The Mighty Mules

Equus asinus × caballus to the rescue!

“They call them beasts of burden, we call them our beloved mules. They aren’t stubborn, they are wise, and require respect.” - Michele and Michael Toberer

Asheville, North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Asheville holds a special place in my heart since it was there that my great grandfather, Dr. Carl Vernon Reynolds, was born, raised his family, and launched a storied career as a doctor specializing in public health. If you’d like to know about about him and his former home, which has been turned into a gorgeous B&B known as the Albermarle Inn, visit: https://www.albemarleinn.com/

But this post is not about my great grandfather. It’s about a group of pack mules and the people who love them who are doing life saving work. With hundreds of roads still impassable due to storm damage and flood debris, the mules are carrying food, water, and medical supplies to those who have been stranded. The name of the company doing this work is Mountain Mule Packer Ranch owned by Michele and Michele Toberer.

Since there would be no point in me going to Asheville and getting in the way, I’m doing what I can to support both the Toberers’ efforts and those of other Asheville groups such as the Asheville Humane Society. See the Citizen Times for video of the devastation and more news about the animals: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2024/10/01/how-to-help-the-asheville-humane-society-recover-from-helene/75464801007/

I’ve designed and am selling a shirt, hat, and hoodie and will donate proceeds to the rescue efforts (see below).

How To Get News
The Toberers have been doing a great job chronicling their efforts on their Facebook page, including touching videos of their mules making their way across washed out roads and delivering insulin to one stranded gentleman: https://www.facebook.com/mountainmulepackersranch.

Southern Living, a magazine in NC has written a nice story about their efforts: Mules Navigating North Carolina's Impassable Roads To Bring Supplies To Communities Cut Off By Hurricane Helene.

So rather than be redundant, I’ll just ask you to support rescue efforts any way you can. I’m still stunned by the destruction. It’s time we got serious about climate change.

Jena

P.S. You can also donate directly to Michele and Michael’s Venmo (see below). The last I heard they were working on a Venmo account solely for hurricane rescue efforts. I will update if and when that becomes available.

Copyright 2024 by Jena Ball. All Rights Reserved.

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