Songwriters' Ridge Lodge - Inspired by Legends

High on the ridge that rims the valley, this lodge watches over a landscape thick with music history; and trails lead you straight down to it. Some places make you exhale the moment you arrive. This light-filled lodge at the top of the ridge, near the end of the road, presides over 3,000 acres of conserved valley - a pristine creek, an 8-acre lake, waterfalls, miles of trails, and a sky full of stars. This valley has a quiet history. It has and continues to draw musicians and writers who come he The space Inside, the lodge is warm and unhurried: a bright kitchen with a central island, a living room anchored by a fireplace in the home's original 1910 cabin, and rooms that catch the afternoon light. Two connected wings give a group both closeness and space to retreat into their own corners. Out back, the wrap-around porch is the heart of it all - Adirondack and rocking chairs made for long conversations. A hot tub, a fire pit, and a grill round out the outdoor space, with the forest pressing in on every side. There's also a separate studio onsite for those who come here to work, write, or play. *Longer-term (longer than 1 week) are subject to weekly cleaning (add'l cost), separate rental agreement, and security deposit. Guest access Guests have access to the entire house, two hit tubs, outdoor shower, and many outside porches. All Fork Inn guests have access to Lake Gratitude and the Fork Inn Farm pavillion (two 1000 gallon stock tanks, picnic area, creek walks), and the Fork Inn Trail including the down-stream dipping hole. Guests may use local hiking trails on the property. Contact the Center of Sustainable Stewardship for access to their trails, lake watercraft, and bicycles at Lake Gratitude Natural Area. Farm tours are available from the local farmers of Big East Fork Farms. All registered guest may visit Lake Gratitude and, by appointment, use watercraft provided by staff of CSS.For donations they supply canoes, kayak, paddleboards, paddle boats, oars, lifejackets, and even bicycles. Please make an appointment with them for entry and obtaining equipment. Support their mission of stewardship education and help preserve the natural treasures of this gorgeous valley and similar ones near your own community. For those hankering for an authentic country experience, we have four 300 gallon mobile stock tank pools which can be filled with sweet (or even sulphurous) spring water. Pools can be set up outside the Lodging as well as at the Overlook or a private pasture/forest clearing The Big East Fork Valley is a unique watershed and there are several unique areas for dipping in the natural waters of our Creek. Love Shack Falls runs best after a good rain. A short steep trail begins at mi 2.4 SE. The upstream dipping hole is located along the Upper Creek Trail behind the Retreat (mi 0.2 S) and the downstream dipping hole is a short walk from the bicyclist parking lot (mi 0.1 S). Several sparse rocky beaches for sunning and catching crawfish, small fish, and other creek critter lie along the creek. Poisonous critters (water moccassins, cottonmouths, bees and wasps) and obnoxious plants (poison ivy, thorny, greenbriars) are present so do take necessary percautions. Thin rocky beaches are McPherson Beach (mi 1.9 N), Flatrock Beach (mi 2.0 N), Hemp Beach (mi 2.4 N), and LeeAnnes Beach (mi 3.0). Walking along the creek is a very special experience for a couple or the entire family. Bring your creek shoes! Other things to note There's a separate, self-contained unit below the lodge with its own private entrance, so the two can operate completely independently. But if you'd like the entire place to yourselves, the lodge and the lower unit can be booked together for full seclusion: the whole house, the whole hillside, no one else around. **ONLY REGISTERED GUESTS ARE PERMITTED ON THE PROPERTY, any and all visitors MUST be cleared in advance.** This house is in the midst of the Tennessee Forest and is surrounded by Nature. Home to spiders, moths, caterpillars and various wildlife. Shy country mice may even reside in nooks and crannies. These natives occasionally explore the house; let us know if you encounter any of these critters. We can remove them or you can enjoy them. Its up to you!