Travel by Mule
Listen to Mule Cracker Eat His Breakfast
Brick, Cracker and I have been on the trail for nine days following the Virginia Highland horse Trail from Elk Garden to Ivanhoe, Virginia. Grain is too heavy to carry so I picket them out along the way to fill their bellies on the grass that we come across. Most of the ride is through deep forest but luckily, we have come across grassy openings along the way.
This morning, Brick, Cracker and I are camped at the Hussey Horse… Continue reading
SheRa Just Wants to Transition And Hike the Appalachian Trail
Mules Brick, Cracker and I recently met SheRa on our mule ramble up the the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail. “All I want to do is walk through the forest,” SheRa told me. It turns out that’s not easy if you’re transitioning from being a man to a woman.
Listen to SheRa’s Story
Click on the player below to listen to my story about SheRa and her epic backflip off Brick
Becoming SheRa
A few days after I met SheRa in Elk Park, I ran into her again in the Scales camp on top of Grayson Highlands. SheRa told me she is the first person to complete hiking the Appalachian Trail while transitioning from being a man to a woman.
We had a fascinating discussion that goes beyond the scope of what I can peck into my phone on the top of Grayson Hughlands, but I did make a recording of my thoughts that I look forward to sharing with you.
I will say that I found SheRa charming with a kind sense of humor. She grew up in Tennessee and says, “Deep down, I’m just a redneck from Appalachia.” She told me the hikers she met on the AT were amazingly supportive and encouraging of her transition. She also points out she’s suffered physical assault and social media criticism by strangers who disagree with her choice. “I’ve had restaurants not serve me, the law called on me and some guy called me a faggot while I was drinking a whiskey in a bar to celebrate the end of a hike. All because they don’t understand that I’m just want to live my life and part of that is becoming a woman. I’ve always felt that way and now I’m going through with becoming on. How does that hurt anyone?”
In that way she’s like everyone else I’m meeting on the AT.
“All I want to do is walk through the woods,” she says.
Here are some photos of our visit.
If I have one takeaway from my encounter with SheRa it’s this. If you don’t understand someone, start by being kind. Then ask them the questions you’re afraid to ask.
More about SheRa on Facebook at SheRa Be Free.
Continue readingListen to Two Mules Clip Clop Across a Railroad Bridge
This morning my mules Brick, Cracker and I tackled the first leg of our mule ramble. We plan to spend the next two days riding 30 miles up the Virginia Creeper Trail. It all started in front of an ancient locomotive.
Here are some photos and audio from the day you’ll enjoy.
Goodnight Wishes From Damascus
I am writing you tonight from my hammock. It’s slung between my horse trailer and a stock panel. It’s pitch black outside and the night air smells like camomile.
I hear Brick and Cracker munching clover off in the night and I feel a deep peace. Tomorrow I saddle up and start my ramble. Here are a few more pics of where we’re camping.
Clothes For A Three Week Mule Ramble
Good Monday morning. The mules and I are heading to Damascus, Virginia today, to start our mule ramble. Right now I’m getting gear loaded into my saddle bags. Here’s how many clothes I’m taking for our three-week ramble.
Join me For a Mule Ramble Along The Virginia Highlands Horse Trail
Hey, let’s go mule rambling! My mules Brick, Cracker and I are heading out next week on our next mule ramble, and I look forward to sharing the trip with you. Here’s a sketch of my intended route.
Like all my mule rambles, I’ve given myself permission to quit at any point for any reason. That sure takes the pressure of saying you’re going to do… Continue reading
The Hoof Boot Review: 3 Hoof Boots, 32 Days on the Trail
What’s the best kind of hoof boot for your horse or mule? My wife Julia and I rode from North Carolina to Virginia and back with three brands of hoof boots. This hoof boot review is what we… Continue reading
Queen Valley Mule Ranch Saddle Review
This is a review of how my Queen Valley Mule Ranch (QVM) Trail Lite saddle performed after I rode it 7 months and 2,300 miles from North Carolina to Idaho.
I may be calling… Continue reading
Adjusting Pie’s Hoof Boots (Part 3 of the 3 Part Series on Transitioning to Hoof Boots)
How do you adjust a pair of new hoof boots?
In today’s post, I’ll show you how I’m adjusting a pair of hoof boots to fit my wife’s pony Pie. To get you up to speed, here are the first two parts in this three part series.
- Off With Her Shoes (Part 1 of 3)
- Measuring Pie for Hoof Boots (Part 2 of 3)
Off With Her Shoes (Part 1 of the 3 Part Series on Transitioning to Hoof Boots)
A while back my wife Julia and I pulled the steel horseshoes on her pony Pie’s front feet. I thought you’d be interested how we’re transitioning her (Pie, not Julia) to bare feet. From here on out, she’ll go barefoot. For extra protection Pie might need on rocky trails or abrasive surfaces like asphalt, we’ll slap on a pair of hoof boots.
