Yours Sincerely

Yours sincerely HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF:

The customary fine quality of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS was brilliantly maintained in your November issue. One article especially was of particular appeal, however. Being a Jesuit and a native born Phoenician, the picture-word study of Tumacacori Mission by Nancy Newhall and Ansel Adams was of twofold interest to me. One could hardly have asked for a more vivid presentation of such an interesting saga: another chapter in the seemingly infinite history of the Southwest. Congratulations are in order to the two principals whose combined talents reproduced a story already written in the hearts and souls of the missionaries and Christians: a story of selfless labor, loyalty and devotion and love of one's fellow men.

While reading the article the recurring thought of the mid-20th century missionaries was continually present. Tumacacori became Yangchow, China; Guevavi, Holy Cross, Alaska; and Father Kino, Father Ryan. Time, place and circumstances change, but the undaunted spirit remains the same. Christianity is spread in spite of the numerous obstacles. The opposition, however, has progressed with the years' development. Its cruelty is now refined, and for that reason more cruel. It strikes the mind as well as the body, and thus is more vicious. But still, in the face of it all, the missionary and his spirit stand resolutely firm, because of the bedrock convictions which are their foundation. Indeed, history repeats itself, and that repetition is an unfailing source of consolation, hope and inspiration.

M. J. Elliott, S. J. Mount St. Michael's Spokane 28, Washington

WINTER SCENE:

In reading the December issue of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS my family and I have had quite a discussion about the photograph on the inside of the back cover-a snow scene by Reed.

I am an amateur photographer and would like very much to know at what time and under what conditions the shot was made. Also, it would be very interesting to me to know the film, lens aperture, shutter speed and type of camera used.

Janet Sands Danbury, Connecticut

Graphic, Ektachrome camera on tripod, one second at f.16 with a Polaroid filter. The actual scene was not quite as dark as it shows in the picture. What the photographer did was to underexpose the photograph slightly in order to retain a darker blue in the snow and sky and yet not burn out the late afternoon sun which is shown on the mountain peak.

The photographer felt that if he had given normal exposure he would have burned out the peak entirely and he would have had too much light in the snow which would, of course, have diminished the reflections of the lights in the window. Actually, there was a Christmas tree in the window. There was only normal house illumination inside the room but the icicles in front of the window reflected some of the light and killed the detail of the Christmas tree.

If one looks at the photograph with a magnifying glass, one will see some reflections of light and detail of the Christmas tree. Reed says that the overall effect of a darker night scene was what he was trying to achieve. For that reason the underexposure plus the use of a Polaroid filter emphasized the blue and thus he achieved a darker cast to the photograph, giving it a definite evening mood.

MUENCH AND NOW ESTHER:

Your October issue, featuring the photography of Josef Muench, was superb. He has always been one of my favorite photographers.

And now you give us in January the photography of one of the very best of all, Esther Henderson. I agree with you that you could not start off the new year in a nicer way. I have followed her work for many years in your pages and I think some of the loveliest photographs you have ever published have been hers.

I am sure that your magazine will always continue to be interesting to your readers when you have such fine contributors as Mr. Muench and Miss Henderson.

And there are others, too. I hope you will continue and from time to time have issues more or less devoted to the work of other of your regular contributors. And when you have done this what an interesting book you could produce with all their material together under one cover. It would be a classic for the travel and the camera minded.

E. J. Thompson Cleveland, Ohio

TRANQUILITY

I prayed for a serenity of mind And asked for something stable and secure To lean my weary heart upon, to bind My broken hopęs. I did not look for more Than some stout mast to tie my anchors to, Or some sweet balm to soothe my wounded loves.

But you have sent this meadow, lush with dew; The soulful, evening prayers of mourning doves; The woodsy incense of my cabin walls; The crickets, droning chorales, a capella; The prismed crystal where the water falls Above the fruited fields, ripened and mellow. The flame of towering hills to warm my heart, With iridescent autumn leaves afire; These baby arms, of heaven a very part, To still the throbbing of an old desire.

Sure as the evening sun will spend its gold Buying the fragrant restfulness of nightSo will the sunrise, ever new, yet old, Burst from the eastern hills with warming light.

And I will add one sentence to my prayer: O, thank you, God, for always being there.

DAWN WATCH

Dawn is imperious, and will not stay Its panoply to suit a tardy whim. The planet-roll no mortal can delay Soon must spill light across the cosmic rim.

Near neighbor at dawn watch to morning star, Hushed by the majesty of cloud-traced sky, I send my spirit reaching high and far For beauty which the instant glance may buy.

TRAIL'S END

The drifting sands uncover the bones of the pioneer, Unmindful of the passing of time, the day or year.

The desert sun embracing all time and fate, Conniving with the winds as they slowly cremate.

MARKER

How apt the site of a dead mineno longer even known by nameis always marked without a cross, but often by a gallows frame.

BACK COVER

"ENGELMANN'S HEDGEHOG" BY R. C. AND CLAIRE MEYER PROCTOR. Echinocereus Engelmannii is found growing from Southern Utah to Sonora, Mexico, and blooms generally from February to May depending on the elevation. This plant is also called the Indian or Desert Strawberry cactus.

OPPOSITE PAGE

"CALIFORNIA POPPIES" BY LONNIE WILKERSON. The desert regions of the Southwest, during springs of favorable rainfall, are covered with these gay blooms. Masses of these flowers are the showiest exhibits in the desert spring parade. Eschscholtzia is found throughout Arizona under 4,500 feet elevation.