YOURS SINCERELY

THE WILL TO LIVE: During many years, ARIZONA HIGHWAYS has been a great source of joy for my pupils at school. As I enter the classroom with a new copy under my arm, I can see the gladness in their eyes. Sometimes I let the review go round the class from hand to hand, sometimes I use the help of a globoscope, sometimes I give a copy as a present to a pupil who has been very industrious, and to be sure the receiver of the present has been happy!

As I received the last Christmas number I showed it among others to one of my friends who paints and I rejoiced seeing the admiration of hers as she was absorbed in the beauty of the pictures. Now as there is icy cold weather outside and everyone is trying to make the rooms warm it is an exceptional pleasure to look at the sunny scenery of Arizona, the fine mountains, brilliant vegetation, the remnants of the homes of the ancient inhabitants and many other interesting pictures.

The picture of the "Brave Poppy" or "Great is the Will to Live" reminds me of a poem written by one of our well-known poets. The name of the poem is "Chrysanthemum:" "Sano mista sa saitkaan loistosi noin tomulla hiek kaisen turun? Mina luulen, etta sun juuresi on ruokkima salaisen surun." (Tell me from where did you get your splendour as you are growing in the dust of the sandy market square? I think that your roots are fed by a secret sorrow.) While I am writing this I am also remembering our own small country which has a Great Will to Live in the present world that is lacking a thing which is for individuals and countries as necessary as water to a flower. It is good will.

I am very glad of the signs of good will which have arrived at this town form of your excellent review.

All good wishes for the editors of the ARIZONA HIGHWAYS and the readers of it.

Miss Taimi Savola Hameenlinna, Finland

NO ROAD: ... On the state road maps there is a warning that "trips between Wellton and Ajo via desert roads should not be essayed without careful preparation as to water, gasoline, food supplies, and avoidance of noonday heat."

We have just attempted such a trip with our Jeep and find that due to the border patrol fence that is being constructed through this region with the bulldozing that was necessary the old Camino del Diablo has been made com pletely impassable between Tule and Papago Wells and the road from Papago to Bates Well has been covered with sand and is badly washed in the mountains.

You might save lives if you notify the pub lic on your maps that this is no longer possible to travel and that under no circumstances should an attempt be made.

I have talked this over with the ranger in charge at the Organ Pipe National Monument and with representatives of the U. S. Bureau of Animal Industry. Our information as to the Camino del Diablo and our own experience prompts us to write to you.

Charles F. Gritzner Yuma, Arizona

AN ORPHANAGE IN INDIA: I have received the first shipment of these wonderful copies of your magazine of great beauty. It is simply delightful to go through these magazines. I will keep them first on the notice-board for all our children to see them and then I will pass them over to all the Fathers so that they may also enjoy the gift of your kindness. May Almighty God bless you with this great task and may He give you many consolations during 1950.

I have asked that special prayers be offered for you daily during 1950. May the fervent prayers of our innocent children bring down God's most abundant blessings on you and your work. We hope and pray that this be one of the best years of your life.

Conditions in the country are still very difficult; starvation is not yet overcome and we find so hard to provide our orphanage with food and clothing. We are just starting a Technical School where these children will learn an art or trade for life.

May the good Lord help us to bring this work to a happy completion. You share in the good work. May we be never unworthy of your kindness to us.

Rev. Fr. Aurelius Maschio, S.D.B. Rector, Don Bosco Matunga (India) Bombay, 19.

YOUNG SPROUT: In your Vol. XXV-No. 5, May 1949, your Sunset Crater article includes a photograph in which the notice appears giving 1066 A.D. as Prehistoric. Is America as young as all this!

We have in Scotland buildings more than 1200 years before this and these are not prehistoric. The prehistoric era is at least 2000 years B.C.

James Neil Glasgow, Scotland

MARCH

March is blustery and boisterous, Never quiet nor inert, Swaggers in and out with gustoMarch is just an extravert.

Thelma Ireland

CHIPMUNK IN THE SNOW

He was the first of all his bright-eyed clan To waken in the Spring. His tiny feet Scarce marked the well-packed snowdrift as he ran In eager search of something he could eat.

His dark-striped body, swift and feather-light, Broke for an instant the expanse of white, And with no thought of fear nor wish to hide, Paused at the cabin door to look inside.

Katherine Carr Henze

DESERT WREN

Only an intrepid bird Would dare to build a nest Deep in the cholla thicket With barbs against her breast.

No stealthy foot will prowl Too near a jointed stem That splits apart and lies Sharp-edged in the moon's beam; Joints that will root and branch In silver spiralings, Where the young wrens may nest And try their wings.

Florida Watts Smyth.

COYOTEAN CAUTION

On the road we rode From Douglas to Bisbee A coyote ran, right-angled, Away, across the desert.

We stopped; He stopped; Only his head Turned back to look,His feet all set to go In the away direction; No lost motion; Precision movement; Coyote-way.

Emma F. Ferris.

OLD TREES

I have found beauty In old trees that stand Despite the ravages of winter's ice And summer's devastating storms. I have learned wisdom from trees That draw their strength From some sufficient source within; Trees that spread their branches wide Above a traveled lane, Sharing with you and me, the benedictions Of the sunshine and the rain.

Oma Carlyle Anderson BACK COVER-"SOUTHERN UTAH COUNTRY" BY R. F. MCGRAW. This photograph was taken at the mouth of the east fork of the Virgin River, near Zion National Park, in southern Utah. This is a country of deep canyons, high plateaus, and fantastic coloring. Within a day's drive one can visit Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument and mighty Zion. The country in between these scenic points is equally attractive, but because of primitive roads much of it is unknown to the traveler. The Virgin isn't a big river but it takes its good time winding through the scenic country of Southern Utah before it empties itself into Lake Mead. During the seasons of inclement weather, storms make this country more dramatic and majestic than ever. Here on the high plateaus the snow is piled deep in winter. Summers are cool and pleasant.