A testimonial that took our breath away!
Recently, a friend came to visit and ended up sharing his experience with us on LinkedIn. Drew, thank you so much for this thoughtful testimonial! It helps us know that we’re headed in the right direction and that people are connecting with what we’re doing. Grateful for you, friend.
From Drew Myers:
“In most leadership circles, the word retreat sounds backward. Pulling away. Slowing down. And when you’re in growth mode, slowing down feels like the wrong move.
I recently traveled to Red River Gorge with my wife to scout a potential corporate retreat site at Dappled Light Adventures - https://www.dappledlightadventures.com/
It’s located a two-hour drive from downtown Cincinnati in the small town of Zoe, KY, which made me smile, given that it shares my daughter’s name.
What stood out was how being outside, a little exposed to the elements but still comfortable enough, changes how people think. You are together, present, and slightly out of your routine. That combination sharpens conversations, lowers defenses, and leads to clearer thinking.
After two days and a night on the property, I’m recommending we use it for some of our EOS Quarterly Rock Sessions and annual executive retreats. It strikes the right balance between getting people outside and still being fully functional for real work. The wifi is strong, reliable, and fast. The main space has a TV that supports streaming and screen sharing.
My photos tell part of the story. Stone, glass, fire, and a lot of open space. Decks that hang over the gorge. Quiet paths into the woods.
The Rookery common area (lounge)
Here’s why this place works:
1. The Rookery changes the energy immediately
The Rookery is where everything will naturally happen. People will gather around the kitchen, break into smaller conversations, or sit by the fire without forcing an agenda. The views and layout create space to think, talk, and slow things down just enough to be productive.
2. Intentional disconnect that actually reconnects people
The property sits on 50 private acres next to Daniel Boone National Forest. You feel it immediately. People will walk more and phones will come out less. Conversations move from tactical to thoughtful. The surrounding forest gives you plenty to do, but more importantly, it gives you room to breathe and think. We have seen this before on other retreats, and it holds up here.
3. Privacy and Comfort
The glamping tents work better than I expected. It snowed the night we stayed and the fireplace inside our tent kept us comfortable and warm. Enough privacy for downtime and enough shared space to keep your group connected without feeling staged. Spacious, private bath houses are on site and located very close to the tents, which matters more than people expect.
I should add that they also host weddings and other private events. It also works if you simply want to get away with people you love to rest, hike, sit by the fire, and take in views that remind you how small and fortunate we are. If you’re a CEO, Visionary, or leadership team looking to avoid another predictable off-site, this place deserves a serious look.
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Reach out to entrepreneur Izaac Rains directly at izaac@dappledlightadventures.com - he and his dad Kevin Rains are busy building out their families' laser focus on hospitality 24/7/365”
