Our Story
About BLK147
Offgrid Luxe at Blalock · Turtletown, Tennessee
From the Finger Lakes to the Blue Ridge
How BLK147 Came to Be
Rick and I — Ann — traded the rolling hills of our Finger Lakes farm for the Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee. It wasn't a small decision. But the land here, the hollows, the ridgelines, the way the mist settles in the mornings — it called to us in a way that was hard to explain and impossible to ignore.
Over the years, I've spent countless nights in hotels for work and travel, learning firsthand what separates a memorable stay from a forgettable one — or one you want to forget. The details matter. That experience shapes how we host.
We created BLK147 as a place to unplug, slow down, and experience Waldeinsamkeit — the solitude of the forest. We hope you'll find the same sense of peace here that inspired us to build this little corner of Appalachia.
— Ann & Rick, Innkeepers at BLK147
Waldeinsamkeit
"The feeling of solitude and connection with nature that comes from being alone in the forest."
A German word with no direct English translation. The feeling we built BLK147 to give you.
What We Stand For
How We Host
Cleanliness as a Standard
Every surface, every time. Mattresses and pillows are fully encased. Mattress pads are washed between every guest. We pay attention to the places other properties overlook — because the details are what you remember.
Intentionally Few Tents
We deliberately keep the number of sites small. Privacy, quiet, and a genuine sense of solitude are only possible when the property isn't crowded. You won't share your hollow with strangers.
Sustainability First
100% renewable electricity. Solar power. No single-use plastics. Eco-friendly cleaning products. Refillable water stations. We built BLK147 to tread lightly on the land we love.
Waldeinsamkeit
A German word with no direct English translation — the feeling of solitude and connection with nature that comes from being alone in the forest. That's what we built this place for.
147 Blalock Dr
Life on the Mountain
BLK147 sits on the side of a mountain at the edge of the Cherokee National Forest, across two natural hollows with significant changes in elevation throughout the property. The land is raw, unmanicured, and genuinely wild.
Fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables grow near the field kitchen. Chickens and goats roam freely on the mountain. The shared open-air field kitchen and firepit area sit at the heart of the property — a gathering place for mornings and evenings under the canopy.
Dark skies. Real quiet. The kind of stillness that takes a few hours to settle into — and that you'll miss the moment you leave.
Accessibility
Know Before You Go
BLK147 sits on the side of a mountain across two natural hollows with significant changes in elevation throughout the property. Guests should be prepared for uneven terrain, steep grades, and a genuine mountain environment. Hiking shoes and walking poles are recommended for all guests.
Guests arrive via a private driveway to a flat parking area near the field kitchen. All tent sites are reachable by hiking from the parking area; ORVs may be able to drive to tents.
Whisper 'Hollar' is nestled in the hollow just below the field kitchen. It's a short 1–2 mins hike — the closest and most accessible of our sites.
The Prospect sits near the SW corner of the property. Reaching it is a hike of 3 to 5 mins from the field kitchen area, with a steep climb of roughly 70' in elevation once you leave the hollow. The ascent is short but real.
Cell service is limited. Consider digital detox. WiFi is available at the field kitchen if you need to stay connected. T-Mobile has surprisingly good service.
BLK147 · Est. April 2026
"Guests deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing their space has been cared for as thoughtfully as their experience."
BLK147 has been welcoming guests since April 2026.
What Guests Are Saying
Guest Reviews
Get in Touch
We'd Love to Hear From You
Questions about the property, accessibility, or what to pack? Reach out — Ann or Rick will get back to you personally.