Jeff and the AZ Crew Welcome you to their turf!

The Laughlin River Run is coming up and we all need to remember, There's a lot more to Laughlin than Casinos. The riding right on the other side of the river is some of the best in the Southwest.

This last weekend we road to Oatman. Oatman began 0ver 100 years ago as a mining tent camp and quickly became a flourishing gold-mining center. In 1915, two miners struck a $10 million gold find, and within a year, the town's population grew to more than 3,500.

Oatman was named in honor of Olive Oatman, who was kidnapped as a young girl by Mojave Indians and later rescued in 1857 near the current site of the town. Oatman was served by a narrow gauge rail line between 1903 and 1905 that ran 17 miles to the Colorado river near Needles California.

But both the population and mining booms were short-lived. In 1921, a fire burned down many of the smaller shacks in town, and three years later, the main mining company, United Eastern Mines, shut down operations for good. Oatman survived by catering to travelers on old U.S. Route 66. But in the 1960s, when the route became what is now Interstate 40, Oatman almost died.

Tourism has revitalized the town and you can find some history, some leathers and a cold one right here in town.

There are two main roads linking Oatman to State Highway 95. Bullhead City is about 25 miles away. The road is in fairly good condition and is certainly a pleasurable egress from Oatman. The scenery along this route is excellent and will really make you feel like you're back in the untamed days of the old west.

You can see the old mine tailing piles and a fascinating variety of desert vegetation and rock formations. We always like to stop along the road and enjoy the sights, the smells and the silence of the open desert. Most of today's cars would have little trouble on this road when it is dry. But it's really a nice 2 wheeled ride. Your cellular phone will probably work most of the way, too.

Oatman is a fun place to visit -- an authentic old western town with burros roaming the streets and gunfights staged on weekends. The burros are tame and can be hand fed.

So make sure you see the countryside around Laughlin. There are some really nice roads and cool people awaiting you at the river run. Check back. We'll be telling you more about our favorite places to see while you're here.

See ya on the road....... Jeff.

 

Getting there

LA to Laughlin - Beej's Route

You take the high road and I'll take the low road. You'll get to Laughlin before me....... But I'll have a much nicer ride!

 

 

You can contact this associate here. jeff@rumblenews.com

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When not on the open road, Jeff 's expertise is in the booming real estate market of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Jeff, his daughter Jessica and partner Judy, operate RE/MAX realty in Havasu. With more real estate degrees than he can pack in his saddle bags, Jeff has been in the area over 26 years and is able to guide you in your quest for year 'round riding weather! Visit him at RE/MAX. 

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