A Few Days Home in WNC

Belle and I went home to Canton in July. Sadly, it wasn’t for pleasure. There were things in Mamaw and Papaw’s house I knew I had to gather before it was too late. Daddy’s bed. Mamaw’s table and butter churn. Pieces of them—pieces of us—that I couldn’t let slip away.

I knew heading back would be emotional, and it was. Stepping into that house felt like grief layered on grief. But I was determined not to let sorrow—or anyone else—steal my joy. We’d do the hard things, yes. But we’d also make time to honor our roots, soaking in every bit of the hillbilly lifestyle we could squeeze into a few days.

Here’s what that trip looked like:

A Few Days Home in WNC

Crabtree

As soon as we got back to Canton, I headed straight for Crabtree—one of my favorite places in the world. There aren’t any stores out there, no attractions to speak of, but it still feels like the Appalachia I grew up in. Quiet, honest, untouched. And the view from Upper Crabtree Community Cemetery? Absolutely breathtaking.

Jukebox Junction

After taking in the ridgelines and cattle farms, we headed to Jukebox Junction for lunch—a true Canton staple. I’ve been eating at that little spot on the Pigeon River for as long as I can remember. Styled like a 1950s diner, it’s got charm to spare and some of the best fried okra you’ll ever taste. And whatever you do, spring for a milkshake. Trust me—they’re worth every sip.

Dutch Cove

From there, we took a heartbreaking ride up to Dutch Cove. I stepped inside Mamaw and Papaw’s house, maybe for the last time. The front screen door was shattered, the ceiling sagged, and the floor felt soft under my feet. To call it emotional doesn’t come close—it felt like losing them all over again.

After that, I didn’t feel like doing much of anything. We checked into our Airbnb and stayed tucked away until supper.

Bogarts

When we finally emerged, it was to meet Kodecker for supper at Bogarts. It was one of Daddy’s favorite restaurants, so we ate there often growing up. I’ve got to hand it to him—he had good taste. After all these years, Bogarts is still one of my go-to spots. Everything on the menu is solid, but their fried green tomatoes? Out of this world.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Once our bellies were full, we needed a little pick-me-up. So we headed out to the Blue Ridge Parkway in search of fire on the mountain. It was too cloudy for the phenomenon to make an appearance, but we did catch beautiful sunset colors and share plenty of laughs. And honestly? I needed that more than anything.

Cherokee

The next morning, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was calling. First stop: Cherokee. It’s tradition for us. We strolled the main strip, ducking into little shops, and grabbed Subway to go for a picnic in the park.

The Mountain Farm Museum

After shopping, we headed to the Mountain Farm Museum. We grabbed our parking pass and wandered down the path to see the elk. And let me tell you—they did not disappoint. They were everywhere that day. I swear this mama and her calf posed for me.

Clingman’s Dome

From there, we followed Newfound Gap Road, pulling over here and there to take in the views, until we wound our way up to Clingman’s Dome. The sky was clear, the air cool—perfect conditions for the hike.

By the time we made it to the observation deck, the clouds rolled in thick and heavy. The view? Nonexistent. It rained on us the whole way back to the car. To Belle’s chagrin, I giggled about it.

That’s WNC for you—a temperate rainforest where a cloud can sneak up and swallow the view, leaving you soaked without warning.

Boojum’s Brewery

After a quick trip to the Airbnb to dry off and change, we headed to Boojum’s Brewery in Waynesville. It’s become a new favorite of mine. Named after my favorite Haywood County legend, Boojum and Hootenanny, the place is full of character. The food’s solid, the beer even better.

The Mast General Store

On our last morning, we made a beeline to the Mast General Store. It’s not a trip home to WNC if I don’t leave with a t-shirt—and lately, a Cheerwine chocolate bar. Best chocolate I’ve ever had, no exaggeration. I always stock up while I can, since they don’t ship.

Lake Junaluska

Next stop was Lake Junaluska. I wanted to film a few shots for a video about the Boojum legend, and I’ll never turn down a walk around the lake. It’s just as picturesque as it’s always been.

Joey’s Pancake House

All that exploring worked up an appetite, so I took Belle to Joey’s Pancake House. She’d never been, and the whole experience blew her mind—just like I knew it would.

There isn’t a restaurant in the world that can touch Joey’s pancakes. If you’ve never been, it’s a Haywood County must. Come prepared—breakfast is pricey, but worth every penny. And please, do yourself a favor: splurge on the real maple syrup. There’s no sense in paying that much for breakfast and drowning it in imitation.

The Road to Nowhere

Next on our list was the Road to Nowhere. It’s often depicted on influencers’ feeds as a quaint little spot in the Smokies with smiling snapshots and happy videos. But as a local with deep roots in Judson, Forney Creek, and other impacted areas, I would be lying if I said it didn’t chap my hind end a little.

The Road to Nowhere is a touchy subject for those of us who have ancestors buried on the North Shore. It isn’t a happy place. It’s a place of mourning. It should be treated with respect.

So we made the trip to film a video about it – and to remind visitors to be thoughtful of the locals when they visit.

The Nantahala National Forest

From there, we rode through the Nantahala Forest, stopping at every waterfall along the way—just like Mamaw and Papaw used to do when I was a kid. I wanted Belle to see them all. And she did!

Highlands

Our last waterfall of the day was Sequoyah Dam in Highlands. Manmade or not, it’s still breathtaking. I wish we’d had more time to explore, but we had to push on to Brevard.

Corky’s Dawg House

We ended the trip meeting Pastor Jimmy and his family for supper at Corky’s Dawg House. He and I became friends during Hurricane Helene—he passed along updates from Transylvania County when the spotlight was stuck on Asheville. That information helped me keep state reps informed, and it made a difference.

Breaking bread with his family was an honor. His young’uns are precious, his wife’s a gem—and the food? Delicious. It was actually so good that after we said our goodbyes, Belle and I went back inside to grab milkshakes for the road.

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Saying goodbye to WNC is never easy. Every trip feels like leaving a part of myself behind in those hollers. But carrying home Mamaw’s table, Papaw’s memories, and a few new stories with Belle helped soften the ache. That’s the beauty of those hills—they shape us, break us, and heal us, all at once.

Until next time, Haywood County.