EDITOR'S LETTER

Landscape photographers disappear in March. They drop out. Split. Vanish into thin air. Just like that, they're gone. It's part of an annual migration into the Sonoran Desert, and nothing can stop it. Not the Final Four, not a Spring Training game, not a horse with no name. Not even a Beatles' reunion if John and George were to come back to life - could keep these obsessed shutterbugs from the lure of the desert. Like molecular geneticists focused on the symbiotic interaction of microbes, landscape photographers are in a zone this time of year. Right now, the only thing they care about is shooting wildflowers.

Turns out, that's a good thing for Arizona Highways, because every March we dedicate about a dozen pages to the desert's annual explosion of color. This year was no exception. Mexican goldpoppies, owl clover, lupine... they're all inside, courtesy of some of our best and most resolute photographers - Jack Dykinga, Tim Fitzharris, Chuck Lawsen, Robert McDonald, Randy Prentice. As you'll see, their work is second-to-none. That said, even the best photography in the world is limited to the two dimensions of this magazine. It's great to look at while the kids are practicing guitar, but if you'd rather explore the desert in person, you'll want to check out our wildflower hiking guide.

In all, we feature 10 of the state's best trails for getting close enough to stop and smell the lilies. And the larkspur. And all the rest. Most of the hikes are easy, and most are an easy drive from either Phoenix or Tucson. Lost Dutchman State Park and Picacho Peak State Park are among the more obvious places on our list, while the Wind Cave Trail in the Usery Mountains is less familiar. That's one of our favorites. As you know, off-the-beaten-path is the direction we like to go in this magazine. And so does Robin Sewell.

Robin, for those of you who live outside of Arizona, is the host and executive producer of Arizona Highways Television. The show's been on the air for five years, and in that short time span, it's won 15 Emmys and a slew of other accolades. None of that's surprising, though. Robin and her crew do an outstanding job of showcasing the state, especially the hidden gems ... the stories behind the stories. That's what they're after. Coincidentally, we were looking for the same thing when we sent writer Keridwen Cornelius on the road with our broadcasting sister. In Made for TV, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put together an award-winning television show. Although the end product wins Emmys, the process, as Keridwen illustrates, isn't always so glamorous. There are blundered lines, bad interviews and windblown hair. For our piece, we didn't leave anything out, including the hairnet shot of Robin, which I know I'll hear about later. Fortunately, Robin's a good sport, and will do just about anything for the show - skydiving, whitewater rafting, hairnets. The one thing she won't do is go backpacking for weeks at a time with her daughter. Especially in a place like Aravaipa Canyon.

If you've never been, Aravaipa Canyon is rugged country, with a healthy population of mountain lions. It's about the last place you'd want to take a child. That is, unless your last name is Childs. As in Craig Childs, one of the most gifted writers on our team. In addition to his flair for writing, Craig is a nonconformist who didn't think twice about taking his young son, Jasper, on a long trek along Aravaipa Creek and its many tributaries.

In Ancient Creeks, he shares the adventure. In particular, he discusses the water itself, which, according to radiocarbon tests, is up to 15,000 years old. Chances are, it dates back to the last ice age, when ancient water was stored deep within the rocky cores of the mountains. No doubt, that's one of the reasons Craig traipsed around the area for almost a month, but it's bigger than that. The Arizona wilderness is an intriguing place with an irresistible allure. It's the ultimate temptation. The kind of thing that makes writers go backpacking with babies and photographers disappear in March.

If you like what you see in this magazine every month, check out Arizona Highways Television, an Emmy Award-winning program hosted by former news anchor Robin Sewell. Now in its fifth season, the show does with audio and video what we do with ink and paper - it showcases the people, places and things of the Grand Canyon State, from the spectacular landscapes and colorful history to the fascinating culture and endless adventure. And that's just the beginning. "For me, the show is about more than just the destinations," Robin says. "It's about the people behind the scenes. It's their stories that make the destinations so interesting." Indeed, there's a reason this show wins so many awards - it's second-to-none, and we're proud to have our name on it. Take a look. For broadcast times, visit our Web site, arizonahighways.com, and click the Arizona Highways Television link on our home page.