Adrian, MI Outdoor Activities

For 129 years, the farmhouse at Country Lane Tree Farm has looked out over acres of trees and crops as they bear fruit, change colors, and catch a light dusting of snow. The Bowlander family keeps the land bustling through the seasons by inviting families and school groups to come take part in farm activities. Craft barn events happen in the spring and summer, along with farm tours where children can see and interact with a variety of animals. Activities include, milking cows, holding chickens and ducks, and gazing profoundly into the deep eyes of Peaches the donkey. Animal feed is also included. During the fall, the Bowlanders make an enormous maze out of their cornfield, invite guests to pick pumpkins from their 10-acre patch, and enjoy a Haunted Hayride and the indoor Haunted "Carnevil" Barn.

A veteran of horse shows well versed in hunting, jumping, and grand-prix competitions, Leslie Webb Janiak knows her way around a stable. As the owner and trainer at Oxford Farm, Leslie imparts her lifelong knowledge to aspiring equestrians of all ages, helping to build relationships between man and steed so that they may one day sit together in the halls of Congress. With facilities including 30 stalls, an indoor arena, and 18 large paddocks, Oxford Farm offers comprehensive horse care for owners looking for a place to board or train their long-faced friends. Amateur or beginning riders can also take part by enlisting in private lessons. During each session, instructors divulge riding basics as well as basic horse care, such as how to handle the horse's halter and lead rope and pepper trail rides with Lone Ranger recaps.

For 26 years, the experienced instructors at Divers Incorporated have taught students about scuba skills and environmental awareness. Divers Incorporated is a PADI Five Star Instructor Development Center, and its staff of PADI-certified instructors introduce guests to scuba with a broad variety of classes designed to appeal to potential divers with varying levels of interest in the underwater world. The entry-level PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience gives divers the opportunity to learn scuba basics in a low-pressure environment. First, classes view an instructional video and learn how to use the equipment, after which they take to the pool and learn how to breathe beneath the water's surface. Five-week instructional courses take a more thorough tack, instructing students on the fundamentals they need to know to take an open-water dive and secure their certifications.

The Oak Harbor Golf Club's 6,493-yard course protrudes into an oxbow on the Portage River, pairing scenic views and cool breezes with an ever-present supply of water hazards and small greens. Along the front nine, players patrol tree-lined fairways dotted by small ponds and bisected by a marshy brook that requires calculated drives and sharp wit to solve riddles proposed by retired caddies turned bridge trolls. The back nine meanders out onto a narrow neck of land within the oxbow and wraps golfers in panoramic views of the river.

Off the course, golfers can bogey-proof their swings with a practice session at the grass-tee driving range or a lesson with PGA–certified instructor Matthew Jennings. After a day filled with aggressive drives, players can relax at Baldy's Roost, which serves a menu of sandwiches, wraps, and salads most enjoyed when eaten with polished divot tools.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Length of 6,493 yards from the farthest tees
• Course rating of 71.1 from the farthest tees
• Slope rating of 121 from the farthest tees
• Six tee options
• Scorecard

Since opening its emerald alleyways in 1956, Woodlawn Golf Club's semiprivate, 18-hole course has tested the skills of all golfers, from greenhorns to green jacket holders. Featuring undulated bentgrass fairways cleaved through rows of mature trees, the par 71 course spans 5,943 yards and culminates at small, contoured greens known for their speed. Numerous water hazards, strategically placed bunkers, and thickheaded squirrels entering hibernation work in unison to lure errant golf balls as they attempt to circumnavigate the course.

Course at a Glance:

• Course length: 5,943 yards

• Course rating: 69.1

• Slope rating: 118

• Three sets of tee boxes