Sanford NC Real Estate News

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.

Gross Farms Corn Maze

Throughout the month of October, the Gross Farms Corn Maze will be open to visitors. You can find your way through the acres of corn fields in the photo above to 15 different way points. The maze is open to visitors on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This year the design of the maze celebrates Lee County’s centennial. This is a big maze so wear comfortable shoes and use the bathroom before you head out into the rows of corn. It took us a couple of hours to navigate to all the way points but it could take more or less time depending on your group.

Starting October 13, the corn maze will feature a haunted trail. We went a couple of years ago when my daughter was 7 and she was terrified so I wouldn’t recommend it for the younger ones. If you are ready for a thrill and not at all squeamish, it is a fun way to spend a crisp autumn evening.

They also have a playgorund for the kids, hay rides, homemade ice cream, and a pumpkin patch. Find out more at the Gross Farms Website.

Sanford NC Brush and Palette Club Show

The 43rd annual Sanford Brush and Palette Club Show is being held at the Hales Center on McIver Street (also known as the old Armory). The show is open from 10 AM to 6 PM and runs from October 6th to the 13th. The show features the work of local artisans. The show will have not only paintings but sculpture and pottery as well.

We found this show by accident last year on the last day. We arrived just before the show ended and rushed thorugh. Our family will go earlier this year to make sure we get time to enjoy all the wonderful artwork.

The Sanford Brush and Palette Club promotes art throughout the community with private lessons and art workshops for children. They also sponsor a scholarship fund for local high school students. I encourage anyone who enjoys art to come out and enjoy this show.

Lee Regional Fair

As the home of SASL (Sanford Area Soccer League), the fairgrounds in Sanford are used as soccer fields most of the year. That will change when the Lee Regional Fair opens in Monday October 8th. The fair hosts exhibits including livestock, agricultural, cooking, baking, needlepoint, sewing, art, crafts, and much more. There is a beauty contest, singing, a mechanical bull riding competition, karate demonstrations and too much to mention.

Did I forget the rides? There are plenty of exciting carnival rides. Of course, there are the carnival games. Oh, and the food - funnel cakes, fried candy bars, cotton candy and too many calories to count them all.

To find out more about the fair, visit the Lee Regional Fair website. We still haven’t decided which day to go - each day has its own unique and fun events.

2007 NC Big Sweep in Lee County

The 2007 NC Big Sweep is on Saturday October 6th. This is a day each year where residents clean up our local parks and waterways. My son has done this several times and has had fun while learning an appreciation for the environment. This year Lee County Parks and Recreation is working to clean up San-Lee Park, Kiwanis Park, and Camelback Bridge (Deep River Park). Show up at any of the parks in the morning and help in this clean-up effort. Contact San-Lee Park at (919)-776-6221 for more information on how you can help.

Memory Walk 2007 in Lee County

The Lee County Memory Walk to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association will be on Saturday October 6th at Kiwanis Park in Sanford. Registration begins at 9 AM. War-up starts at 9:45 and the walk starts at 10 AM. The walk is around the 1 mile Kiwanis Trail.

There will be entertainment, food, and displays. You can honor a loved one at the Memory Garden. Those who raise over $50 will receive a Memory Walk T-shirt. For more information, contact Judi Womack at (919)-776-0501.

Annie at Temple Theater

The classical musical Annie opens this month at Temple theater in Sanford. Annie features weel-know songs such as “Tomorrow” and “Hard Knock Life”. “The show starts on October 19th and goes through to November 11th. See the following list for dates and times:

Thursdays at 7:00 pm (10/25, 11/1, and 11/8)
Fridays at 8:00 pm (10/19, 10/26, 11/2, and 11/9)
Saturdays at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm (10/20, 10/27, 11/3, and 11/10)
Sundays at 2:00 pm (10/21, 10/28, 11/4, and 11/11)

Temple Theater is a great local theater and seeing a show is an enjoyable experience.