October 12, 2015 - Catching up - North LIttle Rock Arkansas

I'm such a slacker at this blogging thing.   I just can't seem to make myself sit down and blog every day.  So any-whoooo here I am and I will catch up a bit.

We spent Saturday, 10-10-15, in Branson.   We spent the majority of the day planning our return to California.  We needed to map things out and make some reservations.   It can really take quite a bit of time to do.    Then Saturday afternoon we saw Legends in Concert at the Dick Clark Theater.   I'd rate it just ok.   They had Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, the Blues Brothers and the best by far was Aretha Franklin.   Saturday night we found a 5 star restaurant on Yelp and it did not disappoint.   It is a very typical small bar and grill appearing place but they serve you your protein on a rock that they tell you is heated to a very hot 650 degrees!   Hot, hot, hot.  So they encouraged us to cut our steak (Gary )and chicken for me into smaller pieces so it would cook faster but they tell you it takes about 15 minutes for it to cook.  You get to pick out 3 sauces to use on your protein after it's cooked and we tried 6 different kinds between the two of us.     Very, very good.  We really enjoyed it.
Coulee's Diner - if you are ever in Branson - check it out.

Sunday was a travel day for us.  We got on the road about 8:45 and arrived in North Little Rock Arkansas about 1:30.  So it was a short travel day for us.   We have a site that faces the Arkansas River and we spent the evening sitting and watching the sunset and the boats on the river.  Beautiful weather, gorgeous sunset - very relaxing.

A little bit of Arkansas

Today, October 12, 2015, we woke up a little late.   I had some vertigo, which is unusual for me.   Gary was feeling a little off the night before.  So we took our time getting our showers and getting ready to get out for the day.   It's hot here, about 90 this afternoon.  But we got out and went to the Clinton Library and had a really nice lunch there.  The building is beautiful but I have to say there isn't a lot of "substance".   After touring the Eisenhower Library, I was a little disappointed at the lack of displays related to his life and his first lady's.   Maybe they are holding back in case Hillary is voted in as  President!   Bonus was today admission was free!   

We then had to do a bit of shopping to restore the larder!  I think tomorrow we are going to get up early and head out to Hot Springs, which is just an hour away.   There is a national park there.

Sat outside again tonight and enjoyed the sunset.  There are storms in the area so the clouds blocked the sun, but I love the clouds.  

Special dinosaur exhibit at Clinton

Beautiful Chihuly - gifted to Clinton

October 9, 2015 Change of Plans - Toy Museum

Well, after reading some Yelp reviews on the Branson Scenic Railway, I decided we needed to change our plans.   The scenic train ride sounded like it wasn't so scenic and it was pretty pricey.  Instead we hit the Toy Museum.   Wow - floor to ceiling and warren like hallways, not the place for someone claustrophic, but full of toys.   Every make and model of every kind of toy, toy trains, toy tractors, Tonka toys, dolls, Disney toys, boxed games.    The volume of toys is pretty amazing.  

After the toy museum we hit the road again and ended up driving about 60 miles round trip.  We really got to see the country and had no particular destination in mind.   Trees are really beginning to change colors and it was a rainy, overcast day with temps in the 60's.   Absolutely perfect weather for me!  

This section is for my lil C - look at what we found today!  Tow Mater and Lightining McQueen are in Branson.  And there are dinosaurs too!   These are statutes at a mini golf place.  Miss you sooooo much little buddy - give sissy a kiss for me cause I miss her too!

 

Octoer 8, 2015 Turtle Rock Lake and Dam

Today we did some shopping, again, at a Coleman outlet store and a craft mall, then we hit the road in search of Table Rock Lake and State Park.    We easily found it and it is beautiful.  The lake was formed as the result of a dam built on the White River.  Apparently the White River had to be tamed and several dams were built.  

The state park has camping on the edge of the lake and looked to be a pretty nice place to camp.  They have a huge marina, with lots of boats and we saw several houseboats too.   

While researching this stop, we came across a campground that claims to have the best views of Branson but the reviews were full of caution about a very steep grade on a road near that park.  So we had to check that out and boy were they right, the grade is 19%! No issues for us in our car but not sure I'd want to take the MoHo down or up that grade.

We are headed to see the Oak Ridge Boys tonight.  I think tomorrow will be the Branson Scenic Railway.   

19% grade! 

White River - see the dam in upper left

Boat Launch

You drive on top of the dam here

 

October 7, 2015 Branson Landing / Ziplining

It was really nice and quiet at the park last night, but I just couldn't sleep.   

So this morning we drove "downtown" Branson and parked at the Bass Pro Shop parking lot and took the trolley back to Main Street.  The trolley makes 6 stops and is really the way to go.  There is so much traffic on the Highway 76, the main drag, it is really ridiculous.   The trolley was empty almost every time we got on which is really a shame that more people don't use it and get out of their cars.   

We ate breakfast at an old time cafe in downtown and it was very good and very cheap.  Then we walked up and down Main Street a bit and shopped at Dick's 5 & 10.  Crazy crowded dime store with everything you can think of!  Wow not a place for people who don't like tight spaces (Katie) but really fun and lots and lots of kitsch.  They have a little bit of everything in that store.   We then went to Branson Landing which is an outdoor shopping mall built right on Lake Taneycomo.   Really nice place and the water and fire works I bet are beautiful at night.  

Gary went ziplining.   He went three times!   This was a seat you sit in and you zip back and forth across the lake.   He liked it but said he closed his eyes the first time he landed!  Haha!  

Tonight is the Lettermen at the Andy Williams Moon River Theater.   Then we are seeing Oak Ridge Boys and another night the Legends in Concert show.   We are also planning on taking the Branson Scenic Train.   Like I said everything is kitschy but it's a kick.

Free trolley in Downtown Branson

Branson Scenic Train

Water and Fire show at Branson Landing

Gary ziplining

Gary took these from the line

From the zipline

 

October 6, 2015 Branson, Missouri

This area of Branson, the Ozarks, is a beautiful part of Missouri.  It is hilly and green and heavily forested.   We had a short travel day so we stopped for breakfast at a Cracker Barrel.  Bought Marley Boo a cute outfit for Thanksgiving, only to find out her mama bought her the same one at Kohl's.  Well mama's going to have to return hers cause I can't!!

We are at the Branson KOA.  It is a huge park, very tight quarters but people here from all over.   We met our neighbors who are here from Florida.  Very nice people, who travel in a beautiful 45' fifth wheel.

We parked, set up and then hit the road to check the place out.  Very busy main drag through town but fortunately they have routes that go east and west around the main drag.  Gary checked Yelp and found a really good bbq place near us for dinner.   We then drove to Branson Landing to check that out.  We are going to a few shows and we hope to take a scenic train ride.  So stand by, hopefully we will have some nice pics, but I'm really a terrible picture taker.  

Gary just went outside to shave.  First time since we left home so he is shaving with his electric razor outside in the dark.  Neighbors probably wondering what the heck is going on!  

Here are some shots from our travels today and some of the sites in Branson.  Branson appears to be pretty kitschy.

 

October 5, 2015 Travel Day - Pacific, Missouri

Today was a travel day and as we drove out of Illinois I became very reflective.   I have had such a blessed life.  My childhood was full of love and caring and no harm.  That alone is a huge blessing.  I had two parents who loved life;  they played hard and enjoyed themselves.  We were always surrounded by friends and family.  There were huge get togethers for all the holidays and just because days.  My dad was one of 9 children and most lived in the area.   There is only one alive today and unfortunately she has become what I can only describe as a recluse.  She allows only two or three people in the old homestead, where she still lives alone.  It's sad for me but all I can do is pray for her.  I had been blessed to have many cousins who were my first friends, who I learned to play cooperatively with and to share.  I was lucky to be surrounded by truly caring people.   We used to live upstairs from Aunt Opal's hair salon and after school I was in the salon with her and she would save all the permanent rods she used and I would clean them and take the papers off.  I felt so important.  Aunt Opal doted on me.  I loved my aunts and uncles and there were always lots of laughs around the table as well as lots of food.   They were the best cooks.  Aunt Bernadette could bake like nobody's business.   Aunt Dorothy made the best homemade mac and cheese, among other things.  But it was a whole lot more than just the food - it was love and laughter and I am so blessed to have those memories.   

See told you I got sappy today!   

Travel day was great, we stayed near Six Flags Saint Louis at a KOA.  Nice park,  very noisy at night, lots of traffic and trains.  Ear plugs did the trick for me.  

Tomorrow is Branson, Missouri!

Our campsite at KOA Pacific Missouri

The arch in St. Louis - not a very good shot

October 4, 2015 Dad's Birthday

Since today was dad's birthday, and I hadn't been to the cemetery yet, Connie and I went out there.   Dad would have been 90 today.  Wow - I can guarantee you we would have had a huge party to celebrate that but instead we silently celebrate the awesome father he was.    

Connie and I then went shopping and did a little antiquing and even went to a new to me grocery store to get some of that famous dressing my cousin Liz told me about.  It is Old Dutch Sweet and Sour dressing and my Aunt Pauline used it on her cucumbers and tomatoes with onion.  Yum, yum - she was a great cook, as were all my aunts.    We all then went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  We had yummy steaks and we love their yeast rolls!

It's always hard to say good-bye to my lil sis; but fortunately she travels a lot and we usually see each other at least once if not more a year.   Here's a pic of her and Zach standing by her pop-up camper.  I'm so proud of her for just doing it and not sitting on the sidelines wishing she could camp.  

Travel day tomorrow!