DEAR EDITOR

Hillerman Fan Revealed

I love Arizona Highways magazine, but the June 2006 issue was especially marvelous; Tony Hillerman is one of my very favorite authors. Thanks for the super read and marvelous pictures. I'm also addicted to Tony's mysteries-not to mention LeRoy DeJolie's photographs. Tony's an old newspaper warhorse who made goodwhich encouraged all us other less-talented newspaper mules to dream of escaping the newsroom. -Peter Aleshire, Editor

Highways is a Home-wrecker

I absolutely adore my wife of 38 years, but our subscription is causing us real problems. Our mailbox is down the lane and, along toward the middle of the month, my wife and I (normally honest folks who share easily) are sneaking down before the mail-lady gets here to grab and then hide that month's Arizona Highways for a leisurely read out of our mate's eye and earshot. Then, a few days later the "loser" gets the dog-eared copy along with a snide comment about a lack of speed or stealth. I know-your first thought is get two subscriptions, but we're seniors on a fixed income so that's out of the question. I love my wife dearly and really don't want to trade her off for another one that's a little slower getting to the mailbox. So, new editor-what's your advice?

What a quandary. But suppose your next wife is even more fleet of foot. I lay awake all night worrying before hitting on a solution. Send me your address and I'll personally buy you a second subscription. Hurry, I need my beauty sleep. -Ed.

Editors are People, Too

As an avid admirer of Arizona Highways, I have the following random comments. 1. The Craig Childs story about George Steck ("The Old Man and the Canyon," May '06) was one of the most moving stories I've read. 2. Give Craig a raise. No, give everyone at Highways a raise! 3. Ignore all those silly complaints about things that don't matter. Everyone's human, even editors (I think). 4. Please continue to inspire dreams.

1) You're right about Craig, and I'd send him his raise, except he's lost somewhere on the Colorado Plateau thinking deep thoughts. 2) To our publisher, Win Holden: Did you catch that? Raises for everyone? 3) Actually, editors are a subspecies-kind of like the Terminator after he developed a sense of humor. 4) Actually, it's you who inspire me. -Ed.

Where's Thumper?

The "Taking the Off-ramp" opening photograph in May 2006 shows a mule deer, but how many readers saw the rabbit right in front of the deer?

Our own little Where's Waldo nature piece. -Ed.

New Format Annoys

As much as I like your magazine, I dislike your new "vertical" format. I dislike having to turn the magazine sideways to see the byline. This is really annoying to me. Also, since you've taken over as editor, I see fewer maps. In my opinion, if a picture is worth a thousand words, a map is worth fifteen hundred! Your May 2006 issue described Christine Maxa's "10 Most Scenic Hikes" in Arizona with nary a map to be seen! I also miss the map on the table of contents.

You raise good points. I thought the new look of the departments was worth the trade-off of running the bylines sideways. And we didn't have room for maps of all 10 hikes. We are running more locator maps with stories, but dropped the contents page map for design reasons. However, we're still pondering our map style. -Ed.

Editor Owes an Apology

It's not enough that you have ignored the leash law ("My Goofball Dog and Me," May '06, "All Who Wander") but you also, so brazenly, published a photo of your dog off the leash in Arizona Highways! THE Arizona Highways! Owners always think their dogs are so friendly and won't bite, but bikers and runners who use the park also have stories about aggressive dogs and their apologetic owners. So please apologize.

When Lobo found out about the $2,500 leash-law fine, he put his paw down. Now I wear a leash whenever we go out. -Ed.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS

AUGUST 2006 VOL. 82, NO. 8

Inquiries or orders Toll-free: (800) 543-5432 Phoenix area or outside the U.S. (602) 712-2000 Or visit arizonahighways.com For Corporate or Trade Sales Dolores Field (602) 712-2045 Letters to the Editor [email protected] 2039 W. Lewis Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009

Governor JANET NAPOLITANO

Director, Department of Transportation VICTOR M. MENDEZ ARIZONA TRANSPORTATION BOARD Chairman James W. Martin Vice Chairman Joe Lane Members S.L.. Schorr, Delbert Householder, Robert M. Montoya, Felipe Andres Zubia, William J. Feldmeier International Regional Magazine Association 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000 Magazine of the Year Western Publications Association 2004, 2002, 2001 Best Travel & In-transit Magazine Society of American Travel Writers Foundation 1997, 2000 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. CANADA POST INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS MAIL PRODUCT (CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION) SALES AGREEMENT NO. 41220511. SEND RETURNS TO QUEBECOR WORLD, P.O. BOX 875, WINDSOR, ON N9A 6P2. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Arizona Highways, 2039 W. Lewis Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009. Copyright © 2006 by the Arizona Depart ment of Transportation. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The magazine does not accept and is not responsible for unsolicited materials.

highways on tv

Arizona Highways magazine has inspired an independent weekly television series, hosted by Phoenix TV news anchor Robin Sewell. For channels and show times, log on to arizonahighways.com; click on "DISCOVER ARIZONA"; then click on the "Arizona Highways goes to television!" link on the right-hand side.