Wyatt Earp

Steve, a special thanks to you and Marcie and all the ladies for making my wife Loretta feel so welcome. I can’t thank you enough for including the non-riding spouses in many of the activities during this ride. She was infected with the enthusiasm and camaraderie instantly and it did not wane through the week. She had a wonderful time. Each night as I returned with my adventure stories of the day, I had to wait until she told me hers first. As with many of us that love our wives and vice versa, it is of utmost importance that our partners have a good time too. I, also, felt the genuineness and integrity of the people on the ride. I felt like a cowboy and knew in my heart we were all, in our own way, riding for the brand. As a result, Loretta and I are interested in joining you on the June 2010 Hole-in-the-Wall Ride. If I can, I intend to have my son join us and a good friend of mine too. So figure between two and four from my camp. Lastly, what can one say about our wrangler, Kevin, except that he is truly the very best there is. I’ve never met anyone like him … suspect I never will. I wish every American could meet him and discover what a real American is like and what a real cowboy is like. I fear there is no mold to reproduce his kind man. America and world are the lesser for it.

If you have problems writing about "WHAT I DID ON MY VACATION" you're taking the wrong trips. Great American Adventures makes every day - every hour - a memory worth sharing. It is always a treat to see friend's faces light up when I describe the "Wyatt Earp Vendetta Ride" or "Butch Cassidy's Hole In The Wall Ride". Even those that don't know one end of a horse from the other get into the spirit. There is no more fascinating period in American history, maybe even world history, than the nearly unbelievable period surrounding the 1880's in America - the old west. Even the town names are too bizarre to be true - but they are. Cripple Creek, Whiskey River and, of course, Tombstone. And who could have made up such names as Curly Bill Brocius, Texas Jack Vermillion, Turkey Creek Johnson, or Wyatt Earp. Yet they are all true, real monickers. Their unbelievable adventures rival and live up to their unique names. Great American Adventures literally puts you on the Outlaw Trail and on the streets of Tombstone where you might meet up with Wyatt or Doc Holiday - or even be one of them. If you're looking for memories, not just a break from your regular world, give GAA a call. You won't regret it.

Larry Palmer

Norco, CA

Since childhood I've been intrigued by the Earp’s ...Virgil, Wyatt and Morgan, who took on the forces of corruption in Tombstone at great personal sacrifice. I've watched every movie and read every book about them, their lives, and their exploits. Once I became a lawman, my interest only increased. When I learned that you were organizing a trip where I could follow in their hoof prints, literally, on horseback, I knew it was the trip for me.

It wasn't at all what I expected...it was BETTER! A great horse, experienced wranglers (whose companionship was an experience in itself), fantastic food, loads of historical information provided by western historian Bob Boze Bell, the opportunity to participate in an historical expedition that actually made a significant discovery about Earpian lore, the hard riding over open country to Cochise's mountain lair, standing over Johnny Ringo's grave, riding down the middle of Allen Street in Tombstone, impromptu cowboy entertainment around the campfire, I can go on and on. What more could a would-be Western lawman ask? Although it may sound cliché, this for me was the trip of a lifetime.

My heartfelt thanks to you, your lovely wife, our wranglers, and the staff of The Tombstone Livery Stable (our base camp). I'm perusing the web site of GREAT AMERICAN ADVENTURES trying to choose my next trip!

Lieutenant Harry Thomas

Cincinnati Police Department (ret.)

Carmel, Indiana

My Husband and I just returned from Wyatt Earp’s Vendetta Ride in Tombstone, AZ. WOW!! What a trip. We absolutely loved it. We rode more than I have ridden in a long time. I brought my mule Henry and rode along with the other horses, which wasn't a problem. Everyone got along beautifully. We rode everywhere. We went to Cochise’s Stronghold and found a cave with petro glyphs, went to Johnny Ringo’s grave site, and rode to the movie set where they filmed “Tombstone” … OMG that was so cool! Rode down the streets of Tombstone, with tourists taking tons of pictures since we were dressed period and were locked and loaded; also road to Fairbanks and Contention.

We also made history - if you saw the movie “Tombstone” there is a scene where Wyatt Earp and his posse come across Curly Bill and his Cow-boy gang. There is a shoot out and Curly Bill dies. Well, we found that exact spot according to Wyatt Earp’s memoirs. Bob Boze Bell was with us and he had just finished telling us the story during our lunch break and said the only thing they couldn't find was the line shack to prove the spot we rode to was the spot Curly Bill was killed. Shortly after lunch one of the riders said they found a foundation. We all rode up to it. Wow! It was just like Wyatt Earp said. We found the line shack’s foundation to support the location of the gunfight. It was so exciting! Bob Boze Bells hands were trembling. Honestly the history and riding in the places that few have ridden were so amazing. We were so fortunate to have a historian with us on part of the trip. We didn't know any of the folks but we sure got to know them. Most didn't own horses and they surprised both Jim and me that they actually rode the entire time. I bet they were sore but they toughed it out. We were impressed. Jim rode a black steed from the movie “Far and Away” (I think Tom Cruise’s or Nicole Kidman’s horse). Bob Boze Bell interviewed Jim and I think he is going to be publishing an article about the Wyatt Earp Vendetta Ride in True West Magazine. He may also talk about it on the History Channel or Western Channel, but not sure of that.

If any of you ever get the chance to take this ride you should. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this a 15. Steve Shaw did an excellent job "herding us cats" (private joke here). The food was great, horses were great, and we always felt safe. Our wrangler was wonderful and we even had some great entertainment. Thanks Steve for the awesome job you did in organizing this trip. Gosh we’re ready for the next Great American Adventure!

Patty & Jim Ruwoldt

Larkspur, CO

Steve, first off let me say that what you were able to accomplish over the past year to make this adventure of a lifetime happen is completely amazing and your hard work was certainly prevalent! You left no stone unturned and there were astounding surprises every day and each day became more and more exciting. Having Kevin McNiven as our wrangler as well as Troy and Keaton was simply an amazing way to show that you wanted each of us to not only be safe and in good hands but also to have a great time. Kevin is simply a genuinely amazing person and I am proud to know him.

Words cannot even begin to memorialize what I experienced during my week on the trail. Simply put I felt as though I was at home and at peace out in the Southern Arizona desert on horseback. My heart and soul has always wanted to do exactly what we did. This trip for me was not just an adventure of a life time but more. It was a life changing experience and was extremely emotional for me. We lived the lives of those that came before us and experienced a dream come true. We experienced history first hand by one of the best historians of our generation – Bob Boze Bell. We made history in being the first group to visit the true site of the fight between Wyatt Earp and Curly Bill Brocious in Cottonwood Springs and further made a huge discovery of the line shack and out building just a few yards down the wash. Unbelievable!!!

We paid tribute to a man who still today is shrouded in mystery and toasted a drink of whiskey to his memory. I met many great people on this trip and indeed made fast friends that I hope to hold close forever. The experience that we shared together will always be a special one not just for what it was but for who I was able to do it with. We talked and shared stories. We shared our opinions of how we interpreted history in Tombstone. We had an enchanted moment during an evening of Kevin singing cowboy songs around a campfire as the sun faded into the night; priceless! We shared many special moments together with many special people and this was the glue that made this trip an everlasting memory.

I will see you soon Steve. You are truly a tremendous man and I am proud to know you and am grateful to have been a part of Wyatt Earp’s Vendetta Ride!

Bill Curtis

Lakewood, CA

The Vendetta Ride was the best vacation we have taken. The history, rugged country, Tombstone and dressing like a Cowboy were fantastic. Ronnie and I want to be included in the October 2010 Vendetta Ride.

Kevin, Troy and Keaton were great as wranglers; Doug and Terri great hosts at the livery stable. We enjoyed meeting you and Marcie and all the participants.

When we rode into Tombstone the tourists loved to see everyone in their authentic clothes. I have never had my picture taken as often as we did when we were in Tombstone. A lot of people remember us riding in the parade. The most interest was the badges - we had several people asking where they could buy a badge like ours and I was proud to say they couldn't. The badges were designed for the ride.

Ronnie and I were interviewed during Helldorado by the Tombstone Epitaph. Maybe we will make it in the newspaper. Thanks, we are looking forward to next year.

Ronnie and Rita Bryant

Ashland, AL

It looks like you did it again! I thought it would be hard to beat your Horsemanship Clinic, but you did! Having riders come together from all parts of the U.S. to experience the ride of their lifetime and seeing a part of history, coupled with learning about the area and era from Bob Boze Bell - simply unbelievable. Some of us have wanted to be a cowboy or cowgirl since we were kids … you allowed us to live our dreams! Riding into Tombstone that morning felt like we had gone back in time for just that moment. And, when we galloped through the studio set where the movie “Tombstone” was filmed was great!

Everybody was wonderful and we made some new friends. If the Hole in the Wall Ride is anything like the Vendetta Ride I cannot wait for June to come.

Thank you Steve for the chance to live a dream I thought could not happen but has. The best thing that comes out of these adventures, and this is my fourth with you, are the friends you make for life. Thanks again, and thanks for your friendship. Keep the Cowboy Way going and never let it die!

Joe Demarest

Sulphur, LA

Arrived in Tombstone, Arizona ... saw another shooting in front of the OK Corral. This town’s pretty rough. Met up with Ellsworth T. Kincaid (aka Steve Shaw) and the rest of the Vendetta Posse at the Crystal Palace for dinner. The posse is riding Wyatt Earp’s Vendetta Trail. If you've seen the movie Tombstone with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, you'll remember that after Wyatt's brothers were shot, he went on a vendetta ride to eliminate all of the gang responsible. Ellsworth has researched the places Wyatt went and we're going to ride the route.

First thing this morning we had a guided tour of Tombstone with Bob Boze Bell, Western historian and writer you’ve probably seen on the Western Channel. We then headed to the livery stable and picked our horses. I picked Twister, a nice black horse I had ridden last year at the Little Big Horn. With Twister, I knew what I was getting and trusted him right away for jumping the arroyos and galloping through the cactus.

Next we rode over to Mescal Studios, where they filmed most of Tombstone - quite fascinating. We took photos of us galloping down the streets.

After a quick lunch we headed out again. Next stop was Johnny Ringo's grave, the place where he was found shot and buried. Some say Wyatt; others say Doc Holliday got him. We'll never really know. Ellsworth brought along a bottle of Ringo's favorite whiskey and we all drank a toast to the mean murdering son of a gun who got what he deserved.

Yesterday we rode to Cochise’s Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains, where the Apache Cochise hid out during his 25 year war with the United States. It's a beautiful but rough country with oak trees and scrub, hills and canyons, and mountains made of gigantic round boulders. It’s easy to see how he could lose the cavalry up there. Could have been Indians behind every rock but that’s another story. We went there following the path of Wyatt Earp’s posse looking for his brother’s killers.

Today we rode to Cottonwood Springs where Wyatt caught up with Curly Bill Brocius. It was a pretty little camp site by a creek. The creek was dry but sometimes has water. Historian Bob Boze Bell recently found this place by the descriptions in Wyatt Earp’s writings. He’s 90% sure this is the place but couldn’t prove it because he couldn’t find evidence of a line shack that Wyatt mentioned. Today, we found the foundation of the line shack and now Bob is certain this is the site where Curly Bill met his end. It was quite thrilling to be part of the discovery of this historical place. After lunch we rode the route Wyatt used to come up to the camp. They rode up an incline and then could look right down into camp. Both parties were surprised. If you saw the movie, then you know what happened next.

On our return to Tombstone we took a shortcut over the mountain. What a ride that was! Steep and covered with cactus and brush. Everything had thorns on it. Those tough mountain horses we had made it seem easy.

Thursday we rode our horses into the real town of Tombstone. It requires a permit from the sheriff now, not like the old days. We came in from the north up Allen Street, past the OK Corral, Big Nose Kate’s and up to the Crystal Palace. This is where it all happened, the gunfight that lives on in history. By the way, you can’t ride your horses into the saloon anymore either.

In the afternoon, we went back to the livery stable and had a horsemanship lesson with our wrangler, Kevin McNiven. Kevin has been a Wyoming cowboy all his life and knows horses better than anyone I can think of. I’ve been riding over 15 years and always learn something when I’m with him. You should see the way he gallops his horse along, pulls up to a stop and in one fluid motion pulls the rifle out of his scabbard, swings over the saddle and lands on both feet with the rifle at his shoulder. I’m planning to go to his ranch in Wyoming next year for a week of his and Steve's Horsemanship Training and mountain riding. He also entertained us around the camp fire that evening with his fine singing and guitar playing. He says he learned the guitar long ago so that he could have his pick of the cowboy jobs. A cowboy who could entertain in the evening had first choice.

Friday found us at Fairbanks, AZ riding down the dry San Pedro River bed. A hundred years ago this river ran full of water. There were many stamping mills along the river and we saw the remains of them, mostly the parts that were built of stone. The ore would be hauled in on giant wagons and dumped into the top. It would be gravity fed and screened and crushed to the proper size for extracting the precious metals. We had lunch at the abandoned town of Contention, AZ along the trail and then back by a different route.

Saturday & Sunday was Helldorado Days in Tombstone. This is a town festival celebrating the cowboy history of Tombstone. There were possibly more cowboys carrying guns in town today than in 1881. This was a great ending to a great riding week.

Anyone interested in future adventures go to www.Great-American-Adventures.com. This is my eighth adventure with this outfit and I’m planning at least two more next year … what a ride!!!

Rob Arntzen

Winnebago, IL