Oatman, AZ

      More Letters From Paradise
          Oatman, Arizona
Oatman, Arizona, is less than a dot on the face of the State of Arizona. It would have been forgotten but for the nearby gold mine and the swarms of tourists that came to see the burros. These wild burros are the off-spring of burros left behind years ago by gold miners. Somehow those burros not only survived the harsh environment, they thrived and multiplied in great numbers. So much so that today they freely roam the single main street (route 66). Cars must thread slowly  and carefully between the burros and tourists. Cubes of hay and fresh carrots can be purchased to feed the burros. They are tame, so much so that they are petted, fussed over and photographed. But they will kick if annoyed. I was minding my own business when I received swat on the side of my leg by a burro's tail.

Both sides of the street are lined with small shops selling Western-themed merchandise. The one building of importance  is the Oatman Hotel. The movie star Clark Gable used to come to the hotel to play poker with the miners. He and the movie star Carol Lombard once occupied the bridal suite.  A very corny gunfight takes place at noon for the benefit of Shriners charity.  One building even more popular is the only public restroom between Kingman and Oatman. A must visit by everyone.

        Aloha
        Grant