BEDDO/CORNING ON THE ROAD: A Little Bean and Cactus.....

One of the unplanned/unwanted stops we made while in Seminole was to a little town called Langtry. This community houses the visitor’s center for the historical buildings of Judge Roy Bean’s Pecos empire. Since we ended up there kind of roaming around, we decided to go ahead and check it out – it was free – and we like free.

As most things in life, it was an unexpected pleasure. Not only did it have the original saloon and house, but a most astonishing cactus garden. In talking with the staff, they suggested that we watch a short film for background. Just a short remark on that little adventure: it was made in 1952 and featured many mommies with purses that matched the dresses they were wearing: June Cleaver comes alive. Are you kidding me? Texas DOT couldn’t find a few thousand bucks to update the video? Yikes.

The saloon where Bean meted out justice is intact. The bar is scarred and battered, the floors worn to warm honey. The adjacent room was to play pool and gamble, and leaves behind the incredibly ornate lion legs to the pool table. Tony greeted them as always, with his brother Nic’s childhood quip: “Hello Lions!”

The cactus garden was a treat to wander through. Pavers had been set into paths throughout the garden and the examples of cactus that were available was wonderful. Again, pictures speak louder than words.