
Hi. I’m Bernie Harberts, author and film maker. I’ve sailed alone around the world, traveled across America by mule (twice), pedaled a ten dollar bike around Tasmania and walked across Newfoundland with a mule. Most recently, I sailed a wood ketch from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia Island, off Antarctica. From there, we sailed 3 weeks across the iceberg laced Southern Ocean to South Africa.
When I’m not adventuring by boat, mule or foot, home is an oak cabin in western Carolina. I’ve also kept an online journal of my journeys for years at RiverEarth.com.


I grew up in North Carolina and went to NC State University. On a saddle mule, I traveled 4 months across the Tar Heel State, capturing glimpses few have slowed to document. With a mule and wagon, I have logged hundreds of miles more. UNC-TV and Our State Magazine joined my mule Polly and me for one of these trips. That episode, “Mule Rider”, won an Emmy award for the South East region. For years, I’ve documented my journeys at my travel site RiverEarth.com.
Taking the Spirit of Carolina Adventure Nationwide
Now I’m extending that spirit of North Carolina to America’s back roads. For the Lost Sea Expedition series, I traveled 14 months across America in a wagon. Just as I did in North Carolina, I explored things that are particular to an area. This time around, it was horse breakers, Lakota elders, sod hut dwellers, ghost towns and a vanished sea that caught my eye.
I filmed the whole voyage myself – a first ever for a cross-country wagon voyage.
That footage became the Lost Sea Expedition documentary. The 4-part series was selected to premier on Rocky Mountain PBS.

Got some travelin’ thoughts to share – or ideas on where I should journey next? Get in contact!