Why Haven’t We Visited Branson Before?

We were so excited about this trip. It is a new place for us and my Brother Bob and Sister-in-Law Edie are coming down to spend the week with us.

We got to Branson a couple of days early and found a great RV park (Andrews Lansing) that butted up to Table Rock State Park and Hiking Trails. This gave Brady and me plenty of nature time. From the trails we saw Table Rock Dam (the Dam was built 1954 – 58), TableRock Lakeand Fly fishermen in LakeTaneycomo (for all purposes looks and acts like a river). This RV Park was such a nice surprise.

When Bob and Edie came to town we registered Brady into the Branson Pet Resort, Stored our RV and lived the high life at Branson at the Meadows on Gretna Roadjust off the main strip. Our condos there were great and I loved being able to stand in a giant sized shower!!!!

Table Rock Hiking trails - Brady said "There wasn't a water fall here yesterday"

Table Rock Lake

Table Rock Dam

 

First impression of the strip is that is seems a bit run down, older and tired (don’t forget the tornado last February). The traffic is backed up and congested – The upside is everyone is good natured about it. There is a huge variety of shows and show types to pick from (If you wondered what happened to some of your favorites from American Idol or Americas Got Talent contestants you may find them here). We picked 4 shows: Todd Oliver and friends (ventriloquism and talking dogs. www.FunnyDog.com ), Red Skelton (as impersonated by Tom Mullica. www.tommullica.com), Jim Stafford (musical comedian that kicks hinny on any stringed instrument. www.JimStafford.com ) and the 3 Red Neck Tenors (classically trained voices with a twang. www.3rednecktenors.com). All of these show were fun, and well worth the money. I would see all of them again……but there are so many more to see….

Erving and Lucy

Oh Yes!!! Trigger and Bullet are at RFD TV Theater (your welcome Bob)

Ducks - Been there Done that check it off - Quack

Rock from this hill was used to make the Dam

Table Rock Lake on a sunny afternoon

Splash down

The Branson Queen

Red Skeltons Theater

Yes I would love this carpet

Hard Luck Cafe - And all of  our singing waitresses CDs

Good to Know - Just so you don't use the dirty ones?

The Grand Village Shops

This is all wood work

Jim Stafford -

Bob and Les learning about ALL the Dam History

Dam and Bob and Edie

 

 

One day was spent at Silver Dollar City. This is an Ozark Education, Entertainment, Amusement, and craft park. Bob made this great suggestion. We found half price tickets on line and easily spent 11 hours there. The park entertainment shows we saw were more professional then anything we have ever seen at Busch Gardensor Disney. You could see that great care and expense had been put into the costumes. We saw examples of the almost “Rube Goldberg” style tools and equipment used in the Ozarks as well as the impossible craftsmanship in carving, stitchery, glass work, etc. There are some roller coasters, a younger kids ride section and a train (be expected to be robbed by very friendly hillbillies). Have your good walking shoes on as everything is up or down a hill. The lay out is; I believe purposely confusing so you have to ask for directions. This said, all the employees / characters will happily explain or take you to where you want to go (we had one exception to this and he was almost right…..sort of). The day was filled with mini concerts too. It was fun to listen to Mountain music, Cajun and my new favorite Western (it may have something to do with all the lyrics about horses, saddles, mustangs and cowgirls {I love this girl: www.belindagailsings.com }) This was a completely great day!!!

 

 

 

 

Us -

So Good  - this bakery needs a warnng label

Human powered lath

Mule powered sorgum press

Just play me some mountain music

Straight from the Bayou

Belinda Gail - Americas Western Sweetheart

The Wild West Show

Cutiest Piggy ever - but watch out you live in BBQ Country

Stick em up or high five?

Bob convincing Edie that they don't need this chair

Wait it is suspose to be three tenors - get over here

Edie and me with the THREE Redneck Tenors

Don't miss the trout hatchery

The hactchery and Table Rock Dam in the back ground

 

Throughout the week we took a ride on the Ducks.  It was fun to ride the roads, see the sights and plunge in the lake …….but…. we all agreed that now that we have done this – we don’t need to do it again. Quack! We visited the…….wait for it……..Dewy Shorts visitor center.   I know really – Parents think about what you name your kids.  Anyway – The volunteers do a great job of explaining the dam construction, lake and history of the area.  Free so don’t miss it.  The Dam tour is $14.00, but no pictures so we opted out.  Heck we took pictures at Hoover Dam – right?  We took sometime to walk down town and visit Dicks Old-time 5 and 10 ( I do slightly resent that a store started in 1961 would be considered old-time).  It is a crazy collection of things you remember from HL Greens, current gadgets and souvenirs (warning – this is a tour bus stop {time your visit in between these and you’ll be fine}).  Time is well spent at the Stone Hill Winery     (  www.stonehillwinery.com ) .  They have a pretty informative tour and really more of a tasting class then just a tasting.  And YES – all the wine is on sale in the fun show room.

 

This is a very God Friendly, Pro Military, American Flag waving place.  So if you are uncomfortable with any of these feel free to stay away – I don’t think you will be missed.

 

This week we ate well, had much fun, laughed until our cheeks hurt, and had several surprises.  It ended all too quickly.  However, the sign of a great vacation is when you leave wanting more.  I think we all wanted more.  Branson is a great destination and a perfect place to come back to.

 

22 OCT 2012

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