ROAD TRIPPIN’ WITH KAREN & CRAIG PHOTOS BY KAREN RUHL

Oatman, Arizona

Oatman is a village in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona, United States. Located at an elevation of 2,710 feet, it began as a small mining camp soon after two prospectors struck a $10 million gold find in 1915, though the vicinity had already been settled for a number of years.

While going through my photos trying to decide on what to share this month, I happened upon photos from Oatman, AZ.

The area around Oatman is desert, very dry, but amazingly beautiful. The small town of Oatman has gone to the mules, yep, not the dogs, but the mules.

Craig and I laughed the entire time in Oatman watching the mules. They know what retail stores sell food so tourists can feed them. It is a great marketing idea for the stores because you have to go inside to buy the feed. And what parent would leave without getting some food for the kids to feed the mules.

At one point, Craig had food and was surrounded by mules. I would have laughed myself silly, but one mule started to buck and I was more than a little afraid that Craig was going to get kicked. Thankfully, he was fine. That is until he tried to get into the van to leave.

Craig and I had snacks in the van and this mule decided he wanted to check them out. Craig was trying to negotiate without much luck. After a few attempts, we were both in the car and headed out of this charming little town.

We highly recommend a visit, just lock up your snacks and watch those kicking mules!