LETTERS AND E-MAIL

BY: Win Holden

and e-mail ARIZONA HIGHWAYS

JANUARY 2003 VOL. 79, NO. 1

Publisher WIN HOLDEN

Editor ROBERT J. EARLY Senior Editor BETH DEVENY Managing Editor RANDY SUMMERLIN Research Editor MARY PRATT Editorial Administrator CONNIE BOCH Administrative Assistant NIKKI KIMBEL Director of Photography PETER ENSENBERGER Photography Editor RICHARD MAACK Art Director MARY WINKELMAN VELGOS Deputy Art Director BARBARA GLYNN DENNEY Deputy Art Director BILLIE JO BISHOP Associate Art Director BETH ANDERSON Art Assistant PAULY HELLER Map Designer KEVIN KIBSEY

Arizona Highways Books WitWorks Books

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Circulation Director LEE FRANKLIN

Finance Director ROBERT M. STEELE

Fulfillment Director VALERIE J. BECKETT FOR CUSTOMER INQUIRIES OR TO ORDER BY PHONE: Call toll-free: (800) 543-5432 In the Phoenix area or outside the U.S.. Call (602) 712-2000 Or visit us online at: arizonahighways.com For Corporate or Trade Sales Call (602) 712-2050 E-MAIL "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR": [email protected] Regular Mail: Editor 2039 W. Lewis Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85009 Governor Janet Napolitano Director, Department of Transportation Victor M. Mendez ARIZONA TRANSPORTATION BOARD Chairman Katie Dusenberry, Tucson Vice Chairman Ingo Radicke, Globe Members Dallas "Rusty" Gant, Wickenburg Richard "Dick" Hileman, Lake Havasu City Bill Jeffers, Holbrook Joe Lane, Phoenix James W Martin, Willcox INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION 2001, 2000, 1998, 1992, 1990 Magazine of the Year WESTERN PUBLICATIONS ASSOCIATION 2001 Best Travel & In-transit Magazine 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1993, 1992 Best Regional & State Magazine SOCIETY OF AMERICAN TRAVEL WRITERS FOUNDATION 2000, 1997 Gold Awards Best Monthly Travel Magazine Arizona Highways (ISSN 0004-1521) is published monthly by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Subscription price: $24 a year in the U.S., $34 in Canada, $37 elsewhere outside the U.S. Single copy: $3.99 U.S. Send subscription correspondence and change of address information to Arizona Highways, 2039 W. Lewis Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009. Periodical postage paid at Phoenix, AZ and at additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Arizona Highways, 2039 W. Lewis Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009. Copyright © 2003 by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The magazine does not accept and is not responsible for unsolicited materials provided for editorial consideration.

PRODUCED IN THE USA

Fiction

Two of your issues each had stories of the Old West ("The Life and Death of Sally Brand," July and August '02). The problem was they were both fiction.

I really enjoy reading the stories of the Old West, but I do not enjoy reading fictional stories about it. In my opinion those pages are a waste of good magazine space.

DENNIS GARVER, Columbus, OH Thanks to all who offered opinions about the fiction. We have run fiction occasionally, but this story, spread over two issues, was published to gauge reader reaction. So far, the reaction has been completely negative. We will concentrate, therefore, on stories of the "real" Old West.

Double Names

Concerning Gene Perret's column on the redundancy of the name Pinnacle Peak, which means "peak peak" ("Wit Stop," August '02), he should drive to Tucson and cross the Rillito River, which means "little river river."

ROBERT HOWELL, Washington, IL

Willie Drannan

About 1925 my brother and I found a weatherbeaten book titled, as I recall, "Will Drannan, Chief of Scouts, Guiding Immigrants Across the Plains." We were excitedly discussing it when our father spoke up.

"We bought that book from Drannan, who stopped here on his way to Prescott. Your grandfather, Charles B. Genung, read it one night and told Drannan, You are the world's greatest liar."

Leo Banks' analysis of Drannan ("Was Willie Here?" August '02) is correct.

REV. DAN H. GENUNG, Claremont, CA

Poor Road

As a former manager of the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, I found the article in very poor taste considering the condition of the Schnebly Hill Road ("Back Road Adventure," August '02). It is no place for a car that is not high clearance. Very high clearance.

On numerous occasions we had visitors arrive at our center with car problems from driving those 12 miles. The volunteers in Sedona knew not to direct folks up that road.

PAULA ERWIN-YODER, Sedona We drive the back roads we write about at least twice so that we are familiar with the conditions. With this road we recommended travelers use a fourwheel-drive, high-clearance vehicle. And, as always,

2 JANUARY 2003

We advise our readers to check the local road conditions before they make the trip.

Southern Arizona Question

I don't really have a complaint because your magazine is so wonderful, but I do want to ask a question. I know you are based in Phoenix, but I can't help notice that your articles and photographs tend to veer northward more than southward. I have seen great photos and read fine articles of southern Arizona, but inevitably, like an automobile needing an alignment, you steer northward. Surely there are some beautiful areas to be photographed south of Phoenix.

CIPRIANO A. FLORES, Tucson The poor old editor hopes we are not slighting southern Arizona, because the letter writer is correct. There are many beautiful places in the south and many interesting things to do. Generally, we try to feature southern Arizona in the cooler months and northern Arizona in the warmer months.

Pleased Visitors

My husband and I spent two weeks in your wonderful state. We covered Monument Valley to the Chiricahuas in the southeastern part of the state. Your stories made the trip special. We stopped at places we never would have known about otherwise. We had lunch at La Posada in Winslow, where we also appreciated the architecture more because of your article in a recent issue. Lunch was also enjoyed at the Tuba City Truck Stop where, we would agree with you, they serve the best Navajo tacos in the state.

SALLY KEENER, Columbus, OH We love to help people enjoy Arizona. And we love these kinds of letters. The poor old editor would dance around the office if he knew how to dance.

Vicarious Visitor

Heart problems keep me from coming out there and visiting a lot of Arizona, but I sure can see the sights in your wonderful magazine.FRED ENGELKING, JR., Peoria, IL