Travel articles exploring deserts, the Wild West, and the American Southwest, from abandoned places and desert attractions to open roads and remote landscapes.
Where Did the Wild Horses Go? SR-347 & Riggs Road, Arizona
Wild horses once regularly crossed SR-347 near Riggs Road in Arizona. As sightings declined, questions followed. This article documents what may have happened and why hope remains.
Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona Along Historic Route 66
A desert road trip stop in Winslow, Arizona with Route 66 history and the Standin’ on the Corner Park.
The Domes of Casa Grande Are Gone!
Documenting the Domes of Casa Grande, a mysterious Arizona roadside landmark now gone.
A Man Chained to a Tree: Wickenburg’s Jail Tree
A true Old West tale from Wickenburg, Arizona. When the Wild West needed a jail, Wickenburg made do with a tree under the desert sky.
Exploring California’s Imperial Sand Dunes Near Yuma, Arizona
A desert road trip through California’s Imperial Sand Dunes near Yuma, Arizona featuring desolate highways, waves of sand, roadside stops, and the stillness of the Southwest borderlands.
Saguaro Lake, Arizona: Water, Mountains, & Saguaro Country
Surrounded by saguaros and volcanic cliffs, Saguaro Lake offers rare desert water access by boat, hidden coves, and mountain views in every direction. An Arizona lake meant for drifting inside Saguaro Country.
Arizona’s Tire-Wrapped Saguaro: Outlaw Throws Tires on the Saguaro Cactus’ Arms.
A photographic look at a saguaro cactus decorated with tires in rural Arizona.
Saguaro National Park
A journey through Saguaro National Park’s cactus forests, desert panoramas, and scenic trails in Arizona.
Jeep Adventure - Montana Mountain Loop Trail & Mattie Earp’s Grave
Documenting the Montana Mountain Loop Trail: Off-road Jeep adventures, mountain views, and desert backcountry exploration.
Day Trip: Roosevelt - Globe - Miami - Superior, Arizona
Exploring the historic desert towns of Miami, Superior, and Globe, Arizona, and the scenic Roosevelt Bridge.
Say When: New Year’s Eve in Tombstone, Arizona
A New Year’s Eve visit to Tombstone, Arizona along historic Allen Street and a midnight celebration inside Big Nose Kate’s Saloon.
Desert Center, California: The Forgotten Desert Town I Can't Stop Visiting
Most travelers pass Desert Center without a second thought. I keep coming back. Somewhere between the abandoned buildings, rusted relics, and endless desert silence, this desolate town made me wonder what was, what could have been, and what might still become of it.
The Blythe Intaglios
Exploring the Blythe Intaglios: Massive geoglyphs etched into the desert near Blythe, California.
The Road Sign That Made Me Want to See America
Growing up, I was fascinated by a road sign pointing to Barstow, California. Years later, I set out on a road trip to discover whether a matching sign existed 2,554 miles away at the western end of Interstate 40.
El Dorado Hot Springs: An Old-West Kind of Soak in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert
An hour west of Phoenix, rustic El Dorado Hot Springs offers open sky, quiet land, and an old-west sense of taking things slow.
Salvation Mountain: A Color Explosion in the California Desert
A back-road-trip led me to Salvation Mountain, a vibrant desert folk-art landmark built by Leonard Knight near Slab City, California.
Monument Valley: Standing Inside the Postcard
After years of admiring Monument Valley from afar, I finally set out for Utah's red rock country for a weekend of empty roads, red rock landscapes, and towering sandstone monuments.
Visiting Tombstone, Arizona - A Living Old West Town
Tombstone, Arizona is one of the most famous Old West towns in the United States. From historic saloons to Boot Hill Cemetery, this travel article explores what it’s like to visit Tombstone today.