TUCSON, Ariz. -- The most dramatic moment of our trip to Tucson came as my husband and I were hiking up a steep, narrow, rocky trail in Sabino Canyon. Faced with a big rock that required me to step up almost two feet, I lost my balance and tumbled into the mountainside -- away from the steep slope that spilled into a cactus- and scrub-covered canyon and into the waiting arms of a spiky plant called a teddy bear cholla.

Napa River. No, I don't have to come to Napa to see what the river looks like. I'm sorry to say that I can see that brown muck we are sending you when I cross the river right here in St. Helena. Looks like it is blown out again -- for a while. Keep trying for sturgeon south of the bridge. They are the only creatures that like this color water.

A suggestion from the Department of Fish and Game to help save the Klamath salmon fishery, which was threatened from the low water disaster in the river in 2002, hit the news this week with a scream. It was suggested that the entire coastal salmon fishery be closed this year to protect the scattered Klamath salmon which roam up and down the coast before returning to spawn in the fall. Fishermen all over are up in arms. Since most coastal streams had a bumper crop of salmon, why should everyone suffer because of the die off in 2002 due to low water (a man made problem)? Fishermen all over the state are urged to contact their local politicians and have the DFG reconsider. I personally do not think they will close the season.