Topic: Arizona National Parks and Monuments. 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler, AZ, 480-782-2800.

After many years away, it was great to return to the White Mountain Nature Center in Lakeside last year to be greeted by a rollicking packed house. I’m thrilled to return this summer to share my love for this astonishing state. I look forward to catching their legendary free raptor show while I’m in town. White Mountain Nature Center is located at 425 N. Woodland Rd, 928-358-3069.

If you’ve never visited this fascinating state park, now’s your chance. Riordan Mansion is an overlooked gem in the heart of Flagstaff, right next to the NAU Campus. It will be a bit of a reunion for me since this is where I first arrived in Arizona in the summer of 1975. Ostensibly, I was there to go to college. In reality, I was beginning my lifelong love affair with Arizona. Let’s celebrate! 409 W. Riordan Rd., 928-779-4395.

I’m always happy to spend time at the Sedona Library, and April is a great time to visit red rock country. Right now, this is my only scheduled talk in Sedona, so be sure not to miss this free event. 3250 White Bear Rd., 928-282-7714.

For birders, hikers, and nature lovers, this is a great event that primarily takes place at my beloved Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood. There are numerous outings over several days and it’s a great way to explore the Verde Valley. It’s conducted by the non-profit organization Friends of the Verde River. They do such great work protecting this vital waterway. I’ll be a featured speaker at the Cottonwood Library (100 S. 6th St.) as part of the event. www.verderiver.org.

This year I’ll be part of the 2025 Speaker Series for the Arizona Territorial Society, dedicated to preserving the past, educating the public, and supporting the community. And I’m all about each of those! The monthly events are held at the Adult Center in Prescott and all are welcome to attend. 1280 E. Rosser St., www.arizonaterritorialsociety.org.

Can you think of anyone better-suited to celebrate the Globe-Miami Poppy Fest than yours truly? I’m a fiend for wildflowers! Poppy Fest will be happening this weekend and I’ll be the featured speaker at historic Bullion Plaza Cultural Center in Miami. Even if we don’t have an abundance of blooms, we’ll still have plenty of fun. 150 Plaza Circle, 928-473-3700, www.bullionplazamuseum.org.

If my talk inspires you to go for a hike, you don’t even have to leave the grounds at North Mountain, with several lovely trails crisscrossing the park. It’s a first-rate facility run by some great people so let’s welcome spring in the desert at this free event. 12950 N. 7th St. 602-343-5125, www.northmountainvisitorcenter.org.

The Tucson Festival of Books is probably the biggest literary event in the state taking place in March on the University of Arizona campus. I’ll be on a panel discussing Stories of Our Unforgettable Places, along with two other talented writers. We’ll be on the Western National Parks Association stage and will sign books afterward. I’ll also be signing sometime during the day at the University of New Mexico Press booth.

I couldn’t be more thrilled to return to the Bisbee Library. How I love Cochise County and it’s always a pleasure to visit. Getting to spend an extra day and evening in the unique town of Bisbee is a bonus. If you yearned for a Bisbee visit, now you’ve got a perfect reason. The Copper Queen Library is located at 6 Main Street in the heart of Old Bisbee. Free.

This is another venue where I always seem to draw large crowds, in the Social Hall at the RH Johnson Library in Sun City West. This is a free event and all are welcome to attend. If you’ve never been here, they usually have pretty good signage. It’s at 13801 W. Meeker Blvd.  623-544-6130.

It will be another happy return to the Maricopa Library. We always have a full house and I hope for the same again. The Maricopa Historical Society puts on this event and it’s another talk on Arizona National Parks and Monuments. Maricopa Public Library is located at 18160 Maya Angelou Drive in the town of Maricopa, south of Phoenix. The fun starts at 5 p.m. and is free.

I’ll be back at the lovely Phippen Museum in Prescott for a speaking engagement. They’ve got a great facility and afterward you can enjoy the wonderful artwork in the museum or hike the Constellation Trails right across the road. It’s a free event. 4701 State Route 89, 928-778-1385.

I always love speaking in my hometown! Cottonwood Public Library has a delightful space so this event will be a pleasure. I’ll look forward to a large turnout of my friends and neighbors. Plan to be there! 100 6th Street. 928-634-7559. 

Now be aware that this event is only open to residents of Sun City Oro Valley. But I wanted to mention it since I have several friends residing there. Hope you can make it. 1565 Rancho Visto Boulevard. 520-917-8083. 

I’m excited to return to this wonderful park in Coolidge. I think I was their last speaker before the pandemic changed everything. They have a beautiful auditorium and what better place to discuss Arizona national parks than in an Arizona national park. There is no admission fee and afterward you can explore the ruins and the grounds. 1100 W. Ruins Drive. 520-723-3172. 

It will be my pleasure to give a presentation at one of the all-time great independent bookstores. Changing Hands is the kind of classic bookhole you don’t find anymore. The crowds are always wonderful at these events. Better RSVP your spot. Plus, they’ve got a bar so it’s going to be a perfect night to talk about Arizona National Parks and Monuments. 300 W. Camelback Road, 602-274-0067.

I love small town museums and this one is a beauty. I’ll be discussing Arizona National Parks and Monuments at 2 p.m. Reservations are recommended. The last few years it was SRO, so better call soon. Cave Creek Museum is located at 6140 E. Skyline Drive. To learn more about the museum, visit www.cavecreekmuseum.org.

On Thursday November 14, I’ll be a guest on the always excellent television show, Arizona Horizon, hosted by Ted Simons. It’s always a pleasure to hang out and chat with a journalistic legend. The show airs that night at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on PBS.

It’s a pleasure to return to the Western National Parks Association Store, north of Tucson in the Oro Valley. The shop is a nonprofit education partner of the National Park Service, so needless to say they’re very excited about my new book, Arizona National Parks and Monuments. Free. The store is at 12880 N. Vistoso Village Drive. 520-622-1999.

As part of the Brown Bag Lecture Series at Cochise College Center for Life Long Learning, I’ll give a presentation on Arizona National Parks and Monuments. Cochise College Downtown Center is located at 2600 E. Willcox Drive in Sierra Vista. Lectures take place in Room G106. Free.  

Once again I’ll be taking part in the Western History Symposium at Prescott’s Phippen Museum. This time I’ll be discussing Arizona State Parks. There will be an excellent lineup of speakers through the day and it’s all free. My talk starts at 12:30 PM. 4701 State Route 89, 928-778-1385.

I’ll get to experience some of Arizona’s diversity this Saturday. After giving a morning talk in the desert in Chandler, I’ll drive to Pinetop, nestled in the White Mountains. It’s been many years since I’ve given a presentation at this beautiful educational facility and I’ll be thrilled to back sharing my love for this astonishing state. I look forward to spending some time in the lush high country. White Mountain Nature Center is located at 425 N. Woodland Road, 928-358-3069.

I’ll be giving a presentation on my book Arizona’s Scenic Roads and Hikes at the Chandler Library in located in the historic downtown. This will kick off their summer reading challenge. Also on hand will be the owner of D’Vine Gourmet who will discuss some of the local food products sold in Chandler, and offering some yummy samples! 480-782-2800, 22 Delaware Street.

Look for me at the Highlands Center in Prescott. The nature center is a little educational gem offering an abundance of creative programs. I’ll be giving an Awesome Arizona presentation and admission is free. If you’ve never gotten to check out this non-profit facility, mark this on your calendar. 928-776-9550, 1375 S. Walker Road, www.highlandscenter.org.

For birders, hikers, and nature lovers, this is a great event that primarily takes place at my beloved Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood. There are numerous outings over several days and it’s a great way to explore the Verde Valley. It’s conducted by the non-profit organization Friends of the Verde River. They do such great work protecting this vital waterway. I’ll be one of the guest speakers at the festival on Saturday. www.verderiver.org.

Kick off spring by hanging with me outside among the saguaros at the Superstition Mountain Museum in Apache Junction. My talk is part of their free lecture series held in the outdoor amphitheater, a beautiful setting at the base of the towering Superstition Mountains. Lot of history packed into the museum grounds. I don’t know what my topic will be yet. We’ll just see what mood strikes me. 4087 E. Apache Trail, 480-983-4888, www.superstitionmountainlostdutchmanmuseum.org.

The Tucson Festival of Books is probably the biggest literary event in the state taking place the first weekend in March on the University of Arizona campus. I’ll be on a panel about Arizona travel along with talented writers Tom Zoellner and Chels Knorr. So this is a great time to pick up travel tips. We’ll be signing books afterward. I’ll also be signing sometime during the day at the University of New Mexico Press booth.

I’ll be part of Arizona’s winter boomtown, the little desert community of Quartzsite that attracts RVers by the thousands. I’ll give a presentation on Awesome Arizona at the Quartzsite Improvement Association. Admission to the event is $10 but includes a tasty dessert. 235 Ironwood St., 928-927-6325, www.QIAArizona.org.

I love small town museums and this one is a beauty. I’ll be discussing Awesome Arizona at 2 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Last year it was SRO, so better call soon. Cave Creek Museum is located at 6140 E. Skyline Drive. To learn more about the museum, visit www.cavecreekmuseum.org.