Date: 2004-06-27
From: Skiff Mtn Road (cabin)

To: Skiff Mtn Road (cabin)
Miles today: 0.0

Started at: Skiff Mtn RoadEnded at: Skiff Mtn Road (cabin)Miles: 0Today was the best day ever. I turned 29! My family accomplished the impossible and turnd me into a cotton person for a day. We slept in, took a much needed day off, and everyone pampered me beyond belief. I'm officially spoiled now. The morning got off to a great start when my sister, my mom, Sasha and Hallie all jumped in bed with me and snuggled. Then around 9 o'clock everyone started looking at their watches and Mommy Too announced, "It's time to get going." Going? Where are we going? No one would tell me. I quickly put on the pretty cotton clothes they'd brought for me and we all jumped in the car. Turns out Arwen had bought a one hour full body massage for me. He's conspired with Mommy Too, who did all the leg work and calling around to get the appointment. I was lucky to get it, too, because the place was booked.So when you go to one of these day spas, they have you fill out a form that inquires as to what parts of your body are most out of sorts. I made my way down the list. Neck? Check. Upper back? Check. Midback? Check. Low back? Check. Legs? Arms? Feet? Check. Check. Double check. When I was done there was no box left unchecked and the tiny blank they'd left for "Other" was overflowing with a catalog of numerous additional body parts.When the masseur, Sven, came into the room, he took a look at the form and sighed at the work cut out for him. He asked in his Sweedish accent, "You have very many pains, yes?" I explained, "I'm hiking the Appalachian Trail." No response. "I hike a lot. Twelve hours a day or so." Confused, he asked, "Every day?" "Yeah, every day for the last four months." I could see the wheels begin to turn in that blonde, blue-eyed head of his. "I walked here from Georgia." I guess that's pretty impressive now that we're in Connecticut. Sven's eyes nearly popped out of his head and he almost lost control of the clipboard. Regaining his composure, he ushered me into the massage room.It was the shortest, most relaxing hour of my life. All those kinks that had slowly worked their way in since the last good massage I had (in Gatlinburg - thanks Dad!) were beaten into submission under the capable hands of dear Sven. I'm afraid it was a bit much for him though. As he was leaving the massage room, he was reportedly rubbing his neck muttering under his breath, "Now I need massage."After weeks of being stinky, hot, sweaty, achey, I was floating on air, feeling human again. Everyone wanted to know what I felt like doing next. I suggested perhaps walking around one of these cute little touristy towns and seeing the sights. "Walking?" Arwen asked, indignant. "On our one day off you want to go for a walk?" Ok, maybe not. We settled instead on a trip to the outfitter and a long nap. Aaah.The best past of today by far was just getting to be with my moms, my sis, my hubby, and my pup. Just being a regular person, not a hiker. We all went out to dinner together tonight (except the pup). After indulging in yet another long hot bath and before heading out to dinner Mommy One asked (with a gleam in her eye), "Would you like to wear a dress tonight to dinner?" She had stashed a pretty blue dress from home in her suitcase. Shoes too. It was strange cramming my grotesque hiker feet into dainty, feminine sandals, but I liked it! Jen did my hair and makeup. I felt like Pinnochio. My family turned me into a real girl.I can't thank everyone enough for all they did for me. Mom, Ronnie, Mom, Jen, Micah, Arwen - thank you.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net