Mileposts/Events

Find Fall Color • Visit a Slot Canyon Say Howdy to the Navajos • Meet Some Ghosts ONLY ONE WAY TO SEE THIS 'CATHEDRAL OF SANDSTONE'

Eons ago the forces of wind and water created a rare geologic “cathedral of sandstone” a slot canyon just outside what's now Page, the town created when Lake Powell came into being. Called Antelope Canyon, it encompasses a narrow passageway that winds through a series of frozen-in-stone fluid waves, curled walls, and soaring arches with sunlight peeking in through a hole in the top. The only way to explore the slot is on a guided four-wheel-drive tour from Page or via a Navajo tribal vehicle from the canyon parking lot. For tour times, prices, and other information, call (520) 645-2741 or (520) 645-9496.

Somewhere between a hogleg and a hog ranch, or hookey bob and hoosegow, this is a good place to start. Western Lore and Language costs $24.95. Look for it at your favorite bookstore, or contact the University of Utah Press, 101 University Services Bldg., Salt Lake City, UT 84112; toll-free (800) 7736672. Richard G. Stahl vehicles can pull into a covered two-stall station at the resort and recharge their vehicle. A full recharge costs $1.60 and takes about four hours. “What's happening is that people stop by to recharge their vehicles while they have lunch or drinks or get their hair done,” resort spokesperson Nancy Allison says. “We believe that more and more people will be traveling by electric car in the next few years.”

A GALLERY OF ROCKS

If you're traveling on Interstate 18 west of Gila Bend, watch for Exit No. 102. About 15 miles north of this exit, you'll find the BLM's Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Park, where huge boulders decorated with hundreds of ancient drawings dot the landscape. The rock art, images of people and animals, was left by the Hohokam circa A.D. 1400. There are camping and picnicking facilities nearby. For more information, call (602) 780-8090.

TUBA CITY'S OFF-THEBEATEN PATH MUSEUM FALLING FOR AUTUMN ALONG OAK CREEK

Because it's about a half mile from the business section of Tuba City, many travelers never visit the Indian Cultural Center. And that's too bad because it's one of the most informative stops in this Navajo reservation town. Lucky visitors may get a personal tour conducted by Harry Manygoats, the museum's cultural resource coordinator. Harry can tell you a lot about the weaving techniques used in the colorful rugs on display, and he'll also explain the meaning of the yeibichai dancers recreated in miniature figurines. The museum also exhibits many old masks and bonnets, including a rare Fire Dance Cap made of horse and buffalo hair. Mixed in with these older works are sculptures by contemporary Indian artists and crafts from tribes outside the Southwest. The museum is open daily, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission is free. To get there, drive north on Tuba City's main street to Fir Street; turn right and go about one block. The One of the most enjoyable places to see the russet and golden leaves of autumn is along Oak Creek in Red Rock State Park, five miles west of Sedona. The creek runs one and one half miles through the middle of the well-maintained park, creating a diverse and lush habitat for plants and wildlife. “Usually the first two weeks of November are the peak time for the cottonwoods and sycamores along the creek to show off their colors,” says Bonner Davis, the assistant manager of the park, who prefers the term “nature preserve” because it's more descriptive of the pristine enclave. “Of course, the timing of the fall color depends upon the weather, so people should call ahead,” he advises, adding that even novice hikers enjoy Red Rock. “All of our hikes are easy, and some areas are handicapped-accessible.” For more about Red Rock State Park, call (520) 2826907.

SPEAKING COWBOY

Bunny boots, potlatch, counterbrand, greasy sack, swing rider, and Yuma points. Not since Ramon Adams' Western Words, first published in 1968, have we gotten such a close-up look at the extraordinary range of words that are an integral part of the West, old and new. In his Western Lore and Language, Thomas L. Clark, professor of English and linguistics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, captures not only the words but the charm and infinite variety of the West. Subtitled a dictionary, the book also offers complete lexicological entries for each word. So if you want to know the difference

PLUG IN AND FILL 'ER UP

Topping off your tank has taken on new meaning at Tucson's Westin La Paloma, the only resort in the country and one of a handful of locations in Tucson to offer recharge stations for electric cars. Tucson is one of four test cities in the country (along with Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Diego) for General Motors' environmentally safe EV1 cars. Owners of