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Russell True Value Hardware is Del Rio’s central location for both traditional home repair and enhancement merchandise, hunting and fishing gear, and lawn and garden supplies, but it’s also a first choice for shoppers looking for unique gifts, wedding presents, fashion accessories, and unusual foodstuff.

Del Rio is chock full of “best kept secrets,” but one worthy of unveiling is Khan’s Empire in a small strip mall facing What-A-Burger. The small store houses astonishing collections of Oriental jewelry, art, teapots, clothing and craft from all around the Pacific Rim. Owner Yunling is also a storehouse of knowledge about the cultures of a dozen or more countries, as well as the pearls and jade that adorn necks, ears and wrists around the globe.

Del Rio’s Ross Building Emporium is a historic landmark in downtown’s historic district, and enjoys pilgrimages this time of year by loyal customers and newcomers to the area largely because of its reputation as a fun place to visit.  The startling variety of children’s games, books and toys, combined with an old fashioned soda fountain, are a draw many parents and their progeny cannot resist.

Downtown Del Rio’s only eatery and fashion shop combination, the Brown Bag Deli and Buffalo Girls, is geared up for Christmas shoppers’ acquisitive and culinary appetites. An extensive inventory of new seasonal gifts and clothing fills the shelves and all corners of Buffalo Girls, and owner Shannon Brown believes her lunchtime menu is just as festive.

Marisa Zvorak is the artist and florist behind the Amistad Florist and Garden of Art Gallery on Veterans Boulevard. A native of Spain with a cosmopolitan view and experience of the world, Zvorak strives to maintain an environment of learning and creating art among serious art students here. Her own art and collections are on display now, too.

Fort Davis, the town and the historic military post, are a double-barreled combination for families with children to relax and learn about Texas’ rich and vibrant frontier controversies between U.S. Army cavalry and the light horse cavalry of Apache, Comanche and Kiowa Indians. Sumptuous accommodations in the nearby community offer historic-appearing rooms, fine food, gift shops, spirits, and ice cream.

Alpine, Texas chamber of commerce officials consider their town the centerpiece community of the Big Bend region, and the argument is sound from the dual standpoints of geography and tourist accommodations. Townspeople and tourists alike may anticipate a typically tranquil holiday season, with some shops open even on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Big Bend National Park is a destination worth considering for holiday celebrants who want to tone down the noise and have both time and quiet to reflect. It’s not so distant, only remote, and that both preserves its beauty and suggests careful planning for a visit.

Historic hotels abound in the Big Bend region, and the Gage Hotel in Marathon enjoys a widespread reputation of rustic opulence in both food and lodging. Restored and furnished for the comfort and admiration of year-around guests, the hotel also features one of the finest restaurants in the state, Café Cenizo. It’s another quiet retreat available to those who hope to dodge the stress of Christmas and New Year’s in the city.

The final leg of Bill Sontag’s journey over the 1,300-mile Ports-To-Plains Corridor, from Laredo to Denver, appears on maps to be nothing more than a spur from the main route. In fact, this revamp to four-lane, divided roadway to connect Texas and New Mexico is being pursued more aggressively than any other segment, due in part to the personal interest of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Moreover, at least one pivotal community is enthused about the transformation of traffic and commerce the revitalization may provoke. Clayton Mayor Garth Boyce describes his hopes and aspirations, pinned to a great extent on what PTP corridor inclusion may bring.