Date: 2003-07-18
From: Shaker campsite 995

To: The Cookie Lady's House 2,000
Miles today: 20.9

Today's hike included a town stop so we were all up bright and early. Nothing motivates this crew like ice cream and sodas! We were on the trail by 7:30 under cloudy skies and temps in the 60's. I fell behind the guys but kept up a good pace and we got to the road that leads into Lee, MA by 11:30 or so. That was over 12 miles and all I had for breakfast was two pop tarts. I am beginning to despise pop tarts. No breaks today for 12 miles. I am amazed some times at what we can accomplish.At the end of the 12 miles, I saw some day hikers. We needed a ride into Lee which is about 5 miles off the trail, so I thought I would talk to these two men and try to get us a ride. As I was talking to them, I found out one of them was an outdoor guide for Canyon Ranch Resort and the other was a guest. My old roommate in Tucson used to work for Canyon Ranch. I didn't know it but she has moved back here and the outdoor guide I met today knows her really well! Small world! I got the number for the resort here and am going to call to see how she is doing. I was so excited! So after that, the guide offered to take all of us to town. He said they weren't supposed to give rides when they had guests, but he did anyway. One of the guys with him that also works at the resort said he wants to thru hike next year. I talked with him quite a bit and he had lots of questions. I wish him well.When we got into Lee, we found out there was no Burger King. Funny, because Booble had just said the day before there was probably no BG even though it said there was in the book. The look on his face was priceless. He had his heart set on a triple cheeseburger. We ate at Friendly's instead and I had a chicken sandwich with fries and two scoops of ice cream. It was all good! We left without paying for the ice cream because they never figured it into our bill and we waited forever. We walked down to the grocery store which was really busy, got what we needed, made some phone calls, and then decided we needed to start hitching a ride back. This older guy started talking to us in the parking lot and I immediately thought, "Here's our ride." I said we needed a ride and sure enough, Harris took us back to the trailhead. Very nice man but a bit odd. Most of the rides we've had have been odd.When we got back on the trail, we had 6 miles to go to the next shelter. These miles were uneventful but when I got to the shelter, Sweet Ass asked if I had two more left in me so we could camp at the cookie lady's house. I had two more miles left in me. Someone's yard with a water spigot is always better than a shelter, so here we are. Roy came to greet us and gave us homemade chocolate chip cookies. We didn't meet the cookie lady but we met the dog, Rufus. Very cute and friendly. Roy is so nice and we are camped in his front yard. He grows blueberries and sells them for $1.25 per pound if you pick them yourself. I don't have it in me to pick them. In return for staying here, he asks that you help with the mowing. Sweet Ass mowed around 7 rows of blueberries before dark. I don't know how he had it left in him after 20 miles of hiking. I was impressed. I am very grateful to be here in this great yard with soft grass and good company. I think there is a storm brewing and it is getting cooler. Tonight may be a true test for my new tent.I started thinking today how much more comfortable I am in the woods and in a tent than I was when I first started. I thought for the first time today about actually missing the trail when I am finished. I did not think I would feel that way but have changed my mind. I believe I will miss it tremendously.Goodnight Oscar.