Cactus are green or off green most of the time.  Like so many people I know they live their lives nobly, but without calling much attention to themselves. Then suddenly, an opportunity arises to shine.  When that opportunity arises cactus can shine like no other flowers on earth.

Sure, there are a million varieties of flowers in the world.  The Lilies in our International Lilly Garden here in San Angelo certainly are among the world's most beautiful.  A visit to Cactustown, Texas,  however, might definitely convince you that cactus flowers are among the world's most beautiful.

No matter where you are in Texas, you should plan a trip with your family to enjoy Cactustown. Just 15 minutes outside San Angelo between San Angelo and Ballinger on HIghway 67 you will find this ragtag collection of rusty relics, Western artifacts, drought-tolerant shrubs and trees,  and a blue buffalo. More on that later.

The centerpieces of this experience are the breathtaking cacti.

The brainchild of Cactustown is a man named Mike Mosman, better known as Cactus Mike.  Cactus Mike developed a love for desert plants during the 20 years he spent working at Cactus Unlimited, according to a story posted by Alice Liles in her Adventures Down the Rabbit Hole series.

Mike's goal was to create a cactus theme park right here in the heart of West Texas.  One visit will convince you that is exactly what he's achieved. Along with the stunning beauty of the cactus on site, he has a western town with dioramas, a rock shop, pottery shop, and a place for kids to learn about many of the lost arts of living in the Old West.

Many people who visit Cactustown feel compelled to leave incredible reviews documenting the interesting stories that Cactus Mike tells.  Some of those stories revolve around the legend of the blue buffalo.

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According to the Cactustown website, at one time the second largest herd of buffalo in North America would pass through the Concho Valley. During a violent West Texas thunderstorm in October 1818, a young bull buffalo was struck by lightening. The large animal survived, but over the subsequent months his fur and hide slowly became blue.  The Native Americans of the region revered the Blue Buffalo as a symbol of survival and faith.

Cactus Mike and Cactustown are survivors just like the Blue Buffalo.  There are plans to expand and possibly even re-open the Blue Buffalo Restaurant which closed in 2010.  In the meantime, Cactustown is open Saturdays until 3pm.  Take the kids and enjoy a day trip.

Then try to argue with me that cactus flowers aren't the most beautiful in the world.

 

 

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