A collage shows: left, desert vehicles at sunset; center, a man in a wide-brim hat smiling in a circular frame; right, a large, empty industrial interior with tall windows and beams.

Join Shea On The Adventure of a Lifetime!

Wandering and Exploring The Americas & Beyond!

We’ll visit big cities, check out little towns, trek through the wilderness, visit destinations you’ve never heard of, rediscover your favorite locations, and uncover a world waiting to reveal its secrets.

It’s a journey that’s more than just traveling and exploring. It’s about expanding your reality.

More Episodes of Exploring the Unexpected…

A collage-style image showcases a steel bridge with a sign reading "Exploring the Unexpected." It features two smaller photos: a smiling man in glasses, the Ashland WI lighthouse, a church, a mine tunnel from Quincy Mine, and a man with a drink. The Hiking CEO logo by Shea Oliver is displayed.
A man with curly hair and glasses leans over a large rock, mouth open in excitement. He's wearing a gray shirt. The text on the image reads "Exploring the Unexpected: Minnesota Part Two." The background shows a path and greenery near Split Rock Lighthouse.
A person with curly hair and glasses smiles in a selfie. Behind them is a large statue of a lumberjack in a red plaid shirt, holding an axe. The text reads: "Minnesota Part One" and "Exploring the Unexpected." Trees, a partly cloudy sky, and hints of Split Rock Lighthouse complete the scene.

Shea's Ultimate American Quest

To Experience and Share every
National Park • National Forest • National Grassland • National Monument • National Park Service Unit.

A person wearing a green cap and glasses smiles in front of a sign that reads "Entering El Malpais National Monument. No Hunting or Collecting." The background features a dry, grassy landscape under a clear blue sky.
Ancient rock painting on a rugged stone surface depicting a red human-like figure with raised arms and two horizontal lines overhead. Nearby are red geometric shapes and faded markings. The surrounding rock is weathered, with patches of moss and small plants at the base.
A small, stone one-room schoolhouse with a wooden roof sits in a barren landscape under a blue sky. An American flag waves on a pole in front. A rusty metal swing set stands nearby, with no swings attached. The terrain is flat and dry, stretching into the distant horizon.
The image shows a tall stone monument with a viewing platform at the top, set against a clear blue sky. In the foreground, a well-maintained grassy area is crossed by a paved path. Three flags are displayed on poles. Trees border the grassy area, leading to distant water.
A man wearing a blue cap and glasses stands smiling in front of the Chippewa National Forest sign. Behind him, the Shingobee Recreation Area unveils its dense forest under a cloudy sky.
A person in a hoodie and plaid pants sits on a chair at South Pike Bay Campground, drinking from a cup, while looking at the calm water of Chippewa National Forest on a clear day.
A metal windmill with vines stands next to a large circular water trough in the open grass field of Sheyenne National Grasslands, under a partly cloudy sky.
57
National Treasures Experienced & Shared
659 Destinations To Go
A historical cannon, olive green in color, with large wooden wheels is displayed indoors against a stone wall background.
A man taking a selfie at the Comanche National Grasslands sign.
A blacksmith wearing a protective face shield and apron works in a rustic stone forge with an anvil, barrels, and various tools surrounding him.
The image shows the exterior of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. A brick building with a red roof is in the background. In the foreground, there's a brick sign with the park's name and the National Park Service emblem, set on a grassy area with trees.
A bearded man in a red sleeveless shirt sits at a table with intricate stone animal carvings and crafting tools, surrounded by wooden walls and a nature backdrop in Pipestone National Monument's visitor center.
A vast, shallow part of the Green River reflects a rugged desert landscape under a clear blue sky. The arid terrain features layered mesas and plateaus with reddish and beige hues. Sparse vegetation dots the shoreline, while the water mirrors the cliffs and open sky, creating a tranquil scene.
Visitors stand near a paved path leading to the large natural entrance of Carlsbad Cavern, surrounded by rugged beige rock formations and sparse vegetation. A black metal fence lines the path. The scene is under a cloudy sky, with bare trees and cacti in the foreground.

It’s an EPIC ADVENTURE, and I want you to enjoy it with me! Connect with me on social media, and never miss an experience.

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Where in the World is Shea?

Where's he been? What's he been up to? What's he planning now?!?!?

Clicking on calendar events will reveal my Travel Journal if one exists.
You can also see where I’ve been by clicking on THIS MAP LINK.

A smiling man with a white beard wears a maroon hooded jacket and stands outdoors in a snowy forest. Tall pine trees dusted with snow surround him. The man appears happy and dressed warmly for winter weather.

Who Is This Guy?

Hi! I’m Shea Oliver, The Hiking CEO. 

In 2003, I launched my first online business. A year later, I told my boss to shove off, walked out the door,  and never looked back.

That moment cascaded together with every other moment in life to set me free to explore life, ponder reality, and grow.

In 2023, I made the ultimate leap to becoming a full-time nomad.

I focus on pursuing my passions of traveling, hiking, exploring, creating, and spending time with people I care about.

I believe life is an adventure. It doesn’t matter if you’re dreaming of travel, wanting to grow, or looking to change your life. I’d like to invite you to join me. We’re gonna have a blast!

Random Travel Journal Entries

Photolog and Diary

 Wanna see where I’ve been on a map? CLICK HERE.

A scenic canal in Bricktown, lined with trees and flowers, runs under a small arched bridge. A brick building with balconies overlooks the water on this cloudy day. String lights hang between the trees, while plants with fresh mulch edge the walkway by the canal.
Oklahoma City’s Bricktown on a Cloudy Day
For years, I've heard about Oklahoma City Bricktown, and I was excited to visit. Unfortunately, it seems that it is a much more popular place in the warmer months of the year.
Read Journal Entry ➔
A black Jeep is parked in a State Forest, towing a teardrop camper trailer near Long Pond, ready for the weekend camps.
Long Pond State Forest Camps
With the holiday weekend approaching, I needed to find someplace free to hide out, get some work done, and try to relax before getting back on the road.
Read Journal Entry ➔
A person wearing glasses and a baseball cap smiles while snapping a selfie at the Arizona border next to an "Arizona: The Grand Canyon State" sign. The backdrop boasts a clear blue sky, sparse trees, and an expansive grassy field.
Selfie At the Arizona Border
Man, I'm telling you, it felt really, really good to be crossing into Arizona in the sunshine. After temperatures dropped to 20 the night before, I was looking forward to some warmth.
Read Journal Entry ➔
A historic red brick building with "Marshall Co." engraved above the entrance features a tall central tower with a conical roof and ornate details, embodying the rich heritage of Marshall County. Autumn leaves on nearby trees add vibrant color. A blue and yellow historical marker is visible in front, under an overcast sky.
Marshall County Historical Society
The Marshall County Courthouse caught my eye as I was walking around town. It was an eye-opening experience to go into my first small-town museum and learn about local history.
Read Journal Entry ➔
A vast grassy hill under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds. The landscape features a gently sloping hill with sparse green vegetation. In the distance, the Father Juan Padilla Monument stands at the crest of the hill, surrounded by expansive open space.
Father Juan Padilla Monument
One of the most isolated, unknown, and lonely monuments I visited that commemorates one of the early missionaries to the Americas.
Read Journal Entry ➔
A black off-road vehicle is towing a small teardrop camper through the rugged, bushy landscape near the Deschutes River. Two bicycles are mounted on the camper. The sky is overcast, with distant hills and a lake in the background, creating an adventurous overlook.
Deschutes River Overlook
After driving through Lava Beds National Monument, in the rain, I crossed into Oregon and for the first time felt like I had transitioned into the Pacific Northwest. Rain and Green!
Read Journal Entry ➔
A compact teardrop trailer hitched to a black Jeep is parked on grass near red picnic tables and a tree in Chilvers Park, Plainview, Nebraska on a sunny day.
Chilvers Park in Plainview, Nebraska
Stayed in a nice little city park in Plainview, NE, in order to see clowns and rhinos over the next couple of days. No really, the clowns were in town and the rhinos a few miles away.
Read Journal Entry ➔
As the sun descends over the Ironwood Forest, the desert landscape comes alive with color. A tall saguaro cactus stands prominently on the left, surrounded by sparse vegetation. The sky, a gradient of blue and orange, casts its warm glow on scattered clouds and mountains in the background.
Hunting Sunsets in the Ironwood Forest
While I was out taking an evening walk, I decided to try to capture some southwestern sunset photos. Mother Nature wasn't as cooperative this evening as she is some evenings.
Read Journal Entry ➔
Dive Into Shea's Latest Entries ➔

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