Branson, Missouri Vacation

Branson, Missouri Vacation Journal

Our vacation started in Louisiana.  Well, sure, that's where we live, but it started in Gonzales, Louisiana, the location of a Hot Air Balloon Festival!  Mommy and Daddy were so excited to bring you on your first hot air balloon ride.  Oma and Opa took Mommy on her first hot air balloon ride when I was in my teens.  We were afraid you would back out of the basket the minute it was time to go up.

Daddy stayed in the humidity and heat... he was first in line and didn't want to give up his spot.  He was in line for an hour.  How frustrating, but so worth it.  Thank you, Daddy.  Untethered rides are much better, but for you, this excursion was perfect.  We went high enough to see over the ferris wheel and the shadow of the balloon on the ground.  It was long enough for you to feel the heat from the propane gas.  It was a exactly the brief introduction to this type of flight that I wanted for you.

You were not afraid!  You were excited and brave and loved when we lifted off.  You said "it was a little bumpy" when we landed.  Now you have a grasp of being in a hot air ballon.  That makes me happy.  Something new, fun and exciting to start our vacation.

Our midway stop was Little Rock, Arkansas.  Along the way, we picked cotton.  You liked the softness of cotton and wanted to know what was hard inside of it.  When we explained about the seeds, you carefully stretched the cotton until you could find the seeds.  We shared how cotton was used for many things.  A new feeling, new texture on our adventure.

We also walked by the lake at the Arkansas welcome center.  The area was so lovely, it could have been a vacation spot.  We checked into the Marriott Courtyard.  It had a pretty courtyard to walk around and a swimming pool.  Mommy and Daddy did some research on local restaurants.  Lunch was at the Purple Cow.  You thought the food was yummy - chicken, fries and an Oreo shake!  Throughout the rest of the vacation, you requested the Purple Cow.

The next morning, breakfast was included in the room price.  Daddy said it was a good call to eat there.  He had scrambled eggs with very, very crispy bacon (the way he likes it).  I thought the egg white frittata with avocado, cucumber, tomatoes and spinach was delightful.  You still preferred fruit, toast and some oatmeal.

Off we went to the Branson Tourism Center.  We picked up the tickets, which we purchased in advance.  It was a time-saver going through one company.  I read about them online.  It made the planning effortless, rather than having to go to each individual place to purchase tickets.  Plus, the sales representative was honest regarding recommendations.

First up and before we made it to the condo....  Riding the Duck tour!  Our tour guide was silly, amusing and nice.  He did a good job introducing the area to use.  Then... hold on tight, we took a fast plunge into the lake, with water splashing up high!  Your eyes were glued to the water.

You didn't freak out that our "car" was now a boat.  You wanted to reach out and touch the water.  Daddy splashed you a couple of times.  Best part - you were invited to come up and sit in the captain's chair, steering the duck around an island.

After the duck ride, we went to Walmart for grocery items and settled in at the condo at Pointe Royale.  You ran through the rooms and made yourself comfortable very quickly.  You said, "I like our vacation home."  The condo was spacious with a large living room area.  The kitchen was fully stocked, including cleaning supplies.  It had two bedrooms, both with king-size beds and two full bathrooms - stocked with towels, shampoo, soap, etc.  It was great having a washer and dryer, with detergent too.  The resort is gated and the grounds well kept.  It was a charming setting to come home to after some very active days!  The condo was located off of the main strip.  The site was ideal, because we were able to take back roads to the various shows and entertainment, without getting caught up in the main strip traffic.

The next morning, you woke up early and did your school work.  We walked along one of the marinas, then toured downtown Branson.  Dicks Five and Dime shop was fun.  Daddy and Mommy loved looking at childhood toys, which you can't find in stores these days.  You found a whoopee cushion!

Another store to mention was the bead shop.  It's been years since Mommy did any bead work.  Four years.  I bought three beads.  My fingers are itching to work on a design for them.  (I have to organize my office space better though!)

After shopping, we made it just in time to board the Branson scenic railway!  It was your first train ride!  Just like at the condo, you wanted to go from one end of the train to the other.  You are so curious and fearless.  I think you must have walked up and down the train cars at least 6 times.

I remember my first train ride.  I was with my family.  My brother and I got to the end of a car and opened the door... the space between the cars... was MOVING.  We didn't know what to do!  Rob jumped, literally, he took a flying leap! to the other car, opened the door and held the door open for me to jump over as well.  That's how we got from car to car - in leaps and bounds.  Until we felt more comfortable to walk across.  It wasn't like that for you.  You walked across, no problem.

You loved the hour and a half ride.  The tunnels were fun.  You were thrilled when our tickets were stamped with heart shaped punches.  You made up a story, "This is the heart of the train (the ticket had a picture of the train on it).  I'm going to find the heart of the train.  I'm going to KEEP the heart!"

After the ride, we ate lunch at the Farmhouse Restaurant.  Mommy read about the restaurant, how it's family owned and how it had great reviews.  Something told me to order the beef and veggie soup - it was SO delicious that we ordered some to go and stored it in the refrigerator at the condo (which became lunch the following day).

You really did need a nap at this point, but no time!  We had tickets to the Dixie Stampede.  We were told to arrive early to enjoy the Blue Grass Entertainment.

The Blue Grass shindig was located in the lobby area, prior to going into the Dixie Stampede stadium.  Daddy picked seats away from the stage in the lobby area.  You wanted seats RIGHT NEXT to the stage.  There was a disagreement.  You were in a fit.  I caved and moved to the seats right by the stage.  When you have a cranky child, who needs a nap.. sometimes it's okay to give.

The blue grass musicians consisted of three guys.  They were funny and sang well.  One of the guys on stage asked, "How many grandparents are here tonight?  Raise your hands."  He looked around the stage.  The guy said, "Shine a light on this boy (meaning you!).  See, this is why I love my grandparents, because when I was his age, my grandparents let me get away with anything..." and he continued with his story.

Then later, that same performer had his back turned to us.  He made a train whistle sound.  Not a squeaky sound.  I mean... it really sounded like a train.  A large one!   Your shoulders started to shake and your panicked eyes looked around.  You shouted, "Mommy a train is coming!  It's going to crash into us!"  I gave you a hug and reassured you that we were okay.  Then the performer turned around to face us.  He pointed to you and said, "Want me to do that again?"  You said Yes!  He made that same cool sound.  He laughed when you did the train whistle motion in the air.

Another performer invited the kids up to the stage.  I was tickled with your eagerness as you ran on up.  After you strummed the banjo and came back to us, you declared, "See, Mommy!  I told you these are the best seats!"  Yes you did, son.  I'm so glad you insisted on the change.

It was time to go into the stadium for the Dixie Stampede.  As the water was served, one of the Dixie Stampede employees came up to us and asked if you could be part of the performance.  You wanted to!  Your involvement would be after dinner was served, towards the middle of the show.

Food was provided without utensils.  Daddy wasn't too keen about that.  Soup had to be sipped from a small bowl.  The whole (small) rotisserie chicken had to be pulled apart with fingers.  Corn and dessert and bread were included as well.  We had so much food left over that we took two bags back to the condo.  That was supper for the following night... utensils included.

When desserts came out, the employee from early asked you to follow him.  He taught you a rope trick.  You were part of the cowboy performance, learning how to spin the rope up and down.  You loved it and loved the attention and applause from the audience.

We all enjoyed the horses.  They were amazing, along with the riders.  One lady danced and balanced between two horses.... even jumped through a ring of fire with one leg on each horse!  The stories and skits were cute.  They had pig and chicken races too.  When they brought out the long horns and buffalo, it reminded me of the Wild Life jeep tour we took - those animals were inside the windows.  Great memories.

That night, everyone slept well :)  When we were on the duck tour, you saw some fun places to go to. We made good on our promise to bring you to the race track.  It was a new adventure being in a race car; you road tandem with Daddy.  Daddy is competitive and he was ahead of everyone else by a long shot.  You and Daddy drove up a spiral track and came down fast, like a roller coaster ride.  You were smiling from ear to ear.  Daddy loved it as much as you did.

Of course, we had to go on Mommy's favorite ride, the ferris wheel.  This particular one was huge.  It used to be in Chicago and it's the third highest wheel.  It goes up 150 feet high!  The wheel does not stop.  There's a long platform to walk into the moving gondolas.  That was a first for Mommy too.

In the afternoon we went to a magic show.  The Illusionist Rick Thomas used to have a show in Vegas... he used to have 15 tigers too.  He moved to Branson to save the Andy Williams Theater.  His tigers went into a safe natural habitat.

The show was lively.  You loved seeing the doves, card tricks and ring tricks.  He also did elevation and cutting women in half, etc.  There was a lot of audience participation and laughter.  After the performance, we took pictures of you with Rick Thomas and bought you a magic wand.  Daddy also bought Mommy a stuffed animal tiger, the money went towards the natural habit for Bengal tigers.

I have to say... at each of the performances - audience participation was fantastic.  Children were given a lot of attention, made to feel part of what was going on.  Also, at each performance, the entertainer asked, "Are there any veterans in the audience?  Please stand."  The audience clapped.  Each and every performance this was done.  It was so refreshing.  The love of family.  The enjoyment of children.  The expression of appreciation and gratitude for those who serve our country.  It's America.  Love, honor, respect.  Thank you, Branson, Missouri.  It was a much needed relief to be there, to witness and offer our acknowledgement to the people who serve and to have family be a focus of importance.

The next day was spent in Silver Dollar City.  It's lined with shops.  Get your wallets ready!  Actually, not for this mommy.  Boo Hoo.  Ah, that's okay.  There was no way I was going to shop when a 4 1/2 year old wanted to wander.  Daddy did manage to buy a cinnamon bun.  You ended up with a t-shirt from one of the stores, but that was purely out of necessity!

You wanted to go on the carousel ride.  Then you didn't.  Then you did, but only on a bench that didn't go up and down.  Then you wanted to get on a horse.  Four times you road the carousel.  By the fourth time, you didn't want us standing next to you or supporting you.  You were on a horse that went up and down.... even a bear one time.  No indeed, no help needed from Mommy and Daddy.  You were a big boy; you tackled your fear.

You also found a multi-level tree house.  You climbed and climbed, then went over ropes and netting and out again and back through it at least three more times.  You exhausted me, just watching you.

The three of use went into "Grandpa's house."  Never again, not for me.  I almost threw up!  The beginning is fine.  Then things are hanging upside down.  The worst was getting out - the floor was slanted horribly and you had to hang on to bars to get across.  It set my blood pressure off in a bad way.  You loved it though and Daddy thought it was hilarious.

The last thing on the "must do" list in Silver Dollar City was the water ride.  (It was nice not having to buy tickets for each ride - entrance fees, that's all!)  The weather was cool and breezy.  It felt like fall.  Daddy wanted to relax on the water ride.  Mommy said, "I'll take pictures."  Ha, I knew better.  Ya'll came back soaked to the bone!  You waved to mommy, smiling up a storm as waves splashed over you.  You told Mommy, "We went through body parts on the ride!"  Okay, a little odd, but interesting.  After the ride, Daddy tried to dry your clothes in the boy's bathroom.  It didn't work.  With the cool weather, we were afraid of you getting sick.  That's when we bought a Branson t-shirt.

There was a busy restaurant near Silver Dollar City.  We decided if it was busy before going to the park, that it was a sign of good food.  We ate at Billy Gail's restaurant.  Great service, good food.  Each child was able to pick a bucket (each bucket had a variety of toys in it).  You picked a bucket and brought it to our table.  You played with the toys and ate.  When it was time to leave, we were told that you could keep one toy.  You were tickled; it was so sweet!  Again, special attention to making kids smile.

The next morning, you wrote the alphabet, your name, address, phone number, etc.  You read some sight words.  We weren't able to do this every day, but it is important to keep up on your schoolwork.

Daddy questioned why Mommy wanted to go to the College of Ozarks.  It was another place I read about.  It was such a beautiful day for an outing and this was a great campus to relish the outdoors!

What is neat about this college is that no child who attends actually pays tuition - no student graduates with student loans!  The kids who attend college there have to work on the campus.  It's a wonderful way for the kids to feel pride in their education, learn respect for hard work, feel a part of the campus and not have debt coming out of their degree.

One of the places where students work is the creamery.  The ice cream is hand made by the students.  The young man who served us was studying to go into PreMed.  He was originally from Oklahoma and learned about the College of Ozarks.  The collage vision "is to develop citizens of Christ-like character who are well-educated, hard-working and patriotic."  How absolutely fitting for Branson!

Daddy noticed that all the students looked happy and studious (not a party animal campus).  The grounds were lovely and the university center was beautiful.  We ate the ice cream and then drove around to the campus church.  We walked to the lookout.  It was a little path, with a small stream to the right.  It was a pretty area for pictures.

With lovely weather, we couldn't just go back to the condo.  So, when we left the campus, we found another look out point, across the dam.  From there, Daddy had a hankering for Italian food.  Florentina's hit the spot.  He said it was excellent pizza.  I loved the chicken spinach and artichoke meal.  You had.... drum roll.... chicken.  I'm waiting for you to sprout feathers!

You and Daddy took a nap at the condo.  I cleaned the kitchen and did laundry.  Time to pack up.  But wait, we had one last show to go to.

Mommy learned her lesson - do NOT buy tickets to an 8pm show, when that is both your bed time and Daddy's bed time!  Million Dollar Quartet was fun.  It was loud.  It was Rock and Roll!  No way could you nap during this show.  I loved watching the personalities of the characters.  We not only made it through the 90 minute show, but also stood in line to get the picture autographed.  It was a nice ending to the vacation.

We drove home in one day.  It was a fun, busy, packed vacation of "first times" for you - duck captain, train ride, water ride, race car.  Lots of laughter while participating in shows.  Something for everyone in the family to enjoy.  I'm so glad we went there.  Yet, so happy to be home too.

Mommy called Oma from time to time on the trip.  Oma asked what we did each day.  Then she wrote in a journal book, a few sentences about each activity.  When we visit with Oma, you write the sentences and then on the other side of the page, you draw pictures of the trip that relate to the sentences.  What a wonderful way to remember fun times!


Comments

Didi said…
Wow, that was a great family trip. Sure did enjoy hearing about everything. Loved the way they made the kids a part of things. I had heard about this college. It's a great idea. Wish this could be a model for other places if higher education. Very good read that will mean the world to Gregory later. Love ya. Didi