Sylvie Belmond 
A Reminder to Slow Down and Share the Road
(CLAIR | Ventura County, CA) — John Sears, known publicly as Mule or Monk, has spent most of his life on the road. Not drifting. Not searching. Just walking, guided by the pace of animals and the pull of natural rhythms.
Today, in his late 70s, he continues that journey with a single mule, Rosie. Two days ago, he was seen walking through the Moorpark region, and based on recent sightings shared online, he may still be somewhere in the East County area.
If you do happen to see him, say hello if the moment feels right and slow down when you pass. That’s part of the point. Mule has long used his journey to remind drivers that the road is shared space and that pedestrians and equestrians have a legal right to be there.
The idea is simple, says Mule, who has been in motion for most of his life.
In a 2016 interview with The VC Adventures, he said his traveling began years before the mules, when he rode a bicycle through Mexico and throughout the United States. He later tried holding a conventional job, but told the interviewer that kind of life wasn’t for him.
“I just like nature,” Mule said.
While spending extended time in the wilderness, he began seeing mule trains pass by. At 36, he bought his first mule. He has had mules ever since.
He calls himself Mule because his life depends on the animals he has had and continues to have. They determine what he carries, how far he goes, and how long he stays in one place. Today, that partnership is with Rosie alone.
Over the years, that way of living has drawn attention. Sightings circulate. Posts are shared. People recognize him when he passes through. Some have followed his journey online for years. Others encounter him for the first time on the side of the road and stop out of curiosity.
That growing awareness has brought both informal encounters and media attention.
San Diego’s ABC 10 News featured Mule 12 years ago while he was traveling with three mules. He was 65 at the time. He told the station that life with mules was simple, and that it was people who had made life complicated.
“There must be a balance between the manmade world and the natural world,” Mule said in that interview. “We can’t live in this unbalanced state, and we all know it.”
That message remains central to 3 Mules, the public website where Mule documents his journey and explains the nomadic way of life he practices. He does not build permanent shelters. He bivouacs for the night, often for less than 24 hours, then packs up and moves on.
Mule has traveled across much of the western United States. Not every stop has been easy. He has received citations for camping and has had conflicts with authorities, which he documents online. The nomadic life does not always align with modern regulations.
When Mule and Rosie passed through Ventura in early January, then Moorpark on Jan. 10, local response surfaced quickly on social media.
Several commenters welcomed him to town. Others mentioned the high winds that day and wished him safe travels. A few offered practical support if his route brought him nearby.
One person wrote that they had a large yard with “beautiful green grass for Rosie” and space if the mule passed through. Another said they were just a town away in Simi Valley and offered help with supplies. Others posted brief encouragement, calling the journey “breathtaking” and urging Mule and Rosie onward.
Those reactions are typical. People stop Mule along the road. Some bring carrots or treats for Rosie. Others bring food for Mule. Conversations happen, then everyone moves on.
Mule does not share exact locations, and that appears intentional. Sightings are usually shared after the fact, through posts and comments rather than announcements. What he asks in return is consistent: slow down, pay attention, and share the road.
As long as he is able, Mule continues walking. He has said he does it because he likes being in nature and because balance between the manmade world and the natural world matters. Along with that message comes a practical reminder he repeats often: yield, drive carefully, and remember who the road belongs to.
