Are you one of those people who don't want to live in a subdivision, who don't want any restrictions? Here's a little cabin equidistant from several Big South Fork trailheads in a private, wooded setting on very quiet road.

There's a circle drive for easy horse trailer access. And there are two small barns; one for your horses and one for guests with grassed turnout for theirs and pasture for yours, in a very clever, functional layout set on almost 3 acres.

This three bedroom, two bath cabin is just the right size! It's big enough for guests because you'll want to invite your riding buddies to come and enjoy the the best trailriding east of the Mississippi with you but there's not too much to maintain so you won't spend your time being a slave to weed whacking and leaf blowing. Here you see the kitchen, living room, master bedroom and master bath.

And here's your guest room as well as a bonus room; set it up with a daybed for addtional guests and use it as an office or craft space. Guests will enjoy the privacy of a second full bath.

Best of all, it's priced for those in the " $150,000-ish" range. Come see!!

149 Akers Chapel Loop, Jamestown, Tennessee. MLS #735070. $159,900.

I have two cabins listed, right across the street from each other, at 224 Indian Rock Trail and 225 Indian Rock Trail. What are the chances that BOTH would be under contract in this sorry market, and due to close within the next two weeks??!!

It sure feels good for me to see those "Pending" signs and it has been a real positive for visitors to the Big South Fork who came here for the fabulous trail riding during October, our best fall month, because Indian Rock Trail is directly across from True West, one of the area's best-known horse campgrounds.

For information about Big South Fork real estate or horse properties in Jamestown, Tennessee, go to http:www.trailridersrealestate.com

There's also a lot of information about the area at Tennessee Recreational Properties' website.

Trail riders from all over the country know that the Big South Fork National Park in Jamestown, Tennessee is called, "The Trail Riding Capital Of The Southeast, boasting the best riding east of the Mississippi on 180+ miles of trails. What they may NOT know is that there are another 130 miles of spectacular trails, south of town, at East Fork Stables, which are beautifully marked and maintained.

East Fork encompasses 12,000 acres, privately owned, and has 150 stalls as well as areas for picketing and pasture. In addition to the campsites, there are cabins ranging from primitive to deluxe, and everything you might need for a comfortable stay. There's a tack shop and and RV shop; you can get ice, propane, firewood, hay and shavings. You can arrange a guided ride. There's an on-call vet and farrier. There's even a photographer!

Their specialty is the always enjoyable annual events such as the Spring Wildflower Ride, Spring Fling, Fall Golden Leaf and Indian Summer Rides, as well as the annual Pig Roast and the Chili Cook-Off. They book one riding club after another, with meals on or off the trail, bonfires and bluegrass for entertainment. One day it's foxhunting, another day it's Civil War reenactments.

Everyone who comes to East Fork can't wait to come back! And, for local riders, there's a yearly pass for $75 or a day pass for $10 so no one needs to miss out on the fun!

For information about Big South Fork real estate or horse properties in Jamestown, Tennessee, go to www.trailridersrealestate.com

There's also a lot of information about the are on Tennessee Recreational Properties' website.

When you live here at the Big South Fork, it's inevitable that you will be going to Nashville at some point, for one reason or another. You may want to take a drive through the campus of Vanderbilt University, known as "The Harvard of The South."

Vanderbilt was founded in 1873 with a million-dollar endowment from "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, a New York entrepreneur who made his fortune in shipping and, later, in railroads. Although he was, at the time of his death, the wealthiest man in America, he is not a noted philanthropist. He initially intended to locate the university named in his honor on Staten Island where he was born and eventually buried. Instead, in choosing Tennessee, although he himself had never been to the south, Vanderbilt intended that his gift would help to heal the deep division caused by the Civil War.

Today, Vanderbilt is ranked 17th among colleges in the United States with four undergraduate schools and six graduate schools. Vanderbilt admissions are highly selective; in 2010, only 16.3% of undergraduate applicants were accepted. There are approximately 12,000 students on the 330-acre campus, located only a mile and a half from downtown Nashville.

The oldest part of the Vanderbilt campus is known for its abundance of green space and was designated a national arboretum in 1988, with over 300 species of trees and shrubs including one of every specie of tree that is indigenous to the state of Tennessee.

Vanderbilt is the largest private employer in Middle Tennessee and the state's second-largest employer overall, after FedEx.

The Vanderbilt University Medical Center is the only Level I Trauma Center in Middle Tennessee.

Vanderbilt's athletic teams are are called the Commodores in honor of the university's benefactor.

I'm proud to say that I hold a postgraduate degree from Vanderbilt, although my coursework was completed through the overseas program, thanks to the G.I. Bill, while I was an Air Force officer stationed at RAF Alconbury and I have only just now begun to appreciate my alma mater's magnificent campus.

For information about Big South Fork real estate or horse properties in Jamestown, Tennessee, go to www.trailridersrealestate.com

There's also a lot of information about the area on Tennessee Recreational Properties' website.

Fall is a favorite time of year for trail riding and nowhere more so than here in Jamestown, Tennessee, in Big South Fork National Park. With daytime temperatures in the 70's, riders enjoy those mellow fall days when the woods are a medley of reds and golds.

But riders are the only ones who get out there in the fall; riders must always be alert for ground nests of yellow jackets which commonly build nests below ground in old rodent burrows or other cavities such as rotten tree stumps or fallen logs, fence post bases or river banks and the edges of forested land. They are common in banks of dirt along the edges of the trail. The problem with ground nests is that you don't know they're there until you're on top of them and by then, it's too late! During "bee season" riders can minimize the risk of disturbing a ground nest by staying in the middle of the trail.

These so-called "ground bees" are not bees at all but a type of highly aggressive wasp in the hornet family, although they look a lot like bees with their black and yellow striped bodies. They are particularly dangerous in the fall, when the population of the nest is at its peak. Yellow jackets are highly defensive and will become very antagonistic when their nest is approached. Any vibration or loud noise can provoke this swarming behavior so trail riders must be particularly mindful. As the horse's hooves hit the ground, the vibrations can be felt in the ground nests, getting the yellow jackets stirred up. Usually one or two horses will pass without incident and then the riders and horses behind may suddenly be surrounded by stinging yellow jackets. Wasp venom contains a chemical "alarm pheromone," released into the air, signaling guard wasps to come and sting whomever and whatever gets in their way. You may have noticed that beekeepers always wear white suits; yellow jackets are repelled by light colors and attracted by dark colors so black and bay horses are more likely to be stung than white or light-colored horses. They also gravitate to dark holes like eyes, nostrils, mouth and ears. 

Horses that are stung will react violently to the sudden pain, usually by bucking. You will hear your riding companions yelling, "GO! GO! GO! BEES! GO!" and you must be ready to move quickly. Wasps and bees can fly about six to seven miles per hour so humans and horses can outrun them but they will follow relentlessly for quite a distance. Yellow jackets will sting more readily then most and have the capability to sting repeatedly.

They become particularly aggressive in the fall when their natural food supply, nectar and fruit pulp, is becoming scarce. Needing carbohydrates and certain proteins, they are attracted to human food such as sodas, juice, beer, sweets, hotdogs etc. When you're eating lunch on the trail, examine cans and other containers before drinking from them to check for stinging insects that may have flown inside.

Anyone with a known allergy or hypersensitivity should never ride alone since help may be needed to start prompt emergency treatment measures if stung. It is wise to carry or have an identification bracelet or necklace, such as "Medic Alert," to alert others when sudden shock-like (anaphylactic) symptoms or unconsciousness (fainting) occurs after one or more stings.

In any case, riders will want to put something like an "Afterbite" stick or cortisone cream to relieve a painful sting and some Benedryl tablets in their saddle bags. I also spray a product called "Bee Safe" on myself and my horse before a ride during late August and in September and October. It is natural, not chemical; the main ingredient is peppermint, which disrupts the insect's respiratory system. Instinctively, the insect senses danger and flies away. Since bees, wasps and yellow jackets are social insects, they have a unique communication system and they communicate the danger to others.

For information about Big South Fork real estate or horse properties in Jamestown, Tennessee, go to www.trailridersrealestate.com

There's also a lot of information about the area on Tennessee Recreational Properties' website.

Most horse owners buy their feed from a local tack shop, a farmers co-op or a hardware store and it's usually a brand name like Purina or Nutrena. Here in Big South Fork Tennessee, we can go to a real feed mill with a real miller and see the feed made right before our eyes.

It's not easy to find TOP Milling in Oneida, even with a GPS (or especially with a GPS) but, once someone takes you there the first time and shows you the way, you won't want to go anywhere else.

The feed looks and smells so good that you could probably eat a bowl of it yourself, with a little skim milk.

Owner Bob Thompson, an Oneida native, has worked the land all his life, in one way or another. When the Stearns Coal and Lumber company in nearby Stearns, Kentucky was actively harvesting timber from "the Big Survey" or what is now Big South Fork National Park, Bob worked as a sawyer from the time he was 19 until he turned 30. He then worked as a farmer for the next 27 years.

He was approached, in the fall of 1984, to open a feed mill. He bought an old mill in western Kentucky and it took him all the next summer "to haul it over." He had a partner but, as so often happens, his partner lost interest after several years and, in the mid-1990's, Bob had to make a choice to work full time as the miller or close the doors.

Now there are almost no farmers left but business is thriving. His customers, he says, "are people like you, who love their animals." He sells feed for horses, cattle, pigs, goats, chickens, sheep, llamas and even a camel. He diversifies by providing one-stop shopping for other livestock essentials such as horseshoes, supplements, wormer and fencing materials.

He has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of nutrition and customizes the feed from batch to batch, adding higher fat content or more biotin as the animals' needs dictate, and he can make up special recipes for those with food allergies. The secret, he says, is that the feed has to be more pleasing to the humans than to the animals!

For information about Big South Fork real estate or horse properties in Jamestown, Tennessee, go to www.trailridersrealestate.com

There's also a lot of information about the are on Tennessee Recreational Properties' website.

Big South Fork Tennessee is horse country but there's more to it than just saddling up and riding off down the trail. Just as you have a semi-annual checkup and cleaning at the dentist, horses also require regular dental care….but their dentists make house calls!

Horses masticate their food by grinding grain from side to side, which causes a ridge to form on the outside of their teeth. These sharp points are removed by filing with a rasp; the process is known as "floating" and the rasp itself is called a "float."

A horse's bit does not rest on his teeth but rather sits on the bars of his jaw, that is, on the space between his incisors and his molars. The bit must be comfortable for the horse; if it causes him pain, he will toss his head or he may refuse to let the rider put his bridle on or indicate that he does not want to be handled about the face.

Some horses develop "hooks" on the front or back surfaces of the tooth which will cut into the sensitive tissue on the inside of his cheeks. If the hooks are too long to be filed down with the float, they may have to be nipped off with a special tool. If a horse is missing a tooth, the opposing tooth will erupt into the space where the missing one should be, causing some problems. Some horses will also have wolf teeth. These are small premolars which appear on the upper jaw above and usually slightly ahead of the molars. These teeth are particularly troublesome as they are not set in the jawbone and the presence of a bit pressing against them can cause significant discomfort. Additionally, young horses will often experience discomfort when shedding their deciduous or "baby" teeth.

Horses with dental problems become harder to keep for no apparent reason; they may become thin no matter how their feed is increased. They may salivate excessively when eating, or eat slowly and with effort or they may continuously drop bits of half chewed food. The presence of undigested grain in their manure is also an indication that they may be having problems chewing. properly.

An appointment for dental care should be scheduled at least annually and many horse owners arrange for their large-animal veterinarian to float teeth as a matter of routine, along with regularly scheduled vaccinations. Some vets or equine dentists use a mouth speculum, a halter with a special mouthpiece that holds the horses jaw open (pictured), to provide easy access and eliminate the possibility of being bitten by their patient!

When you live in a horse community and are an active rider, when you and your horse have a busy social life, it is important to make sure that your equine companion has the care he needs to keep him safe and healthy. That includes regular worming, keeping his hooves trimmed, a schedule of annual or semi-annual shots and routine dentistry.

For information about Big South Fork real estate or horse properties in Jamestown, Tennessee, go to www.trailridersrealestate.com

There's also a lot of information about the area on Tennessee Recreational Properties' website.

Big South Fork Tennessee is renowned horse country, but it's so much more than just that. As visitors drive through Fentress County, they'll see bright quilt blocks hung on local barns. In fact, they may come here just to see the quilt blocks, following the Quilt Trail through 27 states and parts of Canada!

The concept of Quilt Barns started with a woman in Ohio who wanted to honor her mother's Appalachian heritage by having a painted quilt hung on her barn. The idea spread, not only brightening up barns but bringing tourists; now there are over 2,000 quilts participating in the Quilt Trail.

Under the auspices of the Sew Sweet Quilting Group in Jamestown, The Fentress County Quilt Trail took shape. After several local barn owners agreed to have a quilt block installed on their barns, art instructors at the Alvin C. York Institute, one of the area's high schools, volunteered to help with the designs and the Volunteer Electric Cooperative assisted in hanging the quilt blocks.

There are 17 barn quilts here in Fentress County now. These three are on Highway 52, between Allardt "four corners" and Jamestown. The Upper Cumberland Tourism Association is preparing brochures and maps for placement in local businesses and in rest stops along Tennessee's interstates.

The Quilt Trails have developed a large following as people plan their vacations to tour the country in order to see the quilts.

For information about Big South Fork real estate or horse properties in Jamestown, Tennessee, go to www.trailridersrealestate.com

There's also a lot of information about the are on Tennessee Recreational Properties' website.

Everyone who comes to ride in Big South Fork National Park ends up at Charit Creek Hostel, one way or another. It's a memorable experience and, for some, will be the highlight of their trip. Living here, it's a ride I love to take visitors on because I know how much they will enjoy it…and, truth be told, I NEVER tire of going and always look forward to it.

Charit Creek Hostel is, in fact, the only lodge within the boundaries of Big South Fork. Nestled in a scenic valley, the main structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was probably built around 1816 and added on to later. It is accessible only on foot or by horseback.

The original log cabin may have been built in the early 1800s by Jonathan Blevins, one of the area's original families. The house later became a hunting lodge known locally as "the hog farm" because then-owner, Joe Simpson, imported Russian boar for hunting in the early 1960s.

Charit Creek, the story goes, was named in memory of a young girl named Charity who drowned in the creek during a flash flood, in the 1920s.

The lodge has running water but no electricity, although staff do make use of a nearby generator. Each room is equipped with a kerosene lamp and a wood stove. Solar panels heat water, with screened windows and doors providing air conditioning in the summer.

Charit is known for its excellent meals, and groups delight in making a reservation for lunch. Horses are tied at the hitchin' rails, while riders are served pulled pork sandwiches at long tables in the cozy dining room. Along with that come bowls of brown beans, chips, rolls, lemonade and homemade chocolate-chip cookies. With tip, lunch runs around $11.

We ride the Station Camp Trail often, stopping at Charit Hostel with brown-bag lunches that we pull out of our saddlebags. It's a race to reserve a group of rockers on the long front porch because it's a well-known and popular stopping point for riders, hikers and mountain bikers.

To make a reservation for lunch or an overnight visit, call (865) 429-5704 or email reservations@charitcreek.com

For information about Big South Fork real estate or horse properties in Jamestown, Tennessee, go to www.trailridersrealestate.com

There's also a lot of information about the are on Tennessee Recreational Properties' website.

While there has been some controversy surrounding the re-population of black bears in the Big South Fork, there is none at all concerning the introduction of elk in Tennessee.

Loss of habitat and over-exploitation by man resulted in the disappearance of elk from the eastern United States and they have not been seen in Tennessee since 1865. At present Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina,Wisconsin, Arkansas and Kentucky have resident herds and several other eastern states are looking into the possibility of also reintroducing elk.

Elk have the potential to cause crop and property damage so the present elk restoration zone, some 670,000 acres on the Cumberland Plateau, was chosen since it contains a large amount of public land that has few agricultural crops and is composed of suitable habitat.

All elk released were ear tagged and fitted with radio collars so that their movements can be tracked. Elk that wander outside of the restoration zone are captured and moved back into it if possible, but an occasional elk has been known to wonder through Big South Fork National Park!

The initial elk released in Tennessee in December of 2000 came from Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada. The EINP elk herd is closely monitored for potential health problems and is considered one of the best sources of wild disease-free elk. For each release, approximately 75% of the elk were cows and 25% were bulls. For the safety of the animals, the bulls had their antlers removed prior to transporting them to Tennessee and mature bulls were transported apart from the rest of the animals.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has hired a full time elk biologist whose duties are primarily to increase the amount of habitat suitable for elk, which will help reduce conflicts with landowner interests.

With the Tennessee elk herd numbering a little over 300 head and having no known natural predators, the first elk hunt in almost 150 years took place in 2009. The 2010 statewide elk hunting season will be held October 18-22, with five permits issued for antlered bulls only.

It is hoped that the current population of elk will expand to a herd of 1400-2000, a figure that should be obtainable over the next 30 years.

The budget for the elk reintroduction project is approximately $300,000 per year with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) providing about half of the funding and the TWRA, the University of Tennessee and other groups chartered to provide the remainder.

For information about Big South Fork real estate or horse properties in Jamestown, Tennessee, go to www.trailridersrealestate.com

There's also a lot of information about the area on Tennessee Recreational Properties' website.