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Resting in Central City

Published July 18, 2019

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

2 bags of feed, a salt block and a patch of grass they couldn’t eat in a week. The mules are holed up in Central City, Nebraska, enjoying 2 days off after 2 weeks of almost uninterrupted walking.

Mules Brick and Cracker crossing a bridge over the Platte River in Nebraska — Brick to Cracker: “Yeah, another one of those bridge-y things we have to cross….”

Fortunately, crossing the Platte today involved no drama. No police escort. No hopping off halfway across to lead a balky mule. I was riding Brick. It was her first bridge crossing and, aside from shying at the expansion joints, she gave me no cause to fire her.

Mule and rider crossing the Platte River, mid-river view — Mid-river.

Homes built along the Platte River outside Central City, Nebraska — I was surprised how built-up the Platte was outside Central City. Here, a half dozen homes right on the river’s edge. I would not find this home owning experience relaxing in light of the massive flooding the mid-West has experienced. No word on whether these dwellings got dunked.

Bernie Harberts' campsite at the Merrick County Fairground near Central City, Nebraska — Camp: you can just barely see our tent under the tree. It’s right above Brick’s withers. We’re staying at the fairground just outside Central City.

Bernie Harberts sitting on a feed bag chair from Bomgaars farm supply — Where I’m writing you from. Feed bag chair compliments of Bomgaars farm supply.

Thanks

Bomgaars ag supply of Central City: for donating 2 sacks of feed to our journey
Bomgaars employees Dusty Ericksen, Karla Jensen and Theresa Johns
Brad Wells: for helping me find a place to give the mules 2 days off
Merrick County Fairgrounds: for giving mules Brick, Cracker and me a place to unwind for 2 days
Sherry: the Pumpkin Spice horse treats

The Road Ahead

The mules and I plan to spend the next 2 days here at the Merrick County Fairground. Then it’s off toward Loup City to visit Trent Loos who I visited 11 years ago on my “Lost Sea Expedition” wagon voyage across America. The last time I visited Trent we raked hay together. You can see those photos – and listen to Trent’s views on horse power versus mechanization – right here.

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

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2 Responses to Resting in Central City

Bernie on July 19, 2019 at 12:24 am

It’s been a much appreciated luxury to travel these straight roads with wide shoulders. Finally I can even walk the mules up the road without worrying about getting mown down by a logging truck. The perfect pace at which to absorb this wonderful land and its people.

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Julia on July 18, 2019 at 10:11 pm

The land is sure changing…you aren’t in the mountains of NC anymore. From curvy to straight, from steep to flat and what’s with all the sky showing? I love watching the progression of the mules walking through an ever changing landscape. Lucky the people have stayed unwaveringly friendly and kind.

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