We did it again--took another Elderberry bus trip, this time to Branson! In three days time we saw 4 shows, took in the sights of the lake country, including School of the Ozarks, skipped over to Joplin, then on home! Whew! It's been a real hoot again as usual. Every one of us seniors travels well together, laughs a lot, helps each other through the rough spots, and learns from our travel experiences.
We started off by a lunch stop at Lambert's, and if you have never been there, it is quite the experience--it is the "home of throwed rolls" and they do--throw those rolls at you! A rustic atmosphere and great food made for a great start. Then on to Branson we "rolled". We took in Pierce Arrow Show, then checked into the Grand Country Inn, where we visited their buffet, and all were suitably impressed. Seniors love buffets, and that has got to be one of the best in the area. Then on to the Grand Country evening show, for lots of laughs, great music and good entertainment. Morning took us back to the buffet, where once more we were stuffed and happy, then out and about, exploring Engler Block, where I have to tell you, is the neatest bead shop. Of course as a beader, I am always on the lookout for beads, and this time was great, because even the none-beaders enjoyed it. Lots of good bargains had by all, then on to probably the healthiest lunch we had in 3 days, at the Divas Show, great music and laughs again by three of the most awesome women entertainers! If you have a chance, take it in, it is worth every minute--it's tucked into the Magic Show building, if you can't find it. We bussed on over to the hotel for a whole 15 minutes of down time (some of us were lucky to take in a power nap), and then bussed over to the Dixie Stampede, where our Pastor, Randy, impressed the whole audience in the arena with his horseshoe throwing skills, only this time he had to throw potty seats--but he got a ringer, AND a medal, and our side, the Blue, won!!! Yippee!
Found an ice cream shop open so of course had to celebrate with dairy! We left Branson next day, for School of the Ozarks, and toured the campus, including the chapel, Point Lookout, where you can see for miles and miles, the fruitcake factory, and yes, we got samples, and bought goodies to take home, and the Museum, where we found Jed Clampett's famous truck, parked and ready for a ride, and the best looking hotel room for a typical pioneer family. We left there and headed on to Joplin, a little side trip, where we took in Richardson's Candy Factory (ohmygosh, have you ever had a chocolate covered potato chip? And did you even know they existed?) and the Mineral Museum. I fell in love with a giant crystal rock, but it was too big to fit into the bus, so sadly had to leave it there for everyone else to enjoy. Home late in the evening, but it was a great trip!
One other thing, Branson, MO, for those of you who don't know much about geography, sits in the middle of lake country, and Tablerock Lake is the first lake in the White River reservoir, then comes Lake Taneycomo, then Bull Shoals, way down in Arkansas. There has been a lot of rain down south for a few weeks, so all the lakes are pretty well filled up to the rims, and above flood stage in some areas. We had the opportunity to drive over to the spillway area of Tablerock and see for ourselves an historic sight--all the floodgates, all 10 of them, were open and water was pouring out! It was an awesome spectacle, and the first time since the dam was built that such a thing happened. You can well feel sorry for all the people below this dam, because a lot of flooding has been happening.
No comments:
Post a Comment