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Casper, Wyoming Arrival – and Departure

Published September 5, 2019

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

Hello – and goodbye – from Casper, Wyoming.

Bernie Harberts arriving in Casper, Wyoming with his mules — Casper, Wyoming arrival. Thanks Melissa for taking my photo.

Liong, a fellow traveler pedaling his bike from New Jersey — Liong says howdy. I met fellow traveler Liong pedaling his bike up the road. He left New Jersey 30 days ago.

The mules and I arrived in Casper Tuesday evening. We hope to set out toward Muddy Gap today.

Muddy Gap’s sort of a misnomer given that it’s smack in the middle of Wyoming’s best dusty dry land. The good news is we’re traveling along the Platte River for a good portion of the run there.

The Week in Photos

Here are a few photos of this week’s jaunt from Douglas to Casper.

Mules entering dry land on the way to Casper, Wyoming — In to a dry land.

Mule Cracker eating Russian thistle, also known as tumbleweed — Back east, the mules feasted on fescue and alfalfa. In Wyoming they’re getting less picky. Here Cracker eating Russian thistle – aka tumbleweed.

Camping at Bixby river access in Wyoming — Camping at Bixby river access.

Mule Brick drinking from the Platte River — Brick slaking her thirst in the Platte River at the end of a long day. So far, I’ve been able to water the mules twice a day at spots we can access the river.

Mules Cracker and Brick tied under a large cottonwood tree — Cracker and Brick bickering under a cotton wood tree we camped under. The tree was so big around I had to tie a rope around it like a belt. Then I tied the mules to that rope.

Grooves in the bark of a giant cottonwood tree — Groves in the bark of that giant cotton wood.

Dave Johnson coal plant and windmill farm outside Glenrock, Wyoming — Which future do you want? Here the Dave Johnson coal plant outside Glenrock. In the background a windmill farm. Note the plumes of particulate matter spewing from the white chimneys.

Wild gooseberries found growing under a cottonwood tree — Look closely and even in this dry land, you’ll find something to eat. Here, wild gooseberries found growing under a cotton wood tree.

Sunset at the end of a day's ride toward Casper, Wyoming — Day’s end.

More adventures by horse and mule: Travel by Horse and Mule.

More on the North Carolina to Idaho ride.

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7 Responses to Casper, Wyoming Arrival – and Departure

ji liong on October 25, 2020 at 11:28 pm

Howdy,my friend? i’m Liong the guy from NJ we met in Wyoming outside Casper..it was an experience of a lifetime never forgotten that whole trips and moments i met you,,thanks for this lovely posting
just wanted to let you know i’m well and still kicking,,however i’m no longer living in US anymore i was Deported on the day i was traveling home on Amtrak,jIled 3 months,now i’m’ in Indonesia
it’s been 9 months total from the day of my release
i miss US and my friends there
but i also grateful for US allowing to live ghete for 19yrs,it’s bittersweet but,,lifec hoes on eigher there or here
whenever your foot planted there you have to look up the sky and lives dwell beneath its
3 months in ICE detention is no Fun at all
i met and heard alot amazing story told me by my fellows detainess
they come from all over corner of the globe,yet share same faith and goals
to have the American Dreams(mine was taken forcibly) i was on Amtrak train when ICE get aboard the train that was pulled at Buffalo,NY station on 25th september 2019
then they took me to ICE detention in Batavia,NY
spend 3months there
then on January 9th 2020 they Deported me

since then,my life it’s not the same anymore

so,my friend if you’re happen to visit Indonesia(JAkarta) be sure to look me up

my #+62 0811-1236871
Email:[email protected]
IG:explorelifebeyond2050

happy Adventures my friend i wish you well and strenght si you may keep traveling with your two best friends
they’re the best ever a man can have…

bye!

Reply
- Bernie on October 27, 2020 at 8:17 pm
  
  Hi Ji Liong,
  So good hearing from you.
  I will always remember those purple energy candies you gave me. They were amazing and kept me walking through some mighty cold weather.
  I hope you’re settling in well back home. I can imagine it’s a big change from New Jersey and pedaling across America.
  If I ever take a mule trip across Indonesia, I’ll have at least person I know there!
  I sure appreciate your contacting me with an update.
  All the best and keep in touch.
  Bernie
  
  Reply
Sue McBride on September 8, 2019 at 8:02 pm

So glad to learn you made it to Independence Rock today. There is good shelter there for the night! I agree with Christian about your great photos—especially the moon shot! Really enjoying your posts about your travels through Wyoming.

Reply
Deni McIntyre on September 6, 2019 at 4:58 pm

Hey, Bernie! We’re going to be at the A Bar A next week. Don’t know where you’ll be by then, but it would be great to get together.

Reply
- Bernie on September 8, 2019 at 4:44 pm
  
  Hi guys! In my Fantasy Mule Route Planning my trip would have taken me by A Bar A but the Gods of Rhumb Route Mule Travel steered me toward Independence Rock (where I’m camped right now, Sunday, September 8). From here I hope to head toward Muddy Junction and then turn west toward Sweet Water and Lander.
  Let me know if the Gods of Whim steer you up our way!
  Have a great visit.
  Bernie
  
  Reply
Christian Harberts on September 6, 2019 at 3:39 am

So much fine photography! I particularly like the moon above the silhouette of the cottonwood tree… The best camera is the one you have when you need it. From there, its just a matter of keeping your eyes and mind open.

Look forward to more!

C

Reply
- Bernie on September 8, 2019 at 4:48 pm
  
  Hey thanks for the kind words Christian. This last batch of pics are straight off the camera. The camera with the shattered screen. The best camera in the world because…it was in my pocket! Sure helps to be in a part of the world where it’s hard to take a bad photo…
  Cheers.
  Bernie
  
  Reply