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Stories from Bernie's current trip - a mule voyage from Canada to Mexico

August 23, 2006

When it comes to writing, Woody prefers the carrot to the hoof.


Woody dashing off another epistle on his 3,500 mile cross-country ride
Emerald Isle, NC

But now he doesn’t have a choice.

You see, to reward folks for pre-ordering a copy of Woody and Maggie’s book, “Woody and Maggie Walk Across America”, I promised them Woody would sign their copy. That’s right, he would place a big inky hoof print in their book.


The new book “Woody and Maggie Walk Across America”

I made the offer knowing full well that Woody could handle it. As a seasoned contributor to the “Mule Headed” newspaper column, and now a kid’s book, he never had trouble putting carrot to paper.

But I forgot.

This time, instead of dragging a root across the paper, he’d be stamping out his signature by foot.

Then I remembered. Woody hates having his feet messed with.

So, spurred by the fear that everyone who’d pre-ordered a book would descend on me when I informed them Woody would be using a supermarket carrot, not his famous hoof, to sign their books, I hustled up a plan.

Ink, paper and mule were gathered. The books are due from the printer’s September 7. They ship September 16.

Then I tried getting Woody into the barn.

Wrong.


“bernie, we’re doing what? how about you take maggie? she’s not doing anything…”

It seems I’d dared lead him ahead of Maggie into the barn. So Maggie was hauled into the barn and the printing could begin.


Look, Woody! Our book. How about we sign it for these folks? (Note the wise look on Woody’s face now that he’s a published author- actually, he’s trying to snag the mule-treat from between my second and third fingers…)


Whoa, Woody, while I ink your foot…


Okay, boy. Foot down nice and slowly…


Yes! Hoof Print Number One

So now we know the mule that made over seven million steps in his journey across America is willing, and able, to make a last one right into your book.

Interested? Drop by the General Store to find out more...

Posted Wednesday August 23, 2006 by Bernie
August 18, 2006

In early 2007, I plan to drive the mule-drawn “Captain Bernie’s Lost Sea Expedition” wagon from Mexico to Canada.


The Lost Sea Expedition wagon
Southern Pines, NC

Why? Because I want to explore the sea bed of a vanished ocean, the Great Interior Seaway, that covered the Great Plains 75 million years ago

Ok, I admit I’ve taken a bit of ribbing from my friends. They’re just not going for my “Well, that’s what I do for fun. What do you do for excitement?” argument.

That’s why, when I heard Harley Harlson was planning to sail around the world, non-stop, aboard the eight-footer he built in his back yard, I thought, “now THERE’S a man who understands adventure.”


Harley’s eight-foot, homebuilt sailboat Sea Biscuit
(Harley Harlson photo)

So I gave him a phone call.

It turns out Harley’s about as level headed as they come. Harley, of Lynnwood, WA, is 53, has been married 19 years and has sailed since he was a kid. I was going to ask him things about his eight-foot vessel like “How much food do you plan to carry on your non-stop trip around the world?”. Or “What are you going to do to keep from getting run down by large ships?”

A few minutes into my phone call with Harley, I heard shuffling noises coming through the ear-piece, like someone was moving things. “Oh, I’m working on Sea Biscuit right now,” Harley said. His voice was re-assured, almost professor-like, as though he’d thought this whole thing through and was just wrapping up the minor details… like sailing alone around the world – non-stop – in an eight-foot boat he’d built in his backyard!

So, instead of asking Harley how much water he needed to survive for 12 months alone in his tiny craft, I asked him for an autographed photo of him and Sea Biscuit.

Why?

Because when I’m rolling through South Dakota explaining to people that I’m looking for the Lost Sea, folks are going to say “Man, that’s far out.” And I want to open my wagon, point to that autographed photo of Harley and Sea Biscuit and say “Nope. THAT’S far out!”

Harley graciously agreed to send me a signed snapshot of him and his vessel. In exchange, I’m going to send him a copy of my “65 Days Alone at Sea” DVD.

Harley plans to put to sea this summer. From the West Coast,he plans to sail south to the Southern Ocean, turn East, sail around Antartica via Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope and return to the West Coast.

Once Harley begins his voyage aboard Sea Biscuit, he plans to keep RiverEarth.com posted of his position via satelite.

Thanks for bringing us along on your journey, Harley. Good luck!

Bernie
RiverEarth.com

Is there a precedent for what Harley’s doing? Meet Evgeniy, a Russian sailor I met who was sailing his twelve-footer around the world….
For an excellent, in-depth article on Harley’s preparations, visit Duckworks Magazine.