Old West

Shea's Videos and Travel Journal Entries Tagged with Old West

A man in a hat and glasses stands outdoors, framed by a phone on the rocky landscape of Cochise Stronghold—Dragoon Mountains, Arizona. Text: “Insightful Reflections.” Subheading atop the phone reads, “EVENTUALLY COCHISE ESCAPED AND.” History meets moral crossroads.
Ready to confront uncomfortable truths about history and morality? Are we repeating past mistakes? It's time to reflect and decide which side of history we want to stand on.
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!
A man with short curly hair and a beard smiles outdoors near trees. Inset photos highlight a cemetery, the OK Corral entrance, and wooden gallows—capturing his journey through time and adversity in "Shea's Rapid Recap #49 Surviving Tombstone.
Join my adventure to Tombstone, exploring its history at the O.K. Corral and beyond, despite multiple attempts and the weather’s challenges. A tourist trap worth the journey!
A historic cannon with large wooden wheels is displayed on a wooden platform, set on a grassy field with historical buildings in the background.
An unexpected hidden gem of a national historic site! Like all sites in the national Park system this one is unbelievably well done and even has a full-time blacksmith.
A stretch of grassy Kansas Plains leads to the tall, rugged Monument Rocks under a clear blue sky.
Rising like a castle on the middle of the Kansas Plains, Monument Rocks stood out in the plains as a much needed confirmation for those on the Smoky Hills Trail in the 1800s
A large arrow sculpture is angled, pointing into the ground on a grassy, dry field, marking the site of the Battle of Sweetwater Creek. The arrow, with red and white fletching and a silver shaft, stands near a rock and a historical marker. In the background, a wire fence stretches under a clear blue sky.
The arrow sculpture at the Mobeetie Rest Stop cut my eye, and I had to pull over to check it out. There were two historical markers in this rest stop in the Texas panhandle.
Sign at the entrance to Washita Battlefield National Historic Site and Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands. Featuring logos, it stands against a clear blue sky with a nearby leafless tree. The ground is covered in dry grass, echoing the site's historical significance.
After visiting the Sand Creek Massacre site a few years ago, I knew that visiting where Peace Chief Black Kettle was killed was high on my list of National Treasures to experience.
The historic stone building, with its gabled roof, proudly hosts the Pony Express Barn and Museum. A large sign featuring a horse silhouette marks the entrance, flanked by American flags. Surrounded by a quaint flower bed, utility poles stand in the background.
There is only one barn remaining from the famous Pony Express, and it's right here in Marysville, Kansas, so there was no way I would miss this fabulous attraction from the Wild West.
The Last Chance Store is a historic stone house with a gabled roof surrounded by lush greenery. A stone walkway leads to the entrance, and a red brick path is visible in the foreground. A greenhouse in the background sits under a partly cloudy blue sky, with trees providing shade around the scene.
Unfortunately, the store was locked up, and I couldn't get inside, but at least the windows weren't too bad, and I could see inside. Maybe it'll be open next time.
A stone monument stands on a gravel area with a plaque in front. Two wooden benches are on either side. Behind are two wooden signs with text. Lush green trees fill the background. The scene is adjacent to a paved road under a partly cloudy sky.
Heading to a marker on Google Maps, I stumbled across this interesting historical marker that had been updated with corrected information after years of erroneous stories.
Council Grove’s charming small-town street features historic buildings under a blue sky dotted with clouds. Red brick and white facades line the sidewalk, with cars parked along the street. A pedestrian crossing and traffic signs are visible, exuding a peaceful, quaint atmosphere.
As I continued north, I headed into the adorable little town of Council Grove, Kansas. In addition to checking out the Kaw Mission Museum. I just wandered around town.
A row of old Western-style storefronts and businesses with a wooden sidewalk at Boot Hill Museum, under a partly cloudy sky, with a grassy area and a concrete pathway in the foreground.
Enroute to Wichita, I had to make a stop in Dodge City. While I've been to the Boot Hill Museum a few times, it's still fun to take a step back in time and see what's new.
A blue Kansas Historical Marker sign titled "Santa Fe Trail Ruts" stands in a grassy field under a clear sky. The sign describes the trail ruts left by 19th-century wagons. A gray mailbox is on the left, and tall grass and brush fill the background.
Walked in the ruts from the wagons that rolled along the famous Santa Fe Trail. It's crazy to think that people walked all the way across the American Plains.
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.
I spent a few hours wandering this amazing national Park service. Reconstruction was very educational and fascinating. Absolutely worth the visit.