DEAR EDITOR

Expanded 64-page Collector's Issue ARIZONA HIGHWAYS Once Upon a Day in Arizona

October Issue: Wonderful or Disappointing? Wow, you've outdone yourselves this time; the October 2006 issue was fantastic! What a great project for those lucky writers and photographers to undertake. Thanks so much for the inspiration and joy. I didn't know the magazine could get any better than it already was!

Too Many People Pictures

I was really looking forward to the expanded October 2006 issue, but it arrived today and I am extremely disappointed. Most of the pictures were of people, not of the beautiful state of Arizona. Most of them could have been taken anywhere. And where you do have scenery as a background, as often as not, it is out of focus. I would have thrown it away except that I would not therefore have had a complete set for the year. Please return to the format that made this magazine great in the first place.

Yikes. October did indeed include more people pictures, since that helped capture Arizona's great diversity. Never fear, we're still hooked on landscapes. We also had printing press problems with the color in the issue. Fortunately, we've fixed that problem.

Right Up There With Cattleman

The October 2006 issue was swell; so glad I "re-upped" for another three years and didn't miss it. As a matter of fact, we've been getting Arizona Highways for some 20 or 25 years. Every issue. "Mama," my wife of 51 years, and I love Arizona. But we belong here in Oklahoma at our Coyote Gulch Ranch. It's small, but to us it's as grand as the Grand Canyon. I am professor emeritus, agricultural communications/agricultural education, Oklahoma State University. I think you're doing a most wonderful job in the captain's chair. Arizona Highways is the nation's best magazine. (I would have to say the Oklahoma Cattleman magazine is right up there, too.) We're flattered to stack up to Cattleman, especially in the eyes of an ag prof.

Who Pays the Bills?

Arizona Highways is owned by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), so does that mean tax money pays to publish this magazine? I wouldn't imagine the subscription fees alone would cover all the work and salaries needed to put out your fine magazine.

Great question. ADOT does own the magazine, but we don't spend any taxpayer money. Subscriptions and the sale of books, calendars and other items underwrite our costs. We struggle sometimes, but remain entirely self-supporting.

Remembering Dad

Thank you and writer Kathryn Eastlick for the "Along the Way" ("Rediscovering Dad at Hi Jolly's Tomb," August '06). I shed a tear as it reminded me of my own father who died in 1996. Not a day goes by, especially now that I have sons, that I don't think about sharing something with him. But it had been quite a while since I recalled traveling in the car throughout Arizona and listening to my father-who was a history buff, especially Arizona history (my sister and I are thirdgeneration Arizonans)-tell a story about this mountain range or that pass. My sister and I would roll our eyes. As an adult, I find myself regaling my kids with the history of Arizona as we travel through our wonderful state, and it was great to be reminded about where this knowledge came from. My only wish is that he was here to share them with me, my sons and my sister's daughters.

I lost my dad awhile back, and I know exactly what you mean. In my case, he taught me to notice birds, so every time a noteworthy bird flits past, I want to turn and point it out to him. I am happy that the story was a comfort and a reminder.

Publisher WIN HOLDEN Editor PETER ALESHIRE Managing Editor RANDY SUMMERLIN Web/Research Editor SALLY BENFORD Book Division Editor BOB ALBANO Books Associate Editor EVELYN HOWELL Special Projects Editor JOBETH JAMISON Editorial Administrator NIKKI KIMBEL Editorial Assistant PAULY HELLER Director of Photography PETER ENSENBERGER Art Director BARBARA GLYNN DENNEY Art Assistant DIANA BENZEL-RICE Map Designer KEVIN KIBSEY Production Director MICHAEL BIANCHI Promotions Art Director RONDA JOHNSON Webmaster VICKY SNOW Director of Sales & Marketing KELLY MERO Circulation Director HOLLY CARNAHAN Finance Director BOB ALLEN Information Technology CINDY BORMANIS 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 2005, 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 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 ar in the U.S., $41 outside the the U.S. U.S. Single 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, PO, BOX 875, WINDSOR, ON N9A 6P2. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Arizona Highways, 2039 W. Lewis Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009. Copyright © 2007 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.

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.