Andrew Becker, Antioch, CA

The Mules met a gentleman named Andrew Becker in a way I need to tell for it speaks to the spiritual magic which the 3 Mules Journey has collected and harbored from the many people we’ve met for the 13 years we’ve been walking in the state of California.

On September 17, 2026, the Mules were walking along a major boulevard in Antioch, California when Andrew pulled up in his car alongside us and spoke through the window telling the Mules: “I have followed the Mules for years. And all of a sudden on this day never expecting to see the Mules, there you are.” He asked if he could get a picture with Rosie we said sure. We asked Andrew if we could get a picture of him and Rosie and post it on our Facebook page and he replied of course. 

The Monk reached into his pocket to get the phone; it wasn’t there. Andrew’s girlfriend agreed to stay with Rosie while we went looking for the phone. 

My memory was clear. The last place I had contact with my phone was about 2 miles back. We had stopped to take a break on the corner next to a graveyard. There was a lot of nice green grass out along the fence. I had been sitting on my pink bucket and I put my phone down on the ground  next to me. That had to be where I left it. Andrew and I went back there. I was sure that’s where it would be but it wasn’t there. Obvious conclusion: somebody had come by and seen it and picked it up. But who would that be? I had not seen a soul at the graveyard location or on the street since the time I left the graveyard location and I made contact with Andrew along the boulevard. I had not much hope that the phone would be found. Andrew however was persistent that he would find it. 

Andrew was driving around looking for a clue when suddenly the monk remembered there was a person following us on a bicycle wearing an orange sweatshirt. He came up alongside us, jumped off his bicycle, muttered something then ran off behind a building. I didn’t give it much credence. I passed it off as one of the many strange occurrences that happen throughout the day the Monk told Andrew. Andrew replied we’ll find it now. 

The Monk still didn’t see how it was a big area and no one in sight. Andrew Becker kept up his persistence and determination to find the phone. We turned down a side street and there was a person sitting on the curb wearing an orange sweatshirt. There were two old vans at the same location. 

Andrew parked his car on the other side of the street and walked over to the gentleman in the orange sweatshirt. I don’t know what he said to him. I stayed on the other side of the street, but whatever Andrew said convinced the individual who picked up the phone that it would be best for him to return it, so he did. No force, no violence used just the persuasive ability of Andrew to communicate it would be best for all concerned to return the phone.

So this little story is a perfect example of what the energy gathered then harbored from all the people we meet as we travel through the California Megatropolis can and will do to keep the Three Mules Journey moving under their own power and at their own speed in any one of all four directions through and around the California Megatropolis. Andrew materialized out of thin air to do a job I would not have been able to do. Thank you Andrew and thank you to all the people that give their energy to the Three Mules Journey.

Afterwards, in our further conversations with Andrew Becker, we found out that he is running in the current upcoming 2026 election for Antioch City Council District 4. He was raised in Antioch and has lived there for 30 years. 

The Mules

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San Diego County: Bonsall to Valley Center

The Mules got here last night about 5:00pm. We walked 15 miles from the place we left yesterday morning.

Pictured are some of the people we met along the way during our walk from Bonsall to Valley Center. The energy of the people that make the effort to make contact with the mules is much valued and needed by the three mules journey. As it moves through in and around the California Megatropolis. The Mules seem to be leapfrogging their way around California these days few days of traveling few days of rest then take a leap and wind up somewhere else.

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MZ Equestrian, Vista, CA

Catherine invited the mules to stop at her stable in Vista. Her farrier Kevin put shoes on Rosie. And Catherine’s veterinarian Dr Selders did an acupuncture treatment. Rosie also got a massage by Haley. Many thanks to Catherine and all those who treated Rosie so well.

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Rendezvous with Lady

The Mules traveled from the south to rendezvous with Lady in Auburn where she is now living and being very well cared for by Jane.

We slept under three apple trees in which Little Girl and Little Ethel enjoyed the fallen fruit each day. The fresh winter squash from Jane’s garden was also delicious.

While we were here, Little Ethel and Little Girl got a new pair of shoes. Thank you Candice, a long time supporter of the 3 Mules journey and her farrier Greg White for shoeing the kids.

Like the geese, the Mules now turn to the south and head for San Diego. And while Lady no longer travels with the Mules physically, she will be with us spiritually as we continue our journey south.

The Mules

Lady watching us leave as we continue our endless journey south.
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Ventana Wilderness – Rancho Salsipuedes

UPDATE 9/19/2020: In 2015 the Mules were traveling through Ventana Wilderness in Monterey County where we had the pleasure of staying at Rancho Salsipuedes owned by Timothy Bottoms. We enjoyed our stay at the Rancho and learning of its unique history, which is documented in our original blog post below.

Rancho Salsipuedes is a rare place. About 12 miles inland in Big Sur, it is one of the LAST standing California Homesteads that is not owned by the government or by a corporation. It has been in the hands of The Bottoms family since 1975. It has been untouched by overdevelopment, remaining in all of its glory. It has been looked after with true, pure, authentic love for the natural world. 

Dolan Fire Map
Dolan Fire Perimeter, Monterey County, September 2020

We have come to find out about the Dolan wildfire that started August 18, 2020 and one month later continues to burn with only 46% perimeter containment. This wildfire ravaged thru and over the Rancho Salsipuedes, which we are very sorry to hear about.

In 2015, We left our palomino mule, Who Dee Doo, at Rancho Salsipuedes and glad to see in the photo below that he made it through the fire okay.

The Bottom’s family friend, Caitlin Ackerman, has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help the remaining horses and rebuild Rancho Salsipuedes. Please click on this link to read more about this special place and donate if you can. Warning, there are graphic images of the animals domestic and wildlife that didn’t survive.

Here is our original blog post that we wrote October 20, 2015:

October 20, 2015 – Rancho Salsipuedes:

Three Mules and one monk were walking south through Fort Hunter Liggett on a road bordering the Los Padres National Forest when a gentleman by the name of Timothy Bottoms stopped his Jeep, got out, introduced himself and asked if the kids needed water or hay for he had brought some. The monk responded, “No. We are okay. Thank you.”
 
He then invited us to his ranch to take a break. We said yes that would be nice. So we walked to his ranch, which is surrounded by the Ventana Wilderness, and took a break.
 
Tim asked if we needed anything in the way of supplies, gear, etc. The monk responded with a yes. Our pack boxes were over 25 years old and worn to the bone. Tim said he would be glad to help so he did by supplying us with four new pack boxes.

Who Dee Do

Who Dee Do, our third mule will be staying at Tim’s ranch. He never became easy for me to shoe. He had to be sedated and that was not a practical scheme for us walking through the Megatropolis.

Who Dee Do will be living with Tim’s horses and mules, a great place for Who Dee Do to live.

The Mules say thank you to Timothy Bottoms for his kindness and support he has shown the mules, the identifiers of this ages old nomadic way of life living with respect and reverence for this beautiful place called Earth, the home of human beings. ~The Mules

About Rancho Salsipuedes: “Nestled in the verdant, peaceful valley, stands the thick adobe walls of the Mission San Antonio de Padua’s Portreros Mulos built by the caretaker friar and several neophytes…it established ranch support for the mission mules.

After secularization in 1834, the property came under the private ownership of Vicente Avile, who purchased the drought stricken Rancho for the stately sum of $13, all he had in his pocket. The Rancho remained in the family estate for over one hundred years.

The Avila Ranch, a 160-acre homestead, became known as Salsipuedes (“get out if you can”), which was later sold to Timothy Bottoms in 1975 as a family refuge.”

On the ranch is an old stone cabin and oven built sometime in late 1800s/early 1900s.

The trails surrounding the property are very difficult to travel and impassable with overgrown brush and fallen trees. During the time we were waiting for our pack boxes to arrive, we spent our time clearing these trails.

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Lady’s New Retirement Home

On Sunday, March 8, 2020, 40-year-old Lady moved from her retirement home in the Central Valley to her new home in northern California. The Mules thank Sharon for taking such good care of Lady for the past 3 years.

As these photos show, Lady could never have had a better caring friend.

Thank you, Sharon. Jane, another member of the 3 Mules Nation, came to pick up Lady and bring Lady to her new home. We know that Jane will give Lady another great home.

Thank you Candice for once again giving your energy of service to the 3 Mules Nation by finding Lady a new home with Jane. Other animals live on the ranch to keep Lady company.

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Bakersfield

When the Mules got into Bakersfield, we went to Tractor Supply looking for Pure Neats foot oil. As we returned to the mules, a lady named Lori was waiting with the mules. She introduced herself and her husband Chuck. She told us that she has been watching the 3 Mules page for many a year. Lori also told us how she contacted CHP and the District Attorney expressing her disgust anger as to the Mules illegal arrest and confinement.

The Mules thanked Lori for the energy of her effort on our behalf as well as the many others of the 3 Mules Nation who did likewise. For if the collective energy of the 3 Mules Nation had not been used, the Mules would right now be using the hacksaw blade we found in our pillow to saw through the bars and take our rightful place on the public thoroughfare showing all who pass our way, there is nothing more precious on this earth than true human freedom.

Lori told us she lived close by and we were welcome to stay the night. It was gettin close to that time so we gratefully accepted her offer. Her kids set up a make shift corral where the mules spent three comfortable nights. Thank you Lori and her nice family for the hospitality they showed the Mules.

Temporary coral set-up for the mules in front yard of Lori's home

As the picture shows it is very easy to accommodate an equestrian traveler as a guest in many suburban communities. These gated housing developments that are springing up everywhere are planned and engineered in such a way as to exclude most outside activity other than getting out of an automobile, walking 40 feet to the front door and going inside, which is the real purpose of an engineered gated community to keep you inside, isolated, dependent and addicted to the internet of things.

In an ever increasing number of cities and towns, city councils are being unduly influenced and pressured to pass ordinances, codes that make any free spontaneous activity in your neighborhood virtually impossible. The 3 mule journey and its nomadic ages old lifestyle pushes back all day every day, one step at a time, against this damning Megatropolis and its goal of disconnection, isolation from the Web of Life, the Natural World.

The Mules

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Mayfield Equine Services

Jerrod Mayfield of Mayfield Equine Services has shoed the Mules in the Bakersfield area many times. Once again, Jerrod gave his energy and skill to the 3 Mules endless journey.

A journey showing respect and reverence for earth our home and all its inhabitants. A journey using the energy of this ages old sacred relationship between human being and horse showing all those who the 3 Mules pass the extreme value of a spiritual connection to the natural world and the web of life which nourishes us all.

The Mules

Mayfield Equine Services trailer
Little Ethel getting shod
Jerrod Mayfield, Little Ethel and Mule
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Teva Sandals

On February 5, I posted on the 3Mules Facebook page that my favorite sandals were finally worn to the bone and that my Teva‘s are the best and longest lasting sandal of all sandals that I’ve worn in the past 25 years. The next day, Teva commented on our Facebook post:

“Hello John and Mules!
We have seen quite a few of your followers reach out to us about your journeys, and we are honored that our Teva’s have been your shoe of choice for the last 25 Years. Thank you for sharing your amazing stories through your blog, website and Facebook as these are the stories that people not only want to hear but should hear. Who could not use some amazing down to earth travel stories through nature the way it was intended? Teva loves those that live for moments of discovery and awe.

It brings us joy when people find newness and wonder in each new experience — from every day to epic and we feel like you embody this perfectly. We really enjoyed taking the time to read about your travels and the amazing company of mules that you take care of. It would be our privilege to be a part of the three mules nation. In such we would love to help you out with some new Teva’s so that you can continue your travels from San Diego to Sacramento and everywhere in between. Please reach out to us in private messages so we can discuss in further detail all the information. We look forward to hearing from you.”

Teva, Teva.com

I responded back to Teva in a private message and they answered back with a link to select which model sandal we wanted and other info needed.

Yesterday, our new Teva Terra Fi 5 Universal sandals in Wavy Trail Black arrived. These sandals fit perfectly. Thank you Teva for sending us another pair of great comfortable sandals and the many people who wrote Teva asking if they would send the Mules another pair.

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