6 Mileposts/Calendar

Digging Archaeology

Raven Site Ruin, an 800-room prehistoric Indian pueblo in the White Mountains area of east-central Arizona, begins its schedule of guided tours this month (they extend through mid-October). The artifact-rich site 12 miles north of Springerville was inhabited by the Anasazi and Mogollon peoples from A.D. 1000 to A.D. 1500 and is being excavated by the White Mountain Archaeological Center, a nonprofit archaeological field school. Daily tours cost $2.50 to $3.50 (free for kids under 12). There's a gift shop and visitors center. For more information about tours, extended stays, and hikes, contact the center at HC 30, Box 30, St. Johns, AZ 85936; (520) 333-5857.

A Friend Honored

Carlos Elmer's Joshua View, recently designated by the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names, honors a longtime friend of the magazine, who since 1940 has contributed many stories and many more photographs to these pages. Mr. Elmer died in May, 1993.

The 1.9-mile-long view area is 22.5 miles north of Dolan Springs on Pierce Ferry Road about 243 miles northwest of Phoenix. From this stretch, as yet unsigned, visitors have a superb view of a huge stand of the distinctive shaggy-barked plants. Though their blooming period in spring seldom lasts longer than three weeks, the plants produce a showy profusion of large pale green flowers that set the desert aglow.

Goldwater Remembrances

A 30-minute “video diary” of former Senator Barry Goldwater's abiding love for Arizona, which was recently shown on KAET-TV/Channel 8, is available from Arizona Highways for $19.95 plus shipping and handling.

Barry Goldwater: Photographs & Memories showcases many of the pictures taken by Goldwater, a skilled photographer whose work has been exhibited in galleries worldwide. Focusing on pictures from the 1930s and '40s, the tape presents a personal retrospective with a visual journey through Arizona's past, stopping in Indian country, the Grand Canyon, and along the Colorado River. Highlights include interviews with Goldwater in his Paradise Valley home and present-day scenes showing him returning to the Grand Canyon. To order, telephone the magazine toll-free at (800) 5435432; in the Phoenix area or outside the U.S., call 2581000.

EVENTS Cinco de Mayo Parade

May 5; Nogales A big international parade (it winds through streets on both sides of the border) with colorful floats, tireless marching bands, and a smiling queen sets the tone for this holiday. The parade usually starts at 9 or 9:30 A.M. The holiday was inspired by the Mexicans' triumph over French troops in a battle fought at Puebla on May 5, 1862. Information: (520) 287-3685.

Rodeo of Rodeos

May 11-14; Phoenix This PRCA-sanctioned Wild West extravaganza celebrates its 65th year as one of the world's largest indoor rodeos with afternoon and evening performances pitting cowboys determined to win big prize money against four-legged critters set on seeing they don't. Highlights include the incomparable and essential - rodeo clowns and Hispanic Heritage Day (Sunday). The big rodeo parade kicks off Saturday, April 29, at 6 P.M., heading south on Central Avenue from Missouri to Park Central Mall. Rodeo admission is $8 to $15. Information: (602) 263-8671.

Day weekend at Holy Trinity Monastery, a cloistered Benedictine community that also boasts a museum, gift shop, and bird sanctuary. If you want to amble the bird trail and add to your life list of species sighted, the best time is early morning or late afternoon, advises one of the brothers. Free admission. Information: (520) 720-4642.

Hopi-Tu Tsootsvolla

May 12-14; Sedona Highlights of this annual artists' gathering and cultural fair include a juried art show and the opportunity to sample traditional Hopi foods. But the bonuses are the invitation to film and photograph performances of social dances, something that's strictly forbidden on the reservation, and the gorgeous red rock setting of Sedona. There will be an admission charged. Information: (520) 282-6428.

Bush Valley May Fair

May 27-28; Alpine This mountain valley community (so named because the 8,064-foot-high setting reminded early-day residents of the Alps) celebrates its pioneer heritage every year with a weekend of fun that promises arts and crafts, a bake sale, and handicraft demos. Free admission. Information: (520) 339-4329.

Wyatt Earp Days

May 27-29; Tombstone Getting your neck stretched at this event's less painful than it would have been during the raucous heyday of “The Town Too Tough to Die” — for one thing the “public hangings” are all in fun; for another, you get a souvenir photo of your send-off. And there's plenty more to take in: a chili cook-off, gunfight reenactments, country and western music, and dancing. There will be an admission charged. Information: (520) 457-3929.

Fiesta de la Primavera

May 13-14; St. David Goat-cart rides for the kids, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and food booths vie for attention at this annual Mother's