MILEPOSTS

Try Winter Fishing, See Great Photography, and Visit a Mission by the Light of the Moon WALK A MISSION BY MOONLIGHT

See the mission of Tumacacori, 45 miles south of Tucson, in a new light - the light of the moon. On full moon nights from January through April, the mission conducts guided tours. Guides tell the stories of the tumultuous history of the mission, which was founded in 1691 by Jesuit explorer Father Eusebio Kino. Consider bringing a flashlight and dress for the chill of the desert night. For tour dates and times, call (520) 398-2341, ext. 0. Kathleen WalkerTroops of black-masked coatimundis, grazing mule deer and a variety of avian species including greentailed towhees, yellow-eyed juncos, great blue herons and white-crowned sparrows - are just a few of the animals that can be seen during the Saturday guided hikes at the Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area. Muleshoe Ranch is located in the Galiuro Mountains north of Willcox. The easy three-quarter-mile hike is offered September through May and departs from the ranch at 8 or 9 A.M., depending on the weather. Accommodations at the ranch casitas and cabins include natural hot springs with hot tubs for overnight visitors. Suggested donation is $5 for the guided hikes. For more information, call (520) 5867072.

TAKE A WILDLIFE HIKE NAVAJO RUG ENHANCES MUSEUM COLLECTION

Be sure to see the exquisite oversized Navajo rug woven in 1950 by Ason Yellowhair next time you're at the Arizona State Museum in Tucson. The rug, originally commissionedfor the Harvey Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, measures 160 by 118 inches and depicts green cornstalks with white flowers and black and white birds on a soft yellow background. The award-winning design, featured in Arizona Highways in July 1974 as part of a special issue on Southwest Indian weaving, is an excellent example of the traditional Navajo tapestry technique.

Admission to the museum is free. For more information and museum hours, call (520) 6216302.

ANGLERS HEAD NORTH FOR THE WINTER

When Mother Nature blesses the White Mountains with snow and ice, Arizona fishing fanatics grab their augers and rods and head for the nearest frozen pond. With the right conditions, Big Lake and Crescent Lake, Bunch, Tunnel, and River Reservoirs near Greer provide excellent trout action through the ice. Nelson Reservoir and Luna Lake near Springerville and Alpine also make the list of excellent ice-fishing lakes. For fishing regulations, including limits and bait and lure restrictions, contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department at (520) 367-4281. For ice conditions and road accessibility, call the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (520) 333-4301.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS PHOTO EXHIBITS

A series of special photography exhibits tour the state this year in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Arizona Highways. Arizona Highways: Celebrating the Tradition features a retrospective look at the artistic works of Ansel Adams, David Muench and Jack Dykinga three of the world's best landscape photographers. Organized by the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, Tucson; the Phoenix Art Museum; and the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff; in association with Arizona Highways, the show explores how contributors Adams, Muench and Dykinga strongly influenced the standards of landscape photography in the American West.

The exhibit will run through January 30 at the Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, before it moves to the Center for Creative Photography, 1030 N. Olive Rd., Tucson, for a February 19-April 20 run. On June 24, Celebrating the Tradition moves to the Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 Ν. Fort Valley Rd., Flagstaff, until November 5. Arizona Highways: Celebrating Our Land, Our People, a photographic exhibit which represents the pages of Arizona Highways, opens January 29 at Desert Caballeros Western Museum, 21 N. Frontier St., Wickenburg, for an extended run through April 16.

On April 22, Celebrating Our Land, Our People opens at the Phippen Museum of Western Art, 4701 Highway 89 North, Prescott, where it continues through August 20. Tubac Center for the Arts, 9 Plaza Rd., showcases the exhibit October 7-November 12.

EXHIBITS SHOWCASE ARIZONA WOMEN

Women's roles in the shaping of the state find recognition in two visiting exhibits at the Arizona Hall of Fame in Phoenix. "Arizona Women in Government" explores the role of women in Arizona government and honors several individuals, including Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. "Painters, Potters, and a Picture-taker" recognizes selected artists from the Arizona Women's Hall of Fame. The exhibit features four Indian potters Nampeyo and Grace Chapella, Pollingaysi Qoyawayma and Ida Redbird-painters Mary Russell Colton and Jessie Benton Evans and photographer Mollie Fly. The Arizona Hall of Fame, 1101 W. Washington St., is open weekdays from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission is free. For more information, call (602) 542-4675.

EVENTS World Fair and Powwow

December 31-January 9; Tucson Join members of more than 100 tribal nations from around the world for 10 days of dancing, drumming and artistic exhibitions at the New Millennium First Peoples' World Fair and Pow Wow at Rillito Raceway Park in Tucson. Indian tribes from North and South America, Australia and Canada come together to share their cultural experiences through song, dance, crafts, food and cultural displays. Events include an electric powwow and International Round Dance on New Year's Eve, a Sunrise Blessing for the 21st century, concerts, parades, powwow competitions and equestrian events.

The world fair is open daily. Call for admission prices. Information: (520) 622-4900 or www.usaindianinfo.org.

Prospector's Fair

January 4-19; Quartzsite "There's a lot of gold in this desert," says Bob Jacobs. "The secret is learning where to find it." As coordinator of the annual gold show, Jacobs offers gold-panning demonstrations. Aspiring prospectors can try their hand at panning for gold in water-filled tubs. The fair also features food, ranging from buffalo burgers to French cuisine, and arts and crafts vendors. Miners ready to try their luck can even schedule a desert field trip in search of gold.

Despite his fascination with mining, Jacobs says he has avoided catching gold fever. "When I find a nugget, it's like catching a 6-inch fish," he says with a grin.

The fair is open daily from 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission is free. Information: (520) 9276467.

Quilt Show and Contest

January 7-9; Superior "Past, Present and Future" will be depicted in handmade quilts at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum's Fifth Annual Quilt Show and Contest. The quilts, throws, wall hangings and art pieces exhibited are based on a natural history theme and will be displayed in the arboretum's Interpretive Center and Lecture Room. Members of the Picketpost Mountain Quilters, a chapter of the Arizona Quilters' Guild which meets at the arboretum, will be on hand during the show to answer questions.

The show can be viewed from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum is $5, adults; $2 ages 5-12; free, under 5. Information: (520) 689-2811.

Gem and Mineral Show

January 21-23; Globe-Miami Watch silversmiths and goldsmiths at work; see fire agates polished to reveal their fiery gleam; or have a special stone set in a custom necklace at the 43rd Annual Gila County Gem and Mineral Show at the Gila County Fairgrounds. Other demonstrations include chainmaking, twist wirecraft and channel jewelry-making. Minerals, fossils and gems fill vendors' tabletops at this popular show. Other booths at the event offer lapidary equipment, books and finished jewelry.

Admission is $2, adults; high school students with ID, free; children with adults, free. Information: toll-free (800) 8045623.

Fine Art and Wine Festival

January 21-23; Carefree Take a lighthearted jaunt through the cordoned-off area of HoHum and Easy streets for the 7th Annual Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival. More than 170 juried artworks will be on display, including works in bronze, stone, clay, wood, glass, batik and paint. Shops, galleries and outdoor cafes line the streets and a series of diverse musical performances keep the crowds entertained. Attendees can taste international wines side-by-side with domestic vintages and a variety of microbrews. The $10 charge for tastings includes a collector glass and six sampling tickets.

Photo Workshops THE WINTER WONDERLAND OF MONUMENT VALLEY AND CANYON DE CHELLY

Wander the panoramic plateaus of Monument Valley where the ancient windswept mesas have eroded into the narrow buttes and distinctive "monuments" that give the region its name. Join Arizona Highways' photographer Richard Embery, March 11-15, as he chases the early morning light among the towering silhouettes that dominate this landscape. Travel on to the pre-Columbian cliff dwellings tucked into the mineral-stained walls of Canyon de Chelly. Follow the riverbed deep into the canyon where classic White House Ruin stands sheltered below a massive overhang, safe from centuries of wind and rain.

For more information and a schedule of workshops, contact the Friends of Arizona Highways, at (602) 712-2004, toll-free at (888) 790-7042, or friendsofazhighways.com. Here are Photo Workshop dates though April: Feb. 11-29: Feb. 18-22: Mar. 11-15: Apr. 09-13: Apr. 17-21: Apr. 26-29: Apr. 29-May 02: Lake Powell in the Winter with Gary Ladd. Death Valley National Park with John Drew. Monument Valley/Canyon De Chelly with Richard Embery. Red Rock/Four Corners with photographer Bernadette Heath and writer Janet Farnsworth. Best of the West with J. Peter Mortimer. Horseback adventure along the Verde with Jerry Sieve. Black and white study of Canyon de Chelly with Jay Dusard.

Festival hours are 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission is free. Information: (480) 837-5637.

Yuma Lettuce Days

January 22-23; Yuma Celebrate everything green at the winter lettuce capital of the world during Yuma's 2nd Annual Lettuce Days. Learn all about lettuce, fromiceberg to romaine, in the agricultural exhibits. Vendors offer Arizona-grown produce, homemade arts and crafts, and tasty treats. Local celebrities compete with their signature salad dressings in a contest in which you do the judging. Tickets for the tasting are 50 cents with proceeds going to agricultural scholarships. Live entertainment, a salad-tossing contest and displays of agricultural machinery complete this fresh experience.

iceberg to romaine, in the agricultural exhibits. Vendors offer Arizona-grown produce, homemade arts and crafts, and tasty treats. Local celebrities compete with their signature salad dressings in a contest in which you do the judging. Tickets for the tasting are 50 cents with proceeds going to agricultural scholarships. Live entertainment, a salad-tossing contest and displays of agricultural machinery complete this fresh experience.

Festivities run from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission is free. Information: (520) 782-5712.