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. Deceased Alpha Male, Duke. Kingman, Arizona 86401. Even though Oatman is abandoned by people, it is not empty at all. Walter Finds a Home (A Walter the Orphaned Donkey) . Walter was just a baby when Kelly and Brad Blake adopted him into their sweet home in Oatman, Arizona. 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. But Walters dog-like personality really comes out whenever his dad returns from a business trip. 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. Kingman Smart Buyer 928 Media Lab. Let us know what's going on! Learn how your comment data is processed. Be Nice. Thank you so much. Where Donkeys Rule the Streets (Oatman Arizona, Route 66, Arizona Road Happy Halloween! Oatman Hotel: Bearsun Coming Thru Oatman! 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 He wags his tail and gets excited when we come home. Walter the Orphan Donkey. Walter was born July 5th, 2019. Book your tickets online for Oatman Ghost Town, Oatman: See 666 reviews, articles, and 1,169 photos of Oatman Ghost Town, ranked No.4 on Tripadvisor among 12 attractions in Oatman. or anything. Public figure. Oatman's "Wild" Burros. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It was, of course, Walter the Orphan Donkey. Travelers love to hear his story, and they immediately fall in love with him when they meet him, Blake said. 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. Be sure to explore the road in the afternoon, as the Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters put on two free shows daily. Be Proactive. 12 of BLM came to Oatman and attempted to reunite Walter and Nadine. He works in several beneficial organizations, and he also volunteers as an emotional support donkey. Walters mom was very young and didnt recognize that Walter was her baby. Posted by Walter the orphan from Oatmans happy new life on Saturday, January 18, 2020. The book is also available for purchase in Oatman, and can be found at the Mohave Museum of History and Arts and local libraries. She has an amazingly loving personality and is the best mother! Meet Walter a sweet donkey who just wants to fit in. . They would write a book. The couple brought him home and let him bond with their three German Shepherd dogs. Annabelle is an absolutely beautiful Burro inside and out. Explore. Walters burro momma rejected him because she was too young to have a baby. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Live. He lives inside our Home in Oatman Arizona. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Walter, orphaned burro, appointed mayor of Oatman, Stay Informed. Walter joined Kelly and Brad Blake's family, which includes three German shepherds, after his mother abandoned him in the wild despite the Bureau of Land Management and town locals' best efforts to reunite the pair. Winds light and variable.. A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. 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. 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 a City in Arizona Where the Donkeys Own the Town, Including (13.84 km) Donkey Trails Scenic Mountain House, sleeps 4 (14.40 km) Saddle Sore Ranch (15.59 km) NEW! Walter was involved in the process, as his hoof print testifies on each of the copies (they use a hoof stamp). 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. Destiny is Walters grandma. He keeps his momma, the shop owners and visitors on their toes with his mischievous ways! Healthy Treats. Nikki is a character. She has a very old soul and is an absolute sweetheart. Smith will be penning the childrens series along with the Blakes. Kingman is the heart of Route 66, with frequent 120 W Andy Devine Ave Walter's parents help him become a valuable member of the local community. Kingman, Arizona 86401. Walter was adopted by a great family. As pack animals, they could handle heavy loads for provisions, ore, and equipment needed by the miners. 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. 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. Many thanks to Brad, Kelly, and Walter for brightening a brisk winter day in Winslow. There was a problem saving your notification. Growing up with a bunch of dogs, it isnt surprising that Walter has learned some unusual habits and acts just like a dog. - See 373 traveler reviews, 362 candid photos, and great deals for Oatman, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Walter was born July 5th, 2019. I just love walter.. Kathy runs the Oatman Burros Rehab and Recovery Sanctuary, a non-profit whos Mission Statement is poignant: We are their voice! . Oatman. You will have to put up a good fight to get it back. if the company chooses to hide the private information on their profile from the general public. For more information about Walter attending your event, use the Contact Us Form. The Blake's are high school sweethearts. Around 1.8m donkey hides are traded per year, while global demand is estimated between 4 to 10m skins. Material copyrighted by Winslow.Town - 2023 . Oatman Arizona wild burros roadtrip to Kanab Utah stop 1 - Life in the Wick Low 46F. Shop thousands of oatman arizona shirts which have been created by our community of independent artists and iconic brands. Walter acts as though he is a dog, Blake said. While logged in and authenticated, you will not be asked to solve any complicated Recaptcha V2 challenges. Due to the rough terrain in the region, the preferred beasts of burden were burros who were able to subsist on the dry desert grasses, were hardy and sure-footed. The two met when they were eight-years-old when their families became friends. I loved the opening joke. Walter, the Orphaned Donkey - the books, Oatman, Arizona. 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. Oatman is best known for its beloved burrossmall donkeys descended from miners' beasts of burden. But his parents love him just the way he is. If you told me a few months ago that we would have a famous social donkey, I wouldnt have believed you. Garry Gay. Nothing was working, so we were called and asked if we would like to adopt him. Walter has an amazing family who loves him to pieces. Be Proactive. Oatman's Wild Burros that roam the streets and living wild in and Start your day with heartwarming and hilarious animal stories that will make you fall in love. Wild Donkey Behaves Just Like A Dog Whenever His Dad Comes Home We are so honored to have won the Communications Award. Walter, the orphaned donkey and mayor of Oatman, is shown with his family, Brad and Kelly Blake, left. Copyright 2022 Walter the Wonder Donkey - All Rights Reserved. Life of Walter the Orphan Donkey to Become a Book! In result, Oatman got a new life. Subscribe for more off-the-beaten path destinations! . Walter captured hearts after he was abandoned by his herd last year in the Oatman area. 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. Here is the link. 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. Officials with the Bureau of Land Management contacted the Blake Family and asked if they would care for Walter and become his new family. Burro Name (Mother) Birthdate April (Bell) 04/07/2005 April is one of the matriarchs of the Current Oatman herd. Very funny. Explore. There are people who are going through tough times, and Walter brings them a smile.. The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed. Kelly agreed, Other children can relate and have hope that they too can also be happy after something bad happens to them. We walked all around town and visited Walter, The Donkey-Mayor of Oatman. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism There's An Arizona City Where Donkeys Rule The Town, Including - apost My niece, Barbara, from Bullhead City, AZ sent me the clippings from their local paper re Walter. His dog siblings even raise him and teach him house manners. 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. that is degrading to another person. 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 . (Photos from a 2011 visit). 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. We are now sending orders for Walter's new book. It looks like there are TWO books now! Oatman donkeys Stock Photos and Images. Now, together they are happily conquering the childrens literature market. So many people have shared with us how Walter has given them happiness in their lives, said Brad Blake. A very heart warming story. Deep into the Black Mountains of Arizona lies a small village nestled into the side of the mountain. 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. We connected with Archway Publishing, an online subsidiary of New York publishing giant Simon & Schuster, Anne Smith said. Above is the cover of "Walter Finds a Home," the first in a series of children's books . Share with Us. 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 . Hank is Tinkerbells baby brother. "Yep this really happened.". We had a beer at one saloon and ate lunch at the Oatman Hotel-Restaurant-Saloon. 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. Wild Donkey Acts Just Like A German Shepherd - The Dodo In Oregon, there are donkeys on the Warm Springs HMA only. I want the complete series. Walter the Burro captures hearts in Oatman. its citizens. Order your AUTOGRAPHED copy now, Sign up to hear from us about openings for membership and volunteer opportunities. Donkey And Old Tractor T-Shirt. In the 1960s, Oatman was almost completely abandoned and turned into a ghost . 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. Walter the Donkey -- we had lunch at the Oatman Hotel-Restaurant-Saloon. Ive enjoyed reading about Walter and, especially the follow up photos and story about Walter that Ive really enjoyed, by way of my computer. Walter and his family attend many events in the Tri-State area. Walter will live with Blake and his family in the Oatman area for the rest of his life. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Considering my love of critters, Oatman has long been a favorite Route 66 destination. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. I think it will be very popular with children everywhere. she said. The main road to Oatman is the famous historical Route 66. 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. Tinkerbell We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. 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. 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. The BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich was excellent. Walter captured hearts after he was abandoned by his herd last year in the Oatman area. Mohave County residents who are interested in adopting a wild burro or horse can find out more at www.blm.gov. To order books Walter Finds a Home (A Walter the Orphaned Donkey) [Cat Smith, Brad & Kelly Blake, Jasmine Jazzy Smith] on Amazon.com. When BLM made their list of burros who would remain during the 2020 roundup, Oliver was selected because of his beautiful coloring. The two met when they were eight-years-old when their families became friends. Walter is the cutest little donkey ever! Be Truthful. What a wonderful story, and such wonderful subject matter! Named for a young Illinois girl who was captured by Indians, Olive Oatman, the town was once a booming gold mining town. Cat Smith With Brad Blake, Illustrated by Jasmine Smith, With Kelly Blake. Feeding Walter the Famous Donkey in Oatman Arizona some hay square treats. They will all be your favorites! Boy is this youngster a firecracker! 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. But for now, all eyes are on Walter, the adorable donkey who was rescued by long-time residents, Brad and Kelly Blake.