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Raven Rock State Park in April

Posted by Rita on Apr 14 2008 | Around Town

Bridge over Campbell Creek in Raven Rock State Park

After a busy week, our family decided to take a relaxing walk on Sunday afternoon. We picked up a “tailgate special” at Bo jangles and headed out to Raven Rock State Park. This park is in Western Harnett County and is just a short drive from Sanford. After our picnic we decided to head down the Campbell Creek Loop trail to let the kids play in the creek.The trail wound down the hill and finally came to a bridge over the creek. This trail was closed for over a year after the last tropical storm came through and washed out the bridge. The new bridge looks like it is built to last.

To the right on the bridge there was a nice Dogwood tree in bloom over the creek. A nice place to stop for a moment and soak in the quiet mumbling from the stream below.

Dogwood over Campbell Creek at Raven Rock State Park

We followed the trail for a bit and then made our way down to the creek. At this spot the creek narrows down as it flows over small stones. I didn’t wade in but the kids (including my husband, the biggest kid) said the water was a bit cold.

This spot was interesting. There is a rock to the right of the picture that my daughter called a “diving board rock”. The creek forms a small pool here just below a small waterfall. It didn’t look deep enough for diving but jumping in during the hot months of summer might be fun.

Rapids on Campbell Creek in Raven Rock State Park

Azalea along Campbell Loop Trail in Raven Rock State Park

This azalea was beautiful in bloom along the side of the trail. We also saw lots of Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel bushes that will be pretty when they bloom next month.

This pool of water had lots of small rock along the river bottom. The kids found salamanders, minnows, tadpoles, and crayfish when we stopped at this spot. There was a rock slide below the pool. When we come back in the summer we will have to see if there is enough current to slide down the rock slide. There were several natural slides along this creek.

Pool above rock slide on Campbell Creek in Raven Rock State Park

From the bridge over Campbell Creek in Raven Rock State Park

This is a view of the upstream side from the bridge over Campbell Creek on our way back to the parking lot. We had a nice time on a beautiful spring day and plan to come back in the summer to play in this great little creek.

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

Rita Taylor

ERA Strother Real Estate

Sanford NC Real Estate

“Taylored” For You!

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Raven Rock State Park in the Fall

Posted by Rita on Dec 08 2007 | Around Town, Things to do

The leaves were at their peak here in Central North Carolina the third week of November. We decided to head to our favorite local state park out at Raven Rock. We grabbed a tailgate special from Smithfield’s and headed the short drive down the road.After the picnic we went for a short hike down the trails in Raven Rock park. We were rewarded with many trees in full fall color.

The creek that followed the trail was pretty with the streambed lined with leaves that had recently fallen.

We decided to explore the canoe campsite along the Cape Fear River. You can paddle your canoe down the River and then camp in the park. I am not much of a paddler myself but my son’s scout troop may take advantage of this in the spring.

We also walked down to the Cape Fear River. Our area is in a drought this year and we could see that the river is well below its normal level.

Back on the trail we enjoyed the color of the leaves changing on a warm fall afternoon.

We visited the overlook along the trail and were rewarded with some great views of the Cape Fear River far below. We had a great time and can’t wait until the spring when we can visit again and enjoy the flowers in bloom.

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

Rita Taylor

ERA Strother Real Estate

Sanford NC Real Estate

“Taylored” For You!

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White Pines Preserve

Posted by Rita on Nov 23 2007 | Around Town, Things to do

We recently discovered a nature preserve near Sanford. The land for the preserve is located where the Rocky and Deep Rivers come together in Eastern Chatham County. It is less than 20 minute drive from Sanford (directions here) but the roads to the preserve are not well marked.The road becomes gravel at one point and there is a no outlet sign. No Outlet signs on gravel roads usually mean its time to turn around but the preserve starts just past the sign.

After passing the No Outlet sign, the first sign for the preserve is on the right. The parking lot and trail head sign is just past this sign. There are no restrooms at White Pines preserve and it is pretty undeveloped except for a few trails. It is almost as if no one wants it discovered. That makes it perfect for as a quiet get away spot.We decided to explore the preserve the second Sunday in November when the area leaves were near their peak. We really enjoyed a quiet afternoon walking the trails and seeing nature.

We followed a trail out of the parking lot that looked like an old roadbed. The leaves on the trees were beautiful shades of red, yellow, and orange. The trail gently sloped downward and we kept going to an overlook area in this lovely wooded spot. After enjoying the overlook we took a trail descending toward the river.

At the foot of the hill we found the Rocky River. The trees along the riverbank were beautiful. As you can see from the picture, the Rocky River comes by its name honestly. My husband was drooling thinking of catching this river after a rain with his kayak. I just enjoyed the view while the kids skipped rocks.We continued down a trail that followed the river, enjoying an afternoon with perfect weather.

The trail continued until the Rocky River ran into the Deep River. We then followed the trail along the Deep River. The Deep River is named not for its depth but for the height of the banks along the river. We stopped several times to enjoy the view of the river. The Deep River forms the border between Lee and Chatham County along this stretch of the river.

While following the river we found a woodland bog. I can just imagine this bog in the spring teeming with tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, and other river critters. Next we doubled back and joined the main trail going back up the hill.

After climbing the hill we took a side trail. This trail took us us another hill that had a great view of the surrounding woods. After we got to the top of the hill we noticed several White Pine Trees. These trees are unusual because they do not grow in our area except at this nature preserve. The next closest stand of these trees in 70 miles to the Northwest at Hanging Rock State Park. This preserve was established to protect this stand of White Pines where the Rocky and Deep Rivers meet.

We saw one great specimen White Pine tree along the trail. This tree towered over the surrounding trees and was very impressive. After an enjoyable afternoon, we returned to our cars and headed back home.

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

Rita Taylor

ERA Strother Real Estate

Sanford NC Real Estate

“Taylored” For You!

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Morrow Mountain State Park

Posted by Rita on Nov 12 2007 | Day Trips, Things to do

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

ERA Strother Real Estate

Sanford NC Real Estate

“Taylored” For You!

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Lee Regional Fair in Sanford, NC

Posted by Rita on Oct 21 2007 | Around Town, Things to do

We headed out to the fair last Saturday for a bunch of fun. Someone had ordered up perfect fair weather with highs in the low 70s and sunny blue skies.As we entered, we saw the tractor pull going on. We stopped and watched for quite a while before the pull of the rides got to my kids. They had a big variety of tractors - it was fun to watch.

On the way to the rides we saw one of our favorites from last year. This artist makes fascinating pieces of art using a chainsaw and logs. These sculptures have a lot of detail and he makes everything from pumpkins to bears, fish, school mascots, and everything else in-between. It is always fun to watch an artist at work.We moved on to the rides and the kids had a blast - I had so much fun watching them that I didn’t snap pictures - I guess I’ll have to do that next year. We ran in to a bunch of people we knew - the fair was a popular destination.

There was a small circus at this year’s fair. They had a lady who did aerial acrobatics - she was very good. Next up was a guy who ran around a large wheel kind of like a human hamster. The difference was the wheel rotated around and went high above the ground. It was scary. There were motorcycles in a steel cage driving around a person standing inside. There was a hula-hoop contest for the kids in the audience. You would never confuse it with Ringling Brothers but it was well worth the $5 fair admission.

We visited the agricultural exhibits - they had goats, horses, cattle, turkeys, and chickens. They had a large variety of hens and chickens and some of them were very fancy. My daughter loves animals and really enjoyed this part of the fair.

The exhibit hall always has a huge variety of different exhibits. They have displays that focus on different themes. The exhibit on the right was sponsored by the 4-H club and had ways to conserve energy.There were also entries for all kinds of farm produce from tobacco to watermelons, pumpkins, and squash. They had cooking, canning, and craft entries. The pack that is affiliated with my son’s scout troop had a winning scarecrow entry dressed as a cub scout.We made it out to the food booths and filled up on burgers and BBQ with funnel cakes for dessert. Somebody once told me that calories don’t count at the fair - I hope they were right!

We stayed until it got dark and then headed home tired after a day full of fun.

The fair only lasts for a week and comes but once a year. On Monday the rides were all down and the fair was returning back to its normal state of quiet. This weekend, children were once again playing soccer on the fields that are home to the San-Lee soccer league. I am already looking forward to next year - see you at the fair.

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

Rita Taylor

ERA Strother Real Estate

Sanford NC Real Estate

“Taylored” For You!

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