My wife Julia and I call this Border Collie Assist. That's when Diggity and Lucky, our rescue border collies, get on a fresh scent and lean into their leashes. This is great for towing you up hills but not so great when going downhill...

We recently had an overnight ice storm. It was a kind one that didn't snap a bunch of trees or tear down the powerlines. After building a fire in the wood stove, drinking coffee and feeding the horses and mules, we went for a walk to check out the wintry wonder. The whole world looked like it was dipped in crystal, and by noon, the ice was gone.

Julia walking Lucky and Diggity on the orchard the morning after the ice storm.

A few years ago, Julia and I built a stone in the middle of our orchard. One day, while plowing the area for a feed plot, I unearthed a wide, flat stone. It looked just like a tombstone, so I propped it against the cairn. When guests ask who's buried under it, I say The Unknown Cowboy.

Julia using the Trust Technique with our neighbor Laura's baby donkey Kona. The Trust Technique is a way of lowering an animal's mind and deepening connection and trust.

While traveling in my wagon from Canada to Mexico with my Mule Polly, I came across this giant dinosaur in a pasture. I set up camp next to the dinosaur, and not long after, I met a local rancher, Harvey McPherson (pictured), who told me about the dinosaur. I asked him who made the dinosaur, and he said, "There used to be a small train depot here in this community. Some of the guys that worked here knew that someday… Continue reading →

Richard Gragg lives in Gragg, North Carolina and digs wild shrubs for a living. He put me up while I was riding my mules through the area. When I asked him what advice he had for newbie shrub diggers, he said, "Don't let the copperheads bite your ass!"

Our kitchen sink during one particularly guest-heavy weekend. Someone has GOT to start washing dishes around here! Okay, half of those mugs are mine...