A Quixotical Digital Nomad's Adventure

Exploring The Americas in a Jeep Wrangler and Teardrop Trailer

A Grand Adventure Begins

On September 1, 2023, I pulled away from my home in Niwot, CO, knowing that nothing but an exciting new life awaits. 

I’ve always loved traveling, camping, hiking, taking pictures, creating videos, meeting people, and writing. This adventure is the ultimate expression of those interests. 

A few of the things that I have planned:

  • Share my adventures in written and visual form on social media, on my website, and in a new newsletter
  • Hike, meditate, and enjoy time in nature
  • Visit and meet many amazing and wonderful people
  • Write more books and short stories
  • Continue to run my businesses remotely

Featured Entries from my Travel Journal

I’m documenting my experience in my journal. Here are a few of my featured entries.

A desert landscape at sunset smiles with a large saguaro cactus silhouetted against the sky. The dramatic clouds in shades of blue, orange, and yellow cast a warm glow over the arid terrain, like nature's sweet farewell. Sparse desert vegetation is visible in the foreground.
Sunsets and Sweets Make Me Smile
Hanging out in the Ironwood Forest National Monument and heading into town gave me a few opportunities to snap a few fun pictures of beautiful sunsets and enjoy some sweets.
Read Journal Entry ➔
A solitary, flat-topped butte stands in the middle of a vast, grassy plain under a partly cloudy sky in the Pawnee Buttes National Grasslands.
Hiking Pawnee Buttes and Meeting New Friends
Hiking the Pawnee Buttes Trail was the first hike on this leg of my wanderings, and it held an unexpected and wonderful surprise at the end with a dinner invitation and new friends!
Read Journal Entry ➔
A selfie of Shea Oliver on the summit of saddle Mountain
Summiting Saddle Mountain
I hiked up to the summit of Saddle Mountain as a reward for getting my new business launched. It was a beautiful day, and I had the mountain all to myself.
Read Journal Entry ➔
Large dark rocks with ancient petroglyphs, showing animal and abstract designs, rest on a rocky, grassy hillside in the Tonopah desert. Sparse shrubs and cacti are scattered across the slope under a cloudy sky.
Petroglyphs Near Tonopah
Hike from a campsite to find the petroglyphs marked on Google Maps. Ended up finding a few and had some fun just wandering around.
Read Journal Entry ➔
A jeep and teardrop trailer parked in the desert near Signal Mountain.
Saddle Mountain BLM Dispersed Camping
Hanging out east of Phoenix on some BLM land waiting for a storm to pass and hoping for good weather.
Read Journal Entry ➔
A paved path leads to Bent's Old Fort, a large, rectangular adobe structure with high tan walls and small windows. A flag flies over the entrance, while open grass fields and trees surround the fort under a clear blue sky.
Bent’s Old Fort
I spent a few hours wandering this amazing national Park service. Reconstruction was very educational and fascinating. Absolutely worth the visit.
Read Journal Entry ➔
A grassy field with a sign in the middle advertising the Picket Wire Trail - Dinosaur Tracksite.
Picket Wire Trail – Dinosaur Tracksite & Dolores Mission and Cemetery
Spent a wonderful day hiking into the Picket Wire Canyonlands to visit the largest dinosaur tracksite in North America.
Read Journal Entry ➔
A jeep parked next to a camper in Comanche National Grasslands.
Comanche National Grasslands (Withers Canyon Trailhead Campground)
The first major off-grid test of my nomad life, plus some glorious camping and hiking!
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A serene lake with clear reflections of a rocky, forested hillside exudes peacefulness. Tall grasses and wildflowers line the lake's edge, with a large rock in the foreground. The sky is clear and blue, enhancing the natural scenery.
Reflecting on a Roller Coaster of Peacefulness
As the days dwindle down toward my departure date, my emotions seem to bounce around, but I am finding myself more and more at ease with the decision and looking forward to this adventure.
Read Journal Entry ➔
A rustic wooden suspension bridge transitions over a flowing river in a dense forest. Tall trees surround the river, and the sky is bright with scattered clouds. The bridge, like a mindful path, features wooden railings and cables casting shadows along the walkway, with mountains faintly visible beyond.
The Path is Set and My Mind is Transitioning
Decisions are made and I won't be turning back. I'm leaving my home and most of my possessions. It's a strange feeling of letting go, but it feels meant to be.
Read Journal Entry ➔

View My Entire Travel Journal ➔

Shea' Travel Calendar

This just might answer that nagging question:
WHERE THE HELL IS SHEA NOW?

 
Glass Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

1001 Tales of Treasure

My multi-decade, wildly-ambitious plan to chronicle one-thousand and one stories of travels and adventures to national and state parks, monuments, forests, grasslands, and destinations of significant meaning.

The places I travel are treasures for those who visit. They provide moments of personal contemplation, a connection with nature, and a timeless kinship to the people who made the location valuable.

I share these stories in written and visual form on my website and on various social media platforms. Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, relax, and enjoy a meaningful tale.

1001 Tales of Treasure