Blast from the past makes locals stop, stare and ask for a ride
It was a blast from the past.
A mule drawn wagon drew the attention of passersby in Blackshear Saturday morning.
Owner Keith Popwell, accompanied by his girlfriend, Linda O’Neal, were headed into town “on business” when they stopped to pose for The Times’ camera.
“It is definitely something to talk about,” Popwell says with a smile, as he looks over his mule drawn rig.
His wagon is pulled by two draft mules, Polly and Molly. A third hitched to the back of the rig is “Little Bit”.
Popwell says he has always enjoyed raising and tending to mules and he has three at his home in the Tanglewood-Youmans Chapel Community.
“Raising mules is just a hobby of mine,” he relates. “I do it just for the fun and relaxation of it.”
Popwell says he and his late wife, Kelly King Popwell, were part of a group of mule owners who used to get together to do trail rides and camp in the southeast Georgia area.
Mrs. Popwell’s battle with breast cancer put that on hold for a while.
“We had to put that aside while Kelly was in that battle,” said Popwell.
Mrs. Popwell was ultimately healed in heaven in 2017.
Popwell took back up the hobby and explored the idea of providing riding services on his mules.
“I was scared of the liability and besides, I didn’t want it to just become work. I wanted it to remain a relaxing hobby.”
Popwell and his mules can be seen frequently in Blackshear, as he takes them out for a ride around the community.
“I have come up town with them to buy watermelons at Patch Bennett’s stand and have gone through the drive thru at McDonald’s and have parked them out front of the Huddle House,” he said.
Popwell says people approach him all the time while he is out with the team to talk about memories of the past when such sights were common in the area.
“I have given rides to kids just to give them the experience and allow them to have some fun and enjoy it,” he said. “It’s fun for me, too.”
