Oatman, Arizona: Living Ghost Town: Burros and Gunfights

The burros are a wonderful part of Oatman. But wait.. there's more! Check out the re-enactment group, the "Oatman Ghost Riders" (male cowboys) and "Jezebels" (saloon-girl/period hookers) that do free shoot-em-ups on the street daily. In August they have a day where people come and fry eggs on the sidewalk. And during the nearby Laughlin RiverRun, over 40,000 bikers visit Oatman, mingling with the cowboys and prostitutes in period garb. Make sure you visit the Oatman hotel, where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent their honeymoon! There's an interesting tour of a nearby mine- ours was led by a crusty yet benevolent old miner named "Two Dogs". And you get to scan rocks found in the mine with ultraviolet lights to see the gold flecks!

yes the burros will eat from your hand, but one got a little over zealous with me when I ran out of carrots (they're on a special all-carrot diet these days) and chased me across a parking lot. I ducked quickly behind a rusted-out Chevy Impala, and the burro gave up. I wasn't hurt and it was sort of exciting, so maybe it's a reason TO go to Oatman.