LETTERS & E-MAIL

Back Road Across Arizona Your article, "Crossing Arizona on Back Roads," (April '04) by Charles Bowden and Jack Dykinga is one of the best. We all know that Dykinga takes beautiful pictures, and he certainly did not let us down in this issue. But my reason for writing is to compliment Bowden for a fabulous article. I read the whole article with interest, but when I got to the last three paragraphs, for some reason I had tears in my eyes. I think it was because of the poetry with which this man writes. No one can describe a place or a situation any better.

Put a poet and an artist together on the back roads of Arizona, and the result is the beautiful language and stunning photography of Charles Bowden and Jack Dykinga. Having been on some Arizona back roads with my sons and grandsons, my memories and emotions were stirred and expressed so wonderfully.

Charles Bowden's "Crossing Arizona on Back Roads" left me breathless. His vivid descriptions of the intricate beauty of each detail of his journey were so clear that one could almost smell and taste the flavor of what he experienced. Bowden's ability to paint a living picture for the reader just filled my soul with delight.

Charles Bowden's poetic words moved me to joyfilled tears and reminded me of the blessed beauty of silence in the Sonoran Desert. People suffering from heart disease, those suffering from panic attacks or facing financial disaster need to read his words: "Nothing that matters moves faster than a heartbeat and that at this very instant all the hearts beat as one." Listening to nature is the best free medicine that exists.

Thanks to all those who overwhelmed us with compliments about the Bowden-Dykinga back road journey.

Rustlers Tracked and Caught "Crossing Arizona on Back Roads" brought back fond memories about the Planet Ranch and the Bill Williams River. In 1972, as a prosecutor in the Yuma County Attorney's office, I was involved in what had to be one of the most interesting cattle rustling capers in many years.

The "posse" consisting of sheriff's deputies, including Ralph E. Ogden, the current sheriff of Yuma County; Don Moon, Arizona Game and Fish; and Jack Harold, state brand inspector, "tracked"

the rustlers' vehicle over many miles of dirt roads (unique tires, not much traffic) and found the remains of the rustled steer in the bottom of an abandoned mine shaft several miles from the Planet Ranch.

They then followed the "trail" to a small ranch house of two brothers, employees at the Planet Ranch. They checked the flatbed truck parked near the house and found the unique tire tread, plus bovine hair that ultimately matched that of the stolen steer.

As they approached the house, they noticed the dogs that were normally running free outside were locked inside the house behind a screen door and were scratching frantically to get out. A deputy approached the house and, during a conversation with one of the occupants, managed to let the dogs slip out. The dogs immediately raced to the dry riverbed nearby where they began digging in the sand and soon uncovered several quarters of beef that had been buried there in the cool, damp sand to keep from spoiling. A rifle was found under the front porch of the house, which was the source of the bullet that killed the steer.

The two brothers were prosecuted for cattle rustling (grand theft). The exhibits were fascinating, including one of the beef quarters (refrigerated) and the hide that matched up. The jury found the brothers guilty, but the conviction of one of the brothers was overturned by the judge for lack of evidence.

Wild Hog Problem Solved In regard to "Unwanted and Unloved," ("Taking the Off-ramp," April '04) about feral hogs in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, [I recommend they] buy Louisiana Catahoula "hog dogs." The Catahoula leopard dog is the Louisiana state dog. According to legend, they have been hunting hogs since DeSoto left some Spanish "war dogs" and hogs behind in the 1500s, and the Catahoula Indians adopted them. When the Kentuckians passed through on their way to Texas, they introduced their hunting dogs into the breed. The Anglo settlers used these dogs to bring in livestock out of the swamps.

A team of three Catahoulas can round up a feral hog in good time. I raised these amazing dogs when we lived in Louisiana. They are, in my opinion, the best all-around utility dog.

Oh, lest I forget, Catahoulas have been known to read human minds. I know this for a fact as I had a stud that could read my mind. This is true and spooky. Unfortunately, the managers at the wildlife refuge, who know of the Catahoulas, say the refuge's terrain makes use of the dogs impractical.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS SEPTEMBER 2004 VOL. 80, NO. 9

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 BARBARA GLYNN DENNEY Deputy Art Director BILLIE JO BISHOP Art Assistant PAULY HELLER Map Designer KEVIN KIBSEY Arizona Highways Books WitWorks Books Editor BOB ALBANO Associate Editor EVELYN HOWELL Associate Editor PK PERKIN MCMAHON Production Director CINDY MACKEY Production Coordinator KIM ENSENBERGER Promotions Art Director RONDA JOHNSON Webmaster VICKY SNOW

Circulation Director HOLLY CARNAHAN

Finance Director ROBERT M. STEELE

Fulfillment Director VALERIE J. BECKETT

Information Technology Manager CINDY BORMANIS 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: Sales Manager HELEN THOMPSON 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 Bill Jeffers, Holbrook Vice Chairman Dallas "Rusty" Gant, Wickenburg Members Richard "Dick" Hileman, Lake Havasu City James W. Martin, Willcox Joe Lane, Phoenix S.L. Schorr, Tucson Delbert Householder, Thatcher INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION 2001, 2000, 1998, 1992, 1990 Magazine of the Year WESTERN PUBLICATIONS ASSOCIATION 2002 Best Overall Consumer Publication 2002, 2001 Best Travel & In-transit Magazine 2003, 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: $21 a year in the U.S., $31 in Canada, $34 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 © 2004 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.