When we first dreamed about this place, it wasn't just about owning a beautiful piece of forest.
It was about creating a place where people could reconnect with nature, with practical skills, with creativity, and with each other.
Today, that vision has a name: Artemis Ridge.
Named after Artemis, the Greek goddess of the wilderness, forests, wildlife, and the hunt.
The name also feels especially fitting because our land is covered in mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), one of the plants that has become symbolic of this property. Everywhere we look, Artemis seems to have left her signature.
A New Chapter
Over the past few months we've made a number of important decisions that have helped clarify where this project is heading. There's even a website coming!
Rather than simply being a campground, Artemis Ridge is becoming a woodland village and learning center. A place where people can camp, build, learn, create, forage, unplug, and help shape something that grows over time.
This isn't a finished destination.
It's an evolving community project.
Village Day Has Begun
One of the biggest milestones has been launching Village Day, a monthly gathering held every third Saturday.
The idea is simple:
Bring people together to work on creative projects, improve the land, share meals, learn new skills, and enjoy a day outside, off our screens.
Our very first Village Day wasn't crowded and honestly, that's exactly what it needed to be.
With the help of two friends we completed our first permanent forest installation: a woven woodland portal built from wild grape vines.
Walking through it feels like stepping from the ordinary world into somewhere a little more magical.
I'm currently looking for ideas on what kind of sign to put on it... "You are now Leaving the Known Universe"
It marked the first piece of what we hope will eventually become an ever-growing Forest Art Trail.
What's Next
Our next Village Day will focus on creating something completely different.
At first we were goingnto experiment with a kinetic art installation made from mirrored acrylic pieces suspended from trees. Each piece will spin freely in the breeze, catching flashes of sunlight and reflecting the surrounding forest from every angle. But we finalized the idea and will instead create a spiral of reflexion where one can walk in, sit in the middle of it and relax while watching the forest above and in between the upright mirrors shaping this spiral.
Here's a quick example of what it may sort of look like:
I'm cutting every piece on a table saw, creating long thin pieces that will be glued to a piece of plywood for strength and then I'll build the main framework for the structure. Once those pieces are ready to go, we'll put it all together as a group.
I love the idea that no two visits to the forest will ever look exactly the same.
The artwork will constantly change with time, and the seasons.
Building a Woodland Village
Beyond the monthly gatherings, work continues on the larger vision.
Plans are taking shape for:
- Fantasy-inspired natural cabins
- Primitive camping experiences
- Outdoor classrooms
- Natural building workshops
- Plant identification walks
- Community gathering spaces
- Forest art installations
- Digital detox retreats
Every project is designed to add another layer to Artemis Ridge while giving visitors a reason to return and watch it evolve.
Building Together
One thing has become clearer than ever.
This project isn't something I want to build for people.
I want to build it with people.
Whether someone comes to help weave a structure, identify edible plants, build a cob wall, create art, or simply spend a quiet afternoon in the woods, every person who visits leaves a small mark on the place.
Years from now, I hope people can walk these trails and say, "I helped build that."
Thanks for Following Along
Thank you to everyone who's encouraged us, shared ideas, visited the property, or simply followed along online.
Artemis Ridge is still in its early days, but every trail cleared, every log moved, every plant identified, and every gathering brings the vision a little closer to reality.
We're excited to see where this path leads and we hope you'll be part of the journey 😁
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