Richard Gragg Laurel Digger

Published April 9, 2019

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.

Bernie Harberts, tater tunnel

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.

Bernie Harberts, tater tunnel

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)