CERCA CALENDAR
The mellow month of May will settle on Cerca country with wildflowers and mostly outdoor events blooming everywhere. Pick a few of these.
Through June 1, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Gunnar Widforss: Painter of the National Parks. This exhibit features 50 watercolors and drawings by Swedish-born painter Widforss. Starting in 1921, he spent 13 years focusing his art on our national parks, including Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. Museum of Northern Arizona. (928) 774-5213. www.musnaz.org.
Saturday, Lone Pine, Calif.: Wild Wild West Marathon in the foothills of Mount Whitney and throughout the Alabama Hills. Includes a 50K, a standard marathon and a three-mile race. (760) 876-4444, www.lonepinechamber.org.
Saturday-May 2, Seligman, Ariz.: Historic Route 66 Fun Run. Drive from Seligman to Kingman on Saturday and then to Oatman and Topock/Golden Shores on May 2. Open to all street-legal vehicles and usually has more than 500 participants. Entertainment. (928) 753-5001. www.kingmanchamber.com.
Saturday, Zion National Park, Utah: Native plants and xeriscaping workshop will focus on using native plants in the home landscape. Learn the seven principles of xeriscaping and visit the park's native plant nursery. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (800) 635-3959, www.zionpark.org.
May 5, Clarkdale, Ariz.: Cinco de Mayo celebration on Verde Canyon Railroad is a rolling tribute to the day in 1862 when Mexican ancestors of many Arizonans won a victory over a foreign invader. Margaritas, mariachi and great scenery. (800) 293-7245, www. verdecanyonrr.com.
May 8, Chloride, Ariz.: All Town Yard Sale, a fun event in which residents of Chloride offer visitors bargains on antiques, useful old stuff and appealing junk. The historical society also has a bake sale. (928) 565-2559, www.chloridearizona.com.
May 7-9, Reno: Reno River Festival. One of the nation's top kayaking competitions will also feature product demos, instructional clinics and live music. Truckee River Whitewater Park. (775) 788-2131, www. renoriverfestival.com.
May 9, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Mother's Day Star Fest at Lowell Observatory features indoor programs and numerous telescopes set up for viewing. Mothers admitted free. (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.
May 14-16, Fallon: Spring Wings Bird Festival. This is the height of spring migration to the Lahonton Valley wetlands, which become a temporary home to 260 species of birds. (775) 423-4556, www.springwings.org.
May 15-16, Silver Springs: Lyon County Fly-in. This annual event features fly-bys, flight demonstrations, antique aircraft, military planes and rocket displays. Silver Springs Airport. (775) 887-1294, www.lyoncountyflyin.com.
May 16-22, Kanab, Utah: Amazing Earthfest celebrates public lands through scientific and cultural presentations, arts and entertainment, and guided hikes and tours. Various venues throughout the area. www.amazingearthfest.com.
May 17, Zion National Park, Utah: Geology: Kolob Canyons and Beyond. Join instructor Mark Colberg in a workshop that surveys 800 million years of geologic activity that shaped the basin and range provinces on the Colorado Plateau. Moderate hiking up to four miles. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.
May 21, Zion National Park, Utah: Rim to Floor. This 10-mile, ranger-led hike starts at the East Rim and travels down into Zion Canyon while exploring the geology, botany and desert ecosystems along the way. Participants must be in fit hiking shape. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute. (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.
May 22, St. George, Utah: Red Rock 200 Bicycle Race. This ultra-marathon travels from St. George to Cedar City and back over scenic southern Utah roads. The route travels about 200 miles, with 10,000 feet of climbing. www.planetultra.com.
May 25-30, Bishop, Calif.: Mule Days Celebration. About 700 animals will compete in 181 events during the nation's premier mule show. Mule Days Parade on Saturday features the country's longest-running nonmotorized parade. (760) 872-4263, www.muledays.org.
May 29, Escalante, Utah: Escalante Heritage Festival includes a morning flag-raising ceremony, pancake breakfast, craft fair and a play that evening titled "The Story Tellers." Escalante High School. (435) 826-4542. www.brycecanyoncountry.com.
May 29-30, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture. Learn about the Zuni way of life, including their language, lifeways, dance and music. Demonstrations by weavers, inlay jewelers, fetish carvers, potters and painters. Museum of Northern Arizona, (928) 774-5213, www.musnaz.org.
May 30, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Memorial Star Fest at Lowell Observatory. Retired scientist Kent Colbath will give an indoor presentation, "Dinosaurs, Plankton and Asteroids: the Science of Studying Mass Extinctions." Telescopes will be set up for viewing. (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.
