Trip into the past....Oatman Az

Today we experienced a real view (or as close as one can come) to the west of the 1800's! The town of Oatman Arizona is a real throwback in time, with cowboys, saloons, dirt roads and horses commanding the traffic... (actually wild Burros).

As you travel along the I40 there is an exit right on the border between California and Arizona (careful, don't miss it!), onto route 66. Take it north, and keep going. Not too fast as the road is very curvy and maximum speeds are about 25-40 only. After about 40 minutes you'll stumble onto Oatman.

At first you will think you are seeing some old abandoned wood sheds. But as you get closer to the town center you'll know immediately that you've hit Oatman: there will be some Burros in the middle of the road, taking their sweet time. What do you actually do if an animal sits in your path, looks at you, and then calmly looks away again as if to say "this is my town and I'll move when I'm ready". Blow your horn? Step on the gas? Nope. You just sit and wait until the Burro decides he wants to move along.

Well we just had to stop and look around, and i'm glad we did. The town really does have a soothing "easy-ness" to it, as if to say "time is not that important, we are all just temporary here". I would have loved to have had a beer in the Oatman Saloon, but time was not on our side this evening and so we pushed on down route 66. But Oatman is worth another visit, maybe even a stay at the Oatman Hotel.

If you get a chance, take the slow road north, via Oatman. You will not regret it.