Right before calving starts, the past four years I’ve taken a personal retreat the end of March/early April. I alternate either east or west of the Missouri. This year was an east river year.

The focus is to recharge, create some art, explore a new place/town, and enjoy local art.

I find an Air B&B with a kitchen, cook foods that I enjoy, take walks exploring the area, and sleep in if I want to.

This year was more difficult to recharge. I started off the drive to Watertown, a community I’ve never been to before, exhausted. I’ve struggled with sleep for the past 12 years. Some seasons are better, others are not. Most of this winter/spring has been rough.

I love a good adventure and exploring a new place, but often sleeping in a new bed has it’s challenges. Thankfully, I slept during this trip and the full day I was in Watertown was met with refreshment.

I found the cutest coffee shop (Backroads Coffeehouse) with great aesthetics and hello, swings! You bet I enjoyed some sips in one of these lovelies!

I spent some time exploring Lake Kampeska, walking among the marshy area near the headwaters of the Big Sioux River.

One of the reasons I chose Watertown was to see the Goss Opera House. I’d read an article a few years ago about it’s renovation.

Thanks to an unexpected visit to Sandy Ellyson’s gallery, where I met several wonderful residents, Sandy brought me over to the Opera House and I got to explore this lovely building and read some of the history.

After a much needed nap, I continued my exploration of Watertown with a stroll through the Redlin Art Center. The building is quit impressive and I enjoyed viewing the different time periods of Terry Redlin’s work. I found one painting I really enjoyed, it was different that any other painting, Spring Fever. Also, his An American Portrait series made me cry.

On my last morning in Watertown, I stopped by the Mellette House. Home of Arthur C. Mellette, the last governor of Dakota Territory and the first Governor of South Dakota.

I planned my route through De Smet, last home of Charles and Carolyn Ingalls, made famous through the writings of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Driving out of town to the homestead, I didn’t really know what to expect. I was met with so much emotion.

For part of our school curriculum, we’ve read through all of Laura’s books. From childhood, I’ve been familiar with her writings and to be in this place where her family proved up was quite amazing.

This house and barn are a replica, built in the most likely spot based on Laura’s writings and Pa’s paperwork. No one knows what happened to the original homestead. Since Laura didn’t write her books until well into her aging years, no one would have thought to preserve the home.

Traveling the back roads, exploring South Dakota’s landscape is always a good idea. I returned home tired yet eager to be with my family.