May 12th- Last night we found a great spot by an old farm pond on top of a mountain to camp. As the sunset the bull frogs began their calls. This morning we headed out for a 16.4 mile day. The past few days have been filled with beautiful groves of ferns. When you look at them you think your eye sight is blurry.  The fire orange Azaleas are blooming as well. 8 miles of the hike ran a ridge line with rocks the size of semi trucks. The ridge circled an area that the Vanderbilt's looked to build the Biltmore. The locals called it "God's Thumbprint." The day was hot and humid even up in altitude and a breeze was nowhere to be found. Stopped by a great spring to cool off, and Shadow had us line up to dump icy water over heads. Camping next to Laurel creek this evening and counting the days to our next town.

Lesson # 413
High Elevation + Lack of Water on Map = Rocky and Technical Terrain