Gatlinburg, TN to Hot Springs, NC

We're done with the Smokies!!! YAY!! They were brutal! It was cold and wet every day but one since Fontana. We got sleeted on, saw snow on the ground, and had to deal with all the rules of the national park. We couldn't set up our hammocks, we had to stay in shelters which was awful being packed into a wooden box like sardines. We're here in Hot Springs now though and I definitely soaked for about 45 minutes as soon as we got here! It was pretty darn amazing :) There's also some music festival going on right now. Its expensive but you can also hear the tunes on the other side of the fence anyways! haha

Mom and Bill are here this weekend so it's nice to hang out with some familiar faces. We've been averaging about 15 miles a day lately so we're making up some time and it looks like we should still be in Damascus, VA for Trail Days (May 14-16). Eric got a new backpack as well... I'm currently going back and forth with Kelty about returning their awful backpacks. We'll see if they're willing to work with me though. (woof)

We're still very motivated and our spirits are still high. Of course, getting all the e-mails and messages certainly helps. We love all the support and think its really cool that people are keeping up with where we are. I'm trying to get some pictures posted but it might be the next stop before that happens.