before and after: retreat cleans up!

The Retreat at Pointer's Ridge is a beautiful 21-acre spot of land along the Big Sioux River in SE South Dakota. Used as a summer camp for kids for 40 years, the site was abandoned for 8 years. We have raked, mowed, chain sawed, weed whacked, painted, dumped, scrubbed and more to get this property under control! Our dream is of South Dakota's first arts retreat specifically geared toward art in all its forms ... not just visual, but music, literature, poetry, food, gardening, architecture, meditation, sculpture. We want this place alive with artists and those who love the arts! The nature is inspiring. Every visitor, even when things looked pretty grim and gritty, has walked away full of ideas for this unique site in the country, seemingly far away from city life and yet within 10 miles of South Dakota's largest city, Sioux Falls. Yes, there have been a few pitfalls. But we refuse to be deterred! (We'll find that plumbing leak eventually!) These photos show a few spots that have been revitalized, cleaned, renewed! Soon this place will offer a home for artists of all ages and abilities in all manner of disciplines. Just a little more paint ...