Will Rogers’ 131st Birthday Party

Will Rogers 131st Birthday Party

Dog Iron Ranch
Oolagah, Oklahoma
Cherokee Nation

Photos by Stephen Hartshorne

The Dog Iron Ranch in Oolagah, Will Rogers' birthplace — The Dog Iron Ranch in Oolagah, Will Rogers’ birthplace

Kowboy Kal says he learned all his rope tricks from Will Rogers movies. — Kowboy Kal, who performs all over the world, says he learned all his rope tricks from Will Rogers movies.

Oolagah schoolchildren sing about the Cherokee Kid. That was Will Rogers rodeo name. — Oolagah schoolchildren sing about the Cherokee Kid. That was Will Rogers’ rodeo name.

Will's great-niece Ada, still going strong at 92 — Will’s great-niece Ada, still going strong at 92

A plaque presented by the Pochahantas Club at the Will Rogers Memorial

The Pochahantas Club lays a wreath on Will Rogers' tomb. Will joined the club when he was 19. — The Pochahantas Club lays a wreath on Will Rogers’ tomb. Will joined the club when he was 19.

Will seems to be enjoying the festivities.

Back to Stephen Hartshorne’s Cherokee Nation story

Author
Recent Posts

Steve Hartshorne

Stephen Hartshorne is the retired associate editor of GoNOMAD.com. He writes a blog called ArmchairTravel about books he finds at flea markets and rummage sales. He lives in Sunderland, Mass.

Latest posts by Steve Hartshorne (see all)

Greater Palm Springs: Art, Architecture, and Family Fun - April 11, 2019
Derry, Northern Ireland: Fun and Festivals in the Walled City - August 14, 2018
Georgia’s Film Industry is Booming - August 18, 2017

You Might Enjoy Reading These GoNOMAD Articles:

Show Notes: Skiing Mt. Bachelor & Exploring Bend, Oregon

In this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Max heads to Central Oregon to explore one of the most surprising ski destinations in the United States: Mt. Bachelor. This massive, 9,065‑foot volcanic peak offers something rare in North America — true 360‑degree skiing from the summit. With more than 4,300 acres of terrain and plans for even more expansion, Mt. Bachelor is a mountain that keeps skiers coming back year after year.

But the story doesn’t end on the slopes. Just 25 minutes away sits Bend, Oregon, a high‑desert city packed with breweries, outdoor adventure, and a laid‑back culture that draws people from all over the world. Max checks into the Oxford Hotel downtown, samples local beers at Brother Jon’s and Ten Barrel, and meets one of Bend’s most famous residents — former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe — who shares why he loves skiing Bachelor and living in this fast‑growing mountain town.

You’ll also hear about dog‑sledding with Oregon Trail of Dreams, the unique restrictions that keep Mt. Bachelor wild and undeveloped, and why this mountain is beloved by families, intermediates, and powder‑hungry locals alike.

In this episode:

What makes Mt. Bachelor’s terrain and snow so unique
Why the summit is often closed — and why it’s worth waiting for
Bend’s booming craft beer scene
Meeting Drew Bledsoe at a local brewpub
Dog‑sledding through the Deschutes National Forest
How Bend has transformed from mill town to outdoor hub
The future expansion of Mt. Bachelor’s ski terrain

Links & Resources:

Visit Bend: https://www.visitbend.com
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort: https://www.mtbachelor.com
Oregon Trail of Dreams Dog Sledding
Oxford Hotel Bend
GoNOMAD story about Bend and Skiing Mt Bachelor
https://www.gonomad.com/3468-bend-mount-bachelor-oregon

About GoNOMAD Travel Podcast: Hosted by Max Hartshorne, the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast brings you stories from around the world — unusual destinations, memorable characters, and the kind of travel experiences that stick with you long after you return home.