Nature Junkie

A man in a sunhat stands before a tall saguaro cactus, speaking with his hand raised. Three inset photos show cactus blooms and the wonders of Saguaro National Park. Text reads: “Shea’s Rapid Recap #53: Hiking and Unleashing the Wonders of Saguaro National Park.”.
Join a captivating journey through Saguaro National Park, uncovering the fascinating world of saguaro cacti, mining history, and unexpected desert discoveries! Plus a presidio!
A smiling man in a hat and glasses sits in front of a straw background. The text reads, "Shea's Rapid Recap #52." Inset photos feature a memorial, Apache Pass at Fort Bowie National Historic Site, and more. Logo: "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver.
Step into the rugged history of Apache Pass, where water was more precious than gold, and Fort Bowie once stood proud as both a refuge and a battleground.
A man in a wide-brimmed hat and glasses stands outdoors among trees, embracing nature. Four inset photos highlight Cochise Stronghold, a historic wooden structure, a scenic mountain view, and a cave. Text reads: "Shea’s Rapid Recap #50" and "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver.
Explore Cochise Stronghold’s history and stunning landscapes in Southeast Arizona, discover hidden pictographs, and discover if a for-sale historic mercantile is for you!
Man in orange helmet talks in foreground; logo "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver" above. Three inset images: stone building with statue, a bus named "Royal Traveler," and a person eating a sandwich. Text: "Shea's Rapid Recap #47 Coronado National Forest and Memorial plus Fort Huachuca, Bisbee, & Arizona's National Scenic Trail.
Exploring Coronado National Forest, hiking sky islands, visiting military museums, and savoring local flavors in Bisbee. An adventure worth every step!
A man in a green cap and glasses stands before a timeworn brick and stone wall. Nearby images reveal an interior hallway, a tasty plate of gorditas, and a historic mission building. "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver. Shea's Rapid Recap #45: Feel the Echoes of History in Arizona's Missions & Trails.
In this mini-adventure, I explore Tumacacori National Historic Park, savor delicious Mexican food, and chat about a change to my website and a clarified focus for my adventure.
A black Jeep is towing a small teardrop trailer through a desert landscape, evoking a sense of déjà vu. Sparse vegetation and dry grass cover the rocky ground. Rugged mountains rise against a clear blue sky, one prominent peak towering on the left, all bathed in bright daylight.
When I returned to the force Road near Amado, I was happy to find that the exact same camp spot was available and someone made it even easier to back in than last time.
A person wearing a green cap and red t-shirt smiles in front of the Sonoran Desert National Monument sign, their desert home. The sign includes logos and mentions it's managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Dry brush and distant mountains stretch under a clear blue sky.
While this wasn't exactly my original plan, returning to one of my favorite places in the Arizona desert provided me with the isolation I needed to work on a major website project.
A black Jeep with a roof rack tows a teardrop-shaped camper, parked on a dirt patch under cloudy skies. Mountains rise in the background of Amado's desert landscape, their peaks visible from the sparse vegetation surrounding an unused fire pit nearby.
I was a little bit apprehensive about leaving the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge and heading south of Tucson. The weather had once again turned windy, cold, and uncomfortable.
A smiling man in glasses stands amidst a tree-filled, arid landscape with an off-road vehicle nearby. Inset images reveal desert scenes with arches and cacti. Text: "The Hiking CEO - Shea Oliver," "Shea's Rapid Recap #44," "Experience the unparalleled beauty of the Sonoran Desert like never before.
Oregon Pipe Cactus National Monument was more beautiful than I ever expected, and I had two perfectly wonderful hikes: one to a mine and mine store ruins and one to a double arch.
A desert landscape at sunset showcases a vivid orange sky with scattered clouds, as silhouetted mountains frame the scene. The foreground features saguaro cacti and dry shrubs, embracing the tranquil beauty of sunsets and inviting you to believe in nature’s serene spectacle.
On an evening, where I was not expecting the sky to produce much of a sunset I was treated to quite a surprise while I was FaceTime with my oldest son in the evening.
In the Sonoran desert landscape at sunset, a vibrant sky with wispy clouds sets the scene. A cholla cactus stands in the foreground, surrounded by sparse desert vegetation. Distant mountains silhouette against the colorful horizon as scattered saguaro cacti dot this enchanting scene of sunsets and serenity.
As the evening began to set in, the wispy clouds in the sky hinted that we might be in for a spectacular sunset, so I headed into the desert in an attempt to capture its beauty.
A desert landscape with a large cholla cactus in the foreground surrounded by dry shrubs and scattered rocks. Rolling hills with sparse vegetation are in the background under a clear blue sky. A lone saguaro cactus is visible in the midground.
Join me as I wander through the stunning Sonoran Desert! Discover hidden life, unique landscapes, and the mesmerizing quartz that shapes this captivating terrain. What will I find next?
A tall saguaro cactus stands in the Sonoran Desert landscape surrounded by dry shrubs. In the background, rocky hills rise under a clear blue sky, creating a typical arid environment. Perfect for hiking, the sun casts bright light, accentuating natural textures and colors.
I meandered into the Sonoran desert from my campsite and did something I hadn't done before, even though I've camped in this area several times and often wandered the desert.
Sonoran Desert National Monument Round Three img_1641
Just like last year, the weather refused to cooperate south of Tucson, and I headed further west into one of my favorite places from last winter and found an even better camping spot.
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.
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.
The image captures a man smiling with RVs and mountains behind him. Inset photos showcase the verdant beauty of Biosphere 2's triangular panels and lush gardens. Text reads, "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver, Shea's Rapid Recap #36, Visiting Dripping Springs and Biosphere 2.
After two peaceful weeks in Dripping Springs, I headed south toward Tucson, stopping and spending a good portion of the day at the spectacularly interesting Biosphere 2.