Name: Earthwell Retreat Center
Address: 18580 Grass Lake Rd., Manchester, MI, 48158

EarthWell is a little slice of heaven featuring a diversity of ecosystems, gorgeous vistas, and miles of trails to explore. The heart of the property is a spring-fed swimming pond situated on forty acres of rolling prairie, forest and wetland, surrounded by one hundred acres of Washtenaw County Nature Preserve.

Six off-grid sleeping cabins dot the landscape, all within a short walk to our Common House, featuring a large gathering space, community kitchen/dining and bathrooms/shower.

Located in Southeastern Michigan, just 30 minutes west of Ann Arbor, and near the towns of Chelsea and Manchester.

Earthwell Retreat Center

Ann Arbor is a dynamic mix of energy and charm—a bustling university town, [a foodie’s paradise](https://www.annarbor.org/foodanddrink/), and a cutting-edge tech hub, all wrapped in a [walkable downtown](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/downtown/) bursting with [world-class arts and culture.](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/) Located in Michigan’s southeast Lower Peninsula, Ann Arbor is the heartbeat of a vibrant [network of communities](https://www.annarbor.org/surrounding-destinations/) across Washtenaw County. With its creative spirit, diverse flavors, and unique neighborhoods, Ann Arbor shines as a exciting oasis.

Whatever your passion, the Ann Arbor area has something to ignite it. Savor world-class cuisine, explore nature’s stunning landscapes, discover eclectic boutiques, and dive into museums rich with history. Enjoy thrilling sports, captivating arts, and a culture that’s vibrant and welcoming.

Our visitors flock to the area for a variety of reasons. But there’s one thing they can agree upon: There’s so much to see and do, one day is simply not enough. [Get inspired for your Ann Arbor area getaway](https://www.annarbor.org/plan/visitors-guide/ "Get inspired for your Ann Arbor area getaway").

Playeasy Innovators Summit Destination Demo

Ann Arbor is a dynamic mix of energy and charm—a bustling university town, [a foodie’s paradise](https://www.annarbor.org/foodanddrink/), and a cutting-edge tech hub, all wrapped in a [walkable downtown](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/downtown/) bursting with [world-class arts and culture.](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/) Located in Michigan’s southeast Lower Peninsula, Ann Arbor is the heartbeat of a vibrant [network of communities](https://www.annarbor.org/surrounding-destinations/) across Washtenaw County. With its creative spirit, diverse flavors, and unique neighborhoods, Ann Arbor shines as a exciting oasis.

Destination Ann Arbor

The [Ann Arbor Sports Commission](https://www.annarbor.org/sports-commission/ "Ann Arbor Sports Commission") works diligently to improve the quality of life through sports for all of Washtenaw County. The [Ann Arbor area](https://www.annarbor.org/ "Ann Arbor area") attracts both sports enthusiasts and participants alike. Thanks to its [easy accessibility](https://www.annarbor.org/plan/getting-here-getting-around/ "easy accessibility"), [wide range of facilities](https://www.annarbor.org/sports-commission/facilities-venues/ "wide range of facilities") available and variety of [dining](https://www.annarbor.org/foodanddrink/ "dining") & [entertainment](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/ "entertainment") options, the Ann Arbor area is a favorite of sporting event organizations. The area has a rich sporting culture seeding in the history of two Division 1 athletic programs ([University of Michigan](https://www.annarbor.org/university-of-michigan/ "University of Michigan") and Eastern Michigan University) and several other small institutions. The Ann Arbor Sports was formed to attract amateur sporting events to the Ann Arbor region by assisting organizers every step of the way.

Ann Arbor is a dynamic mix of energy and charm—a bustling university town, a [foodie’s paradise](https://www.annarbor.org/foodanddrink/ "foodie's paradise"), and a cutting-edge tech hub, all wrapped in a [walkable downtown](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/downtown/ "walkable downtown") bursting with [world-class arts and culture](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/ "world-class arts and culture"). Located in Michigan’s southeast Lower Peninsula, Ann Arbor is the heartbeat of a vibrant network of [communities across Washtenaw County](https://www.annarbor.org/surrounding-destinations/ "communities across Washtenaw County"). With its creative spirit, diverse flavors, and unique neighborhoods, Ann Arbor shines as a exciting oasis.

Ann Arbor Sports Commission

Located in the picturesque Sharon Short Hills, the preserve is characterized by rolling terrain and various ecosystems. A large wetland complex, containing an emergent marsh, a wet meadow, and a shrub area, is located in the eastern portion of the property. Three smaller wetlands occur in the western portion.

As you head north along the first boardwalk, which starts just beyond a kiosk, you will reach open fields of grasses and forbs. The trails and boardwalks provide the opportunity to observe the gently rolling terrain and, further along, broad vistas of the surrounding wetlands and rural landscape.

To the north, an established woodlot features a mixture of tree sizes of native species: basswood, black cherry, maples, and oaks. A perennial stream meandering through the property provides good aquatic habitat and serves as the source for a man-made pond.

- Acres: 103
- Trail Length: 0.68 miles (Paved)

Clark & Avis Spike Preserve

This preserve features rolling hills and scenic vistas - just what you would expect to find at a preserve located in and named for the geographically-significant Sharon Short Hills. Elevations in the western portion of the property reach 1,060 feet, some of the highest in the County. There is more than 80 feet of elevation change throughout the property.

The preserve is mostly wooded, and the quiet woods and wetlands are ideal for spotting woodpeckers, wild turkeys, and other birds. Trails meander throughout the property leading you to different ecosystems. From the hilltops, glimpses of neighboring farms highlight your visit to this rural corner of Washtenaw County.

- Acres: 84
- Trail Length:.98 miles (Natural, unpaved)

Sharon Short Hills Preserve

The preserve consists of a variety of habitats including oak hickory forest, open fields, marsh wetlands and a shrub wetland. The shrub wetland includes highbush blueberry and chokeberry as part of the plant community.

Highlights to be enjoyed while visiting this preserve include frogs "singing" in the wetlands in spring, sandhill cranes flying overhead in autumn and lovely views in all seasons.

- Acres: 90
- Trail Length: 0.95 mile (Natural, unpaved)

Herman Koenn Preserve

Squiers Preserve has a nice diversity of habitat types including dry-mesic southern forest, buttonbush swamp, hardwood swamp, sedge meadow and marsh. The most unique aspect of the preserve's hydrology is the presence of artesian springs, which seep to the surface in several areas.

Pressure from the upward seepage of one of the springs has created a peat dome along the eastern boundary of the property.

- Acres: 59
- Trail Length: 1.07 miles (Natural, unpaved)

Squiers Preserve

Linda's Diner/Ma9610 Chelsea-Manchester Rd., Manchester, (734) 428-1248.Serving hearty, homemade portions. Menu ranges from barbeque ribs and lasagna, to rhubarb pie and carrot cake. Serving breakfast and lunch. $-$$

Linda's Diner

More than hot dogs, this establishment offers a tasty breakfast menu and Coney Island favorites.

Uptown Coney Island

A family-friendly sports bar in the heart of Chelsea with a huge dining room and bar and plenty of room for all visitors and their closest friends! They also offer carryout and banquet services. There is rail seating that overlooks their two ice rinks with a view box.

Arctic Breakaway Restaurant & Bar

The BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube - Chelsea features two NHL size rinks, pro shop, drop in hockey, open ice skating, figure skating, party package, arcade, restaurant/bar/banquet facility, complete professional hockey instruction on ice, off ice, weight training.

Arctic Coliseum Ice Arena

Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow is a dynamic area, featuring more than 260 species of wildflowers and other native plants. This preserve lies in the Upper River Raisin Watershed, an area highly altered by agriculture, logging and development.

As you hike the trails through ﬂoodplain forest and wooded wetlands, look for a vast array of wildﬂowers and other native plants. Beginning in mid-spring, woodland plants come to life, including bright blue hepatica, Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty, southern blue ﬂag iris, squirrel corn, starﬂower, bloodroot and large-ﬂowered trillium.

This walking tour takes you along a mile and a half route. Depending on how many stops you take, it will be about one hour until you reach the River Raisin.

The Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow serves to protect many remaining natural communities, stopover habitat for migrating birds and the river itself, which winds approximately 25 miles to TNC’s 700-acre Ives Road Fen preserve before continuing on to Lake Erie.

Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow

With its rolling terrain, scenic vistas, quality amenities and reasonable fees, Pierce Lake Golf Course provides an exceptional golfing experience. Golfers of all skill levels enjoy playing the front nine, while the wooded areas, wetlands and tighter fairways of the back nine challenge more experienced golfers.

The 18-hole championship layout was designed by Harry Bowers and is located between the City of Chelsea and I-94, easily accessible from the entire southeastern Michigan region.

Pierce Lake Golf Course

Bowling for all ages at Chelsea Lanes in Chelsea! Book a lane for your next event--weddings, parties, and more! Now featuring charity poker

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