EDITOR'S LETTER

Robert Frost had a way with words. He also had a knack for finding Mother Nature's simple beauty, whether it was two roads in a yellow wood or a saturated meadow, sun-shaped and jewel-small. As a New Englander, most of his inspiration came from places like Vermont and New Hampshire. Had he spent a little time in Arizona, he would have found a similar muse.

Cathedral Rock, Hannagan Meadow, the Tumacacori Highlands ... all he had to do was throw his fountain pen at a map, hop on a train and head to our neck of the woods. Simple beauty is a common denominator in Arizona, and perhaps no place is more beautiful than Point Sublime. This little sanctuary on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon offers 270-degree views of the world's Seventh Natural Wonder. Whichever direction you look, the panoramas are breathtaking. Literally. That's why we've named it the "Best Place to Have Your Awe Inspired."

It's one of 100 people, places and things in our first-ever "Best of Arizona" issue. Cathedral Rock is on the list, too ("Best Place to Take a Photograph That'll Impress Your Friends in East Lansing"), and so are Hannagan Meadow ("Best Place to Sleep in an Open Meadow") and the Tumacacori Highlands ("Best Way to Get Edward Abbey's Perspective"). They're all scenic, but we go beyond Mother Nature. We'll also tell you about the "Best Eco-Friendly Accommodations," the "Best Farm Without Any Cows" and the "Best Place to Picnic Under a Pecan Tree." We'll even tell you about the best restroom in the state.

Of course, this is just the beginning of what makes Arizona so unique. It's impossible to condense everything to a single compilation, which is why every issue of Arizona Highways is a "best of," of sorts. Everything we cover, from landscapes to history to culture, is something special. A good example of that is this month's portfolio.

The Santa Catalinas could have easily landed in our cover story as the "Best Mountain Range Surrounding a Desert Metropolis." Instead, it's a typical collection of photos in a magazine known for outstanding photography. Well, "typical" probably isn't the right word. One, the Catalinas are about as atypical as a mountain range can get, and two, the photographer is anything but ordinary.

If you're a frequent reader of this magazine, you're familiar with the work of Jack Dykinga. It's second-to-none, which is why he has a Pulitzer sitting on his mantel.

Or maybe it's shoved in a drawer - that's more Jack's style. Like other great artists, Jack's not motivated by medals and trophies. He's motivated by great photography, which is what he delivers in A Pulitzer Winner and a Camera Went Into the Catalinas. You'll see.

Equally impressive is the work of Curt Walters. The difference is that he's climbed to the top with a paintbrush instead of a camera. Walters, if you don't know the name, is a plein-air artist, and he's among the most famous living painters of the Grand Canyon - his work hangs in the homes of Mikhail Baryshnikov and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, among others.

In Plein and Simple by Amy Abrams, you'll learn more about Walters and four of his local colleagues, as well as the art form itself, which is named for a French term that refers to the process of painting in the great outdoors. As you'll see, Arizona, with its dramatic light and spectacular topography, attracts plein-air artists from around the world. And why not? If you're looking to have your awe inspired, there's no place more impressive than the Grand Canyon State, which is home to a little sanctuary called Point Sublime. Robert Frost would have loved it.

SOMETHING'S A-TWITTER

When Arizona Highways published its first issue in 1925, photos were made on film and stories were written on typewriters. Manual typewriters. Now, we've entered into the world of Twitter. If you're not familiar with Twitter, you will be. It's a form of social media that allows you to "follow" various individuals as they do their thing. Our thing is traveling the state, and now you can tag along. Our official Twitter account is: www.twitter.com/azhighways. Check us out and follow along.

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 sixth 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, www.arizonahighways.com, and click the Arizona Highways Television link on our home page.