Wherever Walter goes, he brings joy, part of why Brad and Kelly want to share Walter with the world. . She absolutely loves a good butt scratch! 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. 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. Let us know what's going on! Enter Brad and Kelly Blake. Still, the rapid popularity isnt something Walters people had expected. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Retired NBC Los Angeles News Photographer now calling Winslow Arizonas Historic Entertainment District home. See the famous Oatman burros, explore Route 66 and discover more things to do in Oatman. Walter the Orphan Donkey. The boom didnt last long, though. For this reason, he acts and thinks as if he were another one of the dogs. Destiny is one of Dustys babies and took after her momma in the good mom category. Walter's parents help him become a valuable member of the local community. His donkey mama wasnt quite sure what to think about him. Walters mom was very young and didnt recognize that Walter was her baby. "We have wild burros that roam the town," Brad Blake told The Dodo. To protect our site, we cannot process your request right now. Walking the streets shopping, having lunch and loving on the burros makes your visit complete.. Our high-quality oatman arizona shirts are available in multiple sizes and body styles. However, little donkey Walter disagrees. Billie Posts. The BBBQ Bacon cheeseburger was also very good. Live. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. . Theoretically wild - watch out, they will try to steal anything that looks like food! . FINALLY!!??????? Burros currently at the Sanctuary: 1994 new york rangers line combinations; sheldon banks obituaries flint, mi; flutter web detect refresh page; how often did ancient africans wash their hair? Over the years, the population of donkeys (or burros as Ive always called them), grew. . We want him to be an emotional support animal, Blake said. walter the orphan walter the wonder donkey gift store. I love this show! 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. (Photos from a 2011 visit). 1110 W Washington St, #155 She was a successful Crime and Courts Reporter, appeared as a correspondent for the television network Investigation Discovery (ID) in 2015. 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. The post went on to relate how . He even lays on the couch next to me for naps.. Thank you so much. Of course, we said yes!. His siblings are German Shepherds and are very protective of Walter. 1 - Hello Lenda! 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. A very heart warming story. We even have pony and wagon rides for children! Walters burro momma rejected him because she was too young to have a baby. 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. Be sure to contribute your pics and experiences in our group Explore Northwest Arizona ! Walter was involved in the process, as his hoof print testifies on each of the copies (they use a hoof stamp). 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 In the 1960s, Oatman was almost completely abandoned and turned into a ghost . Walter The Orphan Donkey is an Arizona Trade Name filed on September 24, 2019. To order books He quickly connected to his new parents especially his father. Alien Vacation - Oatman Arizona T-Shirt . 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Above is the cover of Walter Finds a Home, the first in a series of childrens books about the burro. 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. Rejected by his mother, he found a new home at Brad and Kelly Blakes house in Oatman. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. According to statements by Blake, however, Burros contact with humans will prevent him from ever returning to the wild. 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. Deceased Alpha Male, Duke. 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! At not even four-months-old, he already has more than 14,000 followers on Facebook. The BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich was excellent. Oatman donkeys Stock Photos and Images. We walked all around town and visited Walter, The Donkey-Mayor of Oatman. In the northwest corner of Arizona, discover a town full of rugged characterand burros. He keeps his momma, the shop owners and visitors on their toes with his mischievous ways! 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. Walter's mother lacked enough maternal instincts to care for him. 1. For further information, contact A. Smith at 928-763-3072 between 9 am -12 noon and 2 pm until 4 pm. The Blakes were filled with joy and took Walter home to their house, where his new life began. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Here, you can check out the little shops, visit the town's jail and museum, stop for a drink at the old saloon, and get up close with the Oatman's famous tiny donkeys. The first book of a Walter The Orphaned Donkey Series titled Walter Finds A Home was already published on Nov. 10 and the response has been overwhelming, the author said. It was January 2020. Together, they walk Main Street searching for the next unsuspecting visitor to steal a bag from! Walter the Orphan Donkey is kind of a big deal. Everybody loves him. The miners, however left something behind. 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! AZ History buffs can learn all about Oatman's mining boom days at the Oatman Hotel (formerly the Durlin). Now he thinks he is a Ger Walter and his family attend many events in the Tri-State area. 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. In result, Oatman got a new life. Can you even comprehend that . Walters mother was too young and unable to help care for him. Oatman was named in honor of Olive Oatman, who as . Winslow Community Pride: Garbage and Gardens, https://walterthewonderdonkey.com/shop/ols/all?sortOption=descend_by_created_at. It is inhabited by a bunch of wild donkeys (or as they call them - burros). It looks like there are TWO books now! 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. Shows. Kingman, Arizona 86409. The donkeys are wild, mostly friendly, and hungry . Oatman is located about 50 minutes southwest of Kingman along the very fun Route 66. The more popular he becomes on social media, the more hes wanted at events. We walked all around town and visited Walter, The Donkey-Mayor of Oatman. It is inhabited by a bunch of wild donkeys (or as they call them - burros). Considering my love of critters, Oatman has long been a favorite Route 66 destination. Oatman Chamber of Commerce P.O. He hops and brushes his body against me to love on him. 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. If you told me a few months ago that we would have a famous social donkey, I wouldnt have believed you. 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. As soon as he sees his dad, he comes running towards him, wags his cute little tail, and nuzzles his shoulder. Once the mines went out of business, the Oatman burros were turned loose. Walter, the orphaned donkey and mayor of Oatman, is shown with his family, Brad and Kelly Blake, left. A Walter the Orphaned Donkey Series. 66 was a mountain pass road catering to drivers between Kingman, AZ and Needles, CA. Jump in the car and hit the Mother Road to discover a treasure in the Arizona desert. "We have wild burros that roam the town," Brad told The Dodo. reserved. A book about the orphaned donkey and the amazing town he calls home! It didnt take long for Walter to adjust to his new normal. They have helped us raise him and teach him house manners.. Travel America's famous Mother Road, historic Route 66, through classic towns still filled with Americana and more. Destiny and Darrel are best friends. $28. 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 . 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. He is our little local celebrity and loved by all in the Tri-State area as well as his many fans across the US. Enjoy the 2130 W Van Buren St Keep it Clean. Considering my love of critters, Oatman has long been a favorite Route 66 destination. (13.84 km) Donkey Trails Scenic Mountain House, sleeps 4 (14.40 km) Saddle Sore Ranch (15.59 km) NEW! That is when they contacted local journalist and writer, Cat Smith. 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. Patrons have placed one-dollar bills on the saloon's walls and ceiling for decades, a tradition that continues today. with up to 5 times the number of maximum matches per search vs. non-subscribers. In result, Oatman got a new life. Every night we all go on our walk into the desert for exercise and Walter runs around with our shepherds as though he is one of the pack, he added. Oatman. If you have time to venture even farther afield, continue south on Route 66 for another 25 miles or so. Wonderful and well written article about the Blakes and Walter the Orphan Donkey of Oatman, AZ. These "sort of" friendly fellows are the last remnant of the gold rush days in Oatman. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. 15.4k Followers, 24 Following, 212 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Walter (@walterthewonderdonk) walterthewonderdonk. Walters mama rejected him because she was too young. 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. Oatman is best known for its beloved burrossmall donkeys descended from miners' beasts of burden. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism accounts, the history behind an article. 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. Because of his following, the Blake family makes sure to keep his fans . 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. When that failed, Brad & Kelly Blake adopted Walter. 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. 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 first 500 copies were signed by the crew in Walters home. They married in 2009 and own several family businesses . Low 46F. Posted by Walter the orphan from Oatmans happy new life on Sunday, January 5, 2020. He works in several beneficial organizations, and he also volunteers as an emotional support donkey. She has a very old soul and is an absolute sweetheart. Freedom 24 following. Ive enjoyed reading about Walter and, especially the follow up photos and story about Walter that Ive really enjoyed, by way of my computer. There's much to see here. I cant wait looking forward to buying the series for my great-grandchildren. Walter's story has clearly drawn a number of fans. More. Phoenix, Between a fire in the 1920s and the largest mining company closing operations, the town virtually died off. 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. Cat Smith With Brad Blake, Illustrated by Jasmine Smith, With Kelly Blake. Meet Walter a sweet donkey who just wants to fit in. After he was grown, the people of Oatman elected Walter as their mayor. Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=desert%20wonder%20tours. Let us know what's going on! You will have to put up a good fight to get it back. 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. Hank is the baby of the Oatman Herd. I cant wait to give my grandchildren! Walter the Burro captures hearts in Oatman. Walter Finds a Home (A Walter the Orphaned Donkey) [Cat Smith, Brad & Kelly Blake, Jasmine Jazzy Smith] on Amazon.com. After he was grown, the people of Oatman elected Walter as their mayor. For more information about Walter attending your event, use the Contact Us Form. 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 . Walter has an amazing family who loves him to pieces. We are absolutely proud of him and his nomination everyone in town has had nothing but positive things to say about Walter. 3,306 likes. Oatman's "Wild" Burros. Oatman Donkey Town CoolCrab (Atlas Obscura User) The American west is full of abandoned ghost towns. ?Edit: he is being gelded on the 14th please just enjoy the video???????? 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. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Kelly and Brad agreed that there were lessons that can be taken away from reading this book. 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. We have wild burros that roam the town, Brad Blake told The Dodo. "Walter's mama rejected him . Kingman, Arizona 86401. Text and videos by Jim Bremner. Growing up with a bunch of dogs, it isnt surprising that Walter has learned some unusual habits and acts just like a dog. Low 46F. Now, they are talking about an animated film. His owners, Kelly and Brad Blake, took him into their home after they found him abandoned in the barn. 212 posts. 35K views, 1.7K likes, 1.1K loves, 1.3K comments, 160 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Walter the orphan from Oatman's happy new life: Www.walterthewonderdonkey.com. Don't Threaten. The mayor of Oatman Arizona. Free shipping for many products! Now, together they are happily conquering the childrens literature market. BLM officials asked Blake, an experienced caretaker of Arizonas wild burros, to care for Walter last year. 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. "Walter's mama rejected him because she was too young. Many thanks to Brad, Kelly, and Walter for brightening a brisk winter day in Winslow. If you are in need of enterprise level search, please consider signing up for a Bizapedia Pro Search account as described on this page. Watch. The town of Oatman AZ has become famous for its wild donkey population who actually reside in the town and have become quite a tourist attraction. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. . When she gave birth to Hank in October of 2020, the glimmer in her eyes returned.].