EDITOR'S LETTER

Twenty-five years is a long time. Not as it relates to things like the Grand Canyon or the Cubs' World Series drought, but in the creative world, it's an eternity. The Beatles, as incredible as they were, couldn't even hold it together for a decade, and Gunsmoke, the longest-running dramatic series in television history, lasted only 20 years. There's no magic formula, but anything that's around for 25 years is usually considered an institution. At Arizona Highways, Peter Ensenberger is an institution.

For more than a quarter-centuryhis silver anniversary was June 29 - Pete has been a fixture in our photography department, both as an editor and a photographer. He's a master of both, and over the years, those talents have helped make this magazine one of the most respected photo journals in the world. Literally. For those of us who have had the privilege of working with him, he's not just an institution, he's also a leader, an artist, a mentor, a comrade ... the list goes on, but really, there aren't words to fully describe Pete and what he's meant to this magazine. Likewise, there aren't words to express how much we're going to miss him.

Sadly, this is Pete's last issue with Arizona Highways. As much as we tried to convince him to stick around for another 25 years, he's ready for a change, and he's earned it. For an encore, he'll be doing a lot of fishing and photography, along with whatever chores his wife, Kim, has in store. He'll also be working with us on some special projects, including one in our December issue. It's going to be spectacular. Mark your calendar. Meantime, it seems appropriate that Pete's last hurrah is our second-annual "Photography Issue."

Whenever I mention this issue to people, I usually hear, "Isn't every issue a photography issue?" They have a point, of course, but in September, we like to go beyond the time-honored portfolios. We see this as an opportunity to broaden your knowledge of photography, and maybe give you some inside information, as well. How to Shoot a Bobcat, a series of wildlife photo tips, is a good example of the former, and Behind the Camera by Kelly Kramer is a good example of the latter.

For her story, Kelly asked some of our veteran contributors to talk about the wildest things they've experienced in the field. Although photography is often thought of as glamorous, it's actually hard work that requires patience, persistence, dumb luck and, sometimes, the risk of life and limb. To date, none of our photographers have sacrificed any body parts in the line of duty, but as you'll see, there have been someclose encounters. Nick Berezenko once went nose-to-nose with a bear, and Claire Curran is convinced she saw a UFO. "It hovered for about two seconds, flashing all bright lights and colors, and then it took off faster than anything I'd ever seen," she says. Eerie.

It's another one of those special projects Pete will be handling for us in retirement. And here's the thing: We want to keep his adrenaline up, so, for Pete's sake, flood him with great photography. But keep in mind, he's used to editing the best images in the world. As you know, he's set the bar pretty high around here. Thank you, Pete. For everything.

Global Snapshots Got a minute? Send us your "Global Snapshots." Here's how it works: E-mail a photo of someone you know posing with our magazine, and we'll post it on our Web site. The shots can be taken anywhere: on a ferry in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, or, in Cindy McCain's case, at the World Food Programme Center in Bunia, Congo. For more information, visit www.arizonahighways. com and click "Online Extras."

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.