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Mule Fuel

Published May 29, 2019

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

Mule Fuel. In to which slot does the gas pump go? Cracker’s pretty sure it’s not his blow hole… (Campbellsville, Ky)

It seems odd that a guy traveling across the land with his mules would need to buy gas. Sorta seems to defeat the whole reason to travel with a vehicle that gets most of its fuel from grass.

But, about twice a month, I’ll ease in to a gas station. Tie my mules up next to the gas pump. Put my credit cart in to the slot. Ignore all the motorists looking at me. And carefully, very carefully, fill my tank.

In case you ever wondered, that bent steel rail-looking-thing in front of many gas pumps is a hitching rail. Here, Cracker and Brick demonstrate its proper use.

The tank I’m referring to is the fuel tank on my cook stove.

I use a MSR stove to cook my meals. It burns gasoline, the same kind you put in your car (as opposed to the fancy “white gas” they sell at the camping supply store). The red bottle is the tank. Here’s a bit more about what I eat while I’m on the road.

I gotta say, it’s a thrill pulling in to a gas station and filling up for less than a dollar.

Cheap ride: who else pulls out of a station for less than a buck?

Big thank you to the young lady who took the photos of me “fueling” mule Cracker. You’re a good sport!

More on the North Carolina to Idaho ride.

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