Sonoran Desert

Shea's Videos and Travel Journal Entries Tagged with Sonoran Desert

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.
A small camper and black SUV parked on gravel beside a solar panel and folding table at sunset. Two tall cacti stand nearby in the stunning Sonoran Desert against a backdrop of orange, pink, and blue sky. Text reads "The Hiking CEO, Shea Oliver" and "Shea's Rapid Recap #40.
After an awesome couple of weeks in the Ironwood Forest National Monument and some fabulous trips into Tucson, I headed to one of my favorite spots from last year.
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.
Close-up of a man wearing glasses and a green cap, with the text "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver" in a badge. Behind him, photos of religious and historic artifacts, including a statue, capture Tucson's essence. The text reads, "Shea's Rapid Recap #39: San Xavier del Bac Mission, Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center.
With a rainy day on tap, I headed into Tucson to visit the San Xavier Del Bac Mission, the Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center, and ate an Indian Taco that rocked!
A man wearing glasses and a cap smiles at the camera with a desert landscape in the background. Text reads, "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver. Shea's Rapid Recap #38. Exploring Ted DeGrazia's Artistic Legacy in the Sonoran Desert." Inset images spotlight Ted DeGrazia's artwork and a gallery interior.
After hanging out in the Ironwood Forest National Monument and not touristing very much, I decided it was time to head into Tucson and needed southwestern art fix.
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.
A smiling person in a KU cap stands outdoors amid desert vegetation under the bright sun. Inset images showcase miniatures and museum exhibits. Text reads: "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver, Shea's Rapid Recap #37, Ironwood Forest National Monument & The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures.
After marginal night, sleep in the Wishing Well RV park, I had a spectacular surprise waiting when I visited a museum, focused on miniatures and then headed to the Ironwood.
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.
Collage of images featuring the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Site ruins, Miami Historic Downtown Bullion Plaza sign, Taco Ranchito restaurant, and ornate church interior. "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver" logo and text: "Shea's Rapid Recap #34" bring these vivid glimpses to life.
After a few days of working and enjoying the desert, I needed water, a shower, and a little exploring, so I headed into Globe, Arizona, and checked out several interesting locations.
A man wears a green cap with "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver" logo, surrounded by cacti in the Sonoran Desert with rocky hills behind. Inset photos capture him savoring a sandwich, and navigating a rocky path. Text reads, "Shea’s Rapid Recap #33, Back on the Road for 2025 and in the Sonoran Desert.
I'm back on the road and to the Sonoran desert after leaving Colorado and driving for two days, with a few stops along the way to eat and explore the El Malpais National Monument.
A teardrop camper is parked in the Arizona desert landscape near Dripping Springs, with sparse shrubs and trees. The camper door is open, revealing storage. A foldable chair is set up nearby. The setting sun casts warm light, and mountains are visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.
After two brutally long days of driving, I was thrilled to pull into this piece of BLM land and discover some wonderful campsites with tons of cactuses, beautiful views, and privacy.
A selfie of Shea Oliver on the summit of 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.
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.
Hike from a campsite to find the petroglyphs marked on Google Maps. Ended up finding a few and had some fun just wandering around.
A Jeep and a teardrop trailer parked near the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.
A decent and popular location for RVers. I could have picked a better spot, but sometime you gotta find out the hard way!