MILEPOSTS/EVENTS

mileposts Explore a Mining Camp, Enjoy a Navajo Fair, Hop a Train to Ghost Town Country ON THE ROAD AGAIN

America's romance with the open road is the subject of Highway, America's Endless Dream, a book that explores and explains a love affair that has long captured the imagination of the country and its artists.

Combining color and archival black and white photographs along with cultural commentary, the book takes you on a journey down the black strips of road that curve across the American psyche.

At the heart of Highway are 100 photographs by Jeff Brouws documenting America's roadside culture. Here, too, are portraits of those whose livelihoods are fueled by the cars passing by.

John Steinbeck's Route 66 is well represented as is Bob Dylan's Highway 61, but so are many lesser-known byways and their contributions to the folklore of the American road.

Thirty-seven classic photographs by Dorothy Lange, Russell Lee, Walker Evans, and other Depression-era photographers offer an intriguing contrast to Brouws' images.

The book costs $29.95 and is available at bookstores or from the publishers, Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 115 W. 18th St., New York, NY 10011; (212) 519-1201. Richard G. Stahl

IT'S NOT IN TOMBSTONE

Ed Klett has been collecting things for almost 70 years, and you can see many of them in Ed's OK Corral Museum. Despite its name, Klett's muThere, on a large piece of flatland, Klett has arranged old wagons, farm equipment, road construction machinery, and cavalry rigging, some of it dat-ing back as far as the Civil War.

Klett retired to Arizona in 1984 and built the museum three years later. The "built" part is three buildings, which house everything from drill bits to barbed wire, dishes to swords. And the collection's still growing: A recent addition was a wagon from the old Chicago Stockyards.

Klett leads guided tours of his museum, which is open daily from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. Admission is $1 to $4. For more information, call (520) 636-5450. Sam Lowe You'll have to drive seven Yuphill miles out of Jerome on State Route 89A then tackle another couple miles of dirt road to reach Mingus Moun-tain Campground - but a vet-eran camper we know says it's worth the effort to get there.

CAMPING FIT FOR HANG GLIDERS

Sitting above 7,000 feet in ponderosa pine country, the campground offers a mountaintop view that lets you look out a hundred miles across and beyond the Verde Valley. The camp-ground's open May to October. For information, call the Prescott National Forest's Verde Ranger District, (520) 567-4121.

RIPARIAN HIKING

The Springs Trail southeast of Pinetop-Lakeside offers an easy 3.8-mile hike through cool country along the Billy Creek and Thompson Creek riparian areas. The trail also is rated easy for horseback riders and moderate for mountain bikers. Contact the Lakeside Ranger Station for directions to the trail and weather conditions, as monsoon rains can make the trail muddy or impassable. Call (520) 368-5111.

ALL ABOARD!

The 1998 schedule of the San Pedro & Southwest Railroad begins in September and extends through May, 1999. The narrated excursion train takes passengers on a 54-mile round-trip along the San Pedro River through scenic country between Benson and Charleston in southern Arizona, where Wyatt Earp and other icons of the Old West made their reputations. Special excursions feature such diversions as murder-mystery reen-actments and wine tastings.

The train includes a pan-orama observation car, parlor car, open and closed coaches, and beverage and snack ser-vice. There's a gift shop in the depot. Morning and afternoon trips are available; call for indi-vidual and family fares. Res-ervations are recommended. Call toll-free (800) 269-6314 or (520) 586-2266.

MINING CAMP RALLIES

Kentucky Camp, a part of the Greaterville Mining District in the Santa Rita Mountains

RETURN TO FRONTIER DAYS

A whiff of gunsmoke, the ring-ing of a miner's pick against rock Arizona's rowdy Old West days were not that long ago. If you'd like to ride with the Earps into Tomb-stone or explore the Mogollon with Zane Grey, then dip into the Arizona

To order: Call toll-free (800) 543-5432. If you live in the Phoenix area or outside the United States, call (602) 258-1000. Shipping and handling charges range from $3.50 to $5.50, depending on how many books you order.

Special price: When calling, mention this code - AHM88-SPAD and you can buy the five-book set for $29.95 (a savings of $9.80).

southeast of Tucson, yielded more than $250,000 in gold before the precious ore played out and the operation shut down in 1906. The old camp hung on as a base for cattle ranching until the 1960s, then it sat empty until the Forest Service bought it. Now Kentucky Camp's staging a comeback thanks to volunters who are restoring it. They've put two buildings back into presentable shape and are working on three others. The site is open to the public every day. To get there from Tucson, take Interstate 10 east to State Route 83, head south for 21 miles to Gardner Canyon Road, then follow the brown Forest Service signs. Be forewarned: The last segment is unpaved and rough. For more information, call the Coronado National Forest, (520) 6704564. Sam Lowe

HIKING WITH A VIEW

The third-highest mountain in Arizona offers a hiking trail to the highest lookout tower in the state, a vantage that affords expansive views of a forested wilderness where deer, elk, and black bear roam. Flat-topped 10,955-foot-high Escudilla Mountain juts into the sky about 25 miles south of Springerville on U.S. Route 191 near the Arizona-New Mexico border. To inquire about the trail, call the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest office on South Mountain Avenue in Springerville, (520) 333-4301.

EVENTS Navajo Marketplace

August 1-2; Flagstaff Enjoy an exciting array of authentic Navajo arts and crafts available for sale at the Museum of Northern Arizona's huge indoor marketplace. Established and emerging artisans include painters, basketmakers, jewelers, potters, weavers, and more. There will be art demonstrations and special activities for the kids. Traditional Navajo music and dance will liven the festivities. The museum is located about three miles north of Flagstaff on Highway 180 at 3101 N. Fort Valley Road. Hours are 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. both days. Admission is $2 to $5. Information: (520) 774-5213.

Vigilante Days

August 7-9; Tombstone Come dance with the saloon girls but watch your neck, 'cause there'll be hangings at this year's celebration in the "town too tough to die!" Other festivities include shootouts, Old West reenactments, continuous street entertainment, music, a 10K run, a chili cook-off, and more. Great fun, plus the chance to visit the so-called site of the infamous shoot-out at the O.K. Corral. Information: (520) 457-3929.

Payson Rodeo

August 14-16; Payson Kick up your heels at the 114th Annual World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo. Some of the biggest names in rodeo will compete in steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, roping, and many other events. You'll also enjoy a country music karaoke contest, picnic, and barbecue. The famous rodeo parade happens on August 15. Last year there were more than 100 entries. You can enjoy the fun at the Rumsey Park arena on McLane north of Longhorn; signs will point the way. Admission is $12, adults; $6, kids. Information: toll-free (800) 6-PAYSON.August 29; Prescott

'Wander the Wild'

"Things with Wings" is this year's theme, and excitement is really "in the air!" You'll see plenty of winged creatures and learn a thing or two about each

Workshops

CAPTURING THE BEAUTY AND HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA The rich and raucous history of some of Arizona's most notorious boomtowns, some of the most dramatic scenery in the state, and a birder's hot spot are the attractions of upcoming fall Photo Workshops led by two of Arizona Highways' contributing photographers. The Southern Arizona Photo Sampler, led by John Drew, October 24 to 28, will deliver a stunning variety of photo opportunities at Spanish missions, ghost towns, Saguaro National Park, and Chiricahua National Monument, a geologic wonderland filled with weird and imaginatively named rock formations. November 8 to 12, Randy Prentice will take participants on the Chiricahua Mountains workshop. This trip offers adventure in the Chiricahua and Dragoon mountains the stomping ground of Cochise and Geronimo - wildlife viewing, and Tombstone, the town folks said was "too tough to die."

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 other Photo Workshops for September through November.

As you stroll among numerous educational and entertaining stations at the beautiful Nature Center, 1980 Williamson Valley Road. Festivities include live animal displays, puppet shows, storytelling, face painting, crafts, and live music. Take a break and enjoy a bite at the food booth, or bring your own picnic lunch to spread out while enjoying the folk music. Admission is $10, individual; $20, family. No pets, please. All proceeds benefit the Highlands Center for Natural History's educational programs for adults and children. Information: (520) 445-5497.

Fiesta de San Agustin

August 30; Tucson Celebrate one of Tucson's oldest traditions, honoring her patron saint, San Agustin. Enjoy a variety of arts performances, including folklore and Western music and dance, and waila, the traditional social dance music of the Tohono O'odham. Kids will like the special arts and crafts activities. Food booths will offer traditional Mexican and Southwestern fare. The Arizona Historical Society will host the festivities from 1 P.M. to 11 P.M. Admission is free. Information: (520) 628-5774.