Desert

Magazine Overview

Title: Desert
Issue Date: June 1967
Volume: 30
Issue: 6
Publisher: Desert Magazine
Country: USA
Language: English
Cover Price: 50c

This issue of Desert Magazine, published monthly, offers a diverse range of content focusing on Western travel, adventure, and living, with a prominent feature on UFOs. The cover highlights three main articles: 'Blimp Trip to Baja,' 'What About the UFO?', and 'Diamond Mine Mystery.' The cover image depicts two children in a desert landscape, with the magazine's title prominently displayed.

Table of Contents

The issue features a comprehensive table of contents, listing articles on a variety of subjects:

• Books for DESERT Readers
• Mystery of Santa Maria by Morlin Childers
• Something New in Bison by Heather Smith Thomas
• Treasure in Guns by Al Pearce
• Is It, or Isn't It a UFO? by Stanley B. Demes
• California's Diamond Mine by Ben Traywick
• Baja by Blimp by Choral Pepper
• When It's Hot, Go Where It's Not by Jack Delany
• Vagrant Holiday by Mel Lewis
• Lost Apache Gold by John Mitchell
• Oregon's Moon Country by Corene Hemphill
• Footprints in the Lava by Winifred Bell Fletcher
• The Search for Lopez by Lawrence P. James
• Mowry, Arizona by Lamber Florin
• Back Country Travel by Jack Pepper
• 4WD Chatter by Bill Bryan
• DESERT Cookery by Lucille I. Carleson
• Letters from our Readers

The Cover

The cover story explains that the image features Wild Heliotrope and Poppies photographed by Chuck Abbott near Clifton, Arizona, intended to remind readers of desert wildflowers.

Key Articles and Features

Is It, or Isn't It a UFO?

This article by Stanley B. Demes explores the phenomenon of UFO sightings. It defines a UFO as an unfamiliar object flying in peculiar aerodynamic fashion, describing various shapes and appearances. The author notes that while thousands of sightings occur annually, no question or theory has been definitively proven. Wernher Von Braun is quoted as stating that about two percent of sightings remain unexplained, but this is not enough for him to believe in UFOs. The Air Force's Project Bluebook reportedly states UFOs are not a threat to national security. The article highlights prominent figures like Herman Oberth and Barry Goldwater who believe UFOs are real. It discusses theories about UFO origins, including Mars, Venus, or distant planets, referencing astronomical discoveries and Carl Sagan's statistical proof of past extraterrestrial visitation. The piece emphasizes that UFO sightings are not a modern phenomenon, citing activity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with a significant increase in modern times starting in 1947 with Kenneth Arnold's sighting near Mt. Rainier. The Mohave Desert is presented as a prominent location for such events. Several specific incidents are recounted:

• A 1955 incident at Edwards Air Force Base where a guard saw saucers land.
• An experience from the Proceedings of the College of Universal Wisdom in 1956, describing a doughnut-shaped object over Yucca Valley.
• A 1960 Los Angeles Times report about United Airlines pilots spotting a cylindrical object near Baker.
• A 1964 Santa Ana Register report of a dome-shaped object landing near Baker.
• A 1952 Los Angeles Times story about Pauline Watts seeing two fast, bright metallic objects.
• A 1952 North Bay Nugget report quoting an Air Force Sergeant who saw 18 circular objects near Nellis Air Force Base.
• An account of George Van Tassel observing a UFO at Giant Rock Airport.
• The article details Carl Anderson's claim of conversing with an extraterrestrial inside a 200-foot saucer for over two hours, learning about propulsion systems and receiving a message for scientists.
• It also mentions George Van Tassel's own encounter at Giant Rock Airport, where a spaceman gave him a tour of his spaceship.
• The article references George Adamski's account of encountering a Venusian near Desert Center, as described in his book 'Saucers Have Landed.'

Baja by Blimp

This article by Choral Pepper details a blimp trip to Baja, California. The narrative focuses on the unique travel experience and the landscapes encountered.

When It's Hot, Go Where It's Not

Written by Jack Delany, this article likely offers advice or suggestions for dealing with hot weather, possibly by traveling to cooler locations or finding ways to stay comfortable.

Other Travel and Adventure Articles

Several other articles focus on Western travel and adventure:

• 'Mystery of Santa Maria' by Morlin Childers.
• 'Something New in Bison' by Heather Smith Thomas.
• 'Treasure in Guns' by Al Pearce.
• 'California's Diamond Mine' by Ben Traywick.
• 'Vagrant Holiday' by Mel Lewis.
• 'Lost Apache Gold' by John Mitchell.
• 'Oregon's Moon Country' by Corene Hemphill, likely describing unique geological or scenic features.
• 'Footprints in the Lava' by Winifred Bell Fletcher.
• 'The Search for Lopez' by Lawrence P. James.
• 'Mowry, Arizona' by Lamber Florin.
• 'Back Country Travel' by Jack Pepper.
• '4WD Chatter' by Bill Bryan, likely focusing on off-road vehicle travel.

Desert Cookery

Lucille I. Carleson provides recipes and culinary insights in the 'DESERT Cookery' section.

Letters from Our Readers

This section features correspondence from readers:

• William P. Campbell, Captain, USAF, responds to an article about a 'Pentagon's Private Garden,' clarifying aspects of Edwards Air Force Base and military land usage.
• Myrtle Rees writes about 'Wee Folk for Wee Horses,' asserting the reality of 'wee folk' and their connection to small horses, expressing a desire for the magazine to cover such topics.
• Floyd E. Dominy, Commissioner of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, commends articles on Lake Powell and Yuma, defending dams and water conservation against preservationist criticism.
• F. T. Darvill, M.D., expresses unhappiness with the portrayal of Lake Powell, suggesting a visit to the upper end of Lake Mead to witness the negative effects of drawdown and warning against similar issues in the Grand Canyon.
• Mrs. Susie K. Fry corrects an article about 'Fig Tree John,' providing personal information about his life and death, and her possession of artifacts belonging to him.
• Sam Hicks offers a humorous 'Do-It-Yourself UFO' guide, describing how to construct a flying saucer model for photography, and expressing skepticism about many UFO claims.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on the American West, its natural beauty, history, and unique phenomena. There's a strong emphasis on travel, adventure, and local interest stories, particularly those related to deserts and arid regions. The editorial stance, as indicated by the 'Letters from our Readers' section and the editor's notes, appears to be open-minded yet grounded in skepticism, particularly regarding extraordinary claims like UFOs. The magazine encourages reader participation and values factual reporting, while also acknowledging the allure of mystery and the unexplained. The inclusion of articles on UFOs alongside travel and local history suggests an interest in phenomena that capture the public imagination, especially within the context of the Western landscape.