5 Smells That Mean It’s (Almost) Summer in Southeast Minnesota

Sure, you've probably mowed your lawn a couple times already in the spring, but the smell of grass that's just been cut just seems to scream summer.

Technically, I guess the smell that reminds me of summer is actually the smell of chlorine they used to dump in the municipal pool in my hometown more so than it is the swimming pool (especially given the advent of some saline pools), but any kind of body of water, whether it's a pool or a lake, sure smells like summer to me.

Is there a more distinctive smell that means good times, outdoors in the sun more than the smell of sunscreen? And, of course, it helps keep your skin from turning as red as a lobster, too. A classic summer smell!

Another classic summer smell is the smell of rain. Whether it's the smell of your lawn right after it's stopped raining, or the smell of rain on the pavement, rain is another sure smell of summer!

And here's the best smell that tells you it's summer here in southeast Minnesota: The smell of a grill. Is there anything better? Whether it's a big 'ol steak that sizzling away or even a charcoal grill that's just been lit, this is my absolute favorite summer smell. I wish I could bottle it up and smell it during the middle of one of our long, cold winters. It's a summer-smell classic!