The Owl Prowl in Kalamazoo

Spring is just around the corner here in the woods of that surround our West Michigan B&B. Among other creatures preparing for warmer days ahead, owls are selecting mates and claiming territory. We see many types of owls common here, the largest being the Great Horned Owl, pictured above.

The Kalamazoo Nature Center will be hosting outdoor, evening hikes, called Owl Prowls, for adults and older (i.e. quiet) children on Thursday, Feb 24, Friday, March 4, and Thursday, March 10. No flashlights are allowed-they may scare away wildlife and your eyes will adjust to the dark so you will see more without the flashlight anyway.

Our own experiences with the Great Horned Owl are rather special. We often hear their hooting in the evening-another name for them is the Hoot Owl. But a really close encounter happened one summer evening a few years ago at our Inn near Kalamazoo. We were enjoying a glass of wine with some of our guests on our deck overlooking the pond. The view was similar to this picture:

As it gradually got dark, suddenly an owl swooped down from trees on the left onto the grassy area. It had caught some kind of small rodent. Grasping it firmly, it flew off into the trees again. They may hoot at times, but when they hunt their flight is absolutely silent.

Romantic Activities in West Michigan

West Michigan has so many wonderful options for romantic outings and the best part is, none of them will break the bank. While staying at Castle in the Country Bed and Breakfast we've found some perfectly romantic (and yet inexpensive) 'Must Do’s' while you’re enjoying our small town of Allegan, MI and the surrounding area. Here are our favorite suggestions for saving $$ but still getting the most out of your Michigan Couple's getaway experience:

After checking in at Castle in the Country, head out to The Grill House to grill your own steak, and try the Meal Splitter's Deal, where you share the steak and each enjoy your own sides. You may find you don't want to leave, so why not order a carry out gourmet pizza from The Grill House, located just 3 miles north of our Allegan Inn, and enjoy in front of the fireplace of your guest room.

After breakfast, enjoy use of our snowshoes on beautiful wooded trails just outside your guest room door and after you've warmed up here and you're ready for a little more adventure, head out to Bittersweet for some exciting Michigan downhill skiing. Don't forget to ask us for our discounted ski passes. We have passes that run about $5.00 cheaper than what you would pay at the gate.

There are three wineries in the area of our romantic Michigan getaway, FennValley, St. Julian’s, and Warner’s. All three wineries offer FREE cellar tours and tastings in their tasting rooms. Couples staying at our romantic Michigan inn will receive a coupon for two free FennValley logo wine glasses with any purchase! Nearby Saugatuck also plays host to some tasting rooms including Tabor Hill, and Round Barn.

Later, you may want to head out to Salt of the Earth in Fennville to enjoy some live music, appetizers, drinks, and dessert. Their S'more Dessert is a fantastic twist on a favorite classic and definitely large enough to share. If you're staying with us on Sunday evenings Salt of the Earth hosts concert bands at 7:00 p.m. with tickets ranging in price from $5.00-$12.00. On February 13th Salt of the Earth will be featuring May Erlewine with Seth Bernard.

Finally, to end your night with a moonlight stroll, don't miss a trip to Saugatuck's Oval Beach on Lake Michigan, located just west of downtown Douglas, MI. Named one of the top beaches in the country, this stretch of pristine beach along Lake Michigan is beautiful anytime of the year but with the wintry ice sculptures formed by the waves, it provides a magical winter wonderland just for the two of you.

There are fantastic activities are available year round in West Michigan, making it a fun exciting and romantic place to visit, without spending a lot of money!