Mileposts/Events

MILEPOSTS Slide Rock Bird Walks

Sundays at 8 A.M., birders can join ranger-led bird walks at Slide Rock State Park, 43 acres of scenic great outdoors in Oak Creek Canyon about seven miles north of Sedona.The walks are free with the price of park admission: $5 per vehicle, or every six persons; free for age 11 and under. The park's a popular outdoor recreation spot, boasting a natural water chute, a creek-side trail, a historic homestead, and a working apple orchard. To confirm time and for more information, call (520) 282-3034.

Seeing Stars

Not all of the heavenly bodies that attract attention in Arizona are in the sky. We can't make any promises, but if you're hoping to spot Hollywood types in town for fun or work, try Planet Hollywood, the trendy Tinsel Town restaurant in Phoenix's Biltmore Fashion Park. The eatery opened a while back with a star-studded "premiere," and famous folks have made a habit of dropping in ever since. Even if you don't end up nibbling "Chicken Crunch" next to Harrison Ford or Cher, you can still get close to them and a bunch of other stars by placing your hands in their palm prints, a la Mann's Chinese Theater, on the restaurant's outer wall.

Inside, the place is filled with movie memorabilia, including a replica of Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator, Kevin Costner's baseball bat from Field of Dreams, and Dan Aykroyd's jumpsuit and backpack from Ghost Busters. Video screens flash trailers of new movies and even better clips from classics. And here's a tip if you make it inside: look up. You may be the lucky fan seated beneath a life-size figure of Sylvester Stallone, au naturel.

Colorado Tribes Museum

A rare collection of Chemehuevi baskets can be seen at the Colorado River Indian Tribes Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the cultures of the Chemehuevi, Mohave, Hopi, and Navajo Indians who live on the Colorado River Indian Reservation. The archive, located two miles south of Parker, also houses excellent Anasazi, Hohokam, and Patayan artifacts, including petroglyphs from the Colorado River region. There also are fine exhibits of the disappearing Indian art of basket weaving and photographs dating to 1850 on ranching, mining, Indians, and American settlers. A gift shop sells Indian jewelry and arts and crafts. The museum's open weekdays (except occasional holidays), 8 A.M. to noon and 1 to 5 P.M. To inquire, write Rt. 1, Box 23-B, Parker, AZ 85344; or call (520) 669-9211, ext. 335. Stuart RosebrookOne

Bookstore Roundup

of the most unexpected bookstores we've come across is the Singing Wind Bookshop, run by Winn Bundy out of her ranch house on a 600-acre organic beef cattle spread just north of Benson in southern Arizona. As you might guess from its location, the store offers a big stock of books about the Southwest and the Old West, but there's something on just about any other subject as well, from natural history to architecture. The store's open every day of the year ("We had huge crowds last Christmas and New Year's," said Winn), and although the hours are flexible, Winn generally opens at 9 A.M. Closing time is whenever she thinks the day's done. The ranch is four to five minutes off Interstate 10. To get there, take Benson Exit 304, turn north and proceed 2% miles to the Singing Wind mailbox, turn right and go about one-quarter mile to a green gate you'll need to open (and close), and after another quarter-mile you'll be there. For information, call (520) 586-2425.

Wigwam Golf Packages

The Mobil Travel Guide Five-Star Wigwam Resort, located 17 miles west of Phoenix, offers a golf package that includes unlimited play on the landmark inn's three championship courses. The Gold and Blue courses were designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and the Red course by Robert "Red" Lawrence. "The Driving Passion" package (four days/three nights; rates vary by season from $719 to $899, per person/double occupancy) also includes breakfast and dinner each day, as well as use of all of the resort's other amenities, including the health club, tennis courts, two swimming pools, three restaurants, and room service. To inquire about this package and others, telephone toll-free (800) 3270396; in the Phoenix area, call (602) 935-3811.

Forest Maps

Maps of Arizona's national forests, designated wilderness areas, and other natural attractions are excellent guides to forest roads and trails, geographical landmarks, and recreation facilities. You can obtain the maps (which vary in price) in person or through the mail. For information, contact Tonto National Forest, 2324 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85010; (602) 225-5200. Tonto acts as a sort of clearinghouse for the state's national forests and can direct inquiries to the individual forests for more specific maps and information.

Dressing Western

If you've ever wondered how this uniquely American style of clothing started and developed, here's the reference book for you: 100 Years of Western Wear by Tyler Beard with photographs by Jim Arndt.

The book offers facts about cowboy fashion, history and trivia, plus a look back at the show people whose fancy Western dress was a distinctive part of their working lives. Page after page has photos of such stars of yesterday as Tom Mix, Patsy Montana, Gene Autry, Hank Thompson, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, and Arizona's own Rex Allen.

From clothes of the working cowboy, the book takes you through the development of blue jeans, collarless shirts, fancy belts and buckles, dress boots, vests and gloves you name it, it's here. The book costs $17.95 plus shipping and handling. To order, telephone Arizona Highways toll-free at (800) 5435432. In the Phoenix area or outside the U.S., call (602) 2581000. Richard G. Stahl

EVENTS Fall Fest in the Park

October 7-8; Prescott The mile-high town's pic-turesque Courthouse Plaza is the setting for this arts and crafts show which attracts more than 150 artisans from around the Southwest. Be sure to check out Whiskey Row across the street and other nearby attractions, including Sharlot Hall Museum and beautifully restored Victorian homes you'd expect to find in New England. Fair admission is free. Information: toll-free (800) 2667534 or (520) 445-2000.

Doo-Dah Days

October 12-15; Chandler Have fun at this event's Thursday night carnival, check out the action on the children's stage, amble through the arts and crafts and the farmer's market, but whatever you do, don't miss the "allhuman parade" boasting a drill team of boxer-shorts-clad, briefcase-wielding businessmen. Free admission. Information: (602) 833-7150.

Fort Verde Days

October 13-15; Camp Verde This storied spot salutes its frontier past with a long weekend of fun that includes a rodeo, historical reenactments, kids' contests, a parade, a barbecue, and arts and crafts. Free admission. Information: (520) 567-9294.

Butterfield Stage Days

October 13-15; Benson The inspiration for this annual event was the fact that in the early 1860s, the Butterfield stage rumbled through the area. But the real reason's just to have a lot of fun, which includes stagecoach rides, a parade, an auto show, and a chili cook-off. Information: (520) 586-2842.

Fiesta de los Chiles

October 21-22; Tucson There just isn't much that can't do with the versatile chile pepper, as this annual event at the Tucson Botanical Garden proves. Highlights include chile cuisine with Native American, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Creole, Guatemalan, and other exotic influences; arts and crafts featuring chiles (from jewelry to furnishings); music (mariachi, waila, norteño, salsa, fiddle, folk, Latin, jazz); traditional dancing; storytelling; and puppet theater. There's no parking at the garden, so hop aboard the free Chile Train that shuttles from the east parking lot at El Con Mall. Admission is $3, advance; $5, at the gate; free, children under 12. Information: (520) 326-9686.

Cowboy Artists Show

October 21-November 19; Phoenix It's been three decades since The Cowboy Artists of America was formed to promote Western art. Two of the founders, Joe Beeler and Johnny Hampton, will be among the more than two dozen CAA members at this year's 30th

Gallery of Fine Prints: Autumn in Ramsey Canyon

The photograph on the back cover of a Ramsey Canyon waterfall amid the reds and yellows of autumn has been made available for sale through the Arizona Highways Gallery of Fine Prints. The unmatted color print is produced by EverColor DyePrint's custom lab in California under the supervision of master printer William Nordstrom using the latest in digital technology. To order prints, call toll-free nationwide (800) 543-5432. In the Phoenix area, call (602) 258-1000. The sizes and prices of the Mark S. Thaler photograph are: #A99RM15: Approx. 14" x 17" $175 #A99RM25: Approx. 16" x 20" $225 #A99RM35: Approx. 20" x 24" $275Anniversary Sale and Exhibition at the Phoenix Art Mu-seum. Along with cowboy art,the show, whose sales routinelytop $1 million, will feature avariety of subject matter, in-cluding Native Americans, pio-neers, and trappers. All worksare new and created especiallyfor this show. Call about specialevents. Show admission rangesfrom $1.50 to $4. Information:(602) 257-1222.

London Bridge Days

October 23-29; Lake Havasu City Besides being known as the site of a transplanted-fromLondon bridge, this lake town also has a reputation for throwing fun events - such as this one featuring concerts, a chili cook-off, and a big parade (on the 28th). That's the good news. The even better news is admission's free, even for the concerts. Information: (520) 855-4115.

Apache Jii Day

October 28; Globe The old mining town of Globe (which, with neighboring Miami, forms the east anchor of the storied Apache Trail) is the site of this yearly celebration featuring 100 Native American arts and crafts booths, entertainment by various tribes, and tempt-ing authentic Indian cuisine.Admission is free. Information:toll-free (800) 804-5623.

Dia de los Muertos

October 28-29; Phoenix The prestigious Heard Museum celebrates this Hispanic occasion honoring thedead with a Mexican market,singing and dancing perform-ances, and hands-onactivities for kids ofall ages. Admissionis $2 to $5.Information:(602) 252-8840.

All Hallows' Eve

October 28 and 30; Yuma The historic Yuma CrossingQuartermaster Depot hoststhis old-fashioned Halloweenboo-fest featuring ghost storiestold around a bonfire and Victorian Halloween party games.Admission is $2 per person or$5 per family. Information:(520) 329-0404.