This may be the largest standing chimney in the Uwharrie Forest. There appears to be a second chimney fall associated with the home. The footprint of this house was quite large. The remnants of the front steps is also evident.
The home overlooks a large flat area alongside Spencer Creek. The creek was rushing today and the flat area had a number of pools of standing water. There is a USFS food plot within site which may have been part of this home's farm.
The chimney's construction is similar to that of most I have seen in the area, stackable stones with a dirt/clay mix, no mortar. There were a few hand formed bricks in the lower part around the firebox.
About 150 yards from the home is this area of Yucca, also know as Beargrass, Spanish bayonets, Adam's needle ans probably more. Many old homesites will have a Yucca nearby. Although, not native in the east, they have naturalized here. They are easy to grow in almost any soil, can tolerate droughts and the leaves can be stripped and used as cordage. I've read that the fibers were often used in smokehouses to tie and hang food for smoking.
Daffodils are at almost every homesite I have seen. They pop up in January and will bloom in February as a sign that spring is near. The green stalks will disappear by summer but the bulbs will live on underground.
After completing a tour of the old homesite, I walked a loop encompassing the UT, Barnes Overlook and Morris Mountain roads.
Panther Branch UT crossing
Porcupine Mushroom
I know everyone calls them Hedgehogs, but I like Porcupine. They look somewhat like golden chanterelles on the ground but once you turn them over they are covered in structures resembling teeth. They are edible but I have never found more than one at a time so, I don't forage these.
No comments:
Post a Comment