Journal Entry -- September 28, 2006

After many weeks of careful research and continual hunting, we finally procured the pickup truck we need to tote the mules and log trailer, but it took going to Minnesota to do it. Given the many purposes needed, such as hauling up to four draft mules, pulling a log trailer in the muddy back roads of Missouri, and carrying multiple passengers, there were several important features we saw as vital: one ton, dually wheels, Cummins diesel engine, 4x4, 5 speed manual transmission, extended cab, and gooseneck hitch – and more importantly, one that is used though well maintained, with a good track record, low mileage, and priced right . . . the proverbial needle in a haystack. We found them all, however, in a 1997 Dodge 3500, which, if I might say, is a mule of a truck (see pictures below). Like all things, it took much longer to procure it than planned or expected. Learning to be patient in properly bringing a business online is critical to its success.

There are a number of things we need to finish in getting Sam & Sadie here, chief among them is putting in the cattle panel fencing, but what holds this process up is equipment procurement. Though we could have the panels delivered immediately, we would rather haul them here ourselves with our own trailer. We hold to the same opinion as Joel Salatin that the equipment one purchases ought to have multiple purposes, and not be a single use item, so we are seeking to acquire certain pieces of equipment that will do many things for us, which slows the procurement process in getting just the right ones. Besides the immediate need to haul 5 tons of 16’ cattle panels, this trailer needs to be rugged enough to haul logs, and not only that, but vehicles, as we will have the need from time to time when the trusty internal combustion units that belong to our church members and neighbors fail.

One would think that with the flood of credit funded goods that overflows our nation, the dozens of weekly farm auctions, multiple inventories going unsold in parking lots everywhere, and with the average American buying far more than what they need, that this would be an easy task. Not so, the process can go at a snail’s pace as one relentlessly searches papers, phonebooks, and the Internet, which can eat up whole days, as it has for me. Thank the Lord that by His grace and perseverance we were able to procure the right trailer, a 25’ flatbed (deck-over) with a 5’ dovetail, rated 14,000#, with a gooseneck hitch. One would think that Kansas City – the center of the financial universe of western Missouri – would have one, but it took a quite old town of 2,500 in the heart of rural Missouri to have one, actually several, as it was a small trailer dealership owned by a local farmer and part-time logger. I love the rural life!

After picking up the trailer we headed over to our Amish friend’s farm to pick up our newly purchased hay rack, a draft animal wagon equipped with a 1950’s John Deere 953 running gear and rubber tires. It has tie-rod steering to make tight turns and is rated 4 tons at under 20 mile an hour, which is not a concern, as Sam & Sadie are built for power, not speed. Our muleskinning mentor was out of town and not knowing yet how to rightly hook up Sam & Sadie, we were forced to use a hand operated come-along with a 5’ reach and two 20’ transport chains to slowly pull it up in tedious increments unto the flatbed. It was a lot of work, something we hope to remedy quite soon as we learn to use our mule team.

Speaking of Sam & Sadie, we did stop for a minute to visit them. They immediately came to our call, along with two other large black mules, but Sadie, being a lead mule by nature, took over the show by pushing out the other mules so she could stand beside (parallel to) the long gate we were at. She was immediately rewarded by having her long ears scratched, her thick neck rubbed, and her muscled rump patted. Sam finally did muscle in and get his ears scratched, as well as huge black mule. We now have their basic harness sets complete, including collars, hames, and bridles. We also have acquired a stainless steel yoke for the hay rack and soon to be acquired logging arch (a future blog posting) along with two sets of stainless steel doubletrees. Things are coming together pretty good. Right now we are quite pleased like a pack mules grinning with a mouthful of briars, but we will soon have to put ourselves to the test in working these gorgeous animals on a daily basis and under winter conditions. I am glad fall is coming on, for sure, as I am already working up a sweat thinking about it.

We are now coming into the hunt for a trailer for Sam & Sadie. We got a good lead last Saturday when many from our church attended the annual Sorghum Festival put on by the Crooked River Workin’ Horse & Mule Club. It was a wonderful time, as we saw and tasted how sorghum “lasses” is made from cane. A variety of draft horses were used in the various stages of the process, though sadly there were no mules. They were probably off somewhere really working, as most of these animals appear to be hobby horses. When it came time to bale some hay using an ancient horse powered John Deere, my wife, daughter, and myself somehow got Shanghaied into working the pitchforks to load the baler, which was a lot of work, though quite rewarding, and the Lord knows I need it! While there, Jeff (a fellow aspiring muleskinner - he’s sitting above me in the photo below of the Missouri Woods team, Art is to the right) and I had a chance to talk with a draft horse enthusiast, who suggested we get a trailer like his, a basic stock type trailer with a “cattle package” (beefier frame) with an open interior dimension of 7’x7’x20’, which we see as also useful in hauling household goods that need to be out of the rain. After seeking advice on various draft animal forums, this was confirmed as the way to go. Our only concern is whether a 7’ ceiling will be tall enough for the long ears of Sam & Sadie, though we have been told that a well trained team such as they are will not have any problems.

A few pictures:

The Missouri Woods team.






The front end of hay rack. If you look closely you can see the tongue extending over the end of the flatbed.


The hay rack comes complete with a "slow moving" vehicle placard, courtesy of the Amish who used it last, except for the rubber tires added by them upon our purchase.



A John Deere 953, a 1950's farm staple.



The collars and bridles.


We have been truly blessed thus far in ramping up Missouri Woods, though we have only just begun. We covet your prayers. I’ll keep you posted as things progress -- The Missouri Rev.