Driving up the road it curves and disappears into the trees. The sun, setting behind you, intermittently flashes through the woods, casting long shadows and transforming the golden wood of your front door into a radiant sight. You're home.

     This is life at Starr Valley Ranch, removed from buzz and clatter of the city. Life here is as effortless as you make it, and the only neighbor you need to know is nature.

     Refresh yourself in the cool morning mist. Revive your spirit with a walk among trees that have stood for generations. Surround yourself with 147 acres of comfortable living. Enjoy yourself, one day at a time.

     Located in southwest Michigan, near the town of Buchanan, Starr Valley Ranch is an oasis, within easy reach of your everyday world. Less than an hour from downtown Chicago, but a million miles away from life's pace.

     The 48 log cabin homes of Starr Valley Ranch, scattered among seven cul-de-sacs in the woods near Clear Lake, are a far cry from those the pioneers built. Today they continue modern comforts with rustic exteriors that blend into the country-side.

     Here, each of the four seasons is at its best. Set your own pace year-round. Canoeing, kayaking, sailing, hiking, volleyball and swimming are available along the secluded lakeshore during the summer months, if you desire, or enjoy skating and skiing in the winter. Or just sit back and take in the quiet, lush surroundings. Life here is as mellow as you make it.

   Near facilities provide extra room for guests and private gatherings. Nearby towns, many dating back 150 years, offer all the pleasures of a simple life. Cider mills, wineries, bakeries and fresh farm produce are just minutes away, without the crowds of the larger towns.

     Residents of the area know the value of simple pleasures, and that philosophy has been preserved as carefully as the woods surround each home. That unaffected beauty has earned the territory a nickname:  The Land of the Four Flags. Through history, four countries have recognized its charm: Spain, France, Great Britain and the United States. Now, however, it can belong to you.