Wildwood Lodge, Stables and Cabins next to Big South Fork

3636 Pickett Park Hwy, Jamestown, TN 38556-5881      Tel 931 879 9454        wildwoodbed@twlakes.net

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THE INNKEEPERS
The Founders
Reg and Julia Johnson married in England in 1970 and, after a full and varied career in European cuisine and hotel keeping; they immigrated to Tennessee in 1987.

Why? - well, Reg was born to an American GI and and English woman, married during WWII. He had only the name and one photo of his father, who divorced his wife while she was pregnant with Reg. At the age of 16, Reg starting searching for his father and finally found him when he was 38.

Why emigrate - after searching for so long,  Reg wanted to get to know his father and his half brothers and sisters.

Why to the US?  to Tennessee? to Jamestown? Reg's father came from the Pall Mall area and delighted in showing Reg where he was brought up and where many of his kinfolk still live.

They worked at Historic Rugby for a couple of years - that's when they learnt so much about the area and everything it has to offer. During this time they bought a shell of a building that was to become Wildwood Lodge. The sort of venture that if you had known how much time, money and stress would be needed, you would never have embarked on it - thankfully they didn't know! After two years hard work - and plenty of mistakes - they finally opened the first bedrooms.

They count themselves very lucky people - doing something to provide themselves with a living in a beautiful area that they absolutely love. It requires their constant attention and they never begrudge it. Even their hobbies are conducive to the business. Julia's love of gardening and wildlife has led to the creation of the wildflower trails over ten acres of grounds, primarily for conservation, but for your enjoyment too. Reg loves carpentry, so you'll come across his workmanship everywhere - all those secluded seating areas you will discover on the trails, the decks, all the wood work, the dining room table that seats 14, and, and, and...! To say nothing of his love of fine food.

See the master chef in action and the mistress of the house enjoying a well-earned change of scenery!

Sadly in 2007, Reg passed away, but he is with Julia still in all the fruit of his labor apparent in the Lodge.

The new partner
I, Clare Jung, Julia's sister, at last obtained my visa to join the team in 2001.

After a number of visits, I abandoned my career in international wholesale banking in the heart of Paris, France and came to good ole Tennessee.

I had the stables and 3 cabins built and run the administrative and marketing side  of Julia's business.

From a few flower pots on a balcony in Paris, I look after the land around the stables and like Julia, have fallen in love with flower gardening.  Despite Ju's warnings, I tend to invent a new flower bed each year - can't bear throwing away plants that I've divided....

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If you like this web page and need someone to design a simple, pleasing page for your business, contact Clare at Wildwood Lodge.

Updated November 21 2009 ©2007 Wildwood Lodge
Author : Clare Jung