I drove down State Route 802 today — the Mendota Road. I decided to bring you along. There’s a house on that road that I’m fascinated by but it’s not included in this post. I have to stop and talk with the folks and ask them if I can put it on the blog. They weren’t home, so that may come later. At any rate, here we go…
The roads are winding–not in a scary way but just enough so that you have to drive a little slower and watch what you’re doing. I went really slow and took pictures.
Here’s Regina’s Rockybrook. I think it’s open only on Saturday. She called me one night when I wrote the Mendota Villager just to say thanks. That was a long time ago. Margie Dean now writes The Villager.
Here’s an old building that I think looks interesting. I wonder what it was built for? Does anyone know?
And a sassy red barn that someone obviously loves.
Someone’s beautiful entry “Peace Like a River.” They love the North Fork, too!
Here’s what used to be North Fork Baptist Church (below). It was established in 1776. I do not know if services are still held here. Mom took Pat and me to revival at this church when we were young. I mortified her that night by announcing that I knew where babies came from — “out of their mama’s mouths.” I had seen a mother cat carrying a small kitten and got everything mixed up.
Another church…I’ve never been inside this church. However, when I was a teenager, I “parked” there with someone. Who? Well, that young man no longer walks on this earth, and I’ll never tell. It remains a secret! We sat there and listened to an eight-track tape, and I tried to act like I liked beer. Ugh.
Nearby there is a chimney that nature is reclaiming.
I took a picture of this sawmill which is one of two on this part of Route 802. My father had a sawmill. My father was a pallbearer when the famous musician, Mr. A. P. Carter, passed away. People who have learned that Daddy had a relationship with A. P. ask if Daddy was a musician. Nope, he loved and owned a sawmill, and A. P. loved sawmills almost as much as he loved music. They were sawmill men.
Below is a picture of a field of boxwoods. I love it when people try and earn a living in Mendota. Once in a while, they can. I hope this nursery is doing well. Across this field and the river, there is an old two-story structure which you can see a tiny bit of in this picture. I’ve never been there, but I was told there was a dumbwaiter in the building. Now why would I remember that?
And another sweet church..
And this was my Uncle Paul’s church. His name was Paul Barker. He was both a preacher and a miner. His granddaughter called me a few weeks ago. It was so nice to connect.
Hope you’ve enjoyed driving down State Route 802, Mendota Road, with me. I was coming home from a ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail. Here I am…
I’m “coming out.” I’m a supporter of a hiking and biking trail in Mendota.
It would be nice to have something in Mendota. I would really like a store but I’d like a trail for somebody else.
I’d take a store, too. We’ll get these things. I just hope we are alive. Ha ha!
LOVE your pictures. I would like to see some of the churches and houses in downtown Mendota. Keep taking your beautiful pics!
Thank you. You steal my heart. I will do!!
Making out and drinking beer in a church parking lot, Shame on you Eva.
I was young! Very young! There was little making out. It was more trying to drink a beer. Ugh.
Love your blog! I love the way you know so much about your home! Great pics and a fun post!!
Thank you. I’ve got 58 years of experience. Five decades. Two quarter centuries.
I never knew that little church was ever called Holston View. I learned something today. I have always known it as North Fork. Keep up the good work. I love the pictures. By the way, I have been in Lady Baehr’s Church in recent years for the first time in my life. It is so sweet, but the floor is bowing now. Also did not know that your Unlce Paul used to preach there! Who owns the cabin where she used to live across from Bob Hurt’s? I always thought it was called Lady Bear’s cabin….I thought bear was an unusual name, but I never questiond ha ha Keep the pictures coming!
Terri
It might have been called North Fork too. Do you know if anyone uses it now. It was mowed and kept.