MILEPOSTS

MILEPOSTS TUCSON WELCOMES CYCLE COMPETITION

One of the most popular bicycle races in the Southwest will take place Friday through Sunday, May 3-5, in Tucson. The Tucson Bicycle Classic is expected to attract 450 participants who will compete in a race similar to the Tour de France. The annual event will feature two time trials and two road races, one of which follows an 80-mile course that winds into the Tucson Mountains.

There couldn't be a more interesting spot to hold the race than the historic "Old Pueblo," a name for Tucson that refers to the walled presidio built in the 18th century by Spanish military as protection for settlers against hostile Indians. Tucson has had a colorful history, existing under the flags of four nations: Spain, Mexico, the Confederate States of America, and the United States. Located 60 miles north of the Mexican border, the bustling metropolis has become the state's second largest city without sacrificing its richcultural heritage that visitors can enjoy today through the legacy of the architecture, art, and music left by early day residents.

The Tucson area also boasts numerous sight-seeing attractions, including the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Kitt Peak National Observatory, Colossal Cave, San Xavier del Bac Mission, the Saguaro National Monument, and Old Tucson,a Western theme park where scores of Hollywood movies have been filmed.

For information about the race, call (602) 884-5564. To inquire about other events and attractions, contact the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, 130 S. Scott Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701; (602) 624-1817.

ZANE GREY SAT HERE

The Museum of the Forest at Payson is Arizona's newest historical showcase. And the pride of the place is Zane Grey's saddle. Grey wrote as many as a dozen of his romantic Old West novels at his hunting cabin near Payson.

Other exhibits include ranching and mining equipment, a working scalemodel sawmill, pioneer utensils, and home furnishings. Also, the museum, in conjunction with the Forest Service centennial, has an array of displays that illustrate the life and value of the Southwest's forests. The museum, administered by the Northern Gila County Historical Society, is located in the historic Payson District Ranger Station, 1001 W. Main Street; hours are 12 noon to 4:00 P.M. every weekend. For more information, telephone Jim Lipnitz, (602) 474-4689.

GREENBACK CIGARETTES

Occasionally the U.S. Mail came late in territorial Arizona due to Indian attacks on the mail carriers. When the Apaches tore open envelopes, they often found coins and greenbacks. In time, one would think, the raiders might have collected sizable bankrolls.

Not so, according to Yavapai historian Mike Burns. The silver coins, too heavy to carry, were thrown away. As for the paper money, it was almost worthless to people whose life-style depended to a large extent on hunting and raiding. But it had one redeeming feature: with practice, the Indians discovered that the bills and a little tobacco made perfect cigarettes.

SUPERSTITION MEMORIAL DAY

For the past nine Memorial Days, educator and modern-day cowboy Tom Kollenborn has led a group of intrepid horseback riders to the top of the highest peak in Arizona's famed Superstition Mountains. Kollenborn, of Apache Junction, was inspired to carry out this annual journey in remembrance of fallen U.S. servicemen and women by a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Kollenborn's group ascends the north face of the Superstitions, reaching its 5,024-foot crest after about five hours of riding up steep rock-strewn slopes and sometimes braving temperatures of more than 100° F. Then, Kollenborn unfurls an American flag, securing it to a century-plant flagpole, and the group participates in a brief memorial service. After resting a few hours, the riders make the rugged return journey, rejoicing in their accomplishment and reflecting on their special offering to the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

WINDMILL WAR

Stories about Arizona characters abound, and everyone has a favorite. David Eppele, writer and curator of the Arizona Cactus Botanical Garden in Bisbee, sent us this one, an excerpt from his recent book, On the Desert. Mike Radonovich, a well-known rancher and steakhouse owner, has a spread on the western side of Sulphur Springs Valley. Up kinda high, where the winds blow. And he has a windmill up in a canyon, used to provide water for a stock pond. A young fellow moved in next door to Mike's place and put up another windmill.

BUTTERFLY GARDENING

The Xerces Society, in association with the Smithsonian Institution, has published a fascinating book, titled Butterfly Gardening, Creating Summer Magic in Your Garden. More than 100 color photographs of butterflies and blossoms highlight this handbook on creating handsome, imaginative gardens to attract these delicate creatures and help conserve them. The book supplies easy-to-follow directions for designing and planting small-scale lifesupport systems to replace the vanishing open spaces and wildflower patches vital to the butterfly's survival. This compendium includes garden diagrams, geographical lists of butterflies and food plants, seed and plant sources, gardening organizations, a bibliography, and an index. The book sells for $18.95. To obtain a copy, write to Distribution Center, Random House, Inc., Westminster, MD 21157, or telephone 1 (800) 733-3000.

Mike jumped in his pickup and drove over by the windmill. The young man was standing nearby when Mike grabbed his rifle from the rack inside the truck. He started firing rounds at the blades on the windmill. Well, this frightened the greenhorn so much he ran off. A couple days later, Mike gets a visit from a deputy sheriff.

"How come you scared that young fellow so badly?" asks the deputy.

"Look here," says Mike. "It's hotter'n hell around here. There's no water. And then along comes this guy. He digs a well and throws up a big windmill, right in line with mine. Now, you know there's not enough wind in this little canyon to run two windmills."

ICE AGE ROBOTS

An exciting exhibit has come to the Arizona Museum of Science & Technology in Phoenix. Twelve robotic Ice Age mammals, including a woolly mammoth, a saber-toothed tiger, and a giant sloth, will be on display through the end of May.

These three-quarter life-size robots were created by Kokoro, a Japanese firm, using advanced electronic technology that generates movement and sound, making the extinct "creatures" seem almost alive. The museum has

IN ITS YOUTH ARIZONA WAS BIGGER

When President Lincoln signed the bill creating the Arizona Territory, its northwestern border extended 60 miles west of the Colorado River, almost touching California's Death Valley. This vast tract soon became an important mining area with some agricultural development and a few small settlements. It wasn't long before the northwestern part of the territory had steamboat service and representation in the Arizona Territorial legislature. But Nevada, a fullfledged state, decided to expand its borders, and Congress obliged. Overnight the size of Arizona shrunk by 1,000 square miles, swallowed up by the Silver State.

Although some of Arizona's old northwest towns have since been covered by the waters of Lake Mead, others have managed to survive. And it should be noted that beneath the glitter of Nevada's most famous city, used most of its floor space to accommodate the robots, which are displayed with interactive exhibits that allow museum visitors to learn about Ice Age mammals through hands-on activities. More than 180,000 visitors attended the museum's previous robotic exhibit, "Dinosaurs."

The Arizona Museum of Science & Technology is located at 80 N. Second Street. Hours are 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday; 12 noon to 5:00 P.M. on Sunday. For additional information, telephone (602) 256-9427.

Beats a lonesome Arizona heart. As it turns out, Las Vegas, Nevada, spent the better part of its youth as Las Vegas, Arizona Territory.

SHORTCUTS

In Scottsdale at Kerr Cultural Center, "Bawdy Ballads and Lusty Lyrics" are on the program performed by Musica Dolce with Warren Hoffer, May 3, at 8:00 P.M. Call (602) 965-5377 Calling all anglers: the 11th Annual Pro-Am Bass Tourney is scheduled for May 5-10 at Lake Havasu; and then, on May 18-20, Western Outdoor News sponsors the Lake Havasu Striper Derby, the largest fishing derby in Arizona. This is your chance to go for the big ones. For Pro-Am information, telephone Sam Manning, (602) 855-3474; for Derby information, telephone Sam Bette, (714) 546-4370 Enjoy the Tucson Summer Arts Festival, a myriad of arts and cultural events at the UofA and all around town, May 24-31. Telephone (602) 624-1162.

Annual Pro-Am Bass Tourney is scheduled for May 5-10 at Lake Havasu; and then, on May 18-20, Western Outdoor News sponsors the Lake Havasu Striper Derby, the largest fishing derby in Arizona. This is your chance to go for the big ones. For Pro-Am information, telephone Sam Manning, (602) 855-3474; for Derby information, telephone Sam Bette, (714) 546-4370 Enjoy the Tucson Summer Arts Festival, a myriad of arts and cultural events at the UofA and all around town, May 24-31. Telephone (602) 624-1162.

To obtain a free and more complete calendar of events, write to Arizona Office of Tourism, 1100 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007.