Out in the West Texas town of El Paso

We stayed at the Plaza Hotel in El Paso. It is the modern reconstruction of an old office building. The room was very nice, and the staff was great. Everyone was masked (How much longer will this go on, given the new CDC guidance?) and we all felt safe.

El Paso is a really nice city that seems to have a lot going for it. University, transportation hub, global port of entry. On of the oldest European cities on the continent, and one of the oldest gathering places by any standard in the Americas.

I wonder why it doesn't get much good press. It is also one of the safest cities in the country, both in the property and violent crime categories.

There is real history here, too. We were just reading about the US - Mexico fighting during 1916. That was just near here. This is from the Concordia Cemetery, (more on another famous resident a little later)

And like any city with any history at all, including places like Hutchinson, KS, El Paso has a signature dish. This is their famous Chile Rellenos (stuffed chilies). We went to L&J Café near the aforementioned cemetery. It even calls itself "The Place by the Cemetery" 

We had to wait for about 20 minutes for a table (they told us half hour) but it was worth it. There were many empty tables, and they had a "help wanted" sign out. I think we had to wait just because they were understaffed.

Black Jack Pershing and Francesco (Pancho) Villa met here in El Paso. It is commemorated with a statue.

President Taft and President Porfirio Diaz also met here, and were also commemorated with a statue. I did not take a photo of that one. Villa go a bad wrap from history. Some of that was his own fault, of course.

Another famous soul who died (though was not born) in El Paso was John Wesley Hardin. (not Harding, contrary to Bob Dylan). 

Here is the saloon where he was shot down.

The most important family in El Paso was the Magoffin Family (not like The Maltese Falcon). They lived here in this adobe mansion. It was build without a foundation. Which seems strange, but was something brought up over and over in the tour.

The adobe was made onsite, and the walls were three feet thick.

But enough about the Macgoffins!

Here is John Wesley Hardin's gravesite. It is built like a jail. Which is sort of interesting, since he was not running from the law when he was gunned down.

Then we left. 

On to Tucson! Via NM 9!