The seventeenth annual Southwest Institute is titled Around the Mogollon Rim. It includes the area above the rim of the highlands of Central Arizona and below the rim in the rugged transition zone that separates the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona from the uplifted Colorado Plateau of northern Arizona. With a displacement of over 5,000 feet, the Rim area provides extreme diversity that is reflected in the geology, in the ecology, and in the cultural groups who attempted to settle there. This was the home of the prehistoric Sinagua, the Salado, and the Mogollon cultures as well as later occupation by the Yavapai and the Western Apache (Tonto, San Carlos, Cibeque, and White Mountain). The American period is highlighted by the military, the cowboy and the shepherd, and of the miners and railroaders. Recently the area has been the destination of retirees and of tourists who seek the sun or the adventure of the area, respectively
Logistics   A one day lecture program is planned at the Museum of Natural History, 1801 Mountain Road NE in Albuquerque (note change.) The nearby Hotel Blue, 717 Central Ave NW, offers special conference rates of $59.00 per night (single/double.) To reserve a room phone (505) 924-2400 and request the Southwest Institute rate. The seven-day educational travel will depart with a team of five faculty from the Hotel Blue at 7:30 AM (meet at 7:00 AM to load the vans) and return at the completion of the journey. For this year program the field experts will cover topics as geographical landscapes, geology and mining, ecology and ethnobotany, archeology and rock art, and anglo history. The hotel permits long-term parking for all participants who wish to use their lot during the field course. Field Lodging will be in comfortable motels and meals will be provided by both local and commercial organizations. Recommended places for evening meals and activities near the lodging facilities will be provided with the field guide. Suggested packing lists will be forwarded with the class reader which is normally mailed out to registered participants in March.
Transportation will be by comfortable air-conditioned 15-passenger vans (with 9 or 10 participants per vehicle) which enable the program to schedule more remote locations for field stops. Each large van, equipped with a PA system, is expected to have two volunteer drivers who are from the pool of participants. Drivers will receive complimentary evening meals and petrol stop snacks. Please contact the Institute for instructions if you wish to place your name on the driver list.     Drivers are Needed.