Date: 2003-08-25
From: ME27, Stratton, ME (1400') 

To: ME27, Stratton, ME (1400') 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Aloha! Wow! What a difference a zero day can make! I was bad about not taking them in 2001 and I'm not the best, but better, at them in 2003. I'll be the first to admit though that they're needed and make a world of difference. I almost feel like a new gal. Or newer anyway and that ain't a bad thing.Coffee and I were up at our normal time. After listening at Tumbleweed and Happy Feet's door we decided to give them a break and headed off to breakfast early. We'd all been up late with dinner, reflexology session and chatting. Well, three of us had; Coffee fell contently asleep during his foot massage. A sure sign of a job well done!As we were headed back to the hotel we had the opportunity to catch up with Drifter who had just arrived in town. He's doing well and is taking a zero day in every town beginning two towns back until the end. Good on him! Wish I could bring myself to do that but I can't. Gotta go, gotta go.As we were chatting, Tumbleweed and Happy Feet joined us. It took but a moment for me to agree to accompany them to¢¦ breakfast. I can always use a second one! Don't panic, it was only toast. Once again, all had good laughs, conversation, and memories. I'm telling you, the Class of '01 is obviously the best!CeeBee and I have been discussing the need to relieve ourselves of the "wings" we seem to have grown since being out here. You know what wings are, don't you? It¢s the hair at the sides of your head that sticks out like wings. The Flying Nun look if you will. Well, I have it. CeeBee seems to think she does but she doesn't. Anyway, we're both in the need of a good hair stylist. The race was on! With the assistance of CeeBee's friend Irene, she was off in one direction in search of a cut and with Tumbleweed and Happy Feet's help I was off in the other. Our different directions brought us both first to the Sugarloaf Mountain Resort where we found the salon closed on Monday. As were any and all salons in the surrounding towns! Unbelievable! Mondays are obviously the day off in Maine. We finally gave up our individual searches when the distances were too far to justify the drive. My wings? Well, maybe I'll fly to Katahdin. Just don't laugh when you see them in some picture. I really do hate wings!Much to my chagrin and disappointment, the time came when Tumbleweed and Happy Feet had to get back on the road and head home. It was so great to see and spend time with them. It's been a year plus since we last saw each other at 2002 Trail Days and that's much too long. They are two wonderful people and awesome friends. I owe them much for their surprise trail angel acts. There aren't many hikers out here that can say they have their own reflexologist on standby! But I do! So cool! Mahalo nui loa to both Happy Feet and Tumbleweed. Y'all are awesome!I spent the remaining part of my day doing laundry and pretty much little else. Coffee and I met Recycled and WingIt for dinner and then returned to the room for movie night. Coffee had found the combination video rental/bookstore and rented not only two videos but also the VCR to go with! We¢re having movie night! If you haven't seen The Quiet American, I can highly recommend it. I'll probably rent it again upon returning home. Good movie. We¢re not going to make it through a second movie. Too tired. Coffee has slept through most of this one.As a matter of fact, I'm about ready to call it quits myself in. Tomorrow we're back on the trail with full packs and a hell of a mountain to start with. Let's all say aloha to the Bigelows... Aloha Bigelows! (More on them tomorrow.) Now it's bedtime. As always, sleep well. I hope you find a couple of trail angels as great as mine. Good night.Blood, Sweat & Tears: none todayAches & Pains:   knees are feeling much better. Thanks Happy Feet!Moans & Groans: Happy Feet won't come with me the rest of the way... waah!Critter count: not todayCountdown: 187.8