TWO MULES, JOHN AND BRITT ... ADVENTURE...

There are still people in this world that dream of an adventure of a life time. Most never carry out their dreams but one man here in Tennessee not only lived his dream he planned a trip of 1,763 miles to visit his sister in Phoenix, Az driving two mules hitched to two wagons. He called his sister Bev. and said I'm coming for a visit. I'll be there around July 4th. His sister laughed and said, " Yeah, I'll see you when you get here???"
John McComsey had just retired and had planned on a long distance trip with his two mules, Mack and Jake. He did some shorter trips to Alabama and all went well with those trips of a 150 miles or so.
His planned trip would take him through Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Plans called to travel 20 miles a day for 5 days and rest his team of mules for 2 days. On March 1, 2009 he sat out from his home in Henry, Tennessee with his team; two wagons and Britt his 4 year old blue healer. None of his friend or family wanted to made the long trip with him when asked. His wagon was well equipped for his adventure. The wagons were equipped with headlights, tail lights, turn signals and strobe lights. The second wagon attached to the main wagon was his living quarters. This wagon featured a radio, water heater, shower, mattress and you guessed it; a port-a-potty and lap top. You can't take a trip without these necessity's. He also carried a cell phone; imagine that?
Off on a journey of a life time, John got to view the country side while traveling at a slower pace than the drivers in their fast moving vehicles. Traffic was the greatest hazards he faced out on the road. Heavy rains and severe thunderstorms slowed his pace across the country. High mountain terrain took it's toll on his team of mules. They were well feed and watered during the trip. Twice they received new shoes along the way when the blacktop wore the old ones out. Many people during his journey helped with food and water for both him and his team and dog. Several problems faced John during his trip. He lost his dog for two days, one of the mules kick John, another one of the mules stepped on his cell phone ruining it.
Finally despite all the problems John made it to the Arizona boarder and faced his greatest problems with high heat and high curvy roads. Temperatures of 110 degrees caused many water breaks for the team and John. The mules would consume 5 gallons of water each at the break. John drank a 12 pack of water during a 20 mile run.
John's sister keep track of his trip via the Internet with his post. Near Phoenix with the curvy roads and steep descent Bev talked John into trailering his team and rig down the grade. All were afraid the John's brakes would not hold up to the demand. Finally down John was back on the road and arrived in Phoenix and his sister's home on July 2, 2009 two days ahead of his plans. During his stay in Phoenix they went sight seeing, Baseball games and just hanging out with family.
John decided to trailer his team and rig back to Henry. A friend drove to Phoenix with trailer to carry them back home. John and others are planning a shorter trip to take together in the future. Well done John, Mack, Jack and Britt.