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Last Missouri Miles

Published July 14, 2019

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

10 more miles and the mules clip clop from Missouri in to Iowa. I’d never planned to visit Iowa on this trip.

Mules Brick and Cracker approaching the Iowa border
Cracker to Brick: “Ever heard of Iowa?”

Originally, the plan was to head from Stanberry, MO, where I spent the 4th of July, west to Rock Port. There the mules and I would cross the bridge in to Nebraska. But that’s a no go. The bridge across the Missouri river is impassable due to high water. So the mules and I are heading north in to Iowa. The plan now is to cross the Missouri south of Iowa and enter Nebraska in Bellevue.

I can tell I’m getting farther and farther west. The sky seems bigger. The land dustier. I don’t know if it’s the slant of the summer sun or my dirty sun glasses but the light seems more yellow, more golden.

Here are a few pics of the people and the land we’ve seen the past few days.

Bernie Harberts' paper map used for navigation on the mule ramble
My trusty map: I still navigate largely by paper map and compass. Plus I ask loads of people where the Hell I am. I’m always amazed how sanitized and tidy the roads look on the map. All those straight white lines….
Gravel road landscape near the Missouri-Iowa border
…look a lot different on the ground.
Rural landscape along the mule ramble route near the Iowa border

As always, folks remain outgoing. They have time for a gam. I wonder if part of it has to do with the population density. It’s like folks are happy to see another person out here. Riding up a roller coaster-y gravel road, I had an encounter that captured this spirit.

Campsite in Sam Shafer's hay field near the Iowa border
Where I spent last night: thanks Sam Shafer for letting us set up camp in your hay field.

Tonight (July 6) the mules and I are camped at the saddle club in Burlington Junction. Thanks Susan, Rodney and Irene for setting this all up for me!

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

More on the North Carolina to Idaho ride.

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