Ancient Lore Village

Iam at Ancient Lore Village in Knoxville, and I feel like I’ve stepped back in time. Or perhaps sideways through time, for this is not exactly a world of the past but a world of the imagination, a fantasy world of dwarves, elves, and fairies. I arrive just after noon with my girlfriend Annette and we are immediately given a tour of this strange world in which we’ve found ourselves, from the quaint and beautiful houses, to the axe and archery range, to the miles of hiking trails across the rolling hills in the distance. As a long-time

science fiction and fantasy fan, this is just the kind of thing I love.

We’re staying at Bokee’s Bungalow, a massive dwelling, partially underground, with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a dining table, a reading nook, and a main room where four chairs cluster around a stone fireplace. We both find our rooms delightful with perfect fantasy touches in every detail. There are logs and kindling provided, so Annette and I look forward to sitting together tonight by a roaring fire.

But there’s much to do before that—exploring this beautiful fantasy world. Eventually Annette and I sit by the cascading blue waterfall and work on our writing. This peaceful, calm setting is the perfect place to inspire us.

After this, we go to the axe and archery range for guided lessons from the staff. I stand poised with an arrow nocked, aiming at one of the many targets. Thwick. The arrow releases and hits the target, just a few inches from the bull’s eye. I smile. I’ll certainly take that. The axe throwing is just as fun. The staff

gives us lessons to make sure we’re completely safe. I poise with the axe raised above my head, then step forward and release, just as I was shown. The blunt handle of the axe impacts the corkboard and bounces off. Not quite the result I was looking for. I try again, this time starting slightly farther back. I throw the axe and the blade embeds itself into the corkboard, leaving a satisfying gash in the dead center of the target. Oh yeah, I think. This is going to be great.

After an hour at the range, we are led to dinner. It begins with a lettuce wedge topped with cheese, bacon, hard boiled egg, and tomato. For the main course, we’re served a delicious chicken with sides of mashed potatoes and broccoli. Finally, we scarf down some cake for dessert. I recline back in the chair, satisfied with an excellent meal.

Not only does Ancient Lore Village provide an excellent experience for guests, but they also care about making our community a better place. The night of our stay, they are holding a fundraiser for Breast Connect, a charity for breast cancer survivors. The executive director of Breast Connect said that the people at Ancient Lore “were very accommodating and helped us out tremendously on getting everything organized.”

Annette and I spend the evening reading by the warmth of the fireplace. On the mantle is a leather-bound guestbook full of reviews from satisfied customers. One of them is written in fantasy-style text complete with designs and illustrations in the margins. Afterward, we sit in the reading nook and watch Fellowship of the Ring, but after such a full day, I’m too tired to finish the movie.

The next morning, Annette and I check out, but we’re still able to hang out, so we explore the hiking trails, down Firefly Lane and Gremlin Path, before daring the trek to Yeti Peak where we’re greeted with a beautiful view of the village. A perfect conclusion to a wonderful trip.

If you want to visit Ancient Lore Village, go to their website to book your experience. This magical destination in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains is just 40 minutes from Farragut. Their unique village was designed around fostering community and creating unforgettable memories! Disconnect from the world and enjoy outdoor activities at this whimsical retreat.