DEAR EDITOR

Missing Murals of Awat'ovi I am intrigued about the article "The Displaced Hopi Murals of Awat'ovi" in the February 2005 issue. I would like to understand about the taking of the paintings and moving them to Harvard. I know that Arizona has a place where all the paintings could be stored. Why are they not there? I am saddened. I would also like to know if we will ever see the whole collection.

Alas, scientists have taken many artifacts from their proper homes. Sometimes, that yields important discoveries, sometimes mere warehousing. I also hope the murals of Awat'ovi will someday return to their home, but don't know of any current plans to move them.

Royal Arch Route Regarding the story "Following an Ancient Route to Elves Chasm" (February '05), I agree the Royal Arch route is stunning. However, Harvey Butchart never claimed to have discovered it.

In his book Grand Canyon Treks, he discusses my description of the route (generously calling it the "Stiles route") and his subsequent efforts to follow it.

In November 1971, Patsy Gilman and I made the same backpack trip described in the story, but in reverse-we went down the South Bass Trail, over to Elves Chasm and then up the Royal Arch route. I led other groups over the Royal Arch route in '72 and '73, so it was fairly well known to University of Arizona hikers by the time I told Harvey about it in 1974.

Of course, whoever actually "discovered" the route was probably tracking giant ground sloths. But you're right-Butchart wasn't the first "modern" to find the route, or "rediscover" it. We certainly didn't mean to disrespect other intrepid route finders.

Ghosts of Vulture City After reading the article "Ghosts of Vulture City" (February '05), I carefully examined the excellent pictures. I got this eerie feeling when I saw the picture on page 31. Behind the hanging tree there is a rectangle entrance, and in the middle there is a ghost in the form of a skeleton.

I looked at the photograph-and here's the very spooky part: The ghost has moved. She's over on the right-hand side in the bushes. Only it's not a ghost, it's Our Lady of Guadalupe. Way cool.

No Bird Love I read the hummingbird story "His Love Kept Him Warm" (February '05) with dismay. There is no love, caring and socialization between hummingbirds beyond the sex act. The females then make their nest, sit on their eggs and raise their young completely alone. The article was a piece of fiction, which I wouldn't expect in Arizona Highways.

That's harsh. Did you know that male hummingbirds actually sing songs in the mating season, with their own grammar and dialect? That's, like, love. Also, did you know that if you burned calories as fast as a hummingbird you would have to eat 800 Big Macs a day, which would generate so much heat you'd burst into flames? That's like love-isn't it?

A Wonderful View I'm a native Arizonan, 81 years young, and a longtime reader of Arizona Highways. The quality of the publication remains excellent. It is such a great pleasure to open the February 2005 issue to the "Rooms With a View" article, and to enjoy Larry Lindahl's superb photography. Also, Penny Porter's story on the hummingbird was great!

Arizona Highways says it all for this marvelous state. Your work is truly appreciated.

Dining Like a Tiger In response to a letter in your February 2005 issue from someone stating that he found the picture (September '04) of the rare tiger rattlesnake of the Sonoran Desert eating a mouse disgusting: Get real! What did this guy expect? A snake slithering to a table set with china, crystal, silverware and a bottle of pinot noir wine?

Arizona is a habitat of things that creep and crawl. Perhaps you can feature articles on critters in their quest for food, complete with pictures, of course.

I agree. Besides, doesn't that reality make up for us getting all teary-eyed about the hummingbirds?

Great Issues Your August and September 2004 issues were superb. I loved the articles on horsehair weaving, Pima baskets and Navajo rugs in the August issue. The articles themselves were master weavings.

The September article about Dustin Rockmen was also remarkable. I noticed that Leo W. Banks wrote two of the four articles. He is to be commended.

The people featured are truly inspirational, especially Dustin. These creative, talented people preserving their crafts while making their living are awesome.

Absolutely-Dustin, who paints better with his feet than I can with two hands and three computer programs, makes me proud to be a human being.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS

Publisher WIN HOLDEN Editor PETER ALESHIRE Senior Editor BETH DEVENY Managing Editor RANDY SUMMERLIN Research Editor LORI K. BAKER 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 Editor BOB ALBANO Associate Editor EVELYN HOWELL Associate Editor PK PERKIN MCMAHON Production Director KIM ENSENBERGER Promotions Art Director RONDA JOHNSON Webmaster VICKY SNOW Director of Sales & Marketing KELLY MERO Circulation Director HOLLY CARNAHAN Finance Director BOB ALLEN Fulfillment Director VALERIE J. BECKETT

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