I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.
I added some grey to my beard those final miles. That fluffy white stuff is snow.The final night’s dig: Brick and Cracker slept in the rodeo arena corral. I slept under the bleachers.Headin’ in for a cup of coffee (John Delorenzo photo)Mules Brick and Cracker and me with Santos (background) and some fellow Hailey Coffee Company fans (John Delorenzo photo)Taking a moment to adjust Cracker’s bridle (L). Brick is on the right hauling the pack saddle.Snow and gloves slow everything down. That bridle keeper I can tuck in in seconds takes way longer when I’m wearing soggy pig skin gloves. Good thing Cracker’s a patient mule.My right hand, here holding the rope by which I lead Brick. My gloves are soaked, my fingers numb.The view off to my immediate right: Brick’s load. All up, she carries just over 100 pounds. That’s well within the limits of a 850 pound animal.Fall frosting.Idahoans are a hearty breed. Here, 3 fisherman tossing flies on the Big Wood river outside Hailey.Bridges: one of the not too pleasant aspects of snow travel. Here, the mules and I prepare to cross the Big Wood river. The road is incredibly slippery under the mules’ hooves.Brick’s hoof boots. They did great in the snow.And we’re here! Nick and Carolyn greet Brick, Cracker and me down the street from their home.Hell yeah I put on my top hat for the final approach! (Carolyn Parker photo)And they’re done! Brick and Cracker happily munching away in Nick and Carolyn’s back yard.Hangin’ up my hat….for the week. Soon enough, it’ll be back on my head off on another mission.
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Congratulations Bernie! What a journey! So many interesting people and places! I enjoyed meeting them all through your writings and photos. Looking forward to seeing you back in NC and hearing some more about the adventures and challenges you, Brick and Cracker experienced and overcame. Safe voyage home.
Doug. I’m so happy you enjoyed meeting some of the folks and places I met on my journey. It’s sorta sad to be wrapping it up. The good news is we’ll be able to catch up on the farm and rehash some of the places we’ve both visited: think Greys River and the Yankee Doodle! Sure look forward to seeing you up the holler. Bernie
Bernie, I salute you in your wonderful, courageous and delightful accomplishment traveling here to our beautiful Hailey! Welcome! I’m sad though, that you had to arrive in our first snow storm! We have such delightful fall days here! Today, the snow was gone at my house and the sun was brilliant. I heard about your travels from a dear friend of mine in Ontario, Canada! I wish I had been following your journey from the beginning, but I am delighted you made it here safely and have hopefully enjoyed our quiet, cherished valley! I came 38 years ago and never left!!! I hope you find the lift you and the mules need home!
Dear Fran.
Lovely hearing from you. The mules and I have had a most warm Hailey welcome (barring the snowy arrival). Folks have been super generous with lodgings for me and the mules with plenty of hay throw in.
I’m cheered to hear you were able to get a sense of our voyage on the RiverEarth.com. Hailey and Idaho really are a beautiful part of the country so I understand how a person could show up and never leave. I certainly hope to return, hopefully next time with my wife Julia.
As to the snowy arrival, I thought it terrific. What better way to wrap up a mule voyage than ride the final miles through the whirling white stuff. Besides, it makes for great photos (even if I had to resort to plastic bags in my boots to keep my feet dry.)
Sure was nice hearing from you Fran.
Give a big howdy to your Ontario friend for me and all the best with you canine training (I checked out your site – very cool).
Thanks again for the lovely Hailey welcome.
Bernie
Thank you so much for sharing this adventure with us ! You were bathed with many prayers along the way by regular, everyday folks like myself. Your trip was also our trip. The one we wished we had made. Again- thank you and may God continue to watch over you and shower you with blessings!
Hi David.
Your words “Your trip was also our trip” mean so much to me. As a traveler, writer and film maker, I document what I see, feel and experience out there on the road. Then I feel an obligation to share those experiences with folks that dream of being out there but just can’t be, for whatever reason.
I feel that need to share because I’ve been on the “staying at home” side the fence, too.
There have been times in my life when for various reasons, I had to stay at home and got great enjoyment following others’ voyages. The marvelous trips of Bob Skelding, Angela Wood and Sven Yrvind come to mind.
So thanks. Thanks for your kind words, prayers and thoughts.
Bernie
Bill and I are so glad and thankful that you made it safely to Hailey. Bet the mules are happy not to have to go again for awhile. Wishing you well with getting the mules back home safely.
Dear Linda and Bill.
Lovely hearing from you. From Bill’s opening the gate for me to breakfast at Martha’s, I sure enjoyed our time in Blackfoot together. Yes, you’re right, the mules are happy to have a few days off. I think they’ll be super happy to back on home turf. Now we just need to get them back there. Thanks again for all you did for us during our visit.
Bernie
Congratulations Bernie! What a journey! So many interesting people and places! I enjoyed meeting them all through your writings and photos. Looking forward to seeing you back in NC and hearing some more about the adventures and challenges you, Brick and Cracker experienced and overcame. Safe voyage home.
Doug. I’m so happy you enjoyed meeting some of the folks and places I met on my journey. It’s sorta sad to be wrapping it up. The good news is we’ll be able to catch up on the farm and rehash some of the places we’ve both visited: think Greys River and the Yankee Doodle! Sure look forward to seeing you up the holler. Bernie
Bernie, I salute you in your wonderful, courageous and delightful accomplishment traveling here to our beautiful Hailey! Welcome! I’m sad though, that you had to arrive in our first snow storm! We have such delightful fall days here! Today, the snow was gone at my house and the sun was brilliant. I heard about your travels from a dear friend of mine in Ontario, Canada! I wish I had been following your journey from the beginning, but I am delighted you made it here safely and have hopefully enjoyed our quiet, cherished valley! I came 38 years ago and never left!!! I hope you find the lift you and the mules need home!
Dear Fran.
Lovely hearing from you. The mules and I have had a most warm Hailey welcome (barring the snowy arrival). Folks have been super generous with lodgings for me and the mules with plenty of hay throw in.
I’m cheered to hear you were able to get a sense of our voyage on the RiverEarth.com. Hailey and Idaho really are a beautiful part of the country so I understand how a person could show up and never leave. I certainly hope to return, hopefully next time with my wife Julia.
As to the snowy arrival, I thought it terrific. What better way to wrap up a mule voyage than ride the final miles through the whirling white stuff. Besides, it makes for great photos (even if I had to resort to plastic bags in my boots to keep my feet dry.)
Sure was nice hearing from you Fran.
Give a big howdy to your Ontario friend for me and all the best with you canine training (I checked out your site – very cool).
Thanks again for the lovely Hailey welcome.
Bernie
Thank you so much for sharing this adventure with us ! You were bathed with many prayers along the way by regular, everyday folks like myself. Your trip was also our trip. The one we wished we had made. Again- thank you and may God continue to watch over you and shower you with blessings!
Hi David.
Your words “Your trip was also our trip” mean so much to me. As a traveler, writer and film maker, I document what I see, feel and experience out there on the road. Then I feel an obligation to share those experiences with folks that dream of being out there but just can’t be, for whatever reason.
I feel that need to share because I’ve been on the “staying at home” side the fence, too.
There have been times in my life when for various reasons, I had to stay at home and got great enjoyment following others’ voyages. The marvelous trips of Bob Skelding, Angela Wood and Sven Yrvind come to mind.
So thanks. Thanks for your kind words, prayers and thoughts.
Bernie
Bill and I are so glad and thankful that you made it safely to Hailey. Bet the mules are happy not to have to go again for awhile. Wishing you well with getting the mules back home safely.
Dear Linda and Bill.
Lovely hearing from you. From Bill’s opening the gate for me to breakfast at Martha’s, I sure enjoyed our time in Blackfoot together. Yes, you’re right, the mules are happy to have a few days off. I think they’ll be super happy to back on home turf. Now we just need to get them back there. Thanks again for all you did for us during our visit.
Bernie