However, little donkey Walter disagrees. He keeps his momma, the shop owners and visitors on their toes with his mischievous ways! In the 1960s, Oatman was almost completely abandoned and turned into a ghost . We had a beer at one saloon and ate lunch at the Oatman Hotel-Restaurant-Saloon. Now youll find them all over the place, sauntering across the road, stopping traffic, entertaining tourists, and beingquite simplyadorable. The BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich was excellent. Walter the orphan from Oatman's happy new life | Oatman AZ | Facebook Bullhead City, Arizona 86429. 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. They have helped us raise him and teach him house manners.. We are avid readers to our grandkids and g. grandkids and want to add this book to thier library. New Digg'ns, a gift shop in the town, recently posted a video of Opal, an absolutely adorable baby donkey who found the middle of the road to be a prime napping spot. Over the years, the population of donkeys (or burros as Ive always called them), grew. Oatman Donkey Town CoolCrab (Atlas Obscura User) The American west is full of abandoned ghost towns. Oatman is famous for, or should I say infamous for, the wild burros that inhabit the tiny Route 66 town. They all love and appreciate what he does and represents for our town.. I will email this to you as well: https://walterthewonderdonkey.com/shop/ols/all?sortOption=descend_by_created_at, What a wonderful story about Walter! Donkey acts just like his German Shepherd brothers when he's reunited We connected with Archway Publishing, an online subsidiary of New York publishing giant Simon & Schuster, Anne Smith said. By now, you would have to be living in a cave here not to know who Walter is! Walter was born in July, and rejected by his herd. Be Nice. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Retired NBC Los Angeles News Photographer now calling Winslow Arizonas Historic Entertainment District home. Walters burro momma rejected him because she was too young to have a baby. Oatman burros paying tribute to their deceased alpha male, Duke. A step back in time. - Review of Oatman Ghost Town, Oatman, AZ 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 has also gained a lot of fans, so his parents often share his daily adventures on Facebook to make sure his fans will update his latest adventures. Travelers love to hear his story, and they immediately fall in love with him when they meet him, Blake said. Oatman, Arizona is an old west mining town on the old Route 66 highway. Patrons have placed one-dollar bills on the saloon's walls and ceiling for decades, a tradition that continues today. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. 15.4k Followers, 24 Following, 212 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Walter (@walterthewonderdonk) walterthewonderdonk. 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. we spotted a spotted donkey and made a beeline to . that is degrading to another person. Oatman Chamber of Commerce P.O. Explore. 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. Oatman, AZ, is an old mining town that's best known for the wild burros (donkeys) that roam the streets.. Walter's story has clearly drawn a number of fans. racist or sexually-oriented language. Social media users from throughout the United States have followed Walters adventures on Facebook, and the town of Oatman has gained almost unprecedented exposure through videos and images posted on social media. Subscribe for only $12 per month, Havasu Veterans | Ron Silva: Marine Corps corporal has no regrets about serving abroad in Okinawa, House Speaker blasts lawmaker at elections hearing, Havasu Business: McDonalds lobby closed for renovations, drive-thru open. Walter Finds a Home (A Walter the Orphaned Donkey) . Walter, the Orphaned Donkey - the books, Oatman, Arizona. We barely do social media for ourselves!. There are people who are going through tough times, and Walter brings them a smile.. Peach Springs, Arizona 86434. Kingman, Arizona 86409. Walter The Orphan Donkey is an Arizona Trade Name filed on September 24, 2019. Be Truthful. But Walters dog-like personality really comes out whenever his dad returns from a business trip. Copyright 2022 Walter the Wonder Donkey - All Rights Reserved. Let us know what's going on! When that failed, Brad & Kelly Blake adopted Walter. Walter finds a home, lands a book deal: Orphaned donkey who became 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. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Early 2000s Olive Green Oatman Arizona Donkey Jerzees T-Shirt Size Large at the best online prices at eBay! Public figure. Posted by Walter the orphan from Oatmans happy new life on Sunday, January 5, 2020. Nothing was working, so we were called and asked if we would like to adopt him. I just love him! In addition, Archway Publishing and related logos are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, LLC All rights He was nominated by the chamber due to his having been such a good ambassador for Oatman so far, Blake said. Smith will be penning the childrens series along with the Blakes. You can feed and pet the free-roaming and friendly burros . Pickles has not return to Oatman but has been spotted near the Narrows near Bullhead & in the Laughlin Ranch area. They married in 2009 and own several family businesses in Oatman. When his mother refused to nurse or aid Walter, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management rescued him. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. "Walter's mama rejected him because she was too young. 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. Because of COVID-19, the Walter crew hit a brick wall at one point last winter, but got a go ahead in May. Walters mama rejected him because she was too young. In result, Oatman got a new life. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. She has an amazingly loving personality and is the best mother! So many people have shared with us how Walter has given them happiness in their lives, said Brad Blake. More. I loved the opening joke. The ten-volume series will be annually. . From early June, things started to happen fast and a week after the release, they are delighted and surprised by the response. I love this show! Because it's very rare to keep these animals as pets. We arrived in the morning, after driving the highway into town carefully, watching out for donkeys on the road. Life of Walter the Orphan Donkey to Become a Book! 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. 212 posts. We walked all around town and visited Walter, The Donkey-Mayor of Oatman. Between a fire in the 1920s and the largest mining company closing operations, the town virtually died off. Shop thousands of oatman arizona shirts which have been created by our community of independent artists and iconic brands. served to you completely ad free and you will be granted access to view every profile in its entirety, even Be sure to explore the road in the afternoon, as the Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters put on two free shows daily. Before it was bypassed in 1953, Rt. 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. Walter the Orphaned Donkey book series takes us on the heartwarming path from abandoned donkey in the desert to being adopted by. Kelly agreed, Other children can relate and have hope that they too can also be happy after something bad happens to them. The book is also available for purchase in Oatman, and can be found at the Mohave Museum of History and Arts and local libraries. Wild Donkey Behaves Just Like A Dog Whenever His Dad Comes Home Travel America's famous Mother Road, historic Route 66, through classic towns still filled with Americana and more. As pack animals, they could handle heavy loads for provisions, ore, and equipment needed by the miners. Just before two oclock on Wednesday October 30th, I got a text from friend and fellow photographer Jim Buckley saying: I ran out and indeed found a small creature Standin on the Corneralthough not a horse. Theoretically wild - watch out, they will try to steal anything that looks like food! Kingman, AZ 86401, Oatman Burros Rehab and Recovery Sanctuary, https://m.facebook.com/walterthewonderdonk/, https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=desert%20wonder%20tours. 15.4K followers. Do Not Sell My Info - CA Resident Only. The Bureau of Land Management and town locals tried for 10 hours to get Walters mama to take to him. 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. Cat Smith With Brad Blake, Illustrated by Jasmine Smith, With Kelly Blake. Socks 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. . Many thanks to Brad, Kelly, and Walter for brightening a brisk winter day in Winslow. Owned and operated by the Patt family since 2008, and now the oldest CRAFT Be Proactive. Sunny Bullhead City Home w/ Patio & Mnt View! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Oatman AZ, Route 66 Unique Ghost Town - touristear.com Home. Do you think if I can come to Oatman Walter could sign my book? BLM came to Oatman and attempted to reunite Walter and Nadine. So keep your eyes open if youre traveling from Laughlin to Oatman! Come and meet the amazing wild Oatman Burros. The Blakes were filled with joy and took Walter home to their house, where his new life began. Walter and his family attend many events in the Tri-State area. I cant wait looking forward to buying the series for my great-grandchildren. Learn how your comment data is processed. It was, of course, Walter the Orphan Donkey. Together, they walk Main Street searching for the next unsuspecting visitor to steal a bag from! There was a problem saving your notification. Walter the Burro captures hearts in Oatman - Kingman Daily Miner Winds light and variable.. A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Bearsun Coming Thru Oatman! - Review of Oatman Hotel, Oatman, AZ Oatman is best known for its beloved burrossmall donkeys descended from miners' beasts of burden. 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. The couple brought him home and let him bond with their three German Shepherd dogs. A very heart warming story. She takes the time to answer everyone calling out where we are from! Walter captured hearts after he was abandoned by his herd last year in the Oatman area. 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. Phoenix, The Blakes hope that Walters story of being rejected and finding a new home will inspire children and anyone who struggles with obstacles in life. 2. He even lays on the couch next to me for naps.. From Our first named Burro Hoover to Baby Hank, the burros have been the highlight of many visitors trips to Oatman. Now, together they are happily conquering the childrens literature market. While logged in and authenticated, you will not be asked to solve any complicated Recaptcha V2 challenges. Walter is a yearling jack who was born 07/05/2019. In result, Oatman got a new life. I watch and participate every day. He even lays on the couch next to me for naps.. She absolutely loves a good butt scratch! She has a very old soul and is an absolute sweetheart. Running right through the middle of Oatman is a stretch of the historic Route 66, the famous road that was the main highway route across the United States from the 1920s through the 1950s. Ember 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. Meet Walter ~ Oatman's Mayor. He hops and brushes his body against me to love on him. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. 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. Walters mama rejected him because she was too young. racist or sexually-oriented language. The donkey population is around 2,000. Both grew up in Oatman, fell in love and have been together since high school. 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The Blake's reside in Oatman, Arizona, an old western mining town that dates back to 1903 and has burros roaming freely in town. Oatman's location along Route 66 has been the town's saving grace. When BLM made their list of burros who would remain during the 2020 roundup, Oliver was selected because of his beautiful coloring. Walter's Desert Adventure - ArchwayPublishing 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. Step back in time to Oatman, once a booming mining area that's now a ghost town and popular tourist attraction. That is when they contacted local journalist and writer, Cat Smith. Very funny. Recently, an Oatman gift shop called "New Digg'ns" took to the social media to post an adorable video of a wild baby donkey who chose to take a nap right in the middle of the road! Smith currently works as an executive assistant for a large radio group in the river community. Even though Oatman is abandoned by people, it is not empty at all. Oatman, Arizona. Abandoned by people and inhabited by donkeys The burros in town today are descendants of the donkeys that were used as mining workers back in the early 1900s. Utilize our advanced search form to filter the search results by Company Name, City, State, Postal Code, Winds light and variable. Walter is the newly elected mayor of Oatman, a genuine Arizona ghost town situated along the famous Route 66. We Old West Stables at The Grand Canyon Western Ranch, 3750 E Diamond Bar Rd Low 46F. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Mom Nadine, From Walter's Facebook Page As soon as Walter sees his dad, he comes running, hopping up and down in excitement. So, take your time, look around, and learn all there is to know about us. 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.. If Walter ever needs a helping hand, his brothers and sisters are always happy to show him how things are done. Be Nice. Walter captured hearts after he was abandoned by his herd last year in the Oatman area. About. 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. 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. There's An Old West Town In Arizona That Has Been Taken Over - Narcity Walter Finds a Home (A Walter the Orphaned Donkey) [Cat Smith, Brad & Kelly Blake, Jasmine Jazzy Smith] on Amazon.com. It had been suggested time after time that Walter needed a childrens book written about him so others can have the same happiness in their lives. The Blake's reside in Oatman, Arizona, an old western mining town that dates back to 1903 and has burros roaming freely in town. Marshall The two met when they were eight-years-old when their families became friends. There's a City in Arizona Where the Donkeys Own the Town, Including PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Everybody loves him. 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 "Nothing like 'Opal' being so Dang cute & taking a nap right on Route 66 in Oatman , AZ ," they wrote. Events and Games in Oatman Arizona on Historical Route 66. In the northwest corner of Arizona, discover a town full of rugged characterand burros. If you told me a few months ago that we would have a famous social donkey, I wouldnt have believed you. Oatman was a mining town; in 1915, a gold mine was discovered, which stopped working completely after World War II. Facebook/Walter the orphan from Oatman's happy new life. WALTER THE WONDER DONKEY is an Arizona Trade Name filed on September 24, 2019. Even though Oatman is abandoned by people, it is not empty at all. Walter was a baby when Kelly and Brad Blake took him into their home in Oatman, Arizona. Rescued and adopted by Oatman business owner Jonathan Blake, Walter has since become a social media sensation with a following of almost 100,000 viewers on Facebook alone. Walter the Donkey -- we had lunch at the Oatman Hotel-Restaurant-Saloon. They will all be your favorites! Phoenix, Arizona 85009. But for now, all eyes are on Walter, the adorable donkey who was rescued by long-time residents, Brad and Kelly Blake. A Guide To Visiting Oatman, Arizona - World Adventurists These beloved burros are known as The Magnificent Seven. Now he thinks he is a Ger When that failed, Brad & Kelly Blake adopted Walter. They would write a book. AZ They work with a lot of childrens authors who are just starting out.. All photos were used with the explicit permission of the Walter the orphan from Oatman's happy new life Facebook page. Nikki is a character. 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. Most of these burros keep to themselves in one of the several herds throughout the mountains and surrounding desert, but a few of them come into town every day. So, for example, we have Walter going to a farmhouse and Walter taking a road trip, Smith explained. As a result, Walter has taken on some of his siblings behavior from how he shows excitement to how he sleeps. It is inhabited by a bunch of wild donkeys (or as they call them - burros). The Bureau of Land Management and residents of Oatman, Ariz., tried for almost half a day to get her to attach to him, but everything they tried didn't work. With the Bizapedia Pro Search service you will get unlimited searches via our various search forms,