Branson 2012

States driven: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. April 23, 2012 61 degrees 9:00am, Mileage 32,184 - ending 33,330 (1,146 total miles driven) Left for Branson, Mo from Vivian's house. Judy started first drive. I drove to McAlister. We saw an Atwood's building and decided to stop on the way back from Branson. Lake Eufala was huge. We came across many rivers with interesting names: Dirty Boggy, Clean Boggy, Big Shin Bayou, Muddy Boggy, Shilo, Illinois Bayou, Hollow Bottoms, etc. Vivian drove on Hwy 7, in Russelville, a beautiful scenic route.

We stopped to pick up some Red Clover. Vivian was fascinated with all the roadkill we came across. Possums, Armadillos, Coyote. I knew the road was going to be a little scary, when I saw the following sign, "Crooked and steep next 53 miles"! Breathtaking views though. We stopped at several overlooks. Rotary Ann Overlook was one of them.

We stopped at Wheeler's Restaurant for lunch. Judy found a hair on hers, but didn't report it. She is such a trooper! During our trip to Branson, Vivian told us something interesting about Armadillos. They have a litter of 4 each time (all the same sex). All male one time and maybe female the next. At Cliff Inn Overlook, we saw a sign that said, "Keep Out". Vivian said that they are probably not packing like Texans, but... We ate dinner at Arkansas Inn Cafe. They had elk and buffalo. Vivian and Lois ate buffalo sausage, Judy had a Muffaletta and I had a wonderful salad with olive oil dressing. We crossed the Missouri stateline at 8:23pm. 58 degrees. We arrived at our timeshare, in Branson, at 9:00pm. 57 degrees, 498 miles driven! We had a horrible time finding the timeshare. We had to go back to a Best Western and they told us it was on Indian Point Rd not Silver Dollar Rd. The first Eagle Nest sign was not lit so we couldn't see it at night. Poor Vivian's arms were aching from all that zig zagging. The timeshare building 13-6 was wonderful. Great views. We had all the necessities for the first night and morning (coffee, yeah!). We played several tile rummy games, read and went to bed. Vivian and I shared a room and Lois and Judy the other.

The next morning, Lois saw a bunny rabbit and Judy spotted a red cardinal. We play a couple of games and then drove to Branson's historic area. We shopped at several little stores on main street. Dick's 5 & 10 had beautiful antiques. Lois bought a couple of quilts (one with teddy bears and another with a gardian angel). We also bought t-shirts and pickle bandaids. Vivian bought Donnie a fish sign and a purse with three ladies for me. We took a trolley to the river for lunch at Garfields.

The food was amazing and we had a great view of the river. Judy drove around the strip and we did see some of the tornado damage from a few weeks ago.

We also picked up our SIX tickets for Thursday night's show. We went back to dress in our Boot Buddies pink shirts, with bling, Lois bought us for a souvenior. They are darling!

We plan to wear them Tuesday for Jazzercise. We also took pictures of our hands (all wearing glitter nail polish).

Headed out to attend Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede show. It was wonderful. We loved the 14 year-old juggler they had during the preshow. The show was like Dallas' Medievel Times, but western. We went back to our condo and played more tile rummy. We just LOVE that game! Lois and Judy poured boiling water on my boot shirt because it had a red stain from a drink. Judy said her mother taught her this trick and it WORKED! The stain was gone! We heard a coyote. The next morning we saw more cardinals and heard a woodpecker. Judy saw a yellow-bellied sap sucker.

The view from our balcony is gorgeous.

We wanted to swim but the pool was too cold, so we got in the hot tub instead. Then headed out to the Showboat show.

The entertainment was incredible. They had a group that harmonizes beautifully. Their music was great and the female entertainer was multi-talented. She played a violin, sang and did the same thing while hanging from a rope. Afterwards, we went to Landry's for drinks. Headed home to play more tile rummy. The next day, we had lunch at the Bradford Inn (Lois' favorite restaurant).

We shopped and then met Karen (Judy's sister). She is delightful. We all went to Gilley's for dinner and really enjoyed ourselves.

I camcorded Judy singing Karoke with the band.

The song was Mommas don't let your boys grow up to be Cowboys. That takes a lot of guts! We went next door to see SIX. Branson's number one show. You won't believe what comes out of their mouths! Drums, bass, instruments and unbeatable harmonies! This was my favorite show. The entertainers were 6 of 10 brothers. I loved them! We took pictures of their corvettes.

Then Judy left to spend the the next two nights with Karen. Karen lives on 250 acres, in Springfield. Judy played with the colts and calves and helped feed the horses. They are very close. Lois gave Vivian and me gum (wink). It stormed during the night. The next day, I ran into the sliding door. Did not get hurt, except for a little scratch. Lois, Vivian and I ate at the Fish House and shopped some more. We saw a duck we couln't recognize. Donnie said it was a cross between a domestic duck and a mallard.

We bought some stocking stuffers and then picked up some groceries at Walmart and totally ignored Lois' driving instructions. Thank God we love each other so much! Poor Vivian. We made her break so many laws, during our trip! She called us her Navigating Team. My Tom Tom GPS came in handy; otherwise, we might have broken so many more laws. Vivian cooked pizza for us and sacrificed her finger. She cut it while trying to make our dessert. I tricked Vivian and slept on the sofa. I wanted her to get a good night's sleep and I didn't want to use my "purring" device. She is such a good sport. Lois and Judy had the double sink bathroom and Vivian and I had the single one. Lois laughed when I made her come look at ours (we had room for only one toothbrush).

They had room for curling irons, hair driers, etc. in their's. They also had a walk-in closet and a tv. LOL We played tile rummy day and night. We also played on the balcony with pillow cases under our feet so the tiles wouldn't go down to our neighbors below! We took the coffee table out so we could play better.

8:30am 63 degrees We left the condo to meet Judy at Evans Rd in Springfield. Lois left food on the rail for the critters, mainly birds.

I finally helped drive. They all took turns driving in Branson and didn't allow me to drive (too many mountains!). They all drive like bats out of h... We saw a turtle trying to cross the road. I hope it didn't get killed. We stopped in McAlister, at the Atwood store, to shop. Judy bought lots of cute clothes with Atwood on them (her last name). Vivian bought me lip balm called Chicken Poop. I loved it. I do have to say that my phone came in handy to look up information and addresses, etc. We took turns driving (me on flat land) and then Vivian drove the last leg and we finally made it to her house at 7:00pm. Her daughter-in-law, Mary, and son, Jeffrey, were wonderful hosts and had dinner and wine for us. Her granddaughter and boyfried were also there. Great people! I also met Judy's husband, John (great personality). Lois' son, Russell, and daughter-in-law, Jackie gave me a ride home. So grateful. I thought Donnie was still at Jill's party, but he and my girls were home. What a wonderful trip and so many memories!