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Morrow Mountain State Park

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Real Estate Agent with None

Morrow Mountain

Sunday Afternoon Drive

The first weekend of November the leaves in Sanford were just starting to change. We wanted to catch the leaves at their peak so we decided to head to the Uwharrie Mountains. We had not been to Morrow Mountain State Park before but had seen the signs and decided to go. We picked up a bucket of chicken and headed out.

From Sanford it is just under a two hour drive. Head south to Carthage and then West on NC 24/27 towards Albemarle. Most of the drive is along a beautiful country highway. We enjoyed the scenic drive and when we entered the park the scenery was even better. The picture at right is the road up to the summit. The road reminds me of roads in the Smoky Mountains in the Western part of the state but much closer to home.

Morrow Mountain Road
Fall Color on Morrow Mountain

A Mountain View

At the top of the mountain there is a picnic area where we stopped to eat. After lunch we took the short trail that circles around the top of the mountain. The mountain is the highest point in the area at just under 1,000 feet. The views in all directions were great. The leaves had not quite reached their peak but the hillsides were covered with splotches of yellows and reds. The lakes and ponds in the distance contrasted with the rolling hills. It was well worth the drive just for this view but the park had a lot more to enjoy.

Morrow Mountain Museum

At the bottom of the mountain we found a small museum. In the museum there is a history of the Uwharrie Mountains. A study of the surrounding mountains suggests they are some of the oldest in North America - the eroded remnants of a mountain range older than the Appalachians. These mountains were the result of volcanic eruptions on a sea floor millions of years ago.There was a display of rocks from the area as well as Native American artifacts and animals from the surrounding forest.

Morrow Mountain Museum
Dr. Kron Homestead

Country Doctor

The road next took us to the homestead of Dr. Kron. This man was one of the first doctors to settle in this region of North Carolina. Doctor Kron was originally from Prussia and settled in the area in the 1830s. He traveled throughout the region tending to the sick. He was known to tend to not only people but livestock as well. He used all the latest medicine of his period including bleeding, herbs, and scalding the skin with hot water.

He also kept a greenhouse and grew exotic plants like oranges and lemons. He grew other fruits and vegetables in his garden as well. He lived into his 80s.

After exploring the Kron homestead we drove through the campground area and cabins while thinking about next summer. Both the cabins and campground look like a great place to get away and relax.

Lake Tillery Panoramic

Lake Tillery

Our next stop was along the shoreline of Lake Tillery. This is a beautiful lake formed by a dam where the Uwharrie and Yadkin Rivers meet. There are docks great for viewing the lake or fishing. There is a boathouse that rents canoes and rowboats during the warmer months. The boathouse was locked at the end of October which was a shame because it would have been a great day for a trip around the lake.

Lake Tillery
Lake Tillery tailwaters

Falls Dam

We decided to hike along the lake shore to enjoy more of this great day. After a couple of miles we reached the end of Lake Tillery at Falls Dam. The dam is pretty and there is an interesting outcropping of rocks that we enjoyed exploring.As the sun started to go down we walked back to the car and started the trip back home after a wonderful day of enjoying nature in the fall.

Falls Dam

You can visit my Sanford NC Homes website for more information about homes in Sanford, Lee County, or Harnett County in North Carolina.

Rita Taylor

Sanford NC Real Estate

“Taylored” For You!

Show All Comments Sort:
Cyndee Haydon
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes
Rita (and Garrett) great post and was just thinking of you both and stopped by to say Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you and your family had a great day! 
Nov 22, 2007 02:57 PM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Cyndee,

We had a great day.  We had too much good food and the kids enjoyed seeing their Grandmother who is here visiting with us.  I hope you had a good day too - I need to stop by your blog too and see what you've been up to. 

Nov 22, 2007 03:54 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro
Rita, what a gorgeous area.  I do miss being close enough to mountains to make a Sunday afternoon drive.  It looks like you had a nice day.  I didn't realize Sanford was that close to mountains.
Nov 23, 2007 01:39 PM
Chris Tesch
RE/MAX Bryan-College Station - College Station, TX
College Station, Texas Real Estate
Rita, what an absolutely beautiful post!  How is the weather there?  It looks great!!!
Nov 24, 2007 08:40 AM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Rita,

Beautiful views, spectacular scenery.

Nov 24, 2007 04:02 PM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!
Rita- I hope you had a very happy Thanksgiving! I love these photos, they are absolutely to die for! The water is so pretty on the lake, the trees amazing and the leaves so inviting! Mountain views are just so breathtaking. Katerina
Nov 25, 2007 10:33 AM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Marchel,

The mountains are just west of us.  Morrow Mountain is part of a range of foothills but the bigger mountains along the Blue Ridge are only 3-4 hours away.

Chris,

Our weather has been really warm and pretty until today.  It cooled off and rained a bit - we are behind on rain though so I hope it rains some more.

Lynda,

It was a pretty place to visit, especially with all the fall leaves.

Katerina,

The lake is really pretty - we were a bit sad that the canoes were locked up for the winter.  It would have been great to paddle along the lake.  We will have to go back in the spring. 

Nov 25, 2007 02:11 PM
Susie Roscoe
Signature Realty Associates - Brandon, FL
Real Estate Specialist | Brandon, FL
Morrow Mountain State Park is absolutely gorgeous!!  You're so lucky to be so close...   Thanks for the personal tour.  Dr. Kron would be proud you offered such therapy to a Florida girl who loves to visit your neck of the woods.
Nov 29, 2007 07:32 PM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Susie,

I am glad you enjoyed the post.  We live in the sandhills and the Uwharries are the closest range of mountains to our house.  They aren't very tall but they are still very pretty.

 

Nov 30, 2007 11:53 AM
Ginger S
Wilkinson & Associates, Wilmington NC - Wilmington, NC
Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~

RIta, I love country foliage drives, haven;t been on one since we moved here. maybe next year. Lovely travelogue post!

Ginger 

Dec 09, 2007 03:56 PM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Ginger,

Thanks for stopping by - we enjoyed this park and plan to go back in the spring. 

Dec 12, 2007 11:45 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
Hi Rita:  What absolutely gorgeous pictures.  The scenery is just breathtaking.  Thanks so much for sharing it with us.  Take care...
Dec 26, 2007 05:02 PM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Karen,

 

Thank you for stopping by.  I miss all the fall colors. 

Dec 29, 2007 04:04 PM