Oatman, AZ

I've heard them at Buckskin, I've seen signs to watch out for them on the roads but I haven't seen a single one. What am I talking about....wild burros. That's right burros those sometimes fuzzy little creatures that were left behind when the mining was all over. I know where to find some, the old ghost town of Oatman.

The ghost town of Oatman, Arizona

Oatman was born in 1906 as a mining town located in the Black Mountains of Arizona. It started as a tent camp then quickly flourished into gold mining center after two prospectors discovered $10 million in gold. Located at 2710 feet the town grew to a population of 3500 people within a year.

The local post office

Originally named Vivian, the town was renamed in honor of Olive Oatman whom was kidnapped by an Apache tribe at the age of 7. She was later traded to the Mojave Indians who adopted and raised her as their own. Olive was later released near the town of Oatman.

Located on old historic route 66, tourist flock to the small town to shop and see the wild burros. Now there's a pair of a....,  ah tourists.


"Jackass Junction"

Looks like a burrolope to me



They are everywhere as you drive through town

They love carrots

Many of the original building are still present in the town such as the Oatman Hotel. Built in 1902 it is a large two-story adobe structure that has housed miners, movie stars, and politicians. In 1939 Clark Gable and Carol Lombard spent their honeymoon night at the Oatman Hotel.

The Oatman Hotel

As we wondered around the town the burros followed us. I guess they could smell the carrots in my camera bag. We had to keep reminding ourselves they are wild and will bite and kick if prompted. These burros are direct descendants of the ones used in mines. After the Oatman gold rush was over they were released by the prospectors into the wild.

This one kept following us until we ran out of carrots

An old building with tons of old artifacts in it



This little guy was soooo cute

Well, that was fun. I finally got to see wild burros which by the way are protected by the Bureau of Land Management. Now that the burros have been well fed it's time to eat, I'm starved. We drove back to a restaurant along the highway in Topock (pronounced toe-pock).

Restaurant along I-40

Inside the restaurant

The interesting thing about this place is it's eventually going to be a large resort fully equipped with a hotel, band stage, restaurant, and much more. It's on the Colorado River so boat people can dock at their marina and come for lunch, supper, or an adult beverage.

Pontoon boat running the Colorado River

 

Coming for lunch

Pool complete

I had the chili cheese dog with cole slaw

Susan had barbequed pulled chicken sandwich with fries

The food was fantastic. The staff were more than willing to share the owners plans for a large resort. After lunch we decided to sit outside and take in the view.

I think I've had toooooo many lunches out, got to love it

As we left the restaurant had to stop one more time for the gorgeous view of the mountains and the Colorado River.

Colorado River