What we’re about
Welcome to Explore the Coast - Southwest Michigan Sports, Outdoors, & Social Group. The purpose of this group is to give individuals/couples the opportunity to meet and connect with others with the same interests. Most events will be in Berrien and Van Buren Counties. We will be focusing on 3 areas: Sports will include: 1) Volleyball 2) Road Races: 5K, etc 3) Golf Outings 4) Watching Football 5) Etc. Outdoors will include: 1) Hiking 2) Camping 3) Canoeing 4) Cycling 5) Etc. Socials will include: 1) Dining 2) Festivals 3) Picnics 4) Comedy Clubs 5) Concerts 6) Game Nights 7) Wine Tastings 8) Etc. We have no membership dues. So why not join us and see what the SW Michigan have to offer. If you have an idea for an event, please email us. Tell a Friend!
Fall Colors Mega Hike @ Swan Creek - Allegan SGA (11+ miles)
October 11th, 9:00 am
This is a great hike to train for! If you can't average a 30 minute mile (2 mph) this is not a hike for you.
We will start off with the North Swan Creek Loop. It is about 5.1 miles long. The we will do the South Swan Creek Loop which is about another 5.8 miles.
We will meet at the trail head parking lot on 118th avenue just west of the bridge over Swan Creek (or just east of the Park Headquarters.)
The much more scenic route is to the south, where a 5.8-mile loop skirts Swan Creek Pond and then the creek to 116th Avenue. To the north is a 5-mile loop along the creek to the edge of Koopman Marsh. Although the area is not hilly, both trails follow the base of a river bluff at times and contain a surprising amount of up-and-down hiking. They also pass a number of marshes.
After the hike, we head to Root's Café in Fennville.
About Southern Loop:
https://www.michigantrailmaps.com/member-detail/allegan-sga-south-swan-creek-loop/
South Swan Creek Loop is best done during the off-season—either in early May when fiddleheads are popping through the forest floor and the flowering dogwood is in full bloom, or in the fall, when one can witness one of the largest migratory gatherings of waterfowl in the state.
About Nothern Loop:
https://www.michigantrailmaps.com/member-detail/allegan-sga-north-swan-creek-loop/
Lightly used North Swan Creek trails are located on the north side of the 118th Avenue Bridge dam and form a 5.1-mile loop. The east side trail stays closer to the creek and involves more climbing as it skirts the bluffs. The west side of the loop remains mostly on the edge of the bluff and is an easier hike. In places the west side trail parallels two-tracks that doubles as a ski trail in the winter and can be used as an alternative route back to 118th Avenue. Ski trails are marked with blue blazes, the hiking trail with yellow blazes.
This is a great hike. I hope you can make it.
Kevin
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Fall Colors Hike @Fernwood then Eats/Drinks at River St. Joe BreweryFernwood Botanical Garden, Niles, MI
Fall Colors Hike @ Fernwood Botanical Garden then Eats/Drinks at River St. Joe Brewery
We will hike about 2 miles or so at Fernwood then head to River St. Joe of a bite and/or drinks (Optional).
General Admission: $12
We have a passes for us plus 4 to get into Fernwood for free.
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FYI: Fernwood membership is $55 for 1 and $65 for 2 (same household). With is comes a Reciprocal Admissions to many other gardens and nature centers (including Meijer's Garden, which is $20 for regular admission, and the Kalamazoo Nature Center.)Here are links to the included gardens and nature centers:
https://ahsgardening.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AHS-Garden-Network-List-8.14.25.pdfhttps://natctr.org/membership/reciprocal-program
--------------About Fernwood Botanical Garden:
A favorite of all who love nature—flora and fauna, Fernwood Botanical Garden is situated on the St. Joseph River in Niles, Michigan, near Buchanan in picturesque Berrien County. Fernwood is only minutes from South Bend, Indiana, and Southwestern Michigan’s famous wine country and shore communities. Fernwood comprises 105 acres and protects at least 10 ecosystems and is a birder’s paradise. Visitors may enjoy natural areas with miles of walking and hiking trails, a reconstructed prairie, an arboretum, and cultivated public gardens that include an herb garden, Japanese garden, perennial border, rain garden, railway garden, nature adventure garden, hardy fern collection, and other special collections and gardens.
Fernwood Website: https://www.fernwoodbotanical.org/
About River St. Joe Brewery:
On a beautiful and rolling organic farm in Buchanan, Michigan, in the heart of Southwest Michigan, "River Saint Joe" is a unique grain-to-glass brewery; farm-to-table restaurant; and event, community, and learning venue, open for beer & food.
River St. Joe Brewery Website: https://www.riversaintjoe.com/
I hope you can make it.
Kevin
- Fall Colors Mega Hike @ Swan Creek - Allegan SGA (11+ miles)Swan Creek Marsh , Allegan , MI
Fall Colors Mega Hike @ Swan Creek - Allegan SGA (11+ miles)
October 11th, 9:00 amThis is a great hike to train for! If you can't average a 30 minute mile (2 mph) this is not a hike for you.
We will start off with the North Swan Creek Loop. It is about 5.1 miles long. The we will do the South Swan Creek Loop which is about another 5.8 miles.
We will meet at the trail head parking lot on 118th avenue just west of the bridge over Swan Creek (or just east of the Park Headquarters.)
The much more scenic route is to the south, where a 5.8-mile loop skirts Swan Creek Pond and then the creek to 116th Avenue. To the north is a 5-mile loop along the creek to the edge of Koopman Marsh. Although the area is not hilly, both trails follow the base of a river bluff at times and contain a surprising amount of up-and-down hiking. They also pass a number of marshes.
After the hike, we head to Root's Café in Fennville.
About Southern Loop:
https://www.michigantrailmaps.com/member-detail/allegan-sga-south-swan-creek-loop/South Swan Creek Loop is best done during the off-season—either in early May when fiddleheads are popping through the forest floor and the flowering dogwood is in full bloom, or in the fall, when one can witness one of the largest migratory gatherings of waterfowl in the state.
About Nothern Loop:
https://www.michigantrailmaps.com/member-detail/allegan-sga-north-swan-creek-loop/Lightly used North Swan Creek trails are located on the north side of the 118th Avenue Bridge dam and form a 5.1-mile loop. The east side trail stays closer to the creek and involves more climbing as it skirts the bluffs. The west side of the loop remains mostly on the edge of the bluff and is an easier hike. In places the west side trail parallels two-tracks that doubles as a ski trail in the winter and can be used as an alternative route back to 118th Avenue. Ski trails are marked with blue blazes, the hiking trail with yellow blazes.
This is a great hike. I hope you can make it.
Kevin
- Fall Colors Paddle - Kalamazoo River -Pipeline to New Richmond Bridge -9.1 milesNew Richmond Bridge Park, Fennville, MI
Are you ready for some Fall Colors? Are you ready to paddle? We will be paddling the Kalamazoo River from Pipeline River Access to New Richmond Bridge (Fennville). A lot of the paddle will be through the Allegan State Game Area. It is a 9.1 mile paddle, which is about 4 hours paddle.
We will meet at the takeout, New Richmond Bridge Park, then car pool to the put in, Pipeline DNR River Access. (Since the put-in is very hard to find, it well be best to meet at New Richmond Bridge Park.) We will unload the boats and transfer as many cars a possible back to the takeout.
Kayak Rentals should be available. I will contact the rental company a few weeks before the trip when I get a head count for rentals. The take out for the rentals is across the river from New Richmond Bridge Park.
Hey AI, what do you have to say?
The Pipeline Landing to New Richmond Bridge section of the Kalamazoo River appears to be an excellent choice for experiencing fall colors while paddling.
Here's why and some important considerations:- Scenic Beauty: This section is considered "very nice" and is designated as a state Natural River. The natural setting will showcase the vibrant fall foliage beautifully.
- Distance: The trip is approximately 9.1 miles long, offering a substantial paddle through the fall colors.
- Trip Time: A slow paddle, without stopping, could take around 3 1/2 hours. Plan accordingly and allow for enjoying the scenery and breaks.
- New Richmond Bridge Park: The endpoint at New Richmond Bridge Park offers a boat launch, picnic areas, and boardwalk trails, making it a great spot to relax after your paddle.
However, there are a couple of important notes:
- New Richmond Bridge Park Fee: There may be a fee to use the boat launch at New Richmond Bridge Park ($6 per boat).
- Pipeline Landing: The Pipeline Landing is a more remote launch site with parking for only 6-8 cars.
- Timing: The peak fall foliage in Southwest Michigan is typically from mid-October to the first week of November.
By planning ahead, checking for river conditions, and arranging logistics, you can enjoy a memorable fall colors paddle on the Kalamazoo River from Pipeline Landing to New Richmond Bridge.
Thanks, AI.
This will be a fun paddle, I hope you can make it.
Kevin
- Cirque Mechanics: Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride @ LMC Mendel CenterThe Mendel Center, Benton Harbor, MI
Cirque Mechanics: Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride @ LMC Mendel Center
Saturday, October 25th, 7:30 pmTickets are $26 ($20 + $6 service fee) They also have tickets for ($36 and $16)
We are at seats P107 and P108.
Get tickets at: https://www.themendelcenter.com/events/detail.html?calendarid=234
Eat before the show at El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant We will meet here at 6:00. (1367 Mall Dr Benton Harbor, MI)
About Cirque Mechanics: Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride @ LMC Mendel Center:
Trailer: https://youtu.be/bCzC5TIGmAs
Gravity-defying acrobatics meet theatrical ingenuity when Cirque Mechanics returns to the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center with their spectacular new production. Be transported into the whimsical world of "Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride" – an awe-inspiring celebration of mechanical marvels and human artistry that re-imagines the thrills and wonder of an amusement park.
In Tilt!, Cirque Mechanics takes you on a journey to the backlot of their inventive theme park, where in the shadow of the roller coaster and under the lights of the Ferris wheel, you’ll meet the operators, carnies, and characters that keep the rides running and the thrills coming.This will be a great show, I hope you can make it.
Kevin
