How to End a Day on a Covered Wagon

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

It’s been a long week here aboard the covered wagon, hence the short post. In the past 8 days, Polly and I have traveled over 90 miles through eastern North Carolina. From Oriental to Lowland, up to Aurora and back to Oriental. Call it the shake down trip for the upcoming Canadian Maritime Voyage.

Good thing is I’ve spent so many nights aboard the new wagon, it’s starting to feel like home. The evening ritual goes like this.

Feed Polly. Light the wood stove. Cook a mix of foraged and lardered food, from Pamlico County eggs to store bought split peas. Then it’s glass-of-wine-time, pipe time and before turning in, time to step into the night air to check on Polly.

Then comes my favorite part of the evening. Blowing out the lantern. Then the candle. Finally, banking down the stove for the night. With the wagon’s three fires put to rest, it’s time to climb into bed.

With any luck, at 2am, the whole wagon won’t start rocking. That would be mule Polly indulging in her favorite bedtime ritual. Scratching her hindquarters on the wagon door. Then again, after pulling my covered wagon all over the county, she’s probably entitled to it.

Good night.

(Map note: the map shows where Polly and I stayed in Lowland, NC.)

---

BUFFY
2012-04-28

Bernie, I wish you and Polly much luck and safety in your travels together. I tried to add you to my address book but I don’t have a computer, it’s a webtv, for some reason it wouldn’t accept www.riverearth.com. I would like to follow along in your travels if it was only possible. I got this address from Wagonteamster. Write back to me if you have time please and let me know how your trip is going and where you are. Thanks and God Bless! Buffy

---

Butterbean Carpenter
2012-04-28

Howdy Bernie & Polly, how come you ain’t got a dog, hah?? Just a mule, but a sweet one!! I’m gettin’ so antsy, waitin’ on you and ol’ WT to GO!!! There is so much traffic on the E coast I tell you I’m a little worried about this adventure; it may be a BIG adventure, but I’ll trust Polly to get us through. Can we go thru Amish country and show Polly off?? Them & their harness hosses!!

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.

Just enter your email below and hit Subscribe.

Explore More of RiverEarth

• Travel by Horse and Mule
• Travel by Sail
• Tasmania by $10 Bike
• Around the Homestead
• Travel Grit Website: Interviews with Long Riders, Sailors and Adventurers