MILEPOSTS/EVENTS

Enjoy Mariachis, Explore a Mission, Bike Bisbee, Take a Double Destination Drive MUSEUMS CELEBRATE TEDDY ROOSEVELT'S ROUGH RIDERS

One hundred years ago this summer, two troops of Arizonans fought in a short violent war far from their home state. The Cuban campaign of the Spanish American War lasted less than six weeks, but the fame of Roosevelt's Rough Riders was cast as an American legend. This year five regional Arizona museums will collaborate to tell the Rough Riders' story with exhibits, programming, and publications.

April 24, Prescott's Sharlot Hall Museum will open a year-long exhibit featuring local hero Buckey O'Neill. Before dying in Cuban combat as captain of Rough Rider Troop A, Buckey held local offices including county sheriff and city mayor.

Each of Arizona Historical Society's four museums also will offer year-long Rough Rider exhibits. "The Cowboy Cavalry" will detail the service of Arizonans from each local area who fought in Cuba.

For information about exhibits and programs in your area, call: Prescott, (520) 4453122; Tucson, (520) 628-5774; Yuma, (520) 782-1841; Tempe, (602) 929-9499; Flagstaff, (520) 774-6272. Norm Tessman

AN ADVENTUROUS B&B

How many bed and breakfast inns come with a thousand-year-old Indian ruin? The Double D Ranch, 20 miles north of Prescott at the base of Black Mesa, does at least the ruin is nearby. In addition, the ranch offers queen-size feather beds, private patios, "cowboy hot tubs," fireplaces, and optional horseback rides to the ruin. Built by the Sinagua people, the ruin includes a kiva and the remains of two ancient wells.

For nighttime adventure, To inquire, write the Double D Ranch, P.O. Box 334, Paulden, AZ 86334; or call (520) 6360418. Betty Campbell

VISIT THE FRANCISCANS

When you're in the Window Rock area of the Navajo Indian Reservation, take a great little side trip to St. Michael's Historical Mission and see how the Franciscan friars lived during the waning years of the 19th century.

The original adobe mission, completed in 1898, is now a museum. Meandering through it, you will get a glimpse of the missionaries' Spartan life-style. Sleeping quarters consisted of a cot, a nightstand, and a peg to hang clothes on. A key feature of the museum is the original chapel and altar.

Across the road looms the newer church, a red stone edifice that dwarfs the mission. This church, named Mary, Mother of Mankind, was opened in 1936 and contains beautiful stained-glass windows. A four-foot bronze crucifix stands along the stairs leading to the church, and large cottonwoods and rows of flowers give the place a parklike setting.

The mission and church are .9 of a mile south of State Route 264 on Indian Route 12. Admission is free. To inquire, call (520) 871-4171.

WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR HAS WORDS FOR YOU

The words of acclaimed Arizona author Lawrence Clark Powell can now be heard on CDs and cassettes available from the Singing Wind Bookshop outside Benson. Powell, author of more than 100 books and articles about the humanities and many treatises on the history and culture of the Southwest, has put three of his works into spoken words: "Southwest: An Essay on the Land," "Where Water Flows, The Rivers of Arizona," and "Revista Nueva Mexicana."

Powell is the former head librarian at the University of California at Los Angeles, former head of the UCLA Library School, and a former professor and administrator at the University of Arizona. He's 90 years old now, but his literary output continues to grow and his recorded voice is still as strong and inspiring as his thinking.

You can pick up Powell's works ($14.95 to $25.95) from the Singing Wind in fact it'd be worth the trip to browse around the bookshop located on a working ranch about 45 miles southeast of Tucson. If you can't stop by, order by mail. For directions and mail order info, call Singing Wind at (520) 586-2425. Leo W. Banks

SHOCK DINING

Strange, you think to yourself. Why would this soda jerk offer mustard? You ordered ice cream. Before you can mumble a disbelieving no-thanks, he reaches under the counter, whips out a squeezable mustard container, and squirts a yellow stream right at your midsection. You recoil, unable to believe that this guy would spatter a customer's clothes. Well, you can believe it. Such zaniness occurs almost nonstop at Delgadillo's Snow Cap Cafe on historic Route 66 in Seligman. What you can't believe is there's no yellow stain on your shirt. The "mustard" is just a rubbery material that shoots out of the container but stays attached to it. You've been tricked by Juan Delgadillo, proprietor of the '50s-style drive-in the Delgadillo family opened in 1953. While you're there, go ahead and visit one of the outhouses, critical parts of which are modern even including a telephone. Go ahead, pick up the receiver and zap - Juan's got you again. He answers with, "May I take your order?"

Oh, and when you get over the “mustard” shock, be sure to ask for a napkin. That Juan, what a wild and crazy guy! To get to Delgadillo's, take either Exit 121, 123, or 139 from Interstate 40 between Kingman and Ash Fork. Bob Albano

PICTURE-PERFECT PARKS

Taken a look at Cattail Cove State Park lately? How about Dead Horse Ranch?

Arizona State Parks showcases all of the state's 24 parks in postcards depicting the beautiful vistas and historical sites visitors can explore. The attractive cards include photos of Fort Verde's frontier military post, artifacts from the 18th-century Spanish military period at the Tubac Presidio, and other archaeological sites. The cards' reverse sides describe facilities and tours.

The postcards sell for 25 cents each at any state park; or you can buy the 29-card set for $8.25 (including shipping and handling if ordered by mail). To inquire call (602) 542-4174 or toll-free (800) 285-3703. To order send a check or money order and a self-addressed envelope to Arizona State Parks, 1300 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007.Betty Campbell

SEE A VOLCANO'S LEGACY TIMES TWO

One of the most rewarding drives we know is a 36mile stretch off U.S. Route 89 north of Flagstaff and between Mileposts 430 on the south and 444 on the north. At the lower end sprawls Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, a thousand-foot volcanic cone and rugged terrain littered with lava formations spewed out when the volcano erupted about seven centuries ago. Before taking the short self-guided hikes, be sure to stop in the visitors center where exhibits and a brief film explain what you'll see in this otherworldly landscape.

Then, after a scenic drive north through varying ecological zones from high desert and grasslands to juniper and pine woods you will come to Wupatki, with several easily accessible Sinagua ruins dating from circa A.D. 11001225. Near the main ruin are an amphitheater used by the Sinagua as a ceremonial gathering place and a ball court. A few steps from the ball court is a blow hole, a natural “barometer.” When below-ground air pressure is greater than that aboveground, air blows out of the hole with enough force to ruin the hairdos of visitors leaning over the geologic wonder. Again, stop at the visitors center to browse the exhibits. To inquire about Sunset Crater, call (520) 526-0502; Wupatki, (520) 556-7040

EVENTS Navajo Pow Wow

April 10-11; Tsaile This community on the Navajo Indian Reservation hosts the 27th Annual Navajo Community College Pow Wow with a weekend of intertribal contests and other activities. Be sure to take a look around the campus, which is laid out in a circular fashion like a hogan. Also check out the Hatathli Museum, where you'll find everything from 2,000year-old ceramics and Navajo rugs to hard-to-find books written by Navajos. Powwow admission is $3 per person. Information: (520) 724-6743.

RAFT THE COLORADO RIVER IN THE GRAND CANYON AND EXPLORE SLOT CANYONS

The challenge of Grand Canyon river rafting is matched with the challenge of capturing the awesome beauty of the Canyon through the camera lens. Photographer Christine Keith will lead a Photo Workshop, August 21-28, on the Colorado River, launching at Lees Ferry. Participants will have the opportunity to photograph a variety of sights along the river, including ancient Indian ruins, secluded coves, and magnificent waterfalls.

Arizona's stunning slot canyons will be the subject of four workshops, each led by an Arizona Highways contributing photographer: April 26-29, Jerry Sieve; May 4-7; Marc Muench; May 12-15, Michael Fatali; and May 26-29, Tom Till. For a complete schedule of trips, write the Friends of Arizona Highways, P.O. Box 6106, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6106; or call (602) 271-5904.

Here are Photo Workshop dates through May.

Apr. 20-24: Northern Arizona Sampler. Apr. 26-29: Slot Canyons. May 04-07: Slot Canyons. May 08-14: Indian Ruins of the Southwest. May 12-15: Slot Canyons. May 26-29: Slot Canyons.

Waila Festival

April 17-18; Tucson This 10th annual event, held at the Arizona Historical Society, features Tohono O'odham social dancing, several bands playing the lively waila or “chicken scratch” music, traditional Indian foods, and arts and crafts booths. Admission is free. Information: (520) 628-5774.

Mariachi Conference

April 20-25; Tucson Mariachi and folkloric dancing, concerts, a parade, an art exhibit, and a “mariachi mass” are some of the highlights of the Bank One International Mariachi Conference to be held at the Tucson Convention Center. This lively and colorful gathering also includes educational exhibits and a golf tournament. Admission is $7 to $55. Information: (520) 8849920, ext. 243.

La Vuelta de Bisbee

April 22-26; Bisbee The hills of historic downtown Bisbee provide the course for this annual bike ride featuring top amateur men and women cyclists from throughout the country and abroad. Other activities include a children's bike race and a chili cook-off. Call to inquire about entering the race or watching the riders pump across the finish line. Information: (520) 432-7234.

Information, including dates, fees, and activities, is subject to change; telephone to confirm before planning to attend events. For a free Arizona travel kit and a calendar of events, telephone the Arizona Office of Tourism toll-free at (888) 520-3444.