon, and American flags wherever you go. It's a national holiday, but especially so in Georgia.

3. Braves Games

If you're from Atlanta, you probably know of the local pastime that is the Atlanta Braves games. Whether you're downing an ice cream, throwing up your foam tomahawk, or cheering loudly during the last inning, summer is the optimal season for baseball.

4. Rain

One second the skies are clear, and then the next thing you know a monsoon has hit. It can be difficult to deal with if you were planning on going for a run or grill outside or enjoy the sunshine. Then there are those weeks where it rains for days on end, right when you have your family beach trip. Good luck with that.

5. The Peachtree Road Race

Every Fourth of July in Atlanta, literally half the city willingly gets up at 6 am to go run a 6 mile race. No one seems to question it, but it has become such a large event that even non-runners participate. With people handing out free samples of pizza and beer along the sidelines; the race really is for everyone. Only if you can survive the heat, though.

While the summertime in Georgia isn't for everyone, it can be a lot of fun for those who can handle the heat and flies. I wouldn't want to spend summer anywhere else!