In Waynesvlle, North Carolina, there is a place where time is stopped. A place where houses still stand that were built in the 1900's, giving testimony about the people who lived there. A place where creeks flow, fresh and cool, carrying trout, and trees blow in the wind, whispering secrets to those who will be still enough to listen. This is the place that I grew up, the place where my soul is at peace.

I grew up along the creek banks in Cataloochee in the summers and falls of my childhood. My dad carried a fishing rod in his hand, taking me on the trails through the woods to fishing holes. From watching him, I learned how to navigate through laurels and briar patches. Hiking up Woody Creek, I was taught about stinging nettle along the creek that stung me when I brushed past it. I would wade behind Dad, carrying the bag of fish he caught. That was my job, and I took it seriously. I never dropped the bag of fish, because if I had, I would've been up a creek without a paddle, no pun intended. Dad and I got to the point where I understood his movements, and I got used to staying behind him, slightly to his left, so that his hook never caught me when he cast his fly. I got in the habit of slowly falling back from him so that I could move to the bank and walk along the woods. I would carry my camera to take pictures of what I stumbled upon as I walked. I usually ended up getting far behind Dad, and when he caught a fish I would have to wade quickly to catch up to him, and when we were done, I would sit next to Dad as he gutted his fish, showing me how to do it, and throwing the guts on me when I wasn't paying attention. After being in the creek, I always felt renewed and refreshed. I think the water of Cataloochee has a sort of magical quality to it, because I always feel new again after being in it.

It's amazing what you miss if you stay in the main parts of Cataloochee. Most people don't venture off the paved roads and cut out paths. My family isn't like most people. We make our own paths, go our own way. It amazes me that people only want to stay in the manicured parts of the park, because the beaten paths are where the magic happens. The times I like to visit the main parts of Cataloochee, such as the old houses and barns, is when there are no people around. Most people like to just walk in the houses really fast, take some pictures, complain about the smell a little, and get back to their air conditioned cars. I like to go when nobody is there, when it is quiet and a little creepy. I like to walk around to each of the rooms and stand in them for a little bit. People lived in those houses. They ate and slept and existed in those homes up until the 1930's when tourism in the Valley started, and the National Park Service took over to try and preserve the land. If I stay a while, sit down, and close my eyes, I like to think I can hear the left over conversations from the Caldwell or the Palmer families.

My family talks about a time before the Elk were introduced into Cataloochee Valley (Elk were reintroduced officially in 2002 to the valley). Reintroduction of elk brought lots of tourism into the area, and at any time throughout the day, people line the roads and the parking areas, gazing out into the fields, waiting for the Elk to make an appearance. For those of us that are in Cataloochee for more than the Elk, it gets quite annoying, because Cataloochee is more than a home for those Elk. I have gotten closer to an Elk walking through the woods with my dad than I have standing in the road, but people stay along the roadside with their binoculars in hand for hours. The increase in tourism makes it harder for locals to navigate through the park, and to fish and hike in peace. There are days, though, when there are no tourists in Cataloochee, and those days are the best.

I think that the purpose of me writing this is to put my feelings about Cataloochee into writing. I feel in a way that my family owns the creeks and the trails of Cataloochee. You ask my Dad or uncles anything about Cataloochee, and they will have an answer. As for me, I don't know as much as them, but I learn from them a lot. And if you ever decide to go with me to Cataloochee, you better be ready to go through the woods and creeks. I've been taught to wade and navigate by the best, so you better be ready to keep up.