twelve acres & beyond

The orchard at the door, the Leelanau all around.

What's on the farm, what's down the road, and how to get here — so you can plan the free hours as confidently as the sessions.

Autumn on the Leelanau — red and gold trees opening to the lake
On the farm

Cherry rows, walking paths, and a fire pit that earns its keep.

Twelve acres of cherry and apple orchard with mowed paths between the rows, a vineyard edge, and a fire pit stocked with split wood. Ten-minute breaks become orchard walks; evening sessions end around the fire. In harvest season your group can pick dessert; in winter the rows go snow-quiet and the whole farm feels held.

Orchard rows in blossom
The Leelanau & nearby

Sleeping Bear at the door, wine country down the road.

Sleeping Bear Dunes at sunset — sand, dune grass, and Lake Michigan
Sleeping Bear Dunes
The national lakeshore's towering dunes and Lake Michigan overlooks — the classic group outing, and the view that ends up in everyone's photos.
20 min west
Autumn vineyards above the blue bay — harvest color on the Leelanau hills
Leelanau Wine Trail
Two dozen hillside wineries threaded between the orchards. An easy, unhurried group afternoon — most tasting rooms take parties of twelve-plus with a call ahead.
10–30 min
The sandy path to the beach at Glen Arbor, blue water beyond
Glen Arbor & the lake
Sand beaches, Fishtown's weathered docks in Leland, and Traverse City's restaurant tables when the group wants a night out.
15–40 min
Getting here

Easier than your group expects.

25 min
Traverse City & TVC airport — direct flights from Chicago, Detroit, Denver, DC
4.5 hrs
Detroit, by car up the lakeshore
5.5 hrs
Chicago, around the lake
12
Cars fit in the gravel lot — carpool maps sent with your welcome packet
Arriving

Check-in from 3 pm. The gate's never locked — early arrivals are welcome to walk the orchard while we finish turning the house. Look for the lantern at the end of the drive after dark.

Winter access

The county plows the road; we plow the drive. Four-wheel drive is nice but not necessary — and the wood stove will be going before the first car arrives.

Come see it

The drive up is part of the retreat.

Check available dates →