The Legend of the Fairy Cross Traditional Geocache
The Legend of the Fairy Cross
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This cache has been placed in an area we love to visit, as do lots of other folks (hint - can be lots of muggles seasonally).
This general area has a great history of minerals and mining. We are aware of at least 4 abandoned mines nearby.
One of the minerals unique to the area is staurolite crystals, also known as fairy crosses because of their unique shape.
Two thousand years ago, so the Cherokee legend of Fairy Crosses begins, the "Yunwi Tsunsdi," or Little People, lived in the beautiful mountains of what is now North Georgia and Western North Carolina. Shy and elusive creatures, the Little People were revered throughout the Cherokee Nation for their ability to find people lost in the thickly forested mountains of the region.
One evening, while the Little People were enjoying an enchanted celebration of dance, music and song, a foreign messenger arrived bearing the sad news of the Crucifixion of the Son of the Great Creator. So moved were the Little People upon hearing the news of the loss of one so great, that they were moved to tears. As their tears fell to the ground, they turned into Fairy Crosses, where they can be found to this day.
Screening the gravel in the creek might also yield small dark red chips of almandine garnet, a prized gemstone.
Very limited parking is available along the gravel road. While you are there, enjoy the beauty of your surroundings!
Small note: As required by the USFS for caches hidden in the Nantahala National Forest, the cache is prominently labeled as a geocache and the label includes the waypoint number and the owner's e-mail address.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ng nobhg rlr yriry, va erprff bs gerr.