THE FULLER STORY

When I was in the second grade, my teacher took a few students hiking in the Superstition Mountains, a rugged range just east of Phoenix. As we walked the trail, we watched out for rattlesnakes and learned about the rock formations, the desert fauna, the Lost Dutchman and the Native people who lived there centuries before.

The Superstitions are a beloved landmark in my hometown, and one of several places in Arizona that are significant to Native Americans. Until that trip, I’d never heard that the Hohokam and Salado peoples had lived there, or known the area’s sad history for the Apache. That experience piqued my curiosity about the fuller story of other beloved places in the state, such as the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley.

In this issue, writer Heide Brandes profiles six places where Native culture is celebrated and preserved—some located on tribal lands, others within the boundaries of popular national parks. The tour begins on page 32 and includes Spiro Mounds in Oklahoma and Nine Mile Canyon in Utah. There are, of course, many more places to discover, and I hope Heide’s piece inspires you to visit them.

Travel is a meaningful endeavor, whether you learn something new or find others who share your interests. On page 42, Marla Miller introduces us to Tin Can Tourists in Michigan. With a love for vintage campers and the open road, these folks restore travel trailers of old to their former glory and meet at rallies across the country.

I know my experience in the Superstitions changed my perspective. Find places that do the same for you.