For the past couple weeks, I have heard these words from hikers going southbound to Georgia. They all spoke so highly of this place called the bird cage that I was becoming suspicious and thought there might be a southbounder conspiracy to trick northbounders into going to some weird, creepo place. Dr p and I were wondering if we were walking into a "Hostel" situation.
"Just walk to the shell station in Dalton. The kid at the desk will see you and call Rob. He'll come and get you."
What in sam hell?! Really? Thats how we get to this place? Well, what the heck. This trail is all about new experiences. Why not?
We hiked 22 miles to get to Dalton and try this bird cage we kept hearing about. We get to the shell station and the kid pumping gas looks at us and asks "You want the bird cage?"
"Yeah" we reply.
"Hold on, I'll call rob" says the kid.
Dr pepper and I lean against the gas station window, munching on trail mix as we sorta kinda nervously wait for rob. Soon enough a van pulls up. No rob. It's Nancy.
Cigarette in hand, Nancy rolls down the mini van passenger window, smiles, and says, "hey hikers! What's your names??" Nancy gave off an immediate warmth and I could tell this was not going to be a scenario I needed to be worried about. Dr pepper and I jumped in the van and we drove off, heading to the bird cage.
On the drive over, Nancy gave us a little background about herself as well as on rob, and the bird cage. Rob has been running this little hiker helpout operation for over a decade. We arrived at the house and met Rob, an older guy with a quick smile and a friendly hand shake.
"We're just about to do a load of laundry if you want to throw your dirty clothes in" he says. "And there are some clean clothes in the other room for you to wear in the meantime. The shower is over there. Fresh towels are on the shelf."
There were about 10 other hikers hanging around as well. Some I recognized, some I didn't. Some northbound, some south. I showered up and threw my clothes in the laundry. We sat around and talked with Nancy, Rob and some of the other hikers. The atmosphere was very comfortable and felt like at home. A great feeling, especially since the last 3 days have been cold and rainy.
At 7 Rob and Nancy took a bunch of us over to the old country buffet. The hungry hikers filled up on plate after plate. Earlier I weighed in at 145 lbs, 20 below what I started at, so I put down 4 plates myself. I think dr p did the same. Afterwards we came came back to the bird cage and relaxed some more. We all watched the film, boondock saints as we digested.
There are some hikers that spent 4 or 5 days here. This place has an awesome vibe and I feel right at home. If I wasn't on a deadline, I might stay a couple days. For me, it's just the night. But I feel so fortunate to have found this place and met these wonderful people. Rob and Nancy welcomed us into their home, treated us like family, and asked for nothing in return. Their hospitality has been second to none and I can't wait to send them a postcard from atop mt katahdin. Truly a special experience with special people.
Rob and Nancy
Dr pepper, at our sleeping quarters
Bird cage!
Fellow Nobos, snags and indy
Hangin out in the kitchen
I loved the bird cage. Soda, walmart, old mattresses, and good ole Rob.
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