The First 800 Miles
Wow. The start of my latest mule journey was uglier than the paint job on my ’92 Dodge. Eighteen hours cooped up in the crusty cab. With no radio. Or cruise control. Not even an “Abba’s Greatest Hits” CD. Thank goodness for the canned kippers (you know, those stinky fish in their tin coffins), jalapeno peppers and Ole Brit pipe tobacco to keep the eyes wide open. Nothing like burning embers falling into your lap while you’re slurping down an embalmed fish to keep you perky behind the wheel.
I did manage to get 800 miles closer to my goal.
Sure is a queer way to start a mule wagon voyage across the Canadian Maritimes.
Here’s the thing.
Unlike other voyages, where I can take off for 6 months to 5 years at a time, this one has time restraints on it. There are family issues to be dealt with. Things that require me to be a little more accessible than previous journeys.
So, instead of hitching mule Polly to the wagon in North Carolina and driving her to Nova Scotia, I’m trailering her to the land of Sleet and Fog. Once there, I’ll hitch her to the wagon for our Maritime ramble. When the snow falls – or family calls – I’ll load her up and head back to the Tar Heel State.
Hence the mad dash north of recent days.
Luckily, the ugliness and trace of indigestion of the first stage is wearing off. After a restful three-day stay with friends in Essex, MA, it’s time to hit the road again. From here, mule Polly and I roll North toward northern Maine where we plan to enter the Great White North around Calais.
We’ll keep you posted of progress. In the meantime, don’t let an ugly, stinky shortcut keep you from a worthy quest.
(Map note: the map shows where the photo above was taken. The boats are located close to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. Zoom in close enough and you can see the marine railway on which the sloop is sitting.)
keiko
2012-06-06 12:16:50
Bernie , did you see Woody and Magi ? I am busy gardening and baking to make some money .If you run out Polly food , I will send some food for her ! Enjoy your journey ,thank you for writing ,I can enjoy your good journey .Keiko
Linda Bittner
2012-06-06 21:53:53
whenever i hear this i think of you…and i smile. you play guitar? maybe cello? cheers!
BUFFY
2012-06-07 18:55:52
HI BERNIE, I WAS LOOKING FOR YOUR ENTRY FOR 6/7 BUT GUESS YOU DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO WRITE YET. GLAD THINGS ARE GOINGWELL SO FAR FOR YOU AND POLLY. LOOKING FORWARD TO READING MORE OF YOUR JOURNEY. GOD BLESS! BUFFY
bernie
2012-06-10 23:58:49
Baking, music and missing posts. Whew. If I get my act together, it sounds like there could be jerky, a new dulcimer pick and updates in my future! Seriously, Polly and I have arrived in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. All’s well. The news isn’t worth a post but I can say we’re 2/3 of the way to where I want to be. I’ll keep you updated. Cheers from Olde Cod Towne. Bernie and mule Polly.
