Family Vacation: Arizona

Bullhead City, AZ overlooking the Colorado River and Laughlin, NV

Hello, my darlings.  We made it back safe and sound from visiting my parents in AZ.   It's taken me the past week to get caught up with mine and James school work, work and household stuff.   We had a wonderful time with my parents.  Very relaxing actually. We did a whole lot of nothing which was a nice break from all our busyness.   Mom is recovering from her stroke and getting around with a cane now, although it is slow going for her.  Dad has turned into a regular Suzie homemaker, taking on all cooking and cleaning duties.   We gave him a break and took over the kitchen for a few days while we were there. Enjoyed getting to spend time with my sister, Annie, who I hadn't seen for eons. 

Aren't they cute! 

Dad, Mom and Annie!  So adorable!

My folks have a regular animal sanctuary in their backyard with all kinds of rabbits, roadrunners, chipmunks, and other types of birds hanging out.   We actually got to see a day old bunny who disappeared after a day or so.

Kind of fuzzy taken since taken with my iphone at dusk

Another bunny hanging out in the back yard

Getting something to eat.

 Hello! 

Mom and dad own a modular home in an over 55 mobile home park for family and friends to stay when they visit. It was very comfortable. The park owner's allowed us to stay even though we were under 55. Very accommodating.

Our home away from home!

Beautiful day in the neighborhood!

While we were there, we visited the historic mining town of Oatman, AZ on route 66 where semi - wild burros, descendants from the burros of the mining days have the run of the town.  They are generally pretty friendly and love carrots.  However on the day we were there, a wild male burro who generally doesn't come into town was there and taking on the male burro who thinks the town is his.

Dominant male of the town

Strange Burro who wanted to take over. He got run out of town.

Look at me, dad! 

The Oatman hotel is an interesting spot with over 60,000 dollar bills tacked to the walls and ceiling.

Painted on the side of the building and which presidential actions closed the mine.

You'll just have to drive around me to get out of town!

The first three days we were there, they were having an unseasonable heat wave and the temperatures were 100+.  Fortunately it cooled down the last couple days we were there.   For the first time we flew Jet Blue airlines and I have nothing but praise for them.  Very professional and friendly staff, clean planes with comfortable seats and plenty of legroom, plus free drinks and snacks.  It was seamless, stress less travel both ways.  I highly recommend them.  

Family Vacation: Thursday May 17 - Oatman, Arizona

We headed up to Oatman, an old mining town on Route 66 and home to “wild” burros that wander the town. The burros’ are the descendants of burro's brought here by miners and when no longer needed were turned loose. There were a couple baby burros which you are asked not to feed.

The rest of the burros are rather greedy however and will practically knock you over or follow you up on the porch to get a carrot.

The Ghost Rider Gunslingers hanging out by the Oatman hotel were very interesting. One “Cowboy” told us about his experiences as a wrangler on trail drives. When James expressed interest in their guns, one handed a gun to James, at which both Father and I started stuttering, talking and gesturing at the same time. They quickly assured us it was a prop gun and not to worry. James received a lesson about gun safety after this picture.

We had lunch at the historic Oatman Hotel where they have thousands of dollar bills (many signed) tacked to the walls. Supposedly, there is approximately $60,000 worth of bills handing on the walls.


We had fun feeding the burros and exploring the town. Father bought himself a sexy black cowboy hat.

Friday, we took it easy. Grandpa, Father and James went fishing but unfortunately didn't catch anything. Then we all went shopping at wally world to get supplies for our trip to Williams and the Grand Canyon.