We are so honored to have won the Business of the Year for 2021. Even though Oatman is abandoned by people, it is not empty at all. Now he thinks he is a Ger Officials with the Bureau of Land Management contacted the Blake Family and asked if they would care for Walter and become his new family. A book about the orphaned donkey and the amazing town he calls home! Each book will feature a different Walter adventure, all based on his real-life experiences. Ember Keep it Clean. He was nominated by the chamber due to his having been such a good ambassador for Oatman so far, Blake said. Put fruit in a bucket of water for bobbing fun, or freeze it to make iced snacks on a hot day. With the Bizapedia Pro Search service you will get unlimited searches via our various search forms, 24 following. . 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If Walter ever needs a helping hand, his brothers and sisters are always happy to show him how things are done. To order books When the Federal Bureau of Land Management gave the Blakes a call in 2019, they had no idea they would end up with a growing burro as a roommate. Live. The Blake's reside in Oatman, Arizona, an old western mining town that dates back to 1903 and has burros roaming freely in town. The burro has become such an integral part of Oatman's identity that the town now plays host to an annual Burro Biscuit Toss, where residents and visitors alike compete to see who can throw a dried-out, gold-painted burro dropping the farthest. I just love walter.. (13.84 km) Donkey Trails Scenic Mountain House, sleeps 4 (14.40 km) Saddle Sore Ranch (15.59 km) NEW! *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. . It didnt take long for Walter to adapt to what his new life would be. Enjoy the 2130 W Van Buren St We have wild burros that roam the town, Brad Blake told The Dodo. (Photos from a 2011 visit) Oatman is where Walter was born. FINALLY!!??????? They never could have imagined how much a baby donkey would change their lives. For further information, contact A. Smith at 928-763-3072 between 9 am -12 noon and 2 pm until 4 pm. . Walter is the orphaned burro of Oatman and Was born on July 5, 2019. Peach Springs, Arizona 86434. His donkey mama wasn't quite sure what to think about him. To protect our site, we cannot process your request right now. The Walter train has taken off full-speed ahead with all sorts of t-shirts and calendars that have the cute donkeys picture on them and all sorts of memorabilia that appear virtually everywhere you look in this town. Walter is a yearling jack who was born 07/05/2019. Walter was born next to the old schoolhouse, which happens to be the set of a 1962 epic Western movie, How the West Was Won. Brad was the one who managed to make the baby finally start eating, saving it from death. Meet Walter a sweet donkey who just wants to fit in. When that failed, Brad & Kelly Blake adopted Walter. Walter acts as though he is a dog, Blake said. Walter was born July 5th, 2019. But this does not matter to his parents, and they still love him so much. Winds light and variable.. A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Because it's very rare to keep these animals as pets. For this reason, he acts and thinks as if he were another one of the dogs. Oatman, Arizona, located in the Black Mountains of Mohave County got its start as a mining camp after prospectors struck gold in the area in the early 1900s.Later, it became part of Route 66.. Often described as a ghost town, it doesn't quite fit the category, but, close enough, considering that it once boasted over 10,000 people and now supports just a little over 100 people year-round. By now, you would have to be living in a cave here not to know who Walter is! When his mother refused to nurse or aid Walter, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management rescued him. Walter is the cutest little donkey ever! Let it be a tribute to Walters fame that Mississippi illustrator Jasmine Smith (no relation to the writer) knew about him before she was asked to draw him. A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Nikki is a character. With the Black Mountains rising all around it, Oatman is surrounded by sharp-toothed ridges and forbidding rock formations. Walter captured hearts after he was abandoned by his herd last year in the Oatman area. When Oatman's economy was on its last leg, the Mother Road brought in roadtrippers and other tourists, helping to prevent the town from truly becoming a ghost town. If you have a treat and hold it above her head, she will smile for you when asked! Destiny is one of Dustys babies and took after her momma in the good mom category. Scared Pittie Gets So Happy When He Meets This Guy And His Pack Of Dogs, To learn more about Walter and his family's adventures, you can. She loves hay cubes and butt scratches but is also ok with just sitting back, watching the happenings in town and searching for hay cubes that someone dropped. If you have time to venture even farther afield, continue south on Route 66 for another 25 miles or so. Lots of -Love & Prayers, Virginia, Your email address will not be published. But Walters dog-like personality really comes out whenever his dad returns from a business trip. A couple of prospectors settled there in the 1860s, but it wasnt until 1915when a couple of miners struck a 10 million dollar gold strikethat the town really grew. 1110 W Washington St, #155 Burros currently at the Sanctuary: They married in 2009 and own several family businesses . See the famous Oatman burros, explore Route 66 and discover more things to do in Oatman. The donkeys are wild, mostly friendly, and hungry . Hello Lenda! Order your AUTOGRAPHED copy now, Sign up to hear from us about openings for membership and volunteer opportunities. Oatman is famous for, or should I say infamous for, the wild burros that inhabit the tiny Route 66 town. Sunny Bullhead City Home w/ Patio & Mnt View! I am SO EXCITED!! Walter's story has clearly drawn a number of fans. 3,306 likes. His gravesite after dark & a handmade Cross. These beloved burros are known as The Magnificent Seven. Smith on the other hand became a writer after getting sick with lupus as a child and realizing that her dreams of becoming a navy nurse or an FBI agent were not feasible. The historic hotel today houses a bar and restaurant on the ground level and a museum on the second floorincluding the Clark Gable/Carole Lombard honeymoon suite. 12 of Walter is a yearling jack who was born 07/05/2019. Reels. She is both sugar and spice. Archway Publishing and related logos are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, LLC All rights 1650 S. Casino Dr. #2335 We barely do social media for ourselves!. Posts. (123) See oatman donkeys stock video clips. About. Less than a month old, a burro named Walter, enjoys daily walks with his adopted humans in the Oatman area. BLM officials asked Blake, an experienced caretaker of Arizonas wild burros, to care for Walter last year. He even has fans in Europe and Asia. Hazel is quiet and shy. Just this past weekend, they took Walter to a Special Olympics fundraiser in Bullhead City, where he was, of course, the most popular creature in the room. The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed. The moment they showed him affection, Walter connected to his new parents on a deeper level especially his dad. Walter was adopted, Brad explained. For about a decade, the Oatman mines were among the largest in gold production in the West. Books cost $12.95 each and ship in two to four weeks. Kingman, Arizona 86401. "We have wild burros that roam the town," Brad Blake told The Dodo. She was a successful Crime and Courts Reporter, appeared as a correspondent for the television network Investigation Discovery (ID) in 2015. In Oregon, there are donkeys on the Warm Springs HMA only. It took me two months to write it, Smith said of her debut as a childrens writer. Between a fire in the 1920s and the largest mining company closing operations, the town virtually died off. Watch. person will not be tolerated. Walter's Desert Adventure: A Walter the Orphaned Donkey Series Hardcover - December 21, 2021 by Cat Smith (Author), Brad Blake Kelly Blake & 0 more 4.7 out of 5 stars 10 ratings 12, Sign up for our newsletter to receive all the latest news, travel tips and special offers. Enter your email address to get notified of each new post. Do Not Sell My Info - CA Resident Only. The BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich was excellent. Free shipping for many products! The boom didnt last long, though. Walter, the Orphaned Donkey - the books, Oatman, Arizona. The Blake's are high school sweethearts. Don't knowingly lie about anyone After he was grown, the people of Oatman elected Walter as their mayor. Oatman Chamber of Commerce P.O. Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch is located in northwest Arizona in the Mohave Desert, one hour away from the nearest town.We welcome 19985 S Doc Holliday Rd Follow Walters New Lifeon his Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/walterthewonderdonk/, and his website to find unique Walter merch: https://walterthewonderdonkey.com/, Walter making an appearance at a local school. This past July, one of the resident donkeys, Nadine, gave birth to a young 'un but the new mother had no interest in her baby. In fact, his fan base and popularity has grown so large that the town folk just bestowed upon him the title and honor of being Mayor of Oatman! Feeding Walter the Famous Donkey in Oatman Arizona some hay square treats. Kathy runs the Oatman Burros Rehab and Recovery Sanctuary, a non-profit whos Mission Statement is poignant: We are their voice! Let us know what's going on! He is definitely perfect for the position.. In result, Oatman got a new life. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You have permission to edit this article. But for now, all eyes are on Walter, the adorable donkey who was rescued by long-time residents, Brad and Kelly Blake. So, take your time, look around, and learn all there is to know about us. The town is home to more burros than people, and it's not unusual to see dozens of donkeys in Oatman wandering the main drag, sticking their heads through the rails along the wood-plank sidewalks, nudging people for treats and otherwise delighting visitors. Kingman, Arizona 86401. Garry Gay. What a wonderful story, and such wonderful subject matter! It is inhabited by a bunch of wild donkeys (or as they call them - burros). He lives inside our Home in Oatman Arizona. 85007 The two met when they were eight-years-old when their families became friends. Some of the proceeds from the sales of the book will go to benefit a collaboration on a series of books called, Walter The Orphan Donkey Series.which are slated to be released in the Winter 2020, just in time for the holidays. There's much to see here. In addition, all pages on Bizapedia will be Use the 'Report' link on Around 1.8m donkey hides are traded per year, while global demand is estimated between 4 to 10m skins. Be Proactive. Oatman's "Wild" Burros. The Bureau of Land Management and town locals tried for 10 hours to get Walters mama to take to him. When walking down Main Street, you will be reminded multiple times to watch your bags because she will grab them and will run off with your goods. In the United States the donkey has been used as a beast of burden and for the breeding of mules, which are hybrids produced by mating mares and jackasses. Walters mom was very young and didnt recognize that Walter was her baby. The sweet sleepy-head has been called "Opal" and the gift shop owners commented about her being "dang cute" as she napped on Route 66. Walters burro momma rejected him because she was too young to have a baby. Oatman was named in honor of Olive Oatman, who as . It looks like there are TWO books now! Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. The BBBQ Bacon cheeseburger was also very good. "Nothing like 'Opal' being so Dang cute & taking a nap right on Route 66 in Oatman , AZ ," they wrote. He wags his tail and gets excited when we come home. Now youll find them all over the place, sauntering across the road, stopping traffic, entertaining tourists, and beingquite simplyadorable. Let us know what's going on! Winds light and variable. There are restaurants, souvenir shops . Now, they are talking about an animated film. Pickles has not return to Oatman but has been spotted near the Narrows near Bullhead & in the Laughlin Ranch area. Can you even comprehend that . In the 1960s, Oatman was almost completely abandoned and turned into a ghost . Kingman, Arizona 86409. . Others are wanderers who visit the village now and again. Walter was adopted by a great family. I want the complete series. The book Walter, The Orphan Donkey, being published by Armagon Press of Los Angeles, tells the story of how Walter was found alone, lying on the ground cold and scared in the desert of Oatman. Start your day with heartwarming and hilarious animal stories that will make you fall in love. Oatman was a mining town; in 1915, a gold mine was discovered, which stopped working completely after World War II. Walters mama rejected him because she was too young. We want him to be an emotional support animal, Blake said. The Oatman Gold Road Chamber of Commerce will host a special event this weekend, Feb. 14-17, in which visitors will be able to meet the towns new mayor. For many years she has been working as a journalist for papers including the Mohave Daily News and The Needles Desert Star. He is our little local celebrity and loved by all in the Tri-State area as well as his many fans across the US. 1994 new york rangers line combinations; sheldon banks obituaries flint, mi; flutter web detect refresh page; how often did ancient africans wash their hair? We are so honored to have won the, Awarded to any formally recognized Kingman business that has made a deliberate and focused effort, by its nature or through a specific project, to improve our local quality of life while maintaining a rigorous standard of work excellence. It is inhabited by a bunch of wild donkeys (or as they call them - burros). However, Walters dog-like personality really comes out whenever his dad Brad returns home from a business trip. We have three German shepherds and they all took to baby Walter from day one, Blake said. Walter was born July 5th, 2019. Before we get into how Brad and Kelly Blake came to be the guardians of this social media darling, lets first talk about where the three of them live. Walter will live with Blake and his family in the Oatman area for the rest of his life. We walked all around town and visited Walter, The Donkey-Mayor of Oatman. 2. We are so honored to have won the Communications Award. Laughlin Scenic Tours, LLC Wonderful and well written article about the Blakes and Walter the Orphan Donkey of Oatman, AZ. Step back in time to Oatman, once a booming mining area that's now a ghost town and popular tourist attraction. Ive enjoyed reading about Walter and, especially the follow up photos and story about Walter that Ive really enjoyed, by way of my computer. The Blake's are high school sweethearts. Oatman donkeys Stock Photos and Images. Walter captured hearts after he was abandoned by his herd last year in the Oatman area. Nestled in Arizona's rugged and remote wilderness, this tiny town's rich Wild West history comes to life with staged shootouts, wooden sidewalks and a bounty of burros that roam freely. Oatman is located about 50 minutes southwest of Kingman along the very fun Route 66. Walter the Orphan Donkey is kind of a big deal. Learn how your comment data is processed. Photo credit: Walter the orphan from Oatman's happy new life. We'd love to hear eyewitness Walter is a sweet donkey who lives with his parents and three German shepherd siblings in their home in Oatman, Arizona. I have asked questions about Walter and his siblings .Mom Kelly is wonderful! In 1915, a $10M gold find created a boom that lasted until 1924 with the town growing to a population of more than 3,500 in the first year. The BLM asked the couplewho had known Walter since he was 10 hours oldif they would adopt him and the animal-loving couple, of course, said yes. Book your tickets online for Oatman Ghost Town, Oatman: See 658 reviews, articles, and 1,152 photos of Oatman Ghost Town, ranked No.4 on Tripadvisor among 12 attractions in Oatman. Considering my love of critters, Oatman has long been a favorite Route 66 destination. Patrons have placed one-dollar bills on the saloon's walls and ceiling for decades, a tradition that continues today. She takes the time to answer everyone calling out where we are from! Once the mines went out of business, the Oatman burros were turned loose. If you want to see more of Walter, be sure to follow his Facebook pagea sure way to put a smile on your face if youre feeling down. "We have wild burros that roam the town," Brad told The Dodo. Scarlett Annabelle is an absolutely beautiful Burro inside and out. "Walter's mama rejected him . Small donkeys, or burros, played a major role as pack animals in opening up the western . Very funny. And don't forget to pick up a souvenir or twofrom biker gear and mining memorabilia to donkey puppets and Southwestern art, you can find it all in the shops that line the towns main drag. So keep your eyes open if youre traveling from Laughlin to Oatman! There are people who are going through tough times, and Walter brings them a smile.. $28. In addition, He keeps his momma, the shop owners and visitors on their toes with his mischievous ways! Orphaned donkey who became mayor of Oatman will be immortalized in print, Stay Informed. Don't Threaten. We never imagined how much Walter would change our lives for the better, Blake said. Oatman started life over 100 years ago as a mining tent camp, and quickly became a flourishing gold-mining center. if the company chooses to hide the private information on their profile from the general public. BLM came to Oatman and attempted to reunite Walter and Nadine. We had a beer at one saloon and ate lunch at the Oatman Hotel-Restaurant-Saloon. But really, its not surprising considering how cute he is and how popular animals are on social mediaespecially with a touching origin story like his. Walter, the orphaned donkey and mayor of Oatman, is shown with his family, Brad and Kelly Blake, left. Threats of harming another 66 was a mountain pass road catering to drivers between Kingman, AZ and Needles, CA. Walking the streets shopping, having lunch and loving on the burros makes your visit complete.. I cant wait looking forward to buying the series for my great-grandchildren. Because of COVID-19, the Walter crew hit a brick wall at one point last winter, but got a go ahead in May. As soon as he sees his dad, he comes running towards him, wags his cute little tail, and nuzzles his shoulder. . Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Posted by Walter the orphan from Oatmans happy new life on Saturday, January 18, 2020. With all the love and attention of his parents, the sickly little donkey has grown to be a 150-pounds. The town is known for its quaint stores and restaurants as well as being home to the Oatman Hotel, where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent time during their honeymoon. Of course, we said yes!. Walter the Orphaned Donkey book series takes us on the heartwarming path from abandoned donkey in the desert to being adopted by. Prev: Shoplifting leads to arrest and drug possession charges, Next: BLM seeks public comment on proposed wild burro management plan in and near the Black Mountain Herd Management Area, Laughlin Chambers most prestigious event of the year a black tie affair honors those in our Colorado River Region who have gone above and beyond in their endeavors; making our community a better place with each action they take. Walter, the orphaned donkey and mayor of Oatman, is shown with his family, Brad and Kelly Blake, left. Together, they walk Main Street searching for the next unsuspecting visitor to steal a bag from! if we've collected "Sales Lead Information" for a given company, it will be displayed on the When BLM made their list of burros who would remain during the 2020 roundup, Oliver was selected because of his beautiful coloring. The second and the most important reason. You can feed and pet the free-roaming and friendly burros . Walter. In result, Oatman got a new life. Above is the cover of "Walter Finds a Home," the first in a series of children's books . its citizens. Here are some of the burros you may see when you visit Oatman: AprilDusty (Bell) 10/18/2008 Dusty is our smiling and singing Burro! Oatman's location along Route 66 has been the town's saving grace. However, a ghost town can come back to life on rare occasions when its location becomes . Oatman, Arizona and its famous burros are closest to Kingman, Arizona (cue the song Route 66 "Flagstaff, Arizona, don't forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino") and you will have a memorable, fairly isolated drive down a two-lane road in the desert along the Black Mountains. She has an amazingly loving personality and is the best mother! . The two met when they were eight-years-old when their families became friends. Your email address will not be published. reserved. All photos were used with the explicit permission of the Walter the orphan from Oatman's happy new life Facebook page. The Blakes were filled with joy and took Walter home to their house, where his new life began. Walter, the orphaned donkey from Oatman, became a mayor the same way Cat Smith became a writer thanks to a misfortune that turned into a career. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Low 46F. Boy is this youngster a firecracker! Smith currently works as an executive assistant for a large radio group in the river community. Mesquite Weekend is all about learning how to use, eat, grow, and promote the three native Arizona Mesquite trees: Screwbean, Honey, and Chloride sits in the foothills of the Cerbat Mountains and was established in 1862 as a mining town. BLM was called up to Oatman and spent the whole day trying to establish a bond between Walter and his mamma, Nadine, but she wasnt interested in him at all and only kicked him away when he tried to feed.. Oatman Hotel: Bearsun Coming Thru Oatman! Subscribe for more off-the-beaten path destinations! Because of his following, the Blake family makes sure to keep his fans . The town is known for its quaint stores and restaurants as well as being home to the Oatman Hotel, where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent time during their honeymoon. Walters mama rejected him because she was too young. And don't forget to pick up a souvenir or twofrom biker gear and mining memorabilia to donkey puppets and Southwestern art, you can find it all in the shops that line the town . Theoretically wild - watch out, they will try to steal anything that looks like food! We are absolutely proud of him and his nomination everyone in town has had nothing but positive things to say about Walter. There was a problem saving your notification. Long time Oatman resident and local business owner, Kathy Jenkins, puts it aptly: The Oatman Burros are Oatman. Our short tours are one-to-four-hour 3035 Northfield Ave As a result, Walter has taken on some of his siblings behavior from how he shows excitement to how he sleeps. Picked from a list of illustrators by Cat, Jasmine had already encountered Walter online. Walter, orphaned burro, appointed mayor of Oatman, Stay Informed. 1 - Oatman Chamber of Commerce P.O. They shared their journey with Walter by creating a local Facebook page after the towns social media page garnered overwhelming attention of him. Many thanks to Brad, Kelly, and Walter for brightening a brisk winter day in Winslow.