Tinkerbell Oatman is located about 50 minutes southwest of Kingman along the very fun Route 66. 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! They married in 2009 and own several family businesses in Oatman. 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. You have permission to edit this article. A book about the orphaned donkey and the amazing town he calls home! 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. 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. person will not be tolerated. Live. In the 1950s, with the rise and growth of Route 66, it resurfaced a bit, but when the route deviated, it declined again. Pickles has not return to Oatman but has been spotted near the Narrows near Bullhead & in the Laughlin Ranch area. All photos were used with the explicit permission of the Walter the orphan from Oatman's happy new life Facebook page. The couple brought him home and let him bond with their three German Shepherd dogs. If you take Route 66 in either direction from town, you'll be greeted by a plethora of otherworldly viewswatch for Thimble Mountain to the west and Elephant's Tooth to the east. 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. 1. She has an amazingly loving personality and is the best mother! 15.4K followers. For this reason, he acts and thinks as if he were another one of the dogs. 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. We are already halfway through book two.. Patrons have placed one-dollar bills on the saloon's walls and ceiling for decades, a tradition that continues today. They would write a book. He lives inside our Home in Oatman Arizona. Each book will feature a different Walter adventure, all based on his real-life experiences. 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. 2. Enjoy the 2130 W Van Buren St Can you even comprehend that . Be Truthful. That is when they contacted local journalist and writer, Cat Smith. Shows. "Yep this really happened.". Laughlin, NV 89029. @2020 - pawsplanet.me. Home. 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. Photo credit: Walter the orphan from Oatman's happy new life. To order books Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. We have three German shepherds and they all took to baby Walter from day one, Blake said. Walter was a baby when Kelly and Brad Blake took him into their home in Oatman, Arizona. I really enjoy watching Brad and Kelly and Walter and the doggsvwalkneach evening! . Archway Publishing and related logos are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, LLC All rights The main road to Oatman is the famous historical Route 66. AZ Annabelle is Tinkerbells mommy and was torn apart when Tinkerbell was kidnapped and while she tried when she was returned became estranged from her. Kelly and Brad agreed that there were lessons that can be taken away from reading this book. They married in 2009 and own several family businesses . The Bureau of Land Management and town locals tried for 10 hours to get Walters mama to take to him. Alien Vacation - Oatman Arizona T-Shirt . Hello Lenda! Don't Threaten. 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. The whole family exploring caves, even Walter! It is raining and . A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. I am looking forward to when the books about Walter come out! This is wonderful news! Hank is the baby of the Oatman Herd. 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. Many thanks to Brad, Kelly, and Walter for brightening a brisk winter day in Winslow. Cat Smith With Brad Blake, Illustrated by Jasmine Smith, With Kelly Blake. Less than a month old, a burro named Walter, enjoys daily walks with his adopted humans in the Oatman area. For about a decade, the Oatman mines were among the largest in gold production in the West. However, little donkey Walter disagrees. With all the love and attention of his parents, the sickly little donkey has grown to be a 150-pounds. "Walter's mama rejected him because she was too young. The mayor of Oatman Arizona. Let us know what's going on! Feeding Walter the Famous Donkey in Oatman Arizona some hay square treats. Walter is a yearling jack who was born 07/05/2019. But you probably haven't heard someone saying that "donkey is man's best friend". Facebook/Walter the orphan from Oatman's happy new life. She was a successful Crime and Courts Reporter, appeared as a correspondent for the television network Investigation Discovery (ID) in 2015. Family-owned vineyard, winery and tasting room. Walters parents help him become a valuable member of the local community. Oatman was named in honor of Olive Oatman, who as . Oatman Chamber of Commerce P.O. Walter is the newly elected mayor of Oatman, a genuine Arizona ghost town situated along the famous Route 66. Walter was a baby when Kelly and Brad Blake took him into their home in Oatman, Arizona. Walter and his family attend many events in the Tri-State area. "We have wild burros that roam the town," Brad Blake told The Dodo. You can watch Walter and his parents' adorable reunion here: Walter is constantly giving back to the local community by working with a number of charities, as well as volunteering as an emotional support donkey. When that failed, Brad & Kelly Blake adopted Walter. 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. I cant wait to give my grandchildren! (Photos from a 2011 visit) Oatman is where Walter was born. Lots of -Love & Prayers, Virginia, Your email address will not be published. The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed. Rescued and adopted by Oatman business owner Jonathan Blake, Walter has since become a social media . Hazel is very protective of Destiny and Darrell. . Boy is this youngster a firecracker! Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Hank is Tinkerbells baby brother. Home. Explore. Use the 'Report' link on Meet Walter a sweet donkey who just wants to fit in. His owners, Kelly and Brad Blake, took him into their home after they found him abandoned in the barn. Because of COVID-19, the Walter crew hit a brick wall at one point last winter, but got a go ahead in May. There are people who are going through tough times, and Walter brings them a smile.. The post went on to relate how . At a meeting last Friday, Walter was named the towns (honorary) mayor by the Oatman Gold Road Chamber of Commerce. A Walter the Orphaned Donkey Series. Sales were brisk, and another 3,000 copies have been shipped. Happy Halloween! Scarlett 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 Oatman's location along Route 66 has been the town's saving grace. Old Route 66 west of Kingman winds up the Black Mountains to a charming mining town with wooden sidewalks and facades straight out of the early twentieth-centuryOatman Arizona. Destiny is one of Dustys babies and took after her momma in the good mom category. Others are wanderers who visit the village now and again. Walter the Orphan Donkey. The boom didnt last long, though. 15.4k Followers, 24 Following, 212 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Walter (@walterthewonderdonk) walterthewonderdonk. 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. Walter the Orphan Donkey is kind of a big deal. After he was grown, the people of Oatman elected Walter as their mayor. Walters mother was too young and unable to help care for him. Because it's very rare to keep these animals as pets. Donkey And Old Tractor T-Shirt. We'd love to hear eyewitness Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=desert%20wonder%20tours. Owned and operated by the Patt family since 2008, and now the oldest CRAFT We Old West Stables at The Grand Canyon Western Ranch, 3750 E Diamond Bar Rd His dog siblings even raise him and teach him house manners. Travel to the Grand Canyon -- one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World -- and let Grand Canyon West provide you with an experience 5001 Diamond Bar Rd Small donkeys, or burros, played a major role as pack animals in opening up the western . We are so honored to have won the Communications Award. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Destiny is Walters grandma. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Everybody loves him. For more information about Walter attending your event, use the Contact Us Form. Walter captured hearts after he was abandoned by his herd last year in the Oatman area. Great Food. If you have time to venture even farther afield, continue south on Route 66 for another 25 miles or so. Walters burro momma rejected him because she was too young to have a baby. Walter. 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. Subscribe for more off-the-beaten path destinations! It was, of course, Walter the Orphan Donkey. It didnt take long for Walter to adjust to his new normal. He works in several beneficial organizations, and he also volunteers as an emotional support donkey. Walter, the orphaned donkey and mayor of Oatman, is shown with his family, Brad and Kelly Blake, left. There was a problem saving your notification. Walter was rescued in early July when he was . The authors will also be working with the publisher for an animated film and will be making book signings and personal appearances with Walter, that will be scheduled in the near future. person will not be tolerated. He even lays on the couch next to me for naps.. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. His Facebook page, "Walter the orphan from Oatman's happy new life," has almost 50,000 likes. OFFERS Kingman Smart . 1 - The miners, however left something behind. 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.. Fun day in Oatman, Arizona. These "sort of" friendly fellows are the last remnant of the gold rush days in Oatman. 3,306 likes. It didnt take long for Walter to adapt to what his new life would be. Your email address will not be published. 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. Now he thinks he is a Ger What a wonderful story, and such wonderful subject matter! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Retired NBC Los Angeles News Photographer now calling Winslow Arizonas Historic Entertainment District home. As soon as he sees his dad, he comes running towards him, wags his cute little tail, and nuzzles his shoulder. Ember They will all be your favorites! We are sorry, but your computer or network may be sending automated queries. Oatman is famous for, or should I say infamous for, the wild burros that inhabit the tiny Route 66 town. - See 373 traveler reviews, 362 candid photos, and great deals for Oatman, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Be Proactive. Deep into the Black Mountains of Arizona lies a small village nestled into the side of the mountain. Walter Finds a Home (A Walter the Orphaned Donkey) [Cat Smith, Brad & Kelly Blake, Jasmine Jazzy Smith] on Amazon.com. The friendly performers ask the crowd to gather around in the street while they act out a heist, complete with loud gunshot blanks. "Walter's mama rejected him . Whether heading west to east or east to west on the Mother Road, be sure to check out the quirky landmarks and destinations of Arizonas Route Motor into Kingman, Arizona's heart of historic Route 66. Winds light and variable.. A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. There are restaurants, souvenir shops . She has a heart of gold and is an amazing mommy to Hank. More. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. The Bureau of Land Management and town locals tried for 10 hours to get Walter's mama to take to him. Walter is a sweet donkey who lives with his parents and three German shepherd siblings in their home in Oatman, Arizona. Let us know what's going on! Deceased Alpha Male, Duke. He nuzzles his dad, wagging his tail happily. 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. Above is the cover of Walter Finds a Home, the first in a series of childrens books about the burro. if we've collected "Sales Lead Information" for a given company, it will be displayed on the 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. 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. Considering my love of critters, Oatman has long been a favorite Route 66 destination. But this does not matter to his parents, and they still love him so much. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, We have wild burros that roam the town, Brad Blake told The Dodo. You have permission to edit this article. Now youll find them all over the place, sauntering across the road, stopping traffic, entertaining tourists, and beingquite simplyadorable. The Blake's reside in Oatman, Arizona, an old western mining town that dates back to 1903 and has burros roaming freely in town. 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. RM DWJPR9 - Burro's and Donkey's in Tourist destination and Cowboy Town of Oatman in Arizona;USA;America;on Route 66. I loved the opening joke. Walter was adopted by a great family. Jump in the car and hit the Mother Road to discover a treasure in the Arizona desert. In addition, all pages on Bizapedia will be Enter your email address to get notified of each new post. Walter the Donkey -- we had lunch at the Oatman Hotel-Restaurant-Saloon. 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. Order your AUTOGRAPHED copy now, Sign up to hear from us about openings for membership and volunteer opportunities. Mom and Dad are home!! 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. Meadview, Arizona 86444. 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. They all love and appreciate what he does and represents for our town.. 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. It took me two months to write it, Smith said of her debut as a childrens writer. At not even four-months-old, he already has more than 14,000 followers on Facebook. Posts. 212 posts. Posted by Walter the orphan from Oatmans happy new life on Sunday, January 5, 2020. However, Walters dog-like personality really comes out whenever his dad Brad returns home from a business trip. (13.84 km) Donkey Trails Scenic Mountain House, sleeps 4 (14.40 km) Saddle Sore Ranch (15.59 km) NEW! accounts, the history behind an article. Kelly agreed, Other children can relate and have hope that they too can also be happy after something bad happens to them. or anything. We'd love to hear eyewitness Healthy Treats. We walked all around town and visited Walter, The Donkey-Mayor of Oatman. its citizens. Utilize our advanced search form to filter the search results by Company Name, City, State, Postal Code, Be Nice. Oatman Hotel: Bearsun Coming Thru Oatman! The house-broken donkey is so dog-like, they call him their Dogkeyand like a dog, he gets his daily walks through the streets of Oatman and beyond gaining fans along the way. Fruit and veg (apples, pears, watermelon, oranges, bananas, carrots, turnips, sweet potato, squash and swedes - including skins and rinds) are healthy and will add variety to your donkey's diet. Known as the league photographer for the Lake Havasu City Marine Corps League Deta, PHOENIX House Speaker Ben Toma blasted a Chandler Republican lawmaker for inviti, The lobby for the McDonald's at 100 Swanson Ave. will be closed until March 6 for . In 1915, two miners struck a $10 million gold find, and within a year, the town's population grew to more than 3,500. 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 was born July 5th, 2019. It is inhabited by a bunch of wild donkeys (or as they call them - burros). Do Not Sell My Info - CA Resident Only. BLM came to Oatman and attempted to reunite Walter and Nadine. Walter was born July 5th, 2019. 85007 that is degrading to another person. . The two met when they were eight-years-old when their families became friends. To order your first edition copy, visit www.walterthewonderdonkey.com. Walters followings on Facebook have climbed very fast with people from all over the world falling in love with this adorable orphan. The book is also available for purchase in Oatman, and can be found at the Mohave Museum of History and Arts and local libraries. Walter acts as though he is a dog, Blake said. Explore. 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. . At first glance, the wild burros of Oatman seem to steal the show but dig a bit deeper and you'll discover the town's raucous mining history and a vibrant main street that plays host to various events throughout the year. Marshall They helped mold Walter into the lovable donkey that he is now. Books cost $12.95 each and ship in two to four weeks. We want him to be an emotional support animal, Blake said. We had a beer at one saloon and ate lunch at the Oatman Hotel-Restaurant-Saloon. Mom Nadine, From Walter's Facebook Page 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. The Mohave Museum of History and Arts is dedicated to the purposes of preserving the heritage of northwestern Arizona and of presenting Our rides vary in length starting at 30 minutes, for beginner to advanced-level riders. He wags his tail and gets excited when we come home. 66 was a mountain pass road catering to drivers between Kingman, AZ and Needles, CA. Oatman, AZ, is an old mining town that's best known for the wild burros (donkeys) that roam the streets.. Check this out! According to statements by Blake, however, Burros contact with humans will prevent him from ever returning to the wild. . The donkey population is around 2,000. Oatman Chamber of Commerce P.O. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Events and Games in Oatman Arizona on Historical Route 66. I watch and participate every day. 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. Within minutes, nearly every person in the surrounding area flocked to pet and take their photo with Walter, and just as Kelly said, they all wore huge smiles. I cant wait looking forward to buying the series for my great-grandchildren. A Brief History About Oatman AZ. For further information, contact A. Smith at 928-763-3072 between 9 am -12 noon and 2 pm until 4 pm. OFFERS. Pickles is one of our wandering burros. 24 following. They have helped us raise him and teach him house manners.. We walked all around town and visited Walter, The Donkey-Mayor of Oatman. She is both sugar and spice. Material copyrighted by Winslow.Town - 2023 . Service was friendly and helpful. Over the years, the population of donkeys (or burros as Ive always called them), grew. I love this show! I am SO EXCITED!! 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. Kingman, AZ 86401, Oatman Burros Rehab and Recovery Sanctuary, https://m.facebook.com/walterthewonderdonk/, https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=desert%20wonder%20tours. 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. Walter is a yearling jack who was born 07/05/2019. And you can buy them through their website. They shared their journey with Walter by creating a local Facebook page after the towns social media page garnered overwhelming attention of him. Public figure. We hope you enjoy our site and take a moment to drop us a line. Billie Or just the opposite, and that's why he thinks and act like a dog. that is degrading to another person. Picked from a list of illustrators by Cat, Jasmine had already encountered Walter online. Videos Tagged . 1994 new york rangers line combinations; sheldon banks obituaries flint, mi; flutter web detect refresh page; how often did ancient africans wash their hair? Walter is the cutest little donkey ever! Be sure to contribute your pics and experiences in our group Explore Northwest Arizona ! (866) 275-5816 | (602) 364-3700, Copyright 2023 VisitArizona.com | Privacy Policy, Six Days Touring the Mother Road: Route 66, Distinctly Arizonan July 4th Celebrations, Arizonas Wildly Different Desert Regions. Walters mom was very young and didnt recognize that Walter was her baby. Walking the streets shopping, having lunch and loving on the burros makes your visit complete.. Sunny Bullhead City Home w/ Patio & Mnt View! Fireworks, parades and barbecues: The following July 4th events may share some similarities with more traditional celebrations, but do so in At Arizona boat rentals we work hard to offer the best quality boat and jet ski rentals on the market at any lake in the state. Now the once-sickly donkey has grown to be 150 pounds and lives in the Blakes house as if he were another one of the dogs. 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. Long time Oatman resident and local business owner, Kathy Jenkins, puts it aptly: The Oatman Burros are Oatman. A mining boom town, which name the community in honor of Olive Oatman (who was kidnapped as a young girl by a local Mojave tribe the rescued in 1857), has seen it's share of good times and bad. 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. We never imagined how much Walter would change our lives for the better, Blake said. Hazel is quiet and shy. (Photos from a 2011 visit). The burros in town today are descendants of the donkeys that were used as mining workers back in the early 1900s. BLM officials asked Blake, an experienced caretaker of Arizonas wild burros, to care for Walter last year. So many people have shared with us how Walter has given them happiness in their lives, said Brad Blake. She is Aprils sidekick and BFF! The two met when they were eight-years-old when their families became friends. Ive enjoyed reading about Walter and, especially the follow up photos and story about Walter that Ive really enjoyed, by way of my computer. She absolutely loves a good butt scratch! . All Right Reserved. Considering my love of critters, Oatman has long been a favorite Route 66 destination. The ten-volume series will be annually. I was told there is a book published about the little orphaned donkey. Is the only place to buy the book is Oatman, Arizona? Vicente Villamon/Flickr. In the 1960s, Oatman was almost completely abandoned and turned into a ghost . Our high-quality oatman arizona shirts are available in multiple sizes and body styles. 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! We are so honored to have won the, All students and visitors will be required to pass through metal detectors effective Monday, March 6th, City-Wide Maintenance and Capital Improvement Projects Week of March 6, Senior Campus Holds Raffle to Benefit Meals on Wheels. OATMAN, AZ.It was bound to happen. Our short tours are one-to-four-hour 3035 Northfield Ave They work with a lot of childrens authors who are just starting out.. Winds light and variable. Rejected by his mother, he found a new home at Brad and Kelly Blakes house in Oatman.
Dealing With Financially Irresponsible Family Members, Articles W