EDITOR'S LETTER

Grazing Arizona

The “Book of Big Ideas” isn’t a real book. It’s a reporter’s notebook with those four words — book, of, big, ideas — written on the cover. It sits on my desk next to a pile of blue fine-point Sharpies, just waiting to snare some of the things that rattle around my brain. Things like new story concepts, counter-intuitive alternatives for old standbys like the Grand Canyon, profile subjects, cover themes, headlines and random thoughts.

Not all of them make it into print, but some do, including this one: “photogs fave rests.” That’s how it was scribbled in the notebook. This is how it sounded in my head: For the April issue, instead of using an editorial board to pick the best restaurants, what if we reach out to some of our grizzled photographers and ask them where they like to eat when they’re on the road?

If you’ve ever met any grizzled photographers, that might strike you as a contradiction. And it should. Most of them live on pb&j’s and prepackaged junk food when they’re on assignment. The rest are like Paul Markow, who likes to say, “My favorite restaurant is anyplace with a drive-through window.” So, yes, there is an oxymoron that threatens this big idea, but it still works, because when photographers actually do splurge on real food, they usually go where the food is great. In theory, anyway. Opinions on food are wildly subjective.

We kept that in mind as we selected our photographers. We didn’t want extremists — too picky on one end, no palate whatsoever on the other — but we didn’t want a sterilized collection of milquetoast, either. The 10 we cherrypicked represent a reliable cross-section of men and women who understand that good food doesn't have to come from France, and it doesn't come smothered in ketchup. We trust their judgment, especially David Zickl's. Of all the photographers in the mix, he's arguably the most qualified to weigh in.

In addition to being a talented shooter, David is a graduate of the Arizona Culinary Institute. He knows great food, and his favorite restaurant is the Cliff Dweller's Lodge in Marble Canyon. The first time he ate there, he “was shocked by the sophistication of their food.” I've been there, too, and I agree. Food that good is the last thing you expect in the middle of nowhere.

That's not the case at Indian Gardens Oak Creek Market, which is run by Daniel Garland. Anything with the Garland Family name on it evokes high expectations, and this little way station (Suzanne Mathia's pick) doesn't disappoint. Neither does Caffe Torino in Tucson. “The food is fresh and simple,” Jack Dykinga says. And just about everything on the menu is a family recipe from Italy, including the lasagna, which is their signature dish. I don't know if that's what Jack ordered before he left to photograph Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, but if it was, we should all be gorging ourselves on that stuff.

You'll see what I mean in The Power of Life in a Very Hot Place . Jack's photographs are superb, and so is the writing of Charles Bowden. I've had the pleasure of working with Chuck for several years, and I've read many of his poignant and beautifully written essays, but this is his best. The concept, an obituary of sorts for Organ Pipe, was born in the Book of Big Ideas, but Chuck did all of the work. And in the process, the essay went from something grave to something hopeful, despite the realities of what's happening down there. As you'll see, it's an essay about a place that just won't die. It's the kind of place that Bobbie Holaday would fight doggedly to protect.

You might remember Bobbie from our February issue. She was referenced in the story To Hellsgate and Back — she's the woman who gets credit for the creation of Hellsgate Wilderness. When I edited that piece a few months ago, I wrote Bobbie's name in the Book, thinking she'd make a great profile. And she does. In Active Voice, you'll learn more about this tenacious 90-year-old, whose favorite restaurant, by the way, is Poncho's in South Phoenix. I've never been, but if Bobbie likes it, it must be something special. I should probably add it to the Book of Big Ideas.

COMING IN MAY...

One hundred and one things you need to know about the Kaibab Plateau and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, along with some of the most beautiful landscape photographs you'll ever see, like this shot by Shane McDermott.