Tombstone in Turmoil

Two months after the Gunfight near the O.K. Corral, three assassins fire double-barrel shotguns at deputy U.S. Marshal / City Police Chief Virgil Earp outside the Oriental Saloon. Doctors remove several inches of shattered bone from his upper left arm. Wyatt, assuming the worst, telegraphs Crawley P. Dake, U.S. Marshal for the Arizona Territory, a few hours later:

         Now a deputy U.S. Marshal, Wyatt assembles a posse of gunmen to protect his family and to hunt the men who shot his brother.

The posse must consist of trustworthy men who would not be intimidated by further threats or acts of violence by the Cow-boys … men willing to place themselves in extreme danger.

On January 17, 1882, Doc Holliday and Johnny Ringo have a standoff on Allen Street. They face off with hands hovering above their revolvers, but a town deputy stops them from taking matters further.

Then, on March 18, shortly before midnight, while Morgan Earp is shooting pool at Campbell and Hatch’s Saloon with Wyatt sitting in a chair watching, two bullets blast through the upper window pane of the back door.  The first bullet hits Morgan in the back, near the spine.  The second bullet splinters in the wall inches from Wyatt's head.  Morgan immediately collapses and dies within the hour - on March 19th, on Wyatt's 34th birthday.

With an older brother permanently crippled in his left arm from a deadly ambush, and a younger brother back-shot to death, most men would run …

Not Wyatt Earp!  

Now it's PERSONAL!

~ Join Wyatt Earp's bloody trail of retribution ~

Our five-day ride takes us to the Chiricahua, Dragoon and Whetstone Mountains, through the high country around Tombstone, visiting sites were Wyatt and his posse killed Florentio Cruz, had a shoot-out with the Cow-boys and killed "Curly Bill" Brocius, plus Johnny Ringo’s haunted gravesite and more - much more!

•    Horses, tack, and food provided ... want to bring your own horse??  That's fine!!  I offer discounts if you do!!

•    Reservations Required!!  Space Limited!!

** I'm pleased to say spouses & significant others are included in a variety of activities throughout the week. 

Bring them along to join in the camaraderie and adventure!

Check out photos from our various Vendetta Rides ... Past Adventure Tab

or click:

Wyatt Earp's Vendetta Ride Photos 2011

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Wyatt Earp's Vendetta Ride Photos 2010

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Wyatt Earp's Vendetta Ride Photos 2009

Please Note:  Both men and women are invited on this and all my historic rides (I get that question a lot!!)

7:00 pm – Meet & Greet at the Crystal Palace, Saloon, Tombstone (dinner on own)

7:30 am – Breakfast / afterward we’ll follow one another via vehicles from Tombstone

Note: With distances as vast as they are, horses will be picketed at different locations each day.

              After breakfast, we’ll follow each other to where the horses have been picketed and ride to the historic site.

We’ll ride to:

•    Pete Spence’s wood-cutting camp where Florentino Cruz was killed in the Dragoon Mountains;

•    Iron Springs in the Whetstone Mountains where Curly Bill Brocius was killed ... or was it Cottonwood Springs?  You decide the  controversy!!

•    Johnny Ringo’s supposedly haunted gravesite in the Chiricahua Mountains;

•   Along the San Pedro River visiting the locations of Charleston, Fairbanks and or perhaps Contention and Drew's Station (the site where some say the "feud" begain), all frequented by the Cow-boy's & Earp's.

•   With special permission, we'll ride through the movie set where the 1993 film "Tombstone" was filmed (and the "Quick and the Dead" and many others).  No guarantees on this one ... any conflict with a film production will thwart this plan.

COME HEELED!!

•   $1996 per person

   Initial Deposit:  $500 per person, non-refundable deposit required to book your reservation

       Final Payment:  Due 90 days prior to ride ... July 14th

     Discount offered if you bring your own horse (I get this question from time to time)                     

•    Trained horses (you’ll be matched to a horse based on riding abilities)

•    Tack (use of personal saddles encouraged)

•     Wranglers

•     Historians

•     Three meals a day (sack lunches for saddlebags when riding)

•    Transportation to and from Tombstone, Arizona Territory

•    Motels in Tombstone / rental cars (if needed)

•    Period clothing (See Dress Code) ... attempting to dress in "period-clothing" makes these rides more fun, more adventurous and makes for great photos ops!!  Try it!  And don't spend lots of money unless you want to ... I make several recommendations on the Dress Code site where to purchase these items.

•    Friday through Sunday after the ride - highly entertaining:

•    Participate in Tombstone’s biggest annual event - Helldorado Days (www.HelldoradoDays.com)

(Strongly Suggest making your motel reservations as early as possible!  Rooms fill up fast ... You can always cancel later if necessary)

~ See Motels.  Also check out www.tombstoneweb.com ~