Arizoniques

A Guide to Places, Events, and People Silly Questions?

Every day Arizona tourism bureaus field thousands of questions from visitors. Most are routine-where to stay, what to wear, how's the weather-but others are...well, unusual. Marjorie Magnusson, public information officer at the Arizona Office of Tourism, says some questions indicate that Americans aren't the only ones with a loose grasp of geography. "A woman from Northern Ireland called to ask about the Grand Canyon," she reports. "She said that she was coming to New Jersey, and since she would be 'so close' to the Canyon, she might as well drop by and see it."

Up at the Grand Canyon, Park Ranger Greer Cheshire says she has been asked "just about everything you could imagine" about the great chasm, such as:

Edited by Vicky Hay Illustrations by Bob Boze Bell Where is the El Tovar Hotel is Old Faithful located?

Where in the Canyon are the sculptured faces of the four presidents?

Customers have asked patient employees of the Tucson and Phoenix convention and visitors' bureaus how often the Painted Desert has to be painted, whether there is enough water in Arizona for one to bathe daily, and where to find Arizona's seashore.

"There's really no such thing as a silly question," says Barbara Peck, public relations manager of the Tucson bureau. "We try to be professional-if they ask a question, then they want an answer. But sometimes it is hard not to laugh!"

-Becky Mong

Unique to Arizona and the Southwest. Such a Deal We Have for You...

The other day, we were chatting with Grand Canyon marketing representative Dan Cole and mentioned Becky Mong's story on the odd questions tourists ask.

"You know," he said, "there's a serious basis for that one about the elevator to the bottom of the Canyon." Confidence men working Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix strike up conversations with travelers. In one scam, when the con artist learns that someone plans to visit the Grand Canyon, he says he had planned to go there, too, but his trip was cut short by a family emergency. To his great disappointment, he won't be able to use the tickets he bought for the elevator to the bottom-and they cost him $150."

"Tell you what," he suggests. "Since they won't do me any good, I'll let you have them for $35!"

What a bargain! Folks, there is no elevator to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. No elevator, no escalator, not even a tram. The only ways into the Canyon-other than floating the Colorado River itself are on foot or by mule. So please be forewarned and don't buy an "elevator ticket"-no matter how handsomely it's printed or how pleasant the salesman.

Companions on the Trail

Dave Toole, assistant livery manager at the Grand Canyon, says his favorite character is a mule named Lefty. Lefty likes to play with the visitors who ride him down Bright Angel Trail and back up the South Kaibab-90 percent of whom have never ridden a mule in their lives. When the train stops to rest the animals and enjoy the view, riders must turn their mounts so their heads are aimed out over the precipice. For the faint of heart, this can be an unnerving aspect of the trip. Lefty is given to hanging a foot out over the side and thenwranglers swear this is the truthturning his head back to look at the tourist, just to see if he's getting a reaction. Grand Canyon mules are chosen for their personalities (although usually not for so much personality). Toole says they come from Tennessee and Kentucky, are medium-size as mules go (1,000 to 1,200 pounds), are accustomed to the saddle, and have gentle natures. They are picked fairly young, four to seven years old, and trained for three to six months by trail guides. The mule concession employs about 90 saddle mules. Even though that seems like quite a few, would-be riders need to reserve several months ahead. For more information, telephone (602) 638-2401.

Calendar

January 13, Tempe. The Arizona East Valley Marathon, benefiting the East Valley Cultural Alliance, travels a 26.2-mile course through Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa. Related events include a Race Expo (January 11-12), a pasta dinner (January 12), and an awards banquet (January 13). Telephone (602) 246-7697. January 14, Sun City. Mexico's colorful dance group, Ballet Folklorico, performs at Arizona State University's Sundome. Telephone (602) 975-1900. January 18-21, Scottsdale. The Barrett-Jackson Auction of collector automobiles takes place at Horseworld. Enthusiasts can view and perhaps even bid on elegant cars in the $100,000-plus range. Telephone (602) 273-0791. January 19-21, Lake Havasu City. The third annual Dixieland Jazz Festival takes place at the Ramada London Bridge Resort. Telephone (602) 855-0888. January 19-21, Mesa. Kick up your heels at the Arizona Polka Festival in Mesa's Centennial Hall. Telephone (602) 644-2560.