About this Episode:
We are joined by our special guest, Patrick Womack, a Presbyterian Minister and Native of Haywood County, now serving as Teaching Pastor of Bay Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs, Florida.
He is a graduate of Western Carolina University and the Reformed Theological Seminary and has been a full-time Pastor since 1992. Patrick is also a renowned local historian and a superb storyteller who has produced many historical works for his family and friends.
He enjoys writing, hiking, hunting, and fishing in his spare time. Joseph McElroy and Patrick will talk about Cataloochee Valley in the Smokies.
Connect with Patrick:
Connect with our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy:
Check out our Social Media:
SHOW NOTES:
SEGMENT 1
Joseph McElroy starts off the show by introducing himself, his relationship with the Smokies, and his drink of choice for the hour. After talking about an upcoming apple festival, McElroy introduces Patrick Womack and asks him a few questions about his upbringing and how he ended up in the Church he works in today. They then go into greater detail about the mentors Womack had throughout his life and how they affected him. Womack recounts his experiences with his grandparents and a terminally ill man and the wisdom they imparted onto him. They finish off the segment with depictions of a few funny stories from their times and sharing a few laughs
SEGMENT 2
They return in segment 2 to talk about Womack’s vintage jeep and how he came to own it. They discuss why Womack feels a connection with history and how it came to be. Afterward, Womack describes a few stories that happened in the valley of Cataloochee, such as how they could dip a tray into the river and pick up a trout for dinner and the reaction of the people when they learned that they had to move due to the government.
SEGMENT 3
They return to talk about the most beautiful spots in the Smokies and the Cataloochee valley that Womack hiked through. The conversation shifts from that to how Womack got into ministry. Originally, he didn’t think he was the type to be a preacher, but he first thought about it after running for school president and realizing he could do public speaking well (or as his grandma called it, making a talk). Next, Womack summarizes the history of tiny Indian towns in Haywood County after their territory was pushed West.
SEGMENT 4
When they come back, McElroy starts off asking why Womack doesn’t drink and a few recommendations for barbeque, including in New York. Finally, McElroy asks what a day in Womack’s life looks like, discussing the best places for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and things to do between all them according to Womack.
TRANSCRIPT
00:02:52.590 –> 00:02:53.490 Joseph McElroy: howdy.
00:02:53.580 –> 00:03:08.400 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns these areas filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history, and rich mountain culture that we explore with the weekly episode.
00:03:12.690 –> 00:03:21.210 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains
00:03:21.480 –> 00:03:26.820 Joseph McElroy: My family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.
00:03:27.360 –> 00:03:44.700 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re gonna talk about a little history of Cataloochee Valley and other things about life in the smokies but first will talk about our sponsors now imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past at modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian.
00:03:45.870 –> 00:03:59.130 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill then catch on fire eat accompanied by fine wine craft beer.
00:03:59.910 –> 00:04:08.880 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music and world cultural sale, there is no other place like Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina.
00:04:13.320 –> 00:04:15.600 Joseph McElroy: Your smoky mountain adventure starts, with where you stay.
00:04:16.980 –> 00:04:27.330 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention that today I’m having a nice beer called soul nation from innovation brewery in Silver North Carolina they say that this particular.
00:04:27.930 –> 00:04:37.290 Joseph McElroy: brand this particular vintage is a unique IP a result of service collaborative community and it’s brought together by lovable beer and tea.
00:04:38.940 –> 00:04:49.440 Joseph McElroy: The beverage is a beverage like no other that exemplifies the manifestation of people working together so food or you can practically taste the Rainbow.
00:04:50.280 –> 00:04:58.560 Joseph McElroy: it’s actually quite good I don’t I find it to be very IPA not too fruity, but I think that there’s a nice flavor to it so.
00:04:58.830 –> 00:05:09.150 Joseph McElroy: This is what I’m drinking today, you know that the mountains have lots of breweries, I think that Asheville alone has like 38 breweries so it’s a great place to come and sample the fruits.
00:05:13.860 –> 00:05:17.850 Joseph McElroy: All the things that are going to make you a hoppy beer.
00:05:19.410 –> 00:05:29.790 Joseph McElroy: Coming up in Waynesville in October is a festival that I recommend you all go to it’s on October 16 is the annual apple harvest festival.
00:05:30.330 –> 00:05:40.110 Joseph McElroy: And it’s in its 34th year of operation it’s a fun family-friendly festival and it’s owned and operated by the Haywood county chamber of commerce.
00:05:40.410 –> 00:05:50.070 Joseph McElroy: And they take over the streets of downtown way enjoy fill it with almost 200 arts and crafts booth food concessions music partners and more.
00:05:50.490 –> 00:05:58.980 Joseph McElroy: We have a lot of street dances in Waynesville and that’s been going on since I was a kid and they do more street dances with this festival.
00:05:59.580 –> 00:06:09.990 Joseph McElroy: There be local apple grows and set up on the street to sell delicious mountain-grown apples that have a vast variety and there’ll be many vendors are selling apple cider.
00:06:16.650 –> 00:06:26.400 Joseph McElroy: That is October 16 in Waynesville North Carolina and it’s not too far from Maggie Valley, where you can state the Meadowlark motel and come visit Waynesville for that event.
00:06:26.820 –> 00:06:33.330 Joseph McElroy: So today’s episode I mentioned is back Cataloochee Valley and I had somebody here that’s been quite a bit in the history of that.
00:06:34.260 –> 00:06:45.810 Joseph McElroy: His name is Patrick Womack, he is a Presbyterian minister and a native of Haywood County who’s now serving as a teaching pastor of Bay Presbyterian church and Bonita Springs Florida.
00:06:46.380 –> 00:06:54.780 Joseph McElroy: He’s a graduate of Western Carolina for University and the reformed theological seminary and has been a full-time pastor since 1992.
00:06:55.380 –> 00:07:10.590 Joseph McElroy: he’s also a renowned local historian and superb storyteller imagine as a ministry probably is who’s produced many historical works for his family and friends and enjoys writing, I think.
00:07:14.670 –> 00:07:15.090 Joseph McElroy: Doing.
00:07:16.830 –> 00:07:18.180 Patrick Womack: doing well, thank you, Joseph.
00:07:18.600 –> 00:07:19.410 Joseph McElroy: Patrick you doing good.
00:07:20.040 –> 00:07:21.630 Patrick Womack: Everyone joining the show.
00:07:22.200 –> 00:07:24.510 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve only been in Florida for about a year right.
00:07:25.170 –> 00:07:26.370 Patrick Womack: that’s right just over a year.
00:07:26.820 –> 00:07:31.980 Joseph McElroy: So how are you serving mostly time in Waynesville how’d you end up in Florida lately.
00:07:33.120 –> 00:07:40.140 Patrick Womack: Well that’s a that’s an interesting story course born and raised in Haywood county and stay there until graduating from Western.
00:07:40.770 –> 00:07:49.380 Patrick Womack: With the Mississippi to seminary and then I was in the Charlotte area for about 18 years before coming back to Wayne’s world a pastor my home church for about 10 years and then.
00:07:49.770 –> 00:07:58.620 Patrick Womack: This church contacted me out of the blue, and that began a conversation, and after a lot of prayer and consideration we with the load up and moving to Florida.
00:07:59.040 –> 00:08:00.750 Patrick Womack: yeah it’s been a blessing.
00:08:01.020 –> 00:08:02.010 Joseph McElroy: With the warm weather.
00:08:04.320 –> 00:08:14.310 Patrick Womack: Well I’ll tell you what it was nice back in January in February, seeing all those snow pictures when I was sitting out on the back porch sipping on the Fruit Punch and just watching world.
00:08:16.500 –> 00:08:19.710 Joseph McElroy: This is sort of you know you’re working retirement right.
00:08:21.540 –> 00:08:21.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah.
00:08:22.230 –> 00:08:24.810 Patrick Womack: Well, in my line of work, I don’t know about retirement.
00:08:25.020 –> 00:08:32.100 Joseph McElroy: I know that’s what I’m saying you’re not going to quit, so this is your people retire in Florida, so I thought it might be your work and retire.
00:08:35.700 –> 00:08:36.990 Patrick Womack: here to teach them how to drive.
00:08:37.290 –> 00:08:37.650 yeah.
00:08:39.450 –> 00:08:46.620 Joseph McElroy: so well, this is a first for our show where you’re the first ordained Minister that we’ve had as a guest.
00:08:47.550 –> 00:08:51.510 Joseph McElroy: So I’ll try to be a good behavior but I don’t think I’ve started off really very well.
00:08:53.550 –> 00:08:56.460 Joseph McElroy: So so we’re in Haywood county where you raised.
00:08:57.360 –> 00:08:59.940 Patrick Womack: raised on the high creek, my mom and dad.
00:09:01.170 –> 00:09:14.520 Patrick Womack: will normally team Jean and Charlie Wyoming settle upon the head of high creek built House there and what’s known as Ochsner cove so I grew up there and then between it and my grandparents place on plot creek That was my tramping around.
00:09:19.470 –> 00:09:27.150 Joseph McElroy: Is it say yeah those are nice areas to grow up and I remember growing up as well, what are your fondest memories of growing up here in a boot camp.
00:09:28.050 –> 00:09:40.410 Patrick Womack: Oh, I don’t know just blessed to have a wonderful family mom and dad really loved us and took care of us, and so I had free range of our property up there on the high creek and I love being in the woods and then.
00:09:41.010 –> 00:09:45.120 Patrick Womack: We were within a couple of miles and my mom’s parents bill and Natalie Winchester.
00:09:46.080 –> 00:10:01.290 Patrick Womack: And so I had a lot of good have a lot of good memories of doing farm work and just tramping around there, I really it’s just being with family growing up my dad’s mother live close by, and we were just really blessed to be around a lot of really good people.
00:10:02.130 –> 00:10:05.970 Joseph McElroy: I thought you were gonna say coming up to just go and see me and your brother wrestling.
00:10:07.410 –> 00:10:10.530 Patrick Womack: that’s on the list, but you know you tell me, we only have so much time.
00:10:16.830 –> 00:10:26.550 Joseph McElroy: So you know I am I understand you know the plot, I see to be on the show, and he told me a little bit about you and I knew that I knew of us, I remember sort of remember you coming up watching us.
00:10:26.580 –> 00:10:35.700 Joseph McElroy: uracil so, but he said he mentioned that you were fortunate you felt that you were fortunate to have some great older mentors when you were a boy, can you tell us a little bit about them.
00:10:36.360 –> 00:10:49.650 Patrick Womack: Oh yeah, of course, in addition to my parents who obviously were key in my life grandparents and our grandfather, especially or she graduated high school and my brother Dan and he can tell you as much as I can but.
00:10:51.060 –> 00:10:59.430 Patrick Womack: Paul was just a tremendous influence and all of our lives, we spent a lot of time in the garden tobacco patch hayfield and.
00:10:59.940 –> 00:11:10.020 Patrick Womack: Just was a kind compassionate gracious person to be around and I just loved hearing him talk about growing up and I don’t know why that we’re just interested in that, from an early age.
00:11:10.350 –> 00:11:10.830 huh.
00:11:11.880 –> 00:11:12.360 Joseph McElroy: What kind of.
00:11:16.440 –> 00:11:28.140 Joseph McElroy: Food here my grandfather find scrape you know, and you go out the FAR and you get to pick blackberries or wild strawberries, and you get to see the cows, you can maybe get lucky enough to cut back a.
00:11:30.000 –> 00:11:30.690 Patrick Womack: lot of that.
00:11:30.960 –> 00:11:44.310 Joseph McElroy: Right and be part of that whole you know, a real rural amount of experience, so I think there is a great deal of mentorship and just that sort of wisdom of the land right.
00:11:45.120 –> 00:11:55.890 Patrick Womack: Absolutely, and you know what not only him, but it was a lot of neighbors around us now that I look back, people who came in my grandmother’s stores he ran high creek grocery their own high creek and.
00:11:56.430 –> 00:12:05.640 Patrick Womack: A lot of older folks came there and then a distant cousin Alan hi who was he had a terminal cancer non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
00:12:06.240 –> 00:12:14.490 Patrick Womack: And he spent a lot of time with me, we would sit out on his front porch and he just told me all kinds of stories, and so there was just a lot of people who fed into my
00:12:14.700 –> 00:12:15.360 interest.
00:12:18.630 –> 00:12:19.260 Joseph McElroy: That.
00:12:20.520 –> 00:12:25.950 Joseph McElroy: How do you, what do you think how would What would you say is that was the biggest impact in later life.
00:12:27.180 –> 00:12:36.420 Joseph McElroy: yeah what how did they teach you away living that they give you some wisdom that you just take us through your whole life that you remember as being like really impactful.
00:12:37.350 –> 00:12:43.260 Patrick Womack: Oh yeah definitely um you know, and my grandfather, especially, along with my parents, of course.
00:12:44.430 –> 00:12:51.900 Patrick Womack: was just a good example it wasn’t always things that were said it was just noting the way that he and they were respected.
00:12:52.710 –> 00:13:03.960 Patrick Womack: Among the people in the Community, and you know that guess that sort of put a desire in me to kind of thing I’d like to be like that when I grow up now still think that when I grow up, I would still like to be like them.
00:13:05.400 –> 00:13:20.130 Patrick Womack: And so, watching them and just seeing that that kind of sound solid integrity and standing in the Community was was meaningful for me, for some reason it just made an impression on me but otherwise just all kinds of wisdom.
00:13:21.150 –> 00:13:28.200 Patrick Womack: That they used to dispense you know along the way, best we could talk about that all evening I suppose.
00:13:28.410 –> 00:13:37.680 Joseph McElroy: I suppose yeah we know when I would go visit my grandfather my dad would open up talk about stories from the beginning, the funny stories I don’t remember.
00:13:38.010 –> 00:13:42.750 Joseph McElroy: If you had some of them it’d be one about my grandfather going out trying to shoot a musket and end up.
00:13:43.200 –> 00:14:02.880 Joseph McElroy: Forgetting to take out the stick and you know and then shoot the stick out in the sheet stick get the squirrel and then another one about you know my dad I think it was a tall tale fallen into the river and getting up with the 12 fishing this past.
00:14:05.640 –> 00:14:08.040 Joseph McElroy: Do you have Do you remember the funny stories from.
00:14:08.220 –> 00:14:18.390 Patrick Womack: That time that you grow it kind of hit me on the spot, but yeah I can think about some have Paul said he his father he’s talked about a fellow who was building a wagon and they came along and.
00:14:18.960 –> 00:14:31.080 Patrick Womack: And they were watching him and he was working on the wagon they had he taken a piece of charcoal and mark to be the letter b on both ends of the wagon man and they asked him said what in the world that for and he said.
00:14:31.560 –> 00:14:37.770 Patrick Womack: let’s so I can tell one from the other he said it’s me from before and before behind so I’ll know how to put it on the chassis.
00:14:44.130 –> 00:14:52.560 Patrick Womack: Also may recap are talking about a fellow who was coming through frog Level one time and they had that old bridge there across ritual and create near were the how a meal was.
00:14:53.520 –> 00:14:56.520 Patrick Womack: And the boy hit the side of the bridge and it.
00:14:57.180 –> 00:15:09.270 Patrick Womack: hurling through the windshield of the whole model T and E skidded on the pavement or the gravel out there and just nearly took all of his clothes off and they said what in the world happened, he said he admitted to it, he said, well, I got into some dandelion one.
00:15:09.990 –> 00:15:15.780 Patrick Womack: He said that was coming up the street there, and he said look like they were three bridges, so he said I just took the one in the middle.
00:15:23.160 –> 00:15:29.730 Joseph McElroy: Well, now that’s just the that’s the stories of our youth I really appreciate growing up with them.
00:15:30.240 –> 00:15:39.570 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break, right now, when we come back we’re going to talk a little bit more about you got a vintage jeep and other couple interesting things I think we will talk about.
00:15:40.050 –> 00:15:40.470 Okay.
00:18:01.290 –> 00:18:14.310 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy turned to learn how to use the tools of my tray here, but this is the gateway to the smokies podcast and I have my guests here, Patrick Womack. So Patrick.
00:18:15.990 –> 00:18:16.470 Joseph McElroy: In.
00:18:19.740 –> 00:18:24.960 Joseph McElroy: History a little you know spirituality a little any number of things, but I think.
00:18:26.100 –> 00:18:31.890 Joseph McElroy: You have something that represents both in a way, you have your own a www.twovintagejeep right.
00:18:33.900 –> 00:18:44.730 Patrick Womack: yeah it’s a 1946 CJ to a so technically it’s a civilian G that the previous owner painted to look like an army G but it’s made all out of surplus parts.
00:18:45.390 –> 00:18:48.120 Joseph McElroy: And why did you how did you end up with that, why did you part.
00:18:49.590 –> 00:18:51.660 Patrick Womack: I just always wanted an old jeep and so.
00:18:51.660 –> 00:18:58.740 Patrick Womack: yeah just started looking for one and a guy had it in a garage down in Fort mill with that I looked at it anyway ended up buying it.
00:18:59.310 –> 00:19:00.750 Joseph McElroy: Did you restore yourself.
00:19:01.380 –> 00:19:05.070 Patrick Womack: No, it was good to go I’ve done very little to it.
00:19:05.700 –> 00:19:07.410 Joseph McElroy: And you have any other vintage vehicles.
00:19:08.340 –> 00:19:12.570 Patrick Womack: No that’s pretty much it lets you kind of 2012 Honda accord.
00:19:13.980 –> 00:19:15.270 Joseph McElroy: call that I call it vintage.
00:19:20.880 –> 00:19:22.140 Joseph McElroy: Sport vehicle right.
00:19:23.880 –> 00:19:24.840 Joseph McElroy: i’m sorry what was then.
00:19:25.110 –> 00:19:30.540 Joseph McElroy: So I said I said, there must be some historic, there must be some pleasure and having a historic vehicle.
00:19:31.050 –> 00:19:39.660 Patrick Womack: Oh, I love drama yeah yeah it’s just you know it’s simple and reminds me of a simpler time and it’s just a fun number.
00:19:40.920 –> 00:19:43.050 Joseph McElroy: So we have Alex McKay.
00:19:44.250 –> 00:19:56.370 Joseph McElroy: Okay, I was a previous guest the local historian here, so you to have a lot of now, I think, similar interest what did you become interested in local history.
00:19:56.820 –> 00:20:03.540 Patrick Womack: Well, first of all, let me say Alex is bonafide so it makes me feel better to know you’ve had some legitimate knowledgeable guests on here.
00:20:05.370 –> 00:20:18.720 Patrick Womack: I don’t know I just kind of was born with this crazy idea and I want to know old things I really cannot explain it can think back in my earliest childhood just liked hearing about old stuff and.
00:20:19.320 –> 00:20:20.850 Patrick Womack: have just carried it through life with me.
00:20:24.420 –> 00:20:37.650 Joseph McElroy: mm hmm and you haven’t you come up you know deep roots connections in this in this in this county and the families here like the plot family who the plot brought you on here, you know Hello Hello has your family been around here.
00:20:38.340 –> 00:20:39.840 Patrick Womack: So, on my mother’s side.
00:20:40.860 –> 00:20:49.050 Patrick Womack: About eight generations her grandmother was cooler before she married a Winchester and the McClure’s moved into Haywood county.
00:20:49.950 –> 00:21:03.900 Patrick Womack: sometime in the last decade of the 1700s and then the wind Chester’s have been in a wood county since 1829 1830 and then a number of other family names Hawkins Ochsner.
00:21:04.920 –> 00:21:06.120 Patrick Womack: Just several.
00:21:07.320 –> 00:21:16.740 Joseph McElroy: that’s nice to have those deep connections with, especially when you talk about history, so you know how you sell yourself short but I call you an expert His story it’s about.
00:21:21.000 –> 00:21:22.200 Joseph McElroy: valley of Cataloochee
00:21:23.670 –> 00:21:29.730 Joseph McElroy: it’s stored and beautiful it’s National Park, can you talk about your connection with that.
00:21:30.510 –> 00:21:44.760 Patrick Womack: Yes, I can initially my connection came through my aunt who married Harley Caldwell, who was the last person born up there among those old families, maybe not 1938 he was born 1937.
00:21:45.240 –> 00:21:56.220 Patrick Womack: So his parents were still living in my childhood and even though, what I wouldn’t directly relate to them about marriage called the memo and that ball Caldwell Jarvis and bonnie Caldwell.
00:21:56.820 –> 00:22:09.900 Patrick Womack: And that was my initial connection, but then I also do have a family connection, my great grandmother whitener was a hall in she was born there in Cataloochee
00:22:10.980 –> 00:22:29.070 Patrick Womack: And the whole family which it’s settled in just after the civil war, my great great great grandfather John Wesley hall moved in after in some form or fashion, fighting with the Union, he moved out of East Tennessee into the valley in the 1860s so that’s my direct to.
00:22:30.150 –> 00:22:34.290 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then you got asked to be.
00:22:36.300 –> 00:22:42.840 Joseph McElroy: The interviewer for a local project that interview, a lot of the descendants right.
00:22:43.200 –> 00:22:49.860 Patrick Womack: Yes, so I moved back to Waynesville in 2010 when my own church called me to be the pastor.
00:22:50.490 –> 00:22:58.380 Patrick Womack: And immediately well pretty soon after moving back became involved in Haywood county’s historical and genealogical society.
00:22:58.920 –> 00:23:08.880 Patrick Womack: And they had the idea of trying to do these interviews of the last generation of Cataloochee because we only have a handful of people, they have to were actually born in the valley.
00:23:10.020 –> 00:23:20.580 Patrick Womack: So I became involved in that project to doing those interviews and then that developed into a documentary that was sponsored jointly by that organization and Western Carolina University.
00:23:26.820 –> 00:23:30.210 Joseph McElroy: And you really interesting people that you interviewed on that documentary.
00:23:30.810 –> 00:23:42.810 Patrick Womack: Oh wonderful people you know I think Mr. Paul woody, for example, who born, I guess 1920 or thereabouts on a little Cataloochee
00:23:43.320 –> 00:23:58.050 Patrick Womack: just listening to him tell stories about being born their own woody creek and how his mother on evenings when she had not had a chance to prepare supper could just go out with a dishpan and dip a massive trout out of the creek with a dish fan.
00:23:58.680 –> 00:23:59.880 Patrick Womack: and have enough for supper.
00:24:01.020 –> 00:24:02.910 Patrick Womack: And just a whole host of other.
00:24:02.910 –> 00:24:05.400 Joseph McElroy: folks that had to be a little bit tall too
00:24:07.020 –> 00:24:12.810 Patrick Womack: know you know if you read how abundant the trout used to be in those streams.
00:24:13.860 –> 00:24:22.380 Patrick Womack: yeah Turkey George Palmer going to last bottom creek and catching 200 trout course Turkey George did tend to you know.
00:24:23.070 –> 00:24:33.840 Patrick Womack: inflated numbers, a little bit, but they are others who testified of the amount of trout that run those streams I really don’t bout that story at all I think it’s entirely credible that she did that.
00:24:34.620 –> 00:24:42.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, I mean that would be a wonderful existence just go out and dip it in and pull out your trout having for dinner because they’re good to eat.
00:24:43.560 –> 00:24:44.970 Joseph McElroy: I’ve always had to work to catch.
00:24:45.660 –> 00:24:47.430 Patrick Womack: yeah they’re not like that now.
00:24:47.520 –> 00:24:52.590 Joseph McElroy: No they’re not like that out anybody else that told you to story that you remember that’s really good.
00:24:53.310 –> 00:24:54.750 Patrick Womack: Oh, there is a host of them.
00:24:55.920 –> 00:24:56.580 Patrick Womack: I can.
00:24:58.200 –> 00:25:06.810 Patrick Womack: You know, think about Raymond called will, who was born and raised there and what’s now Palmer Cree back in the older generation, it was known as Indian Creek and.
00:25:07.380 –> 00:25:15.690 Patrick Womack: You know, he talked about the old grist mill and his father operated there and how somebody in the Community gotten the idea that.
00:25:16.200 –> 00:25:22.650 Patrick Womack: He had told on them because they would come in there, and you know the millstones were close together to make cornmeal.
00:25:23.130 –> 00:25:33.000 Patrick Womack: And sometimes people would slip in there at night and spread those stones out a little bit to crack corn so that they could use it to this still liquor and they had done that, and.
00:25:34.080 –> 00:25:40.380 Patrick Womack: Raymond said somebody got the idea that his father Jarvis and informed on them, because the revenue or showed up so.
00:25:40.740 –> 00:25:48.720 Patrick Womack: They were in there one-day Millen and somebody slipped up behind his dad and knocked him in the head knocked him out, but he said his dad just laughed about anyone any big deal.
00:25:50.790 –> 00:25:57.570 Patrick Womack: And, and then he had a cousin who took an electricians correspondence course through a school in Chicago.
00:25:58.110 –> 00:26:03.300 Patrick Womack: Who figured out how to rig up a little mag neato and he put it on that grist mill.
00:26:03.780 –> 00:26:14.880 Patrick Womack: And it produced enough electricity They ran a power cord down to their house just about a quarter of a mile away and they were able to run a couple of lights and radio off of that little generator on their wrist meal so.
00:26:15.240 –> 00:26:17.070 Joseph McElroy: It must have starred with Community man.
00:26:20.520 –> 00:26:21.480 Patrick Womack: That was a cool story.
00:26:25.980 –> 00:26:31.020 Joseph McElroy: an interview that there were they a little wistful about not being about that hope that that that Valley.
00:26:31.770 –> 00:26:38.490 Patrick Womack: You know, it was a mixture, they were folks who remembered very well being angry and bitter about having to move off that.
00:26:39.030 –> 00:26:48.150 Patrick Womack: Most of them, you know so on as a mixed blessing, they said, you know, we had to give up our land, but you know the lands been preserved at least we can go back to it now and it hasn’t been developed.
00:26:50.490 –> 00:26:59.850 Patrick Womack: Remember it’s funny this just jumped in my head, there was one fellow who had negotiated pretty hard with his property and he finally got a check.
00:27:00.510 –> 00:27:10.440 Patrick Womack: From the government for his land and they were making plans to move out and he got angry, his wife, because she was supposed to take the check to Waynesville and deposit in the bank.
00:27:11.010 –> 00:27:17.670 Patrick Womack: And that was going to be what they used to bother next farm to live on well she’d gotten busy and didn’t take it.
00:27:18.330 –> 00:27:31.290 Patrick Womack: And he was all upset about that, but then he found out later had she taken that check the Waynesville the bank had gone out of business, it went broke and had she did it, they would have lost everything.
00:27:31.560 –> 00:27:32.550 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness.
00:27:33.570 –> 00:27:36.390 Patrick Womack: Joseph that story that came out after the depression, you know the great.
00:27:38.070 –> 00:27:48.630 Joseph McElroy: wow yeah no, it was an interesting time they’re moving out things are happening pretty bad at that time and you know made room for the great smoky mountain National Park right.
00:27:49.020 –> 00:27:52.560 Joseph McElroy: I mean I don’t know how many people, I guess, we started talking about explaining it, but the.
00:27:52.560 –> 00:28:07.620 Joseph McElroy: Cataloochee, one of the most beautiful places to visit and the great smoky mountains National Park, and it was inhabited up until the well probably a long time ago by the territory and then more recently by old.
00:28:08.490 –> 00:28:20.820 Joseph McElroy: Old mostly Scotch Irish settlers up until the 30s when they were paid to leave after some negotiations to help create.
00:28:24.090 –> 00:28:27.360 Joseph McElroy: So there were a lot of decisions around leaders any left.
00:28:28.680 –> 00:28:30.450 Joseph McElroy: You know if there’s a descendant left.
00:28:32.820 –> 00:28:33.510 Patrick Womack: Of.
00:28:34.830 –> 00:28:38.700 Joseph McElroy: Cataloochee Valley, are those people you interviewed, are there any I’m still living.
00:28:39.030 –> 00:28:48.450 Patrick Womack: there’s just a handful left and the only ones who are left now there are very few that actually have a living memory of being there.
00:28:49.230 –> 00:28:52.080 Patrick Womack: our so-called will would be one who remembers it from childhood.
00:28:52.860 –> 00:29:05.220 Patrick Womack: But when Raymond call will pass away a couple of years ago, I think he was probably the last one you actually remembered farming and doing actual work and taking capital up on those Ridge tops that generation is pretty well going.
00:29:05.790 –> 00:29:11.970 Joseph McElroy: But, did you go up and visit quite a bit when you were doing this, you know some of the hiking trails or anything up in the couch about.
00:29:12.330 –> 00:29:30.480 Patrick Womack: Oh I’ve hiked every trail I have gone off-trail I’ve found because the trails under their name aren’t necessarily the ones that the people used and so I’m trying to locate all of those old trails and home places that I possibly could have to scour that valley from one end to the other.
00:29:31.680 –> 00:29:39.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know, it was a great place to go up back in the day didn’t church group fill their camp up there, and have revivals and things like that they still do today.
00:29:40.590 –> 00:29:44.280 Patrick Womack: I’m not sure I do know that they were selling to the Greek campground and do that.
00:29:44.640 –> 00:29:47.670 Joseph McElroy: yeah I remember that back in the day yeah.
00:29:48.720 –> 00:29:54.810 Joseph McElroy: But it was you know it’s a lovely place around here so what’s your favorite hiking trail up there.
00:29:56.220 –> 00:30:02.490 Patrick Womack: Oh, it depends on what day you asked me, probably, all in all, I enjoy most going up Palmer creek.
00:30:04.050 –> 00:30:17.220 Patrick Womack: Pretty hollow trail, and then on up you know toward last bottom creek the tops of those ranges those are probably the go-to places I like to get up high as fast as I can, so you know elation.
00:30:17.880 –> 00:30:21.360 Joseph McElroy: There you go well, we come back we’ll talk a little bit more about.
00:30:24.780 –> 00:30:29.700 Joseph McElroy: Some other things that you might have done of interest to our audience okay.
00:33:13.140 –> 00:33:21.750 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Patrick Womack so Patrick.
00:33:24.810 –> 00:33:35.910 Joseph McElroy: I really want to paint a picture for our audience about how beautiful Cataloochee Valley is such a great place to visit is there any other special places in your heart up there.
00:33:36.780 –> 00:33:38.580 Patrick Womack: Oh yeah I mean the whole area.
00:33:39.660 –> 00:33:56.040 Patrick Womack: I love to go up to the end of the valley and go up by the old woody house and you know the rough creek trail and then everything on Caldwell Fork is great and wonderful hiking to go to, what they call the booger man trail named after a man named Robert Palmer who.
00:33:57.090 –> 00:34:04.620 Patrick Womack: Who was called booger man and his childhood that he’ll most of the property that that trail encompasses that’s a great wall, you can go through there and see some large timber.
00:34:05.130 –> 00:34:12.960 Patrick Womack: And some good views and some old stone fences that are still in place and yeah that’s a great place to go.
00:34:13.560 –> 00:34:17.820 Joseph McElroy: What are some of the there are some old buildings up there to what’s your which ones are your favorite old buildings.
00:34:18.540 –> 00:34:21.480 Patrick Womack: There are in a course being pastor unnaturally.
00:34:22.350 –> 00:34:28.380 Patrick Womack: Churches, you know Palmer Chapel united Methodist, not just because it’s a charity I’ve got some good memories.
00:34:28.680 –> 00:34:35.220 Patrick Womack: sitting in there during the homecoming services that are held each year and in childhood sitting up there with Jarvis Caldwell.
00:34:35.700 –> 00:34:41.790 Patrick Womack: Who back in the day led the singing and the worship services, I will remember sitting next to him, and even though he was.
00:34:42.210 –> 00:34:48.180 Patrick Womack: The grandfather my first cousin he would introduce me as his youngest grandson that always made me feel good, even though, what.
00:34:48.930 –> 00:35:01.710 Patrick Womack: And then, of course, over and little catalog it got a hike to get in there, but the Baptist church that that Community is known as Ola back in the day, but little Cataloochee church that’s a great place to go to and I love to do that.
00:35:02.520 –> 00:35:05.520 Joseph McElroy: I’m a great picnic around those places are yeah.
00:35:05.610 –> 00:35:09.300 Patrick Womack: yeah anyway there’s a great place yeah.
00:35:09.780 –> 00:35:21.930 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s time for viewing season and for the alpha and Cataloochee about now September, you know, so we actually had to outcome down Soco road.
00:35:26.250 –> 00:35:29.580 Joseph McElroy: This Sutton’s antique store recently so.
00:35:30.930 –> 00:35:37.290 Joseph McElroy: I started out to do Cataloochee valley where’s the best place to go view Elk in Cataloochee Valley
00:35:37.980 –> 00:35:52.050 Patrick Womack: Oh, those upper fields undoubtedly go up by the old ranger station sometimes you’ll find some there, but most of them are up in those fields either below Palmer Chapel or just above as you, you know get all of the gravel parts of the road.
00:35:52.530 –> 00:35:56.580 Joseph McElroy: um any advice on how to view them anything that you shouldn’t do.
00:35:56.940 –> 00:35:58.380 Patrick Womack: yeah keep your distance.
00:35:59.970 –> 00:36:11.220 Patrick Womack: You know those elk seem pretty tame you know, and you get pretty close to them, but you know those are big powerful animals, you know what a tangle it’s one of those things you got one on one with an lt we’re not going to come out well so.
00:36:11.280 –> 00:36:14.130 Joseph McElroy: No, no, I don’t think those are some of that.
00:36:14.670 –> 00:36:14.880 yeah.
00:36:16.530 –> 00:36:23.610 Joseph McElroy: So uh you know you read this DVD right about the great yeah we’re people get caught.
00:36:25.890 –> 00:36:28.170 Patrick Womack: You know, having been away for over a year now.
00:36:29.220 –> 00:36:44.040 Patrick Womack: not exactly sure I know that Teague super at going into Maggie valley used to keep them on and blue rage books generally had some otherwise you know contact somebody with a would historical genealogical society.
00:36:44.460 –> 00:36:48.630 Joseph McElroy: All right, um have you written any books about this area.
00:36:48.840 –> 00:37:00.120 Patrick Womack: No, no, people tell me, I need to write books I just don’t have time I’ve got all kinds of notes and stuff that I referred to you, but maybe one of these days I’ll get organized enough.
00:37:00.180 –> 00:37:13.320 Joseph McElroy: I kept thinking that you had the same thought I kept saying he must have written the book and I was looking for and I couldn’t find one so yeah I think that’s a destiny right there I think that’s something that’s telling me, you need to write a book right okay.
00:37:14.700 –> 00:37:16.680 Joseph McElroy: you’re now retired in Florida so.
00:37:19.860 –> 00:37:22.800 Joseph McElroy: Take your time and write that book, we want to hear about right.
00:37:24.300 –> 00:37:26.520 Patrick Womack: like an ascended what I posted this thing I can.
00:37:26.580 –> 00:37:32.910 Patrick Womack: I can see several former teachers and professors reaching for lay locks with that thought coming up so we’ll see.
00:37:35.430 –> 00:37:40.680 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah speaking of Florida ministry, I mean what what what led you to the ministry, I mean.
00:37:42.330 –> 00:37:42.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah.
00:37:43.470 –> 00:37:47.190 Patrick Womack: Good question well you know, I was raised in the church by our parents.
00:37:47.820 –> 00:37:54.660 Patrick Womack: brought us up in a wonderful way, and so I was in worship in Sunday school growing up at he’s an only Presbyterian church, but I never gave any thought to being a preacher.
00:37:55.170 –> 00:38:03.480 Patrick Womack: People would say something to me was a kid you know mama dress this up, but a little time on me or something somebody would say you look like a preacher I didn’t like that very well.
00:38:04.290 –> 00:38:10.920 Patrick Womack: But it was actually my junior year in high school and 11th grade, I decided to run for student body President.
00:38:11.580 –> 00:38:24.630 Patrick Womack: And for the first time I got up in front of a big group of people and it’s my grandmother used to say, made a talk I got up and made a campaign speech and I said something like you know ask not what your school can do for you, but you know and.
00:38:25.980 –> 00:38:27.120 Patrick Womack: Anyway, I won I won.
00:38:27.120 –> 00:38:27.900 Patrick Womack: Pretty easily.
00:38:27.960 –> 00:38:37.020 Patrick Womack: And I remember walking out of the auditorium that day and I didn’t hear an audible voice, but I had this inner conviction that was like what are you going to do with it.
00:38:37.890 –> 00:38:46.980 Patrick Womack: And it scared me but that began a process in which I realized if I could get in front of people and talk, I had to ask myself what was I going to do with it and so.
00:38:48.030 –> 00:38:55.590 Patrick Womack: yeah just through a process of prayer and talking to people that I had a lot of competency in eventually narrowed down to Gospel Ministry.
00:38:56.610 –> 00:38:59.850 Joseph McElroy: that’s great and you’ve been doing it since 1992 right.
00:39:00.570 –> 00:39:08.310 Patrick Womack: Yes, full time I preach my first sermon in June of 1986 I was only 19 years old and I told him more than I need but.
00:39:09.360 –> 00:39:12.810 Patrick Womack: I’ve been trying to do it, since then, I tell people when I grow up, I want to be a preacher.
00:39:14.040 –> 00:39:14.460 Joseph McElroy: I knew.
00:39:16.860 –> 00:39:17.490 Joseph McElroy: me to.
00:39:18.540 –> 00:39:19.950 Joseph McElroy: I’ll preach about beer, though.
00:39:29.160 –> 00:39:44.160 Joseph McElroy: I mean you guys actually will not put your sermons and you really good at it, so I was pretty impressed I love your church down to Florida you got that backdrop of the water and everything it’s really nice and it’s a beautiful beautiful scene yeah.
00:39:44.760 –> 00:39:49.980 Patrick Womack: So somebody asked me if we baptize people back there I tell no that’s a gator pit for people.
00:39:52.260 –> 00:39:53.400 Joseph McElroy: Is that the burden late.
00:39:55.980 –> 00:39:57.840 Joseph McElroy: I wonder, I wonder where that was.
00:40:01.440 –> 00:40:03.450 Patrick Womack: No it’s a pretty setting it really.
00:40:03.510 –> 00:40:11.760 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so So do you also do some talks on the history of the Cataloochee valley right.
00:40:12.390 –> 00:40:13.440 Patrick Womack: yeah here in their.
00:40:14.910 –> 00:40:21.210 Patrick Womack: Education Alex McKay course a good friend of mine who’s done so much research I’m so grateful for that guy.
00:40:21.840 –> 00:40:30.510 Patrick Womack: He has been instrumental in me speaking and a couple of occasions, and then you know just to hear, and they are when I get a chance it’s one of my favorite things to talk about so I love to do it.
00:40:33.810 –> 00:40:38.490 Joseph McElroy: Go any place you got it is there any plans on it in the future, or just, just as it comes up.
00:40:38.820 –> 00:40:41.040 Patrick Womack: Just as it comes up I don’t really have anything specific.
00:40:41.190 –> 00:40:51.600 Joseph McElroy: In the future, you have you I know you said you had written the books, but what books would you recommend to people to read about Cataloochee valley and the history of.
00:40:52.680 –> 00:40:52.890 Joseph McElroy: The.
00:40:54.360 –> 00:40:57.690 Joseph McElroy: spray smokies or other things related to visiting here.
00:40:58.350 –> 00:40:59.280 Patrick Womack: Oh wow.
00:41:00.780 –> 00:41:11.460 Patrick Womack: You know the book on Cataloochee that’s been my go-to is as long out of print it Cataloochee last settlement of the smokies by Elizabeth powers in mark Hannah.
00:41:12.780 –> 00:41:23.460 Patrick Womack: that’s just some good narrative history there and, of course, had a call Well Davis was a good friend of mine has appreciated, you know much of what she said.
00:41:24.660 –> 00:41:32.640 Patrick Womack: Actually, I think the book on Cataloochee has yet to be written and I frankly honestly don’t think I’m the person to do it, I.
00:41:32.640 –> 00:41:33.390 Patrick Womack: Think there’s.
00:41:33.870 –> 00:41:40.410 Patrick Womack: Some people out there, I hate to drop names, but there’s a guy named Linda Noland who could do this.
00:41:40.980 –> 00:41:42.450 Patrick Womack: sounding job with.
00:41:50.340 –> 00:41:51.270 Patrick Womack: Otherwise.
00:41:52.410 –> 00:41:54.150 Patrick Womack: You know, books on Haywood county.
00:41:55.260 –> 00:42:01.170 Patrick Womack: written by William Clark Medford WCAllen they are just some really good go-to works.
00:42:24.060 –> 00:42:25.770 Patrick Womack: And then thinking about others that.
00:42:27.480 –> 00:42:32.160 Patrick Womack: You know others that are written on oh Michael from his has written you know a good one.
00:42:39.270 –> 00:42:41.250 Patrick Womack: Are we back Thank you muted.
00:42:41.400 –> 00:42:41.910 Joseph McElroy: hey I.
00:42:45.780 –> 00:42:49.740 Joseph McElroy: think it was me got kicked off, I think that you are you’re still alive I hope so.
00:42:51.330 –> 00:42:52.470 Joseph McElroy: that’s the first me.
00:42:53.370 –> 00:42:53.670 Oh.
00:42:54.720 –> 00:43:01.860 Joseph McElroy: Well I’m glad you kept explaining the books and stuff I’ll have to listen to the recording to find out what she said.
00:43:03.330 –> 00:43:07.530 Patrick Womack: it’s okay I didn’t I didn’t name any of this kind of going over things I wish were written.
00:43:08.940 –> 00:43:15.030 Joseph McElroy: Are there any other historical projects you’ve done in Haywood county or that that might be of interest.
00:43:16.110 –> 00:43:24.960 Patrick Womack: Well, not really I mean one of the talks that I got to make was that the old Haywood county courtroom where I talked about high creek and plot creek and.
00:43:25.980 –> 00:43:28.200 Patrick Womack: i’ve also i’ve also done.
00:43:29.220 –> 00:43:37.260 Patrick Womack: an interview on the history of son Luke which is you know bullet balsam gap along the old highway there’s just a lot.
00:43:37.290 –> 00:43:42.420 Joseph McElroy: of rich history summarize the history is there a way to summarize that for people with some new.
00:43:43.410 –> 00:43:44.280 Patrick Womack: Well son Luke.
00:43:45.420 –> 00:43:52.680 Patrick Womack: You know, was one of the earliest areas settling Haywood county wants the Indian boundary was pushed further West and.
00:43:53.820 –> 00:44:03.240 Patrick Womack: You know just a lot of formative family settled in there farmed it, of course, when the highway came through in the 1960s that changed the whole nature of the place but.
00:44:04.710 –> 00:44:11.430 Patrick Womack: You know they had a school and church and it was a thriving Community there just like Cataloochee
00:44:11.550 –> 00:44:17.970 Joseph McElroy: Cataloochee was it one time yeah that’s what sort of surprising, you know you see the mountains today, and you know you go through the.
00:44:18.420 –> 00:44:26.100 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains and you see Maggie Valley see you see some townships like ironed up and cattle crabtree and things like that.
00:44:26.460 –> 00:44:35.160 Joseph McElroy: Do you don’t realize there were actually a lot more of these little townships in the mountains and what would come of them be totally gone and some are semi preserved.
00:44:36.630 –> 00:44:45.660 Joseph McElroy: You know, there was history now recently my dad was telling me about the others just flooding, he said Maggie Valley, to have a lot more flooding because there used to be.
00:44:46.170 –> 00:44:58.080 Joseph McElroy: farmland at all, now that you know that one of the reasons they created the great smoky mountains is because the mountains are going bald and they wanted to you know, keep that natural beauty and tack.
00:44:59.400 –> 00:45:13.620 Patrick Womack: yeah my grandfather remembered when much of plot creek was underwater after pretty severe flooding was probably 1916 one, but I think that was a direct result of the heavy logging in the upper end of that creek or just didn’t have anywhere to go.
00:45:14.250 –> 00:45:21.810 Joseph McElroy: yeah all right well we’re gonna take a break now, and when we come back let’s talk about a few of your favorite places in Hayward camp.
00:45:22.230 –> 00:45:22.590 Okay.
00:45:54.090 –> 00:45:56.160 pools, and how it impacts on your life.
00:47:26.250 –> 00:47:34.830 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Patrick Womack so Patrick.
00:47:35.160 –> 00:47:44.280 Joseph McElroy: And I’ve been sitting here drinking and savoring this beer is called soul vision, which I did not pick because you save souls, but it’s kind of ironic that’s the name of it.
00:47:50.550 –> 00:48:00.900 Joseph McElroy: I wonder if it’s okay to ask a Presbyterian Minister he has a favorite place to have a cold beer, and I know you don’t drink, you told me that earlier, but this is the only place it’s your parishioners like to go to.
00:48:02.430 –> 00:48:04.740 Patrick Womack: You know I honestly don’t know.
00:48:07.530 –> 00:48:11.520 Patrick Womack: it’s just not anything I’ve done, I mean promise years ago that I wouldn’t drink enough.
00:48:13.440 –> 00:48:16.170 Patrick Womack: You know I know there are a number of places around the people enjoy going to.
00:48:16.680 –> 00:48:19.620 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know the hazelwood smokehouse right.
00:48:20.490 –> 00:48:24.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s been called, one of the top 20 Barbecue places in the nation.
00:48:25.410 –> 00:48:26.190 Joseph McElroy: And he’s got a.
00:48:26.460 –> 00:48:36.870 Joseph McElroy: beard he’s got a wonderful sauce and I really love that place and they have the best craft brew so now, you know the answer to say there were to go with hazel yeah.
00:48:36.960 –> 00:48:46.770 Patrick Womack: Well hey and need a plugin bbq we had two couples from our church here Medina springs that wound up in western North Carolina both of them went to he went smokehouse and thoroughly enjoyed it.
00:48:47.190 –> 00:48:57.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s I had some friends from New York City that had that sort of low yes to this thing going on, but I love it too, you know I love, all I love down-home and I love to do.
00:48:59.220 –> 00:49:09.390 Joseph McElroy: But they thought it was the best thing they’ve ever had to and they actually ordered and keep ordering the Barbecue sauce yeah, so it is definitely.
00:49:10.860 –> 00:49:19.890 Joseph McElroy: a fabulous place so you know I like to ask my guests about the itinerary so you lived in the hazelwood Waynesville area for a.
00:49:20.400 –> 00:49:37.800 Joseph McElroy: Good while so you know we’re trying to entice visitors to come out and experience, our culture here so I’d like to ask about a day itinerary that you might go and do in that area, so if somebody is a wake-up and more than one a good place to go to breakfast Bourbon they go.
00:49:38.490 –> 00:49:46.410 Patrick Womack: Well, I like beach mountain hazelwood Community it is located, where the old hazelwood drugstore used to be and I grew up going in there, eating.
00:49:46.890 –> 00:49:55.530 Patrick Womack: lunch in the afternoon is getting a cheeseburger and so just out of sentimental reasons I like to go there, but the food is really good I’ve been there twice it’s it open it’s.
00:49:55.620 –> 00:49:57.900 Joseph McElroy: it’s good so what’s their signature dessert.
00:49:58.950 –> 00:50:09.240 Patrick Womack: Oh I’m not sure what that would be they are eggs bacon grits pancakes everything seems to be good, they have a brunch menu so.
00:50:09.630 –> 00:50:10.080 Joseph McElroy: cool.
00:50:10.470 –> 00:50:13.530 Joseph McElroy: And then, what after breakfast where would somebody go to have a little bit of.
00:50:13.530 –> 00:50:13.890 fun.
00:50:15.450 –> 00:50:26.220 Patrick Womack: Well, I mean I just enjoy going uptown looking for something to do you know for sentimental reasons as much as anything I just loved it, you know Mainstreet love to go to the mass general store and take out things they are just.
00:50:26.280 –> 00:50:31.590 Joseph McElroy: enjoy walking around that’s wonderful Main Street so hazel’s now part of Waynesville which.
00:50:31.770 –> 00:50:33.270 Joseph McElroy: we’ve grown up, they were too little.
00:50:33.270 –> 00:50:36.660 Joseph McElroy: different cities, but now hazelwood is just as it is now I.
00:50:37.830 –> 00:50:41.040 Joseph McElroy: guess a township or something inside of Waynesville.
00:50:41.250 –> 00:50:50.340 Patrick Womack: yeah it’s just yeah It is simply a part of Waynesville so you know right across from each mountain you’ve got you got smoky mountain roasters you’ve got.
00:50:51.360 –> 00:50:52.470 Patrick Womack: Blue Ridge books.
00:50:53.940 –> 00:50:54.210 Joseph McElroy: Not.
00:50:54.240 –> 00:50:57.630 Patrick Womack: You got a soap company right there, I mean there’s a lot right there and then.
00:50:58.200 –> 00:51:03.570 Joseph McElroy: Then you have to mainstream the waves on there’s that’s just that’s a whole day of entertainment right there.
00:51:05.400 –> 00:51:06.900 Joseph McElroy: Where would you start to have lunch.
00:51:07.980 –> 00:51:14.520 Patrick Womack: Well, of course, he does I’m a hometown boy so most at home and a little bit of time I’ve got my goatee blaze Ammons drive yeah.
00:51:15.090 –> 00:51:18.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I remember that my dad you know built that place.
00:51:18.600 –> 00:51:28.290 Patrick Womack: Oh OK OK Okay, you know go in there, getting a hot dog and chuckwagon I mean I meet my lenten buddy Carolyn Greg that’s just aren’t go to meeting place so.
00:51:28.290 –> 00:51:30.120 Joseph McElroy: I still do dry, you know you can.
00:51:30.390 –> 00:51:33.690 Joseph McElroy: drive without him up to your window it’s like an old-fashioned drive it.
00:51:34.170 –> 00:51:35.610 Joseph McElroy: come right up to when you take.
00:51:35.610 –> 00:51:37.020 Joseph McElroy: Your order it’s really cool.
00:51:37.320 –> 00:51:41.370 Joseph McElroy: And it’s country food, but it’s like country food done really well it’s.
00:51:41.370 –> 00:51:59.130 Joseph McElroy: Country fast food did really well there’s not a thing there that you can’t buy, that is not good all right, and while you know I’m trying to eat healthily and you know and everything else and it’s not exactly the most healthy food it’s the best-tasting food you’re going to have.
00:51:59.430 –> 00:52:01.590 Patrick Womack: not exactly healthy, but it is good.
00:52:01.920 –> 00:52:05.610 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then what would you do in the afternoon to have a little fun.
00:52:06.990 –> 00:52:10.350 Patrick Womack: Well, of course, you know I’m happy to go hiking somewhere, but.
00:52:10.980 –> 00:52:20.340 Patrick Womack: You know I love to get up on the parkway my wife and I were able to do that our last trip up, and you know just they are in Waynesville you can be at the highest point on the Blue Ridge parkway.
00:52:20.970 –> 00:52:33.360 Patrick Womack: Within 30 minutes and or we have it water on so you know those are I’m more inclined to find something to do outside than I am, you know shopping or looking at something around town.
00:52:33.660 –> 00:52:47.400 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s sort of the purpose of this podcast is talk about the outside experience to hear the adventures, you have I mean you can have wonderful Colin air experiences, and you know, entertainment and everything else, but at the end of the day, you know it’s.
00:52:52.950 –> 00:52:55.710 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah I’m still there.
00:52:56.010 –> 00:53:00.000 Joseph McElroy: yeah So what about dinner, where is it Where would you.
00:53:00.000 –> 00:53:02.430 Joseph McElroy: recommend somebody go to have a nice dinner here around here.
00:53:03.660 –> 00:53:16.200 Patrick Womack: You know, of course, we love burgers church street depot is a good go-to place for us, we do enjoy going there or ordering out from there, wait there recently, and you know sweet onions, a good place to go to.
00:53:17.610 –> 00:53:22.680 Patrick Womack: You know, not of course again being hometown boy I’m just as apt to wind up the clouds is anywhere so.
00:53:24.300 –> 00:53:35.250 Joseph McElroy: requires is the plastic old guider I mean it’s been around for 100 years but what sweet, I mean I think is a is a great recommendation I mean that’s got some real chefs involved with it.
00:53:35.730 –> 00:53:48.720 Joseph McElroy: And it does some really different takes on classic country foods, but with some modern twist to it, I just, but it still serves the big portions man.
00:53:50.970 –> 00:53:59.010 Joseph McElroy: that’s emblematic of Haywood county food you get a big plate of food, but it’s really good it’s got some twists that I think are fantastic.
00:54:00.390 –> 00:54:05.550 Joseph McElroy: So after you finish this wonderful meal Where would you settle down a little entertained.
00:54:08.070 –> 00:54:12.750 Patrick Womack: While you’re talking to one of the biggest homeboys you’re gonna have.
00:54:14.100 –> 00:54:16.440 Joseph McElroy: Oh we’re not talking TV or, and I mean there’s got it.
00:54:16.440 –> 00:54:28.080 Patrick Womack: So no I mean I enjoy sitting out on the porch hard our daughter, who still lives there in town, she has a wonderful porch to sit on upon high creek so you know separate properties.
00:54:28.290 –> 00:54:29.130 Joseph McElroy: And I think that’s.
00:54:29.430 –> 00:54:35.250 Joseph McElroy: Actually, a good point because you know I stood out in front of the motel here when I’m here and just look at about.
00:54:35.610 –> 00:54:36.240 Joseph McElroy: You know.
00:54:36.480 –> 00:54:48.150 Joseph McElroy: If there’s a certain peace and serenity just looking out, you know saying hi to friends or walking by you know or people even people that you don’t know the way back to you.
00:54:48.600 –> 00:55:03.060 Joseph McElroy: yeah right and it’s a sort of essence of like a Community experience and aesthetic experience at the same time because nobody look that isn’t beautiful right so.
00:55:04.350 –> 00:55:10.500 Joseph McElroy: I agree with that 100% So how do people find out more about your historical efforts.
00:55:11.550 –> 00:55:18.870 Patrick Womack: Well, you know posting some videos on Facebook, which are very amateur it pretty much consistently having an iPhone and drop on.
00:55:20.520 –> 00:55:33.210 Patrick Womack: You know I like to tell stories I’m trying to preserve stories and since I haven’t been disciplined enough to write them down I’ve been doing these videos so you know if you look up Patrick J Womack on Facebook, he probably will find some little something there that.
00:55:34.410 –> 00:55:38.580 Patrick Womack: will ever make its way beyond there but anyway, give them an idea of what I know.
00:55:39.090 –> 00:55:47.730 Joseph McElroy: Go and your church, I mean for people to go there for service I just for the beauty of it, where do they go find out more about your church.
00:55:48.150 –> 00:56:00.750 Patrick Womack: Well, of course, that’s a bait pres benita.com like, and you know to look that up online or you know to come to visit us down here on tammy me traveling but Ada sprains just off of it.
00:56:01.920 –> 00:56:02.970 Patrick Womack: On Bay drive.
00:56:03.330 –> 00:56:04.890 Joseph McElroy: And what’s your church and hazel.
00:56:06.060 –> 00:56:19.380 Patrick Womack: hazel and Presbyterian church the pastor there Steve Museo and I actually graduated seminary together he’s a good friend and a wonderful preacher and that’s a good congregation so I certainly encourage people to check it out cool.
00:56:19.560 –> 00:56:29.910 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you for being on this show sharing your insights into Haywood county and Cataloochee Valley, and I want to thank you very much for being here.
00:56:30.270 –> 00:56:31.830 Patrick Womack: Well, I appreciate it, thank you.
00:56:32.730 –> 00:56:46.260 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so we are part of the talkradio.NYC network, which is a network of live podcasts all week long we are always on Tuesdays from.
00:56:46.740 –> 00:57:00.420 Joseph McElroy: Six to 7 pm were followed by a good show about New York so stick around listen to that show talks about visiting New York, so you go from rural North Carolina to much Paul to New York and complete.
00:57:01.500 –> 00:57:10.980 Joseph McElroy: Experience of the world, so to speak, I recommend that you find out the other podcasts on this network here some of the commercials we have a wide diversity.
00:57:11.910 –> 00:57:20.400 Joseph McElroy: Of shows on this and I think it creates a great experience so listen to you can find out more about this show it.
00:57:21.300 –> 00:57:31.650 Joseph McElroy: At the gateway to the smokies that fun where there’s an email subscription you can sign up to get more information about the show but also previous podcasts are.
00:57:32.520 –> 00:57:44.790 Joseph McElroy: The videos are streamed as well as audio and various articles that you can read and sometimes we also have some of the books and things of our guests up there, that you can find out more information about.
00:57:46.470 –> 00:57:47.970 Joseph McElroy: I have.
00:57:50.190 –> 00:57:59.400 Joseph McElroy: Hubspot is the picture that smokiesadventure.com, which is a leading portal for information about visiting the smoky mountains.
00:57:59.790 –> 00:58:04.620 Joseph McElroy: It presents information about outdoor adventures indoor adventures family entertainment.
00:58:05.430 –> 00:58:20.790 Joseph McElroy: You know, from a TV the waterfall doing the hiking the anything that you might want to do in the mountains and it has a lot of roadmaps and travel guides and books that you can buy to help make your experience in the smokies much more fulfilling.
00:58:21.600 –> 00:58:24.930 Joseph McElroy: I want to thank you for being on the show and I’ll see you next Tuesday.
00:58:24.960 –> 00:58:31.980 from six to 7pm.
