A Stop Along The Crooked Road – Crooked Road Cafe and Cockram Mill Complex A Fun Break From Driving
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So, remember on my way up, me pulling off the road and getting a quick snap of the old tractor by the roadside view of The Crooked Road Cafe and how it was too early for it to open. I spoke of stopping if the weather was nice and if I was not running too late. Well, I did stop today – had said to myself I would not stop as wanted to get on home. I surprised myself and stopped and I was not disappointed.
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I think this must be Chef Omar Debe. He waved to me as I was taking pics so I asked him if I could take his photo. He said sure and smiled for me as he was tending the pizza oven.
Of all things, the place had a Greek, Mediterranean, and pizza cuisine. Who would have thought out in the middle of those hills and mountains and country. Not me. I figured fried chicken, creamed potatoes like joint but was not. So, I figured since this was a Greek and Mediterranean and pizza type cuisine, I should take advantage of it and choose something I can’t get everyday in Danville. I noticed so many folks getting pizza and was tempted as I knew it must be good. And after seeing that fine oven afterwards, I knew why. I opted for the Greek plate which had what the waitress called Euro I thought that was what she said when I asked her to explain to me what was on my plate. I am certain she called it a gyro when she told me what would be on the plate earlier. At any rate, it was amazing and was on a pita like circular crust with some type of nice white spread or sauce or some type but wasn’t mayonnaise – was great. Had thinly sliced tomatoes, red onions which I nicely pulled to the side tonight as I was eating it, lettuce topped with strips of thinly slice beef and lamb. The plate also had a Greek salad, and grape leaf wrapped rolls. There was rice inside each. Plus hummus with several freshly baked pita type crust wedges for dipping. So a really nice plate of food. I had supper off of it as well. I had noticed an interesting what looked like a Greek appetizer on the menu so I had ordered that also. However my meal came first as she said they had to make a new batch. So it was a real treat when it showed up though I only sampled it – It was yum and will be more yum tomorrow as I brought it home with me and most of the Greek plate. I really did not want to tarry long enough to eat that whole plate before getting back on the road. The appetizer was a whole bunch of those wedges of crust and two nice servings of some type of dip another – they both tasted super – whether they were the same or not, I do not know. Whether they were hummus or not I do not know but don’t think so. They almost had a glazed look almost perhaps of oil….on top…not sure. The name of it started with B and seems like it was two words. Then there was a beautiful cake on a stand. I asked at the cash register what kind of cake was it. She said triple chocolate cake. Wish I had taken a pic of that.
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This is a beautiful stage area – The wall collections are so beautifully arranged and so unique. This stage transform to live performances perhaps Friday and Saturday nights. I found the photo below on the web of such plus they have some photos on their FB page.
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On to more photos of the wall collections.
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This was most impressive to me – Old tools and photos lined the walls.
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As I was snapping the stairway photo, I happened to look up above me and there was the most beautiful balcony. Such a lovely place. I loved it.
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I was quite anxious to get back outside and have another look around before getting back on the road. I had heard voices coming from the Cockram Mill attached to the cafe building before going in. So I ventured inside and found some of the most amazing things even a corn sheller which I had not seem one since before leaving home after college. If there was nothing else to done on the farm, there was always corn that needed to be shucked and shelled. I have too many photos to share in the blog so you may want to take a look at my new album called Crooked Road Cafe – Cockram Mill Complex.
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Just had to share this picture of the corn sheller that is only a vague memory in my mind. Seems like ours was up on a barrel or quite a bit taller than I was as a little girl. Many hours of my childhood spent in that cornbarn shucking and shelling corn for the animals – chickens, cows, mules, hogs and pigs. All part of life on a farm.
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In my memory, ours was black and shiny and was attached to a wooden box, too, but was larger in size but not near as deep. Sure brought back memories. I also enjoyed talking with Mr. Cockram, too. He walked up just about the time I was zeroing in on the Dan River Queen, quite in disbelief and wondering why I had not heard stories of it as the Dan River runs through Danville.
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I KNOW! Who knew? Can you believe it? Back in the day, a riverboat ran back and forth on the Dan River near the Meadow of Dan. I am still shaking my head as I type in DISBELIEF! I told him I had never heard of this. I asked stupidly I guess – so the Dan River is here as well. He said the Dan River ran right in the back of the place.
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I was a bit chicken to step out on this overlook or pier like deck or something to snap a photo as I wasn’t sure to trust the boarding condition but I did it anyway.
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That decking pier like structure I was speaking of ran the length of this stone wall all the way to this building but is on the other side of the the wall. You can walk the length of it and get to this building – seems it used to be perhaps the Mayberry Post Office building and more recently has been Mayberry Trading Post.
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So I got on in my car and headed out but stopped by the roadside to snap more photos of the tractor that I had quick snaps of from the car window on the way out to TN. I did some close ups of the only name or info I saw on it.
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Seems that it must be a Fordson.
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Even closer view.
Okay, so I have shared way too many and have so many more but will stop here and head to bed as was a long day. I KNOW, what is with me waking so early. This am was around 5 and had not planned to get up until at least 6:30 as was not going to get on the road until about 8:30. DID I say there was a HUGE frost this morn in Knoxville and I HAD no ice scraper. I need to get one to have when I am traveling as no need for one at home as have a carport. I just ran the car a bit with front and rear defroster on. OH, and LESSON # 1, Don’t be smart like me and decide you are going to wipe the windows off with paper towel after melts. What a mess the window on the passenger’s side as the sun shined through – showed so bad. It will be awhile before I burn enough gas to buy gas and get a car wash at Sam’s Club. SO. OH, and one flaw to this car which I may have mentioned before, the sun visors do not have enough depth to them to do me one bit of good for early am bright sun or late afternoon bright blinding sun. I inquired while I was there at the Toyota place about extenders and they said they did not have such. Not sure I believe that. OH, and my car rolled over to 10,000 miles, today, SO, it is time to take it in for it’s 12 months check-up, oil change, tire rotation and whatever and get my new inspection sticker on. Perhaps, tomorrow or before the 1st. Okay, GOOD Night, Everyone! Good to be back home again. Will miss daughter and grands but made many memories to carry me for a long time. LOVE.
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