Date: 2008-08-12
From: October Mountain Lean-To

To: Dalton- The Bird Cage
Miles today: 12.2

Little did I know, what the day had in store for me?I would soon be shaking hands with Angels.I was starving by the time I reached Dalton. I passed a little place called Angelina's Subs and parked it right there until I was refueled.Walking a little further, I was standing in front of the Shamrock Inn. Much to my surprise, there was L.B.Dutch standing on the sidewalk, we gave each other a big hug. Dutch had left the trail 2 months ago after Damascus, I guess she was homesick for her husband? She later became trailsick and had to return to the AT. She had stayed in touch with John & Kelly and was to meet them here today to begin her hiking again.I had chores to do, however I needed a place to stay first. I had heard of a hostel called the "Bird Cage", you inquire about it at the Shell gas station.Well, good deal, it's right across the street. There I met Rob, he owns the station and the Bird Cage just happens to be his home.I was surprised how friendly he was, and he jumped as if he had been waiting for me all along? He drove me a few blocks to his home giving me a quick run down on resupply, places to eat etc...Upon arrival, his home was full of hikers and gear. I had a reunion with several people I haven't seen for a while and met some new faces as well.I was surprised to see Mountain Squid? He was my first trail angel coming down from Springer in Georgia, then I next saw him in Port Clinton PA.He & Rob are friends and he just drove up from Tennessee to help out for a few days and shuttle hikers. Mountain Squid, you are one hell of a guy!The house was maxed out so I opted to sleep on his garage floor. This worked for me as the only snoring would be mine and no confined room of inhaling the stench of many a hiker funk.I walked an almost 2 mile circle checking out the only 2 stores that offered any form of food resupply. Unfortunately, I needed a third option, where would I find one? As AT luck would have it, The 3 of us learned of and caught the last bus to Berkshire which was just 5 miles away. They had a Walmart, Subway, and big grocery store. The bus was $2.20 vs a cab of $15.00 one way.Being the only 3 on the bus, the driver "Blay" who was originally from Africaspoke with us. He explained this was the last bus and we would have to find another way back? Oh well, at least we were lucky to get this ride.After hearing us decide we would just walk back, he then made an ubelieveable offer. Blay would take his break at home before returning the bus to the depot and end his shift. He would swing by at a specific time, pick us up very quickly, return the bus and drive us back in his own car.Can you believe this? We were all dumb founded, this just doesn't happen?We exited happy as 3 giddy school kids at our good fortune. We resupplied to our hearts content. I scored on some fried chicken from the deli and ate it as I walked along the parking lot to our rendezvous point.As the bus came rolling up on it's unscheduled stop, Blay was hurriedly waving us to get on fast. Once pulling away, I could see there were other people walking toward where the bus had stopped, wanting to board. A little drama never hurts. He then drove to the terminal, we waited for Blay in the depot parking lot and soon were loading in his car.He was an enjoyable person to speak with. Back in Dalton as we unloaded we each handed him money. Blay refused, and we literally tried our best to convince him to take it, if not for himself then for his car which has a $5.00 a gallon habit. Blay smiled and said that where he comes from, when someone does you a favor, the correct repayment is to simply say "God bless you". Wow! God Bless You Blay, and thank you very much!This entire experience just blew me away.I walked back to the Bird Cage and sat outside restocking my pack with food and sipping on wine. Later I went in and spoke with some folks then began talking with Rob. At some point, he began telling me that his mother was born in the living room of this house in 1912 and that he grew up here. He added other things about his life and then mentioned how this hostel came to be? Since the Post Office was right next door to his gas station, he would let hikers sort through their mail drops inside during bad weather. Then about 8 years ago, The weather was bad and he met a hiker looking for a cheap place to stay? The motel next door was to expensive and he was just down and out at this point. So Rob brought him home, let him take a warm shower and gave him a place to stay for the night.Rob continued talking until I noticed there were tears quietly forming in the corners of his eyes. He shared with me about his brother who developed problems from Agent Orange while in Viet Nam. His brother had then moved in here to look after their mother. He made Rob promise him that once it came to amputation from his Diabetes, he was having no part of it, and would be checking out with all his parts attached. Afterward, Rob would then have to look after their mother. His brother passed on Thanksgiving Day of that year. His mother had since passed on as well. The hiker whom Rob had helped, had spread the word. Soon more hikers appearred.With each passing year the numbers increased. If you know Rob, then you know he could never turn anyone away who needed help. His mother was this way and no doubt she is smiling down on her son and how he has made this a home to so many?Rob is a trail legend, his kind heart is legendary!In fact Dick, the Mayor of Unionville NY, who had a similar start, had heard of and sought out Rob. He needed guidance, as the number of hikers that kept appearring at his door were increasing rapidly as well!You just never know when you wake up in the morning, what the day is going to bring? It was a priviledge and an honor to meet these two men today. Two strangers that had made an extrordinary impression on me, I will never forget them.