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Richard Gragg Laurel Digger

Published April 9, 2019

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

Traveling the land with my mules, I’m fascinated what people do for a living. I’ve met oil men, lobster fisherman and chicken sexers. This week I met my first laurel digger. Meet Richard Gragg.

Richard lives in Gragg, NC, between Globe and Grandfather mountain. I spent the night at Richard’s last night and he explained what he does for a living this time of year. Here are a few photos of my visit.

Richard Gragg: laurel digger (and saw miller and arrow head hunter extraordinaire). (Gragg, NC)

Tonight I’m camped in Jimmy Hughes’ pasture in Linville, NC. It’s a beautiful night so I just threw out my bedroll. I hear Brick and Cracker munching away in the night. They’re eating the first bluegrass and orchard grass we’ve encountered on this trip.

Good night.

My digs tonight. I’m writing to you from inside my bivy bag, the blue sack-looking thing. Behind me is a pen that used to hold wild hogs. (Linville, NC)

More on the North Carolina to Idaho ride.

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