ZUMBRO FALLS, Minn. (CBS/WCCO) -- You've heard of scooters, smart cars, and bicycles as alternative transportation. One Minnesota couple is using a mule drawn wagon to take them cross country. That's right, it's their wagon.
Warren and Mary Veien keep the wagon at their home in Zumbro Falls. Their friend suggested they try out a wagon years ago and they haven't looked back since. Warren says, "We have an American flag on the other side and a Norwegian flag on this side, and the Norway flag looks like a rebel flag, so I tell everybody it's a rebel flag."
The only thing they're rebelling against: conventional transportation. Warren and Mary Veien ride no ordinary wagon. It's complete with seats and tires taken from old pickup trucks and GPS. Warren says, "You know, this isn't like the settlers. You know, we have a few more modern conveniences: a port o potty."
Mary says, "The grand tour features this state of the art charcoal grill, a couple of what they call comfy towable beds right here. And often found in the passenger seat, little Rex."
As for the duo that pulls the couple about 20 miles a day, Warren says, "They always say with a mule, if you can rub their forehead, then you candor almost anything with them."
Do anything, except go near semis that they found out scares them. So, they now stick solely to less-traveled gravel roads. Warren says, "We had two tractors and a 4-wheeler pass us. Oh they waved, they thought it was great!"
While it takes a lot more time-they say they live the expression life is not about the destination, but the journey. Mary says, "With this hustle and bustle today that we have, this is I don't know, the ultimate in my estimation."
The couple does use a car as their primary mode of transportation. As for what's ahead, next week they are going on a "wagon train" where they caravan with 25 other covered wagons.