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Ride a Travois, Pet a Mule: Mule Days at Leatherwood Photos

Published May 3, 2025

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

My wife Julia and I have been attending Mule Days at Leatherwood all week. She’s been giving individual sessions of the Two Step Way, of which she’s the founder. I’ve been fitting mules to hoof boots. We got some lovely pics of the goings-on and Mule Days and I thought you’d like these pics.

Mules and donkeys gathered at Mule Days at Leatherwood, North Carolina — Of course I’m starting this photo essay with this Long Ears photo.

Ruth and Janet St. John's mule-drawn travois ambulance costume entry at Mule Days at Leatherwood — Ruth and Janet St. John’s entry in the costume class: a mule drawn travois ambulance. Very cool! I bought my mule Cracker from the St Johns.

Tollie and Amy Mitchell with their donkeys at Mule Days at Leatherwood — Tollie and Amy Mitchell hanging with their donks.

Mystery Machine costume class entry at Mule Days at Leatherwood — Another costume class entry: The Mystery Machine as seen in Scooby Doo.

Buzz Lightyear and Woody costume entry at Mule Days at Leatherwood — Of course Buzz Lightyear and Woody attended.

Ribbon awarded to Tollie Mitchell for his home made IPA at Mule Days at Leatherwood — Though these ribbons are intended to pin the Mule Days at Leatherwood show, I commandeered one to award Tollie Mitchell first prize for his home made IPA. I’m going to call it Obstacle Course because that’s what was written on the ribbon. Thanks for sharing, Tollie!

More mule rambles across North Carolina: North Carolina Mule Rambles.

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