MILEPOSTS

Attend a Navajo Fair and Verde River Days and See Arizona Highways Photography A NEW LOOK AT OLD ARIZONA

How big are a Tyrannosaurus rex's teeth? How do you hunt a mammoth? Discover the answers to these and other questions by "traveling" from prehistoric times to the present day at the Mesa Southwest Museum, where the new Prehistoric Wing brings ancient Arizona back to life. Other permanent exhibits at the museum enable time-travelers to explore the caves of archaic Arizonans, to experience the marvels of ancient Hohokam canals and to join Coronado's search for the legendary cities of gold.Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.; Sunday, 1 to 5 P.M.; closed Mondays and all legal holidays. Admission: $5, seniors and students with ID; $6, adults; $3, under 12; free, under 3. Information: (480) 644-2230.

A NEARLY AUTHENTIC TOWN

Filmmakers have no need for a Western facade if Gammons Gulch, a movie set built in 1971, is their backdrop. Movies, commercials and videos have been shot in this tiny recreated 1880s Western town, 12 miles north of Benson. The 10-acre "living history" location includes a mining camp, telegraph office, hotel, blacksmith shop, assay office and saloon. Owner Jay Gammons leads tours of his property, while spinning yarns about the days his father acted as John Wayne's bodyguard.Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.; by reservation only Monday and Tuesday. Call ahead to make sure camera crews won't be there the day of your visit. Admission: $5, adults; $1, under 12. Information: (520) 212-2831.

THUNDERBIRD LODGE'S NAVAJO EXPERIENCE

At historic Thunderbird Lodge near Canyon de Chelly in northeastern Arizona, guests dine on Native American cuisine in a renovated 1896 trading post. They peruse Navajo rugs and artwork hanging on A bar located between Gates B-3 and B-5 in Terminal 4. Diners will get a nostalgic view of the famous "Mother Road" as they dig into their gravy-laden openface sandwiches and watch film clips of stops along the highway projected onto a drivein-theater-style screen. Walls decked with old license plates, automobile emblems, road and service station signs, framed pictures and old movie posters, like Rebel Without a Cause, help diners reminisce about the good old days when a new car cost $3,000.

Although the dining room's walls or explore the vaultlike room in the center of the dining area, which once served as the post's jail and now is a cafeteria. The lodge provides guided sixwheel-drive tours onto the reservation land that features Anasazi ruins, Navajo farms and rock-art sites. Half-day tours take visitors into the lower canyons; fullday tours travel 60 miles through Canyon del Muerto to Mummy Cave and Canyon de Chelly to Spider Rock.

Hours: Thunderbird Lodge is open year-round. Full-day tours offered midMay through November only. Half-day tours: $37, adults; $28.50, under 12. Full-day tours, all ages, include lunch: $59.50. Information: toll-free (800) 679-2473.

GET YOUR KICKS AT PHOENIX ROADHOUSE 66

Although U.S. Route 66 does not run through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, travelers there can still get a taste of the former 2,448mile highway from Chicago to the West Coast by stopping at Phoenix Roadhouse 66. An "old" red gas pump marks the entrance to the restaurant and Walls decked with old license plates, automobile emblems, road and service station signs, framed pictures and old movie posters, like Rebel Without a Cause, help diners reminisce about the good old days when a new car cost $3,000.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 6 A.M.-10:30 P.M.; Sunday, 10 A.M.-10:30 P.M. or later, depending on night flights. Information: (602) 275-1721. -

TAKE A NATURAL SEDATIVE

Feeling stressed out? Jim Brock, author of Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona (Sonoran Arthropod Studies, Inc., 1991), recommends spending a few quiet moments at the butterfly garden in Tucson's Botanical Gardens. "Some people sit and watch their tropical fish swim around a tank, which is supposed to reduce blood pressure," he says. "Watching butterflies has a similar calming effect."

The butterfly garden, a dahliaand lantana-laden plot tucked among the 17 desert horticultural exhibits at the botanical gardens, peaks between March and October. It's a perfect spot to commune with desert butterflies such as Mexican yellow

LIFT OFF WITH THE BEST!

Capture the magic as more than a hundred hot air balloons fill the morning sky. Internationally known balloon photographer Ron Behrmann will be the keystone teacher leading a team of Arizona Highways photographers in a Photo Workshop offered by the Friends of Arizona Highways. This workshop includes admission to the Friday and Saturday evening "glows," both early morning lift-offs, professional teaching sessions, admission to the private Arizona Highways pavilion and much more. Come with us to the 26th Annual Thunderbird Balloon Classic, Nov. 3-5 at WestWorld Equestrian Center of Scottsdale. Kodak, Canon and Image Craft join forces with the Friends to provide this exceptional opportunity for only $129.

To register or for additional information call (602) 712-2004 or toll-free (888) 790-7042. Visit the Friends Web site at: www.friendsofazhighways.com.

sulphurs or black swallowtails. Home to more than 250 species of the flying beauties, southern Arizona ranks as one of the best butterfly-watching areas in the country.

Hours: Daily, 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.; closed Christmas, New Year's, Thanksgiving and Independence Day. Admission: $3, seniors 62 and older; $4, adults; $1, ages 6-11; free, 5 and under. Information: (520) 326-9255. Susan Cergol

EVENTS

Fiesta Septiembre September 2; Wickenburg Before Henry Wickenburg discovered gold in the area, Mexican farmers had settled near the Hassayampa River. Residents celebrate the town's Hispanic heritage and Mexico's Fiesta Patrias in the 12th Annual Fiesta Septiembre with historical photo exhibits, performances by folklorico dancers and mariachi bands. An outdoor mercado at the community center includes booths housing traditional Mexican food, a margarita-and-cerveza bar and arts and crafts. Also popular are tortilla-making demonstrations and a salsa contest.

Hours: 11 A.M. to 9 P.M. Admission: Free. Information: (520) 684-5479 or www.wickenburgchamber.com.

Navajo Nation Fair September 6-10; Window Rock Watch a powwow, try your hand at a fry-bread contest and enjoy traditional Navajo song and dance at the 54th Annual Navajo Nation Fair. Highlights of the five-day fair which features a daily schedule of dances, artisan demonstrations, rodeo competitions, contests, concerts and arts and crafts booths include a children's day on Thursday, a fireworks show at 9 P.M. Friday, a parade at 10 A.M. Saturday, and the MissNavajo Nation pageant winner crowning on Saturday at 7 P.M. Hours: 10 A.Μ. to midnight. Admission: Free, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday through Sunday: $4, general; $3, ages 7 to 12; free, under 6. Vehicle pass: $10 each day. Information: (520) 871-6703.

Gold Fever Day September 16; Prescott Valley Panning for gold, touring Indian ruins and dancing to the music of local bands at Fain Park are part of this annual celebration of the Prescott Valley area's past. Living history exhibits, textile demonstrations and hayrides appeal to all ages. The competitive can join in a horseshoe tournament or try their hand at carnival games, while others fish for rainbow trout at Fain Lake or stroll one of the park's many trails, including a special path designed for the visually impaired.

Hours: 7 A.M. to 6 P.M. Admission: Free. Information: (520) 772-8857.

Verde River Day September 30; Cottonwood This annual back-to-Earth environmental event honors the riparian areas along one of Arizona's last free-flowing rivers. Attendees build sand castles on the riverbank, fish for catfish or take nature walks through Dead Horse Ranch State Park. The daylong event also includes horseshoe pitching, a rubber duck race, canoe and kayak rides, bird-watching, archaeological tours, live entertainment, environmental exhibits plus demonstrations ranging from fly-casting to ceramic-pottery making.

Hours: 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission: Free. Information: (520) 634-7593.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS ON DISPLAY, CELEBRATING 75 YEARS

The 75th anniversary year celebration continues with ongoing photographic exhibits.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS: CELEBRATING THE TRADITION

The Arizona Highways Photography of Ansel Adams, David Muench and Jack Dykinga.

Organized by the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, Tucson; Phoenix Art Museum; and the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff; in association with Arizona Highways.

THROUGH NOVEMBER 5 Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff Celebrating the Tradition is sponsored by Eller Media.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS: CELEBRATING OUR LAND, OUR PEOPLE

Seventy-five images from the pages of Arizona Highways in the signature style of the magazine dramatic landscapes, intimate portraits, flora and fauna all seen through the eyes of today's best photographers.

OCTOBER 7 NOVEMBER 12

Tubac Center for the Arts, 9 Plaza Road, Tubac

Celebrating Our Land, Our People is sponsored by Ramada Express Hotel Casino, Laughlin, Nevada; Northern Trust Bank; and Image Craft Photo Imaging Services.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS GALLERY

A permanent exhibit features favorites from the pages of the magazine landscapes and a few desert creatures by various contributing photographers.

PERMANENT EXHIBIT Mesa Southwest Museum, 53 North MacDonald St., Mesa

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS: CELEBRATING THE GRAND CANYON

Photography by Gary Ladd from Arizona Highways' 75th anniversary coffee-table book Grand Canyon: Time Below the Rim.

THROUGH NOVEMBER 5 Mesa Southwest Museum, 53 North MacDonald St., Mesa

NOVEMBER 17 MAY 27, 2001

The Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St., Prescott

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS: CELEBRATING NATIVE CULTURES

The photography of Jerry Jacka.

OCTOBER 7 MARCH 11, 2001

Heard Museum, 22 E. Monte Vista Road, Phoenix

MAY 5 DECEMBER 27, 2001 Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff Support funding for all special anniversary activities is provided by Motorola.