For 105 years, four generations of the Morse family operated, promoted and served as stewards for the natural scenic attraction known as Chimney Rock. Researched, compiled and written by 4th generation manager, Todd Morse, this book provides a detailed, in-depth history of the family's multi-faceted relationship with the mountain until its sale to the State of North Carolina in 2007. Part history book, part business case study, part unique personal perspective and first-person narrative, this work offers a comprehensive exploration into the inner workings and challenges of a family business and the love each generation had for this incredible place. Though originally intended for family members and friends, this paperback will appeal to anyone who has enjoyed visiting Chimney Rock over the years and has curiosity about its human and business history. The book also shares a significant number of wonderful photos taken during these many years. As a fitting end, all the complexities related to the sale and its aftermath are revealed in significant detail, sharing insight into the difficult and emotional decision the family made to protect this North Carolina landmark and jewel for generations to come.

Go west, young pioneer—your journey begins here! In this first leg of your trek on the Oregon Trail, you need to find your way to Chimney Rock—but not without unpredictable challenges ahead. This is the first installment of four books that will take you all the way to Oregon Territory—if you make the right choices. In book one of this exciting choose-your-own-trail series, it's 1850 and your first goal is to get your family, covered wagon full of supplies, and oxen to Chimney Rock on time. But hurry—you'll need to make it through the rugged mountains before winter snow hits. Plus, there are wild animals, natural disasters, unpredictable weather, fast-flowing rivers, strangers, and sickness that will be sure to stand between you and your destination! Which path will get you safely across the prairie? With twenty-two possible endings, choose wrong and you'll never make it to Chimney Rock on time. Choose right and blaze a trail that gets you closer to Oregon City!

How were the Appalachian Mountains formed? Are the barrier islands moving? Is there gold in the Carolinas? The answers to these questions and many more appear in this reader-friendly guide to the geology of North Carolina and South Carolina. Exploring the Geology of the Carolinas pairs a brief geological history of the region with 31 field trips to easily accessible, often familiar sites in both states where readers can observe firsthand the evidence of geologic change found in rocks, river basins, mountains, waterfalls, and coastal land formations. Geologist Kevin Stewart and science writer Mary-Russell Roberson begin by explaining techniques geologists use to "read" rocks, the science of plate tectonics, and the formation of the Carolinas. The field trips that follow are arranged geographically by region, from the Blue Ridge to the Piedmont to the Coastal Plain. Richly illustrated and accompanied by a helpful glossary of geologic terms, this field guide is a handy and informative carry-along for hikers, tourists, teachers, and families--anyone interested in the science behind the sights at their favorite Carolina spots. Includes field trips to: Grandfather Mountain, N.C. Linville Falls, N.C. Caesars Head State Park, S.C. Reed Gold Mine, N.C. Pilot Mountain State Park, N.C. Raven Rock State Park, N.C. Sugarloaf Mountain, S.C. Santee State Park, S.C. Jockey's Ridge State Park, N.C. Carolina Beach State Park, N.C. and 21 more sites in the Carolinas! Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press

The appreciation of the Chimney Rock region goes back more than 1,000 years. Here in southwestern Colorado, the Ancestral Puebloans inhabited the northern San Juan River Basin as an outlier community of Chaco Canyon. Its function and use has created much conjecture. The site was abandoned by the early 1100s for reasons that some speculate were related to drought, resource depletion, warfare, migration, or a combination of these factors. Over the course of its recorded history, archaeologists, astronomers, regional historians, and visitors have celebrated the rocks, ruins, and landscape that make up this important feature in the Four Corners region. It has been called La Piedra Parada by Spanish explorers, Fire Mountain by Tewa-speaking pueblos, and Tupiwiniri by the Utes. Today, we know it as Chimney Rock National Monument due to a proclamation made in 2012 by Pres. Barack Obama.

Archaeoastronomy is a discipline pioneered at Stonehenge and other megalithic sites in Britain and France. Many sites in the southwestern United States have yielded evidence of the prehistoric Anasazi's intense interest in astronomy, similar to that of the megalithic cultures of Europe. Drawing on the archaeological evidence, ethnographical parallels with historic pueblo peoples, and mythology from other cultures around the world, the authors present theories about the meaning and function of the mysterious stone alignments and architectural orientations of the prehistoric Southwest.

Lake Lure, North Carolina, is known as the "Gem of the Carolinas." Twenty-five years after Dr. Lucius Morse and his brothers Hiram and Asahil purchased Chimney Rock in 1902, their dream of creating Lake Lure and the town of Lake Lure was realized. Lake Lure is surrounded by majestic mountain cliffs and fed by the idyllic Rocky Broad River. A popular tourist destination, Lake Lure hosted famous figures through the years, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Also significant in film history, it provided the backdrop for Dirty Dancing and Last of the Mohicans. Lake Lure showcases the rich community, tourism, and recreational history of this mountain community.

Thirty years after the discovery of the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, the first scientific archaeological explorations in Colorado took place in a district of the upper San Juan River drainage known for a pair of prominent pinnacles called Chimney Rock. In the Shadow of the Rocks presents a comprehensive history of archaeological research performed in the district as well as new interpretations of the role of the Chimney Rock communities in regional prehistory. This new edition brings findings up to date, with reports by current archaeological and astronomical researchers, and a new foreword by Richard Moe, president emeritus of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Step into the world of bestselling author Tony Hillerman’s novels with Tony Hillerman’s Landscape: On the Road with Chee and Leaphorn, a stunning collection of original documentary photographs of the New Mexico and Arizona landscapes that were integral to his detective novels. Narrated by his daughter, Anne Hillerman, with original photos from Don Strel, Tony Hillerman’s Landscape is a timely showcase of a hauntingly beautiful region that captured one man’s imagination for a lifetime, and is a daughter’s loving tribute to her father.

Western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains are some of the oldest on earth, boasting old-growth forests, pristine streams, and ancient heath balds with stunning views. This guide includes 72 great day hikes ranging from 1 to 13 miles, with destinations like the stone tower of Hanging Rock State Park, Max Patch on the Appalachian Trail, the "Opera Box" at Chimney Rock State Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway's Craggy Gardens, the waterfalls of Linville Gorge, and Gregory Bald in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each entry includes complete driving and hiking directions, maps, trailhead GPS coordinates, elevation gain, trail highlights, and related historical anecdotes, plus books and movies set in each locale.

"Go Outside and Come Back Better" is nature's brochure, an inspirational travel essay woven through a landscape photography collection. Readers will discover nature's power to teach, inspire, and improve lives. With 160 color photos from parks in all 50 U.S. states, "Go Outside" combines America's beautiful scenery with down-to-earth insight into how everyone--not just adventurers--can benefit from spending time in nature. Sprinkled with wisdom from naturalist John Muir, the book provides an uplifting look at life and the outdoors.