This must be the place: ‘You can capture every instant, live your life like it’s a stage’
Wine and words at 5 Walnut in Asheville. Garret K. Woodward photo
Wednesday. Late morning. Another bluebird sky day here in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Warm rays of sunshine greeted my face when I stepped off the porch of my humble abode apartment in downtown Waynesville. Put the truck in drive and begin the day.
To preface, as per usual, I’m not really sure where this week’s column is headed in real time, all while my fingers are currently rolling across the keyboard. The slight rush of caffeine pushing through my veins while I sit in Panacea Coffee Company. The sounds of indie-rockers Blitzen Trapper echoing through my headphones.
And I felt an urge to just simply type and see if anything sticks to the walls of my mind, perhaps even circle back to the original point by the time you get to the last line on this page. The urge, you see, came while I put the truck in drive and merged onto a bustling Walnut Street, eventually towards our newsroom on Montgomery.
With all four windows of my quad-cab truck rolled down, I cruised down Walnut to Russ Avenue, the incessant construction of the two bridges ever-present (especially the noise when I try to sleep in). Motor over to the Starbucks drive-thru for a much-needed cappuccino. When I was handed the drink, I immediately noticed the barista scribbled “You Rock” on the cardboard cup. I smiled.
Onto Dellwood City Road. Drift by the Waynesville Elks Lodge and the new townhouses being built in haste next door, quickly casting a shadow over the nearby baseball field in dire need of repairs since being taken out by floodwaters due to Hurricane Helene last fall.
Drift by Charlie’s Corner, which is showing more activity in its renovation since it also was devastated and shut-down by Helene. It was my go-to spot to snag some cold domestic beers on my way home from work. Drift over the newly-reopened Frog Level bridge on Depot Street. The bridge remains old and tired, but the construction folks did a bang-up job is being able to keep it steady and usable until a more-permanent solution is found (or much-needed funds acquired).
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Drift by the once-inhabited buildings on Depot. Before Helene, these places brought so much life to the historic district. Now? It’s a ghost town mostly along this section of Depot. The front door of what used to be Cultivate Flower Shop still smeared with mud, the smell of which forever burned in the brains of all of us. To that, the former owners of Cultivate recently moved back to New York, the demise of their business a big factor. We miss them and wish them well.
Push up the hill on Depot. Wave to the owners of Singletree Heritage Kitchen at the intersection of Depot and Branner Avenue. Those folks are such a welcomed addition to our community. Greet them hello in passing out as they work on their garden before the lunch rush arrives like clockwork. A quick flashback in my memory when that building was a repair shop years ago, where I’d get my oil changed in the same spot as where the dining room is currently located.
Turn right onto Branner, up another hill and a left on Miller Street. Another right onto Montgomery. Roll up to the newspaper office like a bat out of hell, a slight cloud of dust enveloping the pickup truck when I throw the vehicle into park and grab for my workbag. Mosey on into the newsroom. Check my messages. Print out some interview transcripts to prepare for writing my articles and meeting deadlines.
Say hello to some of my co-workers. Enjoyable small chat about the weather and upcoming plans for the weekend. Wander back to my desk, this job as a journalist that I’ve been doing for 18 years professionally, 13 of which here at The Smoky Mountain News. Back to the truck with the windows rolled down. Sunshine. Pedal down.
Cruise Main Street. By beloved establishments I’ve supported for years: Boojum Brewing, Mast General Store, Haywood County Arts Council. By other buildings that once-housed spots dearly missed: Tipping Point Brewing, Earthworks Gallery, City Bakery, The Strand Theater. By spots somewhat new-to-town, but have quickly become pillars of Waynesville: Orchard Coffee, Axe & Awl Leatherworks.
Thirteen years and counting calling Waynesville home. I didn’t know a single soul when I first drove into town. All people and things familiar to me were (and remain) about 1,100 miles due north in Upstate New York. When I moved to Western North Carolina in 2012, I’d been to Asheville before, but I came to Waynesville sight unseen.
It’s truth. I jumped on this gig with the newspaper out of desperation for a full-time position and a deep need for creative fulfillment. Heck, I slept under my news desk that whole first week on the job until I was able to get my first paycheck and put down rent on an apartment. Luckily, these many years and countless stories later, I remain as curious and passionate about my work as ever.
And I remember those days. Back in 2012. Even then, Waynesville was a pretty quiet town. I remember folks saying how much the town has changed. And yet, I see so much change since I’ve been here, too. That’s just the ebb and flow of time and place, you know? Sheesh, I remember when the only place you get a cold beer and watch football on Sunday was Bogart’s Steakhouse. Now? Options galore.
No matter, for what truly means something is the continued magnet that Waynesville will always be when it comes to hardworking folks of pure intent who find themselves drawn to this region from origin points unknown. I myself was one of the pieces of shiny metal (probably a pinball in my restless nature) that was pulled in by the magnetic forces of good people and a genuine sense of community.
Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
