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Photo of the Day – Brick in Her Packed Saddle

Published November 20, 2024

Photo of the Day - Brick in her packed saddle

This is my mule, Brick. I took this photo while I was traveling with her and my other mule, Cracker, from North Carolina to Idaho. She's carrying the pack saddle I carried my gear on. She's such a good saddle mule, it's almost criminal that she carried my tent, pickets, food and sleeping bag. Then again, that was better than me having to schlep our gear 2,300 miles from North Carolina to Idaho. Today, back at home in western North… Continue reading →

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Watch the Official “Two Mules to Triumph” Book Video

Published September 12, 2024

Exciting news. The video for my upcoming book Two Mules to Triumph is up. Check it out!

Two Mules to Triumph book cover by Long Rider Bernie Harberts
Two Mules to Triumph is about my (Bernie Harberts’) 2,300-mile saddle voyage from North Carolina to Idaho with my mules Brick and Cracker (306 pages)


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Shop now at: Amazon / Barnes&Noble / Kobo / Download on Kindle

Reviews for Two Mules to Triumph

  • “A beautiful, emotive book that sings with the uniqueness of America. The book is great!”

Rinker Buck,… Continue reading →

Posted in Around the Homestead, Splinters, Travel by Horse & Mule, Two Mules to Triumph — Riding from North Carolina to Idaho | Leave a comment

Photo of the Day – Keith Smith and Brick

Published July 23, 2024

Photo of the Day - Keith and Brick

My new friend Keith Smith and Brick. One of the best things about mule rambling is the chance encounters that lead to new friendships. I met Keith at friends Bill and Nancy Sluys' CCC ranch. Keith later rode a stretch of the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail with me. (Cripple Creek, Virginia)

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Is a Mare Mule or Horse Mule Better?

Published February 11, 2022

A lot of folks I know that have experience with mules prefer mare mules over horse mules. A mare mule is a female mule, also called a “molly” mule. A horse mule is a male mule and is also called a “john” mule. So what’s better for you, a mare mule or a horse mule?

Mare mule Polly who traveled 2,500 miles across America with Bernie Harberts in the Lost Sea Expedition

Mare mules have a reputation among old-timers for being a little easier to handle than horse mules. When I look at the mules that my… Continue reading →

Posted in Around the Homestead, Horse and Mule Travel How To, Horseing Around, North Carolina Mule Rambles, Travel by Horse & Mule, Two Mules to Triumph — Riding from North Carolina to Idaho | 2 Comments

“On a Mule Bound for Triumph” Article in Eye on Sun Valley (Idaho)

Published November 24, 2019

Mules Brick and Cracker are having a restful day off after walking 2,400 miles from North Carolina to Hailey, Idaho. Enjoy this Sunday read that came out this week in Eye on the Sun in Sun Valley, Idaho.

BY KAREN BOSSICK

The snow was starting to stack up on the streets of Hailey when Bernie Harberts dismounted from Cracker his mule at the Hailey Coffee Company.

He sipped the steaming cup of coffee that owner Santos Serva handed him. Then,… Continue reading →

Posted in Travel by Horse & Mule, Two Mules to Triumph — Riding from North Carolina to Idaho | 2 Comments

Welcome Home

Published November 8, 2019

The headlights on my 1992 diesel Dodge burned away the rain drops to reveal the soaking sign. “Welcome Home! Bernie Brick and Cracker”. My journey from North Carolina to Idaho and back with my mules was complete.

Welcome Home Bernie Brick and Cracker sign on front gate made by Julia Carpenter for Bernie Harberts return from Idaho mule journey
November 7, 6:30 pm: the sign I found on my front gate last night. What a welcome sight after driving mules Brick and Cracker five days from Idaho back to North Carolina. My wife Julia made if for me. Lucky, lucky man.
Bernie Harberts riding mules Brick and Cracker out the front gate of North Carolina home on April 6 at start of Two Mules to Triumph journey
April… Continue reading →
Posted in Around the Homestead, Splinters, Travel by Horse & Mule, Two Mules to Triumph — Riding from North Carolina to Idaho | 10 Comments

Sought: Ride for 2 Mules from Idaho to North Carolina.

Published October 21, 2019
Bernie Harberts with mules Brick and Cracker on final day of ride from North Carolina to Hailey Idaho
Our final day on the road: Cracker and Brick spent 6 months riding from North Carolina to Idaho. Now it’s time to go home. (Sheila Lieramann photo / Hailey, Idaho)
Map showing mule trailer route needed from Hailey Idaho to Lenoir North Carolina
Where we need to get: Hailey, Idaho to Lenoir, NC.
Bernie Harberts and wife Julia Carpenter, available to help drive mules home from Idaho
I’d be happy to pitch in with driving. Yes, my wife Julia trusts me to haul her Haflinger Pickle. No, I won’t embarrass you by wearing my top hat. Or maybe I will.
Posted in Travel by Horse & Mule, Two Mules to Triumph — Riding from North Carolina to Idaho | 4 Comments

Hailey, Idaho: Final Destination in the Snow

Published October 20, 2019
Bernie Harberts with snow-dusted beard on final miles into Hailey Idaho
I added some grey to my beard those final miles. That fluffy white stuff is snow.
Mules Brick and Cracker spending final night in Hailey rodeo arena corral
The final night’s dig: Brick and Cracker slept in the rodeo arena corral. I slept under the bleachers.
Bernie Harberts in top hat leading mules toward Hailey Coffee Company in morning snow
Headin’ in for a cup of coffee (John Delorenzo photo)
Bernie Harberts with mules Brick and Cracker and Santos outside Hailey Coffee Company Idaho
Mules Brick and Cracker and me with Santos (background) and some fellow Hailey Coffee Company fans (John Delorenzo photo)
Bernie Harberts adjusting Cracker's bridle in snow, mule Brick carrying pack saddle on right
Taking a moment to adjust Cracker’s bridle (L). Brick is on the right hauling the pack saddle.… Continue reading →
Posted in Travel by Horse & Mule, Two Mules to Triumph — Riding from North Carolina to Idaho | 8 Comments
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