Members Forum

Smoke, Out
Funny you should mention the iron jackrabbit ashtrays in the lobby of the La Posada Hotel in Winslow (May/June, page 96). These must now be regarded as relics of the past, since the new statewide anti-smoking law will preclude the ashtrays from ever being used again. A 77-year tradition is down the drain. Sigh. This is progress?
C.Nye - Cottonwood

Minding Our Peaks and Views
Thanks for another superb issue of Highroads. I found one mistake in the otherwise great article, “Santa Cruz ‘Bird Watching’” (page 30). The Whipple Observatory sits atop Mt. Hopkins, the second-highest peak in the Santa Rita Mountains. Mt. Hopkins rises to an elevation of about 8500 feet, almost 1000 feet lower than Mt. Wrightson, the highest peak in the Santa Ritas. Thanks again for an enjoyable magazine.
J. Hockemeier - Green Valley

Teaching Teens to Drive
I whole-heartedly agree with strengthening teen driver requirements and am glad to see AAA’s involvement in this effort.

I was upset to find out that the actual driving test in our area consisted of a parallel parking activity and, at most, a two-block drive with right turns to get back to the ADOT base. In our commitment to teach our children as many aspects of driving as possible, we understood one thing: driving is a big responsibility. They were not allowed to carry passengers (except for mom or dad) for one year. They were not to ride with a driver who had been licensed for less than a year. Not only do they need this time to continue learning without the distraction of passengers, the maturity level from 16 to 17 is big.
I have one more future driver to teach. I’m looking forward to utilizing the extra teaching tools and am appreciative of AAA’s efforts to make driving safer.
K. Lewis - Flagstaff

Editor’s reply:
We’re glad to hear that you’ve taken such an active role in teaching your teens to be responsible drivers. You now have the state of Arizona on your side, as well. A few months ago, the legislature passed the Teenage Driver Safety Act, which requires more training and places greater restrictions on new drivers. For more details, see the President’s Message