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Author Cindy Loose responds:

The reader is correct. Joshua Tree National Park is in California. I passed through Joshua Tree Forest, a national monument on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management.

IN APRIL 2006, my family visited the Grand Canyon. One of the highlights of the trip was a day-long rafting trip on the Colorado River given by the Hualapai on their reservation. It's the only single-day trip on the Colorado through the Grand Canyon. In the morning, there was whitewater, then a stop to climb to the beautiful travertine waterfall, then more whitewater. We stopped for a picnic lunch, then floated in calm water for the afternoon. At the end, we were lifted to the canyon rim (where the new walkway is now) by helicopter.

If you're visiting the Grand Canyon and don't have time for a multi-day rafting trip, you shouldn't miss it. Info: Destination Grand Canyon West, 928-769-2219, http://www.destinationgrandcanyon.com.

Kathy Napierala

Silver Spring

Jersey Shore, Cont'd

HAVING GROWN UP at the Jersey Shore, I was pleased to see your June 24 spread about our coast. However, you shortchanged our little village. Ocean Grove is a national historic site with the largest aggregate of Victorian homes of any town or city in the country. There are 24 inns, B&Bs and small hotels of varying price ranges.

Besides the more religious activities of the town, which refer to the 1869 founding of Ocean Grove as a Methodist camp meeting, there are classical concerts in the Great Auditorium, as well as fun concerts with lighter music. On July 20, the Historical Society offers its annual public tour of private homes and the inns.