Lots of folks give hams this time of the year. If you haven’t bought one yet, or need a last minute gift, consider giving a Gayle’s Ham for that special someone.
I used to spend lots of time fishing Mossy Creek, near Bridgewater in Augusta County. My drive over the Blue Ridge Mountains via Rt. 33 took me through Elkton, McGayheesville and Penn Laird before I turned off on Rt. 256, a bypass around Harrisonburg and a shortcut to Bridgewater.
On one trip home, after a great evening fishing the sulphur hatch at Mossy, I was ravenous. I stopped in a little country store at Penn Laird called Gayle’s Market & Country Ham, expecting nothing more than maybe some chips or nabs. Entering, I was overwhelmed with an enticing and familiar scent, that of country hams. Beside the register was a stack of ham sandwiches. There must have been 25 or 30. I figured if they had that many on display, they must be good, and I love country ham. I think they were a buck at the time so I bought one and a Coke and had a bite of the sandwich in the parking lot. Immediately, I went back in the store and bought three more, another for that evening and two for lunch the next day. Since that time, if I have the opportunity, I stop by Gayle’s Market on any trip involving Rt. 33.
Gayle’s has a little history behind it. Opened nearly 50 years ago, the owner, Gayle Cupp, intended his operation to be a gas station that sold country hams. It turns out that it became a country ham store that used to sell gasoline.
I chatted once with Gayle, and asked about his hams, why they were so good. He explained that his hams came primarily from one hog farm in North Carolina. He bought only the best and his hams are among the best in Virginia.
Gayle’s Market & Country Ham is located at 5439 Spotswood Trail in Penn Laird, on Rt. 33 heading west to Harrisonburg. Gayle’s is closed on Sundays, so don’t waste a trip on that day. Go any other day or call and place your order direct at (540) 433-3464.