Politics began to be more and more a part of Morton's life, beginning with a campaign to institute liquor by the drink in North Carolina. In the early 1970s, he followed the suggestion of some of his friends in the travel industry to run for governor, but he pulled out of the race before the primary. After Jim Hunt was elected for governor, Morton assisted him with some of his agendas, including a campaign to change the state Constitution so that governors could run for more than one term. Morton did not always automatically comply with Governor Hunt's requests, however. When Governor Hunt asked him to campaign for an unpopular gas tax in the early 1980s, Morton suggested that he ask Arthur Smith for help instead.

One of Morton's most memorable political ventures was his campaign to save Cape Hatteras Lighthouse from sliding into the ocean. In fact, he says, it was the only time that Senator Jesse Helms and Governor Hunt worked together, an occasion that allowed them to reach their fundraising goal of $500,000. Years later, Morton would protest the relocation of the lighthouse, a battle that he would eventually lose.

In the early 1990s, Morton became much more actively involved in the battle to clean up air pollution. As more and more pollution drifted to North Carolina from the Tennessee Valley Authority's 13 coal-burning plants, Morton watched trees and wildlife succumb to the black poisonous cloud that was slowly becoming a permanent part of the North Carolina sky. So he teamed up with Robert Bruck, a plant pathologist from NC State University, to learn more about how the pollution was affecting the forests and streams. From this partnership came a new documentary about how pollution affected the earth and human health: The Search for Clean Air, narrated by Walter Cronkite and airing on UNC-TV. The special inspired the 2002 General Assembly to pass the Clean Smokestacks Bill.

In 1980, Morton donated several thousand acres of land to the Nature Conservancy. A few years later, a debate between Linville residents and developers began because of a proposal to develop the Wilmor tract between Grandfather and Sugar Mountains. To appease both sides and make a wise business venture, he gave 800 acres of land to the Nature Conservancy and gave 100 acres to a local developer for a future shopping center.

From his most recent years, Morton recalls some tears--namely over the death of Mildred the Bear---and much laughter. He shares thoughts about his friendly rivalry with Duke, his friendship with Charles Kuralt and a hint of what will be in his new book, featured on an upcoming Bookwatch episode.

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