WHAT’S DOING IN EL PASO
El Paso has been a geographic and cultural crossroads since the late 16th century when Spanish explores came upon rugged mountains rising out of the desert and searched for a shortcut. They found a channel cut the Rio Grande that allowed them to pass through and named the site El Paso del Norte. The area became an important stop on the Camino Real, a route of commerce and conquest between Mexico City and Sante Fe. The Mexican city of Juarez eventually grew up on the south side of the Rio Grande pass, while El Paso grew up on the north. In the 1880’s, gunfighters, cattle rustlers and rowdy saloons caused the town to be know as the “Six-Shooter Capital.”

WHERE TO STAY
The Holiday Inn Airport-El Paso, 6655 Gateway West, (915) 778-6411, fax (915) 778-6517, http://www.hielpasoairport.com/, has spacious lobby decorated in a festive hacienda style. Its 206 rooms, done in Southwestern colors and fabrics, are equipped with high-speed Internet access lines and two-line data-port phones with voice mail. Amenities include an indoor heated pool and hot tub, an outdoor pool and the Cactus Rose Grill steakhouse. Standard rooms start at $80.

SIGHTSEEING
The Franklin Mountains are more than a geographic anchor for El Paso. Much of the city’s history, folklore and recreation are there. A good placed to explore them is Franklin Mountains state Park, 1331 McKelligon Canyon Road, (915) 566-6441; http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/franklinThe 24,000-acre urban park offers mountain biking and hiking trails, camping and rock climbing. Open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fee is $3.00.

 

 

...I travel a lot and the hotel is like a second home.  The staff is very nice and rooms are very comfortable, I also feel very safe with you.-Jackie Porter, Club Marketing TSM (08/07)

 

Absolutely wonderful with our group of 20, great service. great personalities, just a very enjoyable experience.-Carrie Caulfield, The Counted Thread Group (08/07)

 

They were wonderful, our group of 20 were impressed with the great service, their attitude was upbeat and treated us all as if were family.  I've never felt as welcome!  Joyce Jastrzembski, The Counted Thread Group (08/07)

 

 ...to all of your staff a great big Thank You for taking care of us these past two weeks. Everyone on your staff was just superb, the food at the restaurant was delightful and the rooms were very clean. What more could one ask for!! All of you do a super job!!! We are looking forward to visiting you next year. Darwin Prewitt, Tepper Aviation, Inc. (10/07)

 

...Our company, Beneficial Life experienced a great 212 Degree themed meeting and everything was awesome.The hotel staff did a wonderful job and I am still receiving very positive comments from those who attended. We will be having more theme related meetings in the future. Very, very pleased.-Ruby Vigil & Bertha Prieto, Beneficial Life