Along the Highways and Byways...

Along the Highways and Byways PROSPECT FOR SPRING:

There hasn't been much said about it these past few years but there has been a shortage of water behind the vast storage dams from which water is drawn to furnish the needful moisture for the broad acres that form the vast agricultural empire in the Valley of the Sun. Five months ago the vast dams of the Salt River Valley Water Users Associa-tion had a capacity level of 22,426 acre feet, with capacity of 2,000,000 acre feet. Those figures may not mean a lot to the average person but if you own a plot of land in the Salt River Valley and you need water for irrigation, those figures are as bleak as the bleakest writing on the wall. Unless something unforseen happened, four months ago it was felt many productive acres were going to be forsaken until the water supply was sufficient to warrant full production.

Then as 1940 was bowing out of the picture and 1941 was making its appearance, the rains came. The rains came all over the state and in the high watersheds it came steady and slow, soaking the good earth and then running off into streams and creeks that feed into the lakes formed by the dams built to hold water for thirsty farm lands in the valley below. In January the storage level had risen to 731,847 acre feet of good, cold water, the highest level for January in seven years. Bartlett Dam, built upon the Verde a year and a half ago (the other dams are on the Salt) is filled to overflowing, with a storage capacity of 182,608 acre feet.

That is good news wrapped up in a large package.

The success of any irrigation project naturally depends on rain. The rains have been fitful of late but always at the right time, like a good actor making an entrance, the rains have come in time.

There has probably never been in the history of mankind a more successful irrigation project than the Salt River project. Sometime we intend to go more deeply into that subject and explain in detail the functioning of the Salt River Valley Water Users Association. It has always been man's aim to reclaim land from the desert by irrigation. The S. R. V. W. U. A. has succeeded where other men and other civilizations have failed. This is something for Arizona and for America to be proud of.

All of this by way of leading up to our discussion on the prospect of spring. If the rains of this winter are good news for the farmer and the rancher, they are the best of tidings for the traveler following the highroads west during spring.

Desert dwellers, a curious group of people who believe the Arizona desert is the most beautiful place in the world and who will be found in its innermost recesses during all the seasons, tell us that this spring should find the desert flowers in greater numbers and in deeper and richer colors than at any time during the past decade.

Rains that fell in the winter have moistened the desert floor, ending a dry spell that has existed for several years. If you want to see the desert bloom like a garden, come to Arizona this spring. Every sign that can be read indicates the most beautiful spring our desert has known in years.

The months of February, March, April and May are perfect travel months in central and southern Arizona. The weather is ideal and you can follow any road or trail your fancy wills and sheer travel delight awaits you at every turn of the road.

Nor is travel during these months limited to the southern part of the state. All of that vast colorful area known as the Enchanted Circle of Northern Arizona is yours to command. The only roads that will be closed are the Coronado Trail from Springerville to Clifton and the road from Jacob Lake to the North Rim of Grand Canyon.

THE GILMORE ECONOMY RUN:

For the first time in history, the Gilmore Economy run had for its destination the Grand Canyon of Arizona. The run, which took place in early January, began in Los Angeles and was for 499.3 miles.

The 23 cars which finished averaged 22.5 miles per gallon of gasoline. In case you are interested in the results of the run here are the unofficial tabulations, with miles per gallon and miles per hour.

Price division A Willys Plainsman, 29.06 and 42.41; Willys Plainsman, 28.40 and 42.42; Willys, 25.18 and 42.40.

Division B-Ford, 23.06 and 43.19; Plymouth 21.71 and 43.22.

Division C-Nash 600, 25.81 and 42.60; Studebaker Champion, 24.61 and 42.64.

Division D-Hudson 6 de luxe, 24.96 and 43.19; Mercury, 23.35 and 42.58; Dodge, 22.47 and 42.32.

Division E-Studebaker Commander, 24.36 and 42.84; Nash Ambassador 6, 23.16 and 43.37; De Soto, 20.04 and 46.59.

Division F-Studebaker President, 22.53 and 42.32; Nash Ambassador 8, 21.18 and 42.52; Chrysler Royal, 19.71 and 42.60.

Division G-Chrysler Windsor, 20.14 and 43.39.

Division H-Packard 120, 19.78 and 43.41; Hudson Commodore 8, 20.18 and 43.31.

Division I-Lincolyn Zephyr, 22.96 and 42.91; Chrysler New Yorker, 17.47 and 42.69.

Division J-Lincoln custom, 21.03 and 44.38; Chrysler Crown Imperial, 16.46 and 42.95.

The Lincoln custom was the sweepstakes winner, with Lincoln Zephyr second and Studebaker Commander third.

We get about thirteen miles to the gallon in our old jallopy mostly down hill.

THE SUPERIOR HIGHWAY AFTER A RAIN:

In some respects the Superior Highway, that part of U. S. 60 and 70 between Miami and Superior, is one of the most spectacular highways in Arizona. Hewn in many places through solid rock, it affords views that are breathtaking. At one place the cliffs will tower above you thousands of feet. At another place deep, steep canyon walls plunge right before you into a great emptiness.During the rainy season the beauty of the drive over this highway is enchanting. The deep canyons, around which and through which you pass, carry streams of white, foamy, racing water, the roar of which can be heard above your car motor. Water falls leap from the brown walls of the cliffs beside the highway, forming flashes of silver in the sunlight. These falls vary in size from small trickles to big, unruly fellows growling in their beards. And, as in so many places along the enchanted roads in this enchanted land, surprises await you at every turn of the road.

THE ROAD TO GUADALAJARA:

It is reported that the Republic of Mexico has allowed $20,000,000 for a hard-surfaced highway from Nogales, Arizona, to Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Contracts, we learn, have been let for the road and that in the not too far distant future work will begin all along the road in Sonora, Sinaloa and in Jalisco.

Nogales, Arizona, will become one of the most important international travel centers in the United States, when this road is completed. Hundreds of thousands of American tourists will annually make the trip from Nogales to Guadalajara and Mexico City for this road will open up one of the picturesque parts of Mexico. Hermosillo, Guaymas, Culiacan, Mazatlan, Guadalajara, and hundreds of small towns and cities along the west coast of Mexico will be brought closer to the American traveler.

Yours Sincerely... and Sincerely to You OF EARLY DAYS:

There are not sufficient words in my vocabulary to express my admiration for the Christmas 1940 number of Arizona Highways. Please accept my very sincere congratulations on a magnificent achievement.

My first sight of Arizona was from Stein's Pass in June 1884, when eight troops of the 4th U. S. Cavalry were on the march into Arizona from stations in New Mexico. We passed the 6th Cavalry at Lordsburg, New Mexico the day before, they marching eastward. Across the San Simon Valley I was shown Dos Cabezas. My father, Col. E. B. Beaumont was to command Fort Bowie and my brother and I rode with the troops from Fort Bayard, N. M. The march was leisurely as it took us six days to make the trip. My brother and I were at Fort Bowie until September 1884 when we were sent east to school, but came back in June 1885 and were at Bowie or Huachuca until the end of the Geronimo campaign. And what a thrill that was to boys of our age-15 and 17. The pictures of the "Wonderland of Rocks" and the present knowledge of its locale make me wonder that we never knew or heard anything about it when we were at Bowie within eight or ten miles of it. I rode all down the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains to the then Gray's Ranch, over into Rucker Canyon and to Clark City in the Swisshelms. Another time, on a hunting trip with General Crook, I rode down the Sulphur Spring side for about 25 miles.

My disappointment was great when father shipped my brother and me east again three days before Geronimo and his band were brought into the post. However, relics of that campaign rest in the Winchester carbines of both Geronimo and Natchez which adorn my living room walls.

Andre A. Beaumont, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Thanks to Mr. Beaumont for a stirring vignette of other days. While travelers to Arizona today have not the excitement of Apache campaigns, there is still adventure and excitement in the old West.

"HOOF BEATS" IN THE WEST:

Through Mr. A. B. Webber of your city, I received a copy of your October issue. I have thanked him for the courtesy extended to me, but feel after reading it with so much enjoyment, I should compliment you additionally for getting out such a high class magazine. I have long wanted to visit Phoenix. Years ago a very dear friend of mine, named Arlie Frost made Phoenix his winter training quarters. He then trained and raced, among other good ones, the pacing stallion Knight of Strathmore, 2.05%. His letters to me always brought an urge to see Phoenix and the surrounding country. But no could do. Kind of got over the notion in the intervening years, but your magazine has started the old urge all over again.

Arthur J. Hinrichs, Editor, "Hoof Beats", Ballston Spa, New York Editor Hinrichs of "Hoof Beats" would be surprised at the spread of harness racing in the Valley of the Sun. Started last season with great success, the sport has gained an even deeper foothold in the good earth of this region on this season, and people who should know contend that Phoenix will be one of the biggest winter harness-racing areas in the country. Horsemen find the climate ideal for winter racing.

THE OLD TRAVELER:

Just as one newspaperman to another: Your December Arizona Highways is just about the most delightful magazine I've seen in a coon's age. Especially do I like your color stuff, Whisper, will remind one that there are things which endure, that the work of making majesty and beauty will go on for centuries after man has ceased shooting and shouting."

Success to your publication and grateful thanks to my dear friend Spencer Kimball.

Tom Benson, Apple Tree Cottage, Toddington, Littlehampton, England.

Mr. Benson quotes Jonreed Lauritzen's story on "Toroweap" in September issue of Arizona Highways. We are glad that a little message carried across the stormy waters to another land strikes the response it did.

LETTER FROM MASIACA:

We have been very good friends during the last few months of 1940, why not be friends in 1941? Sure, I am very sure, we will be better friends in the future. I have been awarded the honor to appear in your wonderful magazine, in the form of letters which I have sent you describing the Indian life here, and if you allow me, I will again upon your Request send more details and pictures of the Mayos here.

Some time, when you find it convenient send me (just borrowed a Kodak) to take as many pictures as you want, of the Sunday's processions, and of the daily Indian life in Masiaca, and adjoining towns (Indian) and very glad I'll be to see such fotos appear in some future issues of Arizona Highways.

Wish you, and to Arizona Highways (your son) a very happy New Year and lots of success.

Jesus G. Rodriguez, "La Tienda Nueva," Masiaca, Sonora, Republic of Mexico.

Arizona Highways intends to continue its friendship with Mr. Rodriguez during 1941. We'll try to secure from distant Masiaca in southern Sonora some of the life there as described by our good friend Jesus G. Rodriguez of "La Tienda Nueva."

PICTURES TELL THE STORY:

With the close of 1940 may I take this opportunity to congratulate you on the publication of what is, without doubt, the leading magazine of its type in circulation today.

As producer of motion pictures I am naturally biased in favor of pictures that move but your fine publication is replete with still pictures that have both movement and color-pictures that tell the story of Arizona as it has never been told before.

Success to you and your staff and "Arizona Highways" for 1941 and the years to come.

Emerson Yorke, Emerson Yorke Studios, New York, N. Y.

For within a comparatively short time I hope to be in Arizona to gather a bit of color for myself and to gather ma-terial for magazine and broadcasting. When I do roll into Phoenix I hope we might settle down and talk of this and that.

I particularly enjoyed your tribute to "Old Bill," for certainly the burro has never been given adequate credit for his part in the saga of the Old West.

James P. Walsh, The Old AAA Traveler, Automobile Club of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan.

Arizona Highways feels singularly honored to hear from The Old Traveler, one of the important figures in traveldom, whose radio presentations is one of the popular features for midwest audiences.

FROM A BOMB SCARRED LAND:

Through the courtesy of a very dear friend of mine Mr. Spencer Kimball, of Safford, Arizona, I received the July and September copies of the "Arizona Highways" and may I congratulate you on the excellent manner in which the periodical is prepared, and the beautiful photographs. As one who has visited your country, on more than one occasion, and has seen the Grand Canyon, may I also say how I enjoyed reading the article on "Toroweap."

In these days of dishonor, cruelty, and oppression, it makes one see the senselessness of war, and when our lives are spent amidst daily air-raid alarms and bombing attacks, to read the words"A swaying glimpse into this Canyon, which can swallow up the roar of a mighty river as if it were a lover's