Urban chickens are the newest residents of Magden, Idaho, a ghost town since 1986. You may remember Magden as the former home of "Baby Jessica." Baby Jessica was a famous baby because of her ability to fit into tiny places. She captivated the nation with her acrobatics and contortionist abilities. Interest died down when it was discovered she was born without a full set of rib bones, allowing her to squeeze and bend more easily than others. Dubbed a hoax, she faded into obscurity. Residents of Magden were dealt another blow when their main industry, VHS tape manufacturing, crumbled with the invention of the DVD. Soon, the townspeople packed up and set off for Jaxdon, Nebraska, leaving Magden to die a slow death.
Recently, on a road trip through Idaho, we discovered the town of Magden. The earth is slowly reclaiming it as evident by the vine covered gas station. "Coming Soon: Predator," is on the marquee, although it reads more like "Com g oon dato," but you can figure it out. It's all but silent except for the occasional buzz from a passing dragonfly. The cement is hot and cracked and there are no birds overhead. But then, just as we were headed back to our car, we heard it; a cackle. And then more cackles. Five chickens darted across the parking lot of the abandoned Waffle House. We moved in closer and they charged us. We rushed back to the car and they jumped on the hood and started pecking at the windshield. We turned on the wipers but they were not deterred. I had some Orbitz gum, so I threw the pack out the window. They went for the bait, so we backed up slowly. Then we high-tailed it to Boise in search of sushi.
