From the Editor:

Exploring
Fall is a great time to get out into the desert and explore.  You can search for the bones of Everett
Ruess. Or follow the outlaw trail into Robber’s Roost. Or trace the exodus of the Anasazi to the
modern pueblos.  Or look for the Ship of the Desert. If you’re not familiar with this last pervasive
“myth,” we’ve got a primer for you by Robert Larson. Not too many photos with this one, as it turns
out there is a dearth of photographic evidence. If you’ve got some shots of the actual ship, though,
send them my way and I’ll stick them on the first page!

The big story this month, as far as the American deserts go, appears to be the discovery of
billionaire Steve Fossett’s crashed plane, and the supposed remains of Fossett himself, near
Mammoth Lakes, California.  The site was overflown nineteen times by search planes but was finally
tracked down by a hiker, who found Fossett’s ID and cash (which Fossett used as tissue paper—
just kidding!).  As to why the adventurer performed a “controlled flight into terrain,” the investigation
is just beginning.  

I’m going to try to update the departments this month, and then every month, so be sure to check in
regularly for further stories.  
Submissions
We are looking for 1500-4000 word feature articles (with photos, please).  Suggested topics:

People-Profiles and/or interviews of writers, artists, researchers, prospectors or celebrities with a
connection to the desert.  

History-The desert’s past. Includes prehistory as well. Archaeology, tribal history, ranches, legends
and lore, lost treasure, past desert explorers.  Maps are appreciated.

Adventures-Exploring national parks, “forests” and monuments, recreation areas, state parks,
wilderness, ruins, mineral fields, ghost towns, backroads, wagon routes, trails and lost highways. If
you want to know what specific stories we might be looking for, drop us a line w/ your location and
we'll surely find something in your area. Again, maps are always appreciated.

Events-Burning Man, the Bonneville Speed Trials, Desert Rallies, Pow-Wows, etc.

We are looking for 600-2000 word reviews of: desert homes, books and movies.  We also need 1000-
2500 word "sojourns." Examples: a specific trail in Arches or Bryce Canyon, a road or highway, a
ghost town or the caves of Snow Canyon.  

Submissions to our "Works for me" department should run 600-1200 words.  "Works for me"
articles are either 1) reviews of great products, which don't have to be new or even necessarily in
production or 2) your own personal system for surviving in the desert.

Submissions for the "Wildlife" department should also run 600-1200 words and focus on a specific
species of desert animal, plant or insect.

In the future, we will be adding a "treasure hunting" department.

We accept videos on any of the above features, reviews, sojourns and "works for me."

We value notifications of upcoming events with a desert connection; rallies, concerts, exhibitions,
lectures and festivals.  Send us quotes about the desert and we'll add them to our quotes section!    

Desert Rambler posts photographs on its Flickr site.

We want evocative writing. Tell us the sights, sounds, tastes and smells you experienced on your
journeys.  Pester the locals with questions. Photograph the scenery and wildlife.  Make friends with
the cacti. Research local legends and lore. Add some humor, dammit! And tell us what we don't
already know about your subject.  

If you are a beginning writer and you want to be kind to your editor, pick up a copy of Strunk and
White's Elements of Style and an AP Stylebook.  

Compensation: $35 - $50 for features, $15 - $25 for all other articles/videos, which is what we can
afford to pay as a start-up. Plus exposure of your writing, photographs or art to thousands of desert
enthusiasts.  Payment upon publication.  

Send e-mail queries and submissions (MS Word, photos jpeg format), feedback on the site and
other letters to the editor to:

eric@desertrambler.com        

Send regular mail queries, with SASE, and submissions to:

Christian Probasco         
206 S. 100 E.
Mount Pleasant, UT 84647

We are not responsible for unsolicited artwork, photographs or manuscripts. Please allow 3 weeks
for replies on queries.
Christian Probasco, Editor
Christian was born in Twentynine Palms, California, a Marine base in the Mojave
desert.  He is the author of the book Highway 12, published by Utah State University,
about Utah's only All-American Highway, which runs from Panguitch, just west of
Bryce Canyon, through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to Torrey,
just west of Capitol Reef National Park.  He has also authored articles for Utah's
Sports Guide, Route 66 Magazine, Off-Road Adventures, the Mountain Gazette and
Salt Lake's City Weekly.  He does most of his desert exploring in the Heep, a
notoriously unreliable CJ-5.

Christian can be contacted at: eric@desertrambler.com
Our Values
We value the desert is a place of escape, refuge, adventure and contemplation.  We
believe in its preservation in that capacity, unless that preservation is just being used
as an excuse to limit our access to it.
Desert Rambler is a journal for all those drawn to the freedom and beauty of the American deserts.
Our readers: explorers, hikers, bikers, off-roaders, RVers, prospectors, cowboys and Indians, artists,
ascetics.
Policies
Desert Rambler discourages the disturbance of prehistoric artifacts or dwelling sites, and protected
mineral deposits, trespass over private land and the use of motor vehicles beyond historically
established roads and trails.  We discourage the harassment of local flora and fauna too, unless your
intent is to eat it or wear it. We encourage low-impact camping practices. We discourage stereotyping
fellow users of our public lands.