Find…

Driveway Visit

Published July 2, 2019

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

I carry an old camera in my saddle bag and point it toward other people.

Bernie Harberts Canon G16 camera in vintage style case carried in saddle bag on cross-country mule ride.
My trusty camera: years old and still snappin’. It’s a Canon G16 wrapped in an old timey looking case.

So it’s fun when folks I catch up with send photos of our visit. Here are a few sent to me Janet DeClerck. She took these the night I stayed with Rob and Brooke Wangen of Panwee, Illinois. They really capture the spirit of folks just visiting folks.

Thanks for the pics Janet. What a fun look at my trip from the other side of the lens.

Rob and Brooke Wangen's bloodhound Copper seeking a pat during Bernie Harberts driveway visit in Pawnee, Illinois.
Rob and Brooke’s blood hound Copper moving in for the pat while I’m rattling off on a story that probably started, “well, here’s what happened….”
Bernie Harberts showing off mules Brick and Cracker during overnight visit in Pawnee, Illinois.
Showing off the mules.
Mules Brick and Cracker grooming each other during driveway visit in Pawnee, Illinois.
Brick and Cracker grooming.
Group photo with mules Brick and Cracker during Bernie Harberts overnight visit in Pawnee, Illinois.
Group photo with mules.
Bernie Harberts shaking hands with hosts during driveway visit in Pawnee, Illinois on cross-country mule ride.
Shake and howdy

More on the North Carolina to Idaho ride.

Let's Keep in Touch

Sign up for The River, the RiverEarth newsletter, for occasional doses of rambling and homestead life. Plus you'll get a free copy of my 155-page illustrated ebook 19 Million Mule Steps.


Explore More of RiverEarth

Bernie Harberts riding mules, flowers from the homestead, and sailboat Sea Bird, adventures by horse, mule, sail and homestead

Other posts you might enjoy:

Posted in Travel by Horse & Mule, Two Mules to Triumph — Riding from North Carolina to Idaho

2 Responses to Driveway Visit

  • Christian on July 3, 2019 at 9:36 am

    You’re a brave (and also organized) man to keep up with all the names of folks! And its the least you can do, but some travelers don’t bother with these details in their narratives, and I always wonder if they really appreciate the help they get along the way. Perhaps one would need to make a distinction between travelers who write, and regular travelers?

    Write me down as “Mr. Impressed”!

    C

    Reply
    • Bernie on July 3, 2019 at 10:50 pm

      Mr Impressed: Nothing like needing people to sharpen a lousy memory for names. When you need people, as a man traveling with a mule does, you remember them. You remember how Norm and Lynn showered you in Missouri when your last shower was in Illinois. You remember how Leroy fished you off the road as the day went black.
      I hear this works for bike travel, too!
      Let me know how it goes.
      Bernie

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

General Store Too Proud to Ride a Cow

Designed by Christian Harberts.