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. Oatman donkeys hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Meet Walter a sweet donkey who just wants to fit in. . Great Food. The Blake's are high school sweethearts. Walter the Donkey -- we had lunch at the Oatman Hotel-Restaurant-Saloon. It was January 2020. His owners, Kelly and Brad Blake, took him into their home after they found him abandoned in the barn. Events and Games in Oatman Arizona on Historical Route 66. There are restaurants, souvenir shops . Walter, the orphaned donkey and mayor of Oatman, is shown with his family, Brad and Kelly Blake, left. A very heart warming story. They shared their journey with Walter by creating a local Facebook page after the towns social media page garnered overwhelming attention of him. Or just the opposite, and that's why he thinks and act like a dog. Oatman, Arizona. Abandoned by people and inhabited by donkeys When she gave birth to Hank in October of 2020, the glimmer in her eyes returned.]. Walter's Desert Adventure - ArchwayPublishing It didnt take long for Walter to adapt to what his new life would be. Oatman, Arizona - DesertUSA "Yep this really happened.". Hello Lenda! 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. The Blake's are high school sweethearts. I have asked questions about Walter and his siblings .Mom Kelly is wonderful! each comment to let us know of abusive posts. In Oregon, there are donkeys on the Warm Springs HMA only. 12 of Walter the orphan from Oatmans happy new life, 10+ Photos Proving That Animals Cant Live Without Love, 10+ Animals Who Are So Cute That We Want To Hug Them Immediately, Neglected Cat Gets The Makeover After Being Freed From 5 Pounds Of Matted Fur, 20 Pets Who Love Their Owners At Any Cost, 20+ Animal Photos That Prove Friendship Knows No Boundaries, Gorilla Receives A Box Of Kittens For Her Birthday, His Next Move Left Me Absolutely Breathless, 20+ Adorable Animals Who Might Be Sleeping But Their Charisma Isnt, 30 Adorable Photos Of Rescue Opossums That Prove Theyre Not Scary Pests, Monkey Grabs Fruits And Gets Bizarre Punishment An Awful Crowd Gathers To Cheer, Elderly Lion Soulmates Put To Sleep Together So Neither Has To Live Alone, A Video Of A Baby Duck Falling Asleep With A Flower Hat On Its Head Will Warm Up Your Soul, 10+ Pets Who Can Substantially Boost Your Mood And Ease Depression. Each book will feature a different Walter adventure, all based on his real-life experiences. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Destiny is Walters grandma. Named for a young Illinois girl who was captured by Indians, Olive Oatman, the town was once a booming gold mining town. person will not be tolerated. Oatman Hotel: Bearsun Coming Thru Oatman! The company's filing status is listed as Active (September 24, 2019) and its File Number is 9125360.The company's principal address is Po Box 875, Oatman, AZ 86433 and its mailing address is Po Box 875, Oatman, AZ 86433. company profile page along with the rest of the general data. Because of his following, the Blake family makes sure to keep his fans . Walter, the Orphaned Donkey - the books, Oatman, Arizona. We want him to be an emotional support animal, Blake said. 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. Wherever Walter goes, he brings joy, part of why Brad and Kelly want to share Walter with the world. The Blakes were filled with joy and took Walter home to their house, where his new life began. Cat Smith With Brad Blake, Illustrated by Jasmine Smith, With Kelly Blake. Both grew up in Oatman, fell in love and have been together since high school. Above is the cover of Walter Finds a Home, the first in a series of childrens books about the burro. Annabelle is Tinkerbells mommy and was torn apart when Tinkerbell was kidnapped and while she tried when she was returned became estranged from her. Mom Nadine, From Walter's Facebook Page There's An Arizona City Where Donkeys Rule The Town, Including - apost Walter's Desert Adventure: A Walter the Orphaned Donkey Series 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. 24 following. Walter is the newly elected mayor of Oatman, a genuine Arizona ghost town situated along the famous Route 66. Shows. $28. OATMAN, AZ.It was bound to happen. She has a very old soul and is an absolute sweetheart. Winslow Community Pride: Garbage and Gardens, https://walterthewonderdonkey.com/shop/ols/all?sortOption=descend_by_created_at. 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. The boom didnt last long, though. Like many others, she saw Walters story online, decided it was the cutest thing ever and reached out. In 1915, two miners struck a $10 million gold find, and within a year, the town's population grew to more than 3,500. 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. We are so honored to have won the Business of the Year for 2021. His personality stands out and shines. 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. Walter the Orphaned Donkey book series takes us on the heartwarming path from abandoned donkey in the desert to being adopted by. Oatman's Wild Burros that roam the streets and living wild in and Posted by Walter the orphan from Oatmans happy new life on Sunday, January 5, 2020. (123) See oatman donkeys stock video clips. The Burros of Oatman, Arizona | Saddle Seeks Horse A Brief History About Oatman AZ. Home of the 6927 E Brooks Blvd. I was told there is a book published about the little orphaned donkey. Walter was just a baby when Kelly and Brad Blake adopted him into their sweet home in Oatman, Arizona. Posted by Walter the orphan from Oatman's happy new life on Sunday, January 5, 2020. History buffs can learn all about Oatman's mining boom days at the Oatman Hotel (formerly the Durlin). Do you think if I can come to Oatman Walter could sign my book? These "sort of" friendly fellows are the last remnant of the gold rush days in Oatman. 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. 2. Tinkerbell She was a successful Crime and Courts Reporter, appeared as a correspondent for the television network Investigation Discovery (ID) in 2015. Wild Donkey Behaves Just Like A Dog Whenever His Dad Comes Home She has an amazingly loving personality and is the best mother! 212 posts. . Family. 127. 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. 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. 15.4k Followers, 24 Following, 212 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Walter (@walterthewonderdonk) walterthewonderdonk. . Walter was adopted by a great family. Start your day with heartwarming and hilarious animal stories that will make you fall in love. When asked about Walters personality, Kelly answered that hes like a German Shepard. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Theoretically wild - watch out, they will try to steal anything that looks like food! Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Oatman Donkey Town CoolCrab (Atlas Obscura User) The American west is full of abandoned ghost towns. Threats of harming another 209 reviews of Town of Oatman "Oatman is one town, to borrow a phrase describing another place, too tough to die. Considering my love of critters, Oatman has long been a favorite Route 66 destination. @2020 - pawsplanet.me. Kelly and Brad agreed that there were lessons that can be taken away from reading this book. Explore. He nuzzles his dad, wagging his tail happily. The wild burros frequenting the streets of Oatman are direct descendants of the Gold Miners who set the animals free when the mines shut down. Considering my love of critters, Oatman has long been a favorite Route 66 destination. When that failed, Brad & Kelly Blake adopted Walter. Walter captured hearts after he was abandoned by his herd last year in the Oatman area. Together, they walk Main Street searching for the next unsuspecting visitor to steal a bag from! Left behind by disappointed miners when their mining days were over, the burros have continued to live and breed in the area surrounding Oatman. After some exchanges with Brad and Kelly, the decision was made. OATMAN GHOST TOWN - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor So, take your time, look around, and learn all there is to know about us. Shop thousands of oatman arizona shirts which have been created by our community of independent artists and iconic brands. They never could have imagined how much a baby donkey would change their lives. 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. In the 1960s, Oatman was almost completely abandoned and turned into a ghost . Learn how your comment data is processed. Lots of -Love & Prayers, Virginia, Your email address will not be published. Oatman burros paying tribute to their deceased alpha male, Duke. The second and the most important reason. Of course, we said yes!. The company's filing status is listed as Active (September 24, 2019) and its File Number is 9125357.The company's principal address is Po Box 875, Oatman, AZ 86433 and its mailing address is Po Box 875, Oatman, AZ 86433. Kingman Smart Buyer 928 Media Lab. The moment they showed him affection, Walter connected to his new parents on a deeper level especially his dad. Andrea Smith serves as a liaison for the authors and a select online publisher for any details regarding the production and publicity for this publication. Annabelle is an absolutely beautiful Burro inside and out. Let us know what's going on! Share with Us. But you probably haven't heard someone saying that "donkey is man's best friend". They helped mold Walter into the lovable donkey that he is now. In result, Oatman got a new life. The Blakes knew that Walter was special and that he had a story he could share with children. From Our first named Burro Hoover to Baby Hank, the burros have been the highlight of many visitors trips to Oatman. After he was grown, the people of Oatman elected Walter as their mayor. However, Walters dog-like personality really comes out whenever his dad Brad returns home from a business trip. Walter was born July 5th, 2019. Walter the Burro captures hearts in Oatman - Kingman Daily Miner Walter Finds a Home - ArchwayPublishing Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=desert%20wonder%20tours. Burros currently at the Sanctuary: He is definitely perfect for the position.. Pickles is one of our wandering burros. The Bureau of Land Management and town locals tried for 10 hours to get Walters mama to take to him. Even though Oatman is abandoned by people, it is not empty at all. That is when they contacted local journalist and writer, Cat Smith. We walked all around town and visited Walter, The Donkey-Mayor of Oatman. racist or sexually-oriented language. The Oatman burros share common lineage but each has unique special personality & traits. In the northwest corner of Arizona, Oatman is a town full of character. 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. 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. . Walter (@walterthewonderdonk) Instagram photos and videos - See 373 traveler reviews, 362 candid photos, and great deals for Oatman, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Oatman, AZ, is an old mining town that's best known for the wild burros (donkeys) that roam the streets.. Adopted Donkey Thinks He's A Dog, So He Always Wagging His Tail When He