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Mule Polly and the Covered Wagon Head to Lake Mattamuskeet for PBS NC

Published January 18, 2025

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

Mule Polly and I are ready to start our PBS NC wagon ramble! Here are a few pics of moving my gear from here in western North Carolina to Lake Mattamuskeet, on the coast of North Carolina.

Mule Polly eating a meal before Long Rider Bernie Harberts hits the road for Lake Mattamuskeet — Polly packing away a meal before hitting the road. Mega thanks to my wife Julia, for all the help getting me ready for my upcoming ramble.

Long Rider Bernie Harberts' covered wagon loaded for transport from western North Carolina to Lake Mattamuskeet — The new fashioned way of hauling old fashion gear. How the wagon got from western North Carolina to Mattamuskeet.

Long Rider Bernie Harberts' first night inside the covered wagon at Lake Mattamuskeet — How I spent my first night in the wagon on site. Cozy!

Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina, site of Long Rider Bernie Harberts' PBS NC wagon filming — Part of the Lake

Harvested soybean field on farm land surrounding Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina — Lake Mattamuskeet is surrounded by farm land. Here, field of harvested soybeans.

We’ll be filming all this coming week at Lake Mattamuskeet (eastern North Carolina). Cell service is spotty there so you won’t hear from us for a while. I’ll be sure to post pics and video from the shoot when we return.

Have a great week!

For a beautiful photo essay about my last ramble with Polly that PBS NC covered – complete with lots of behind-the-scenes pics – check out this entry from my journal.

More about:

North Carolina mule rambling.
Julia's and my Horseing Around adventures.

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4 Responses to Mule Polly and the Covered Wagon Head to Lake Mattamuskeet for PBS NC

Denise Clemensen on July 7, 2025 at 10:39 pm

Thoroughly enjoyed the show and never knew of such a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing the experience how exhilarating to be with you on your journey. I’ve watched the episode twice now by luck. Glad to see you and Polly on her last trip. Would love to see more experiences by covered wagon.

Reply
- Bernie on July 9, 2025 at 8:18 am
  
  Hi, Denise,
  I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed “Swan Song”. My wife Julia and I, too, have watched it twice and it thrilled us the second time as much as the first.
  The PBS NC film crew and director Morgan Potts did an incredible job making viewers (and me!) feel like they were right there in the wagon meeting the people, animals and environment of Hyde County and Lake Mattamuskeet.
  I’d love to do another wagon film! If you haven’t already, you can watch Polly’s journey across America here (https://www.amazon.com/The-Lost-Sea-Expedition/dp/B078T13W9P).
  Happy rambling, Denise!
  Bernie and mule Polly
  
  Reply
Tom Sites on February 22, 2025 at 11:01 am

Hey Bernie, I inadvertently deleted a bunch of of your correspondence last night but I’m now trying to build it back up.

Tom Sites. one who saw the power and strength of the Mule Lord Fauntleroy, winner of the GAHR.

t

Reply
- Bernie on February 22, 2025 at 11:30 am
  
  Hi, Tom. No problem at all. I’ll recopy per email you so you can build things back up! Bernie
  
  Reply