Branson Baby - Shows, Friends and the End of the Trail

Branson.  I had no idea how exhausting it would be to be sitting and watching others expend huge amounts of energy and talent.  But it sure was.  Looking back at our journey up from Little Rock, Arkansas on the 26th and seeing all the "flea markets" along the way was the easiest part.  I'm not too sure from the looks of some of these "flea markets" that there weren't in fact plenty of fleas included with any purchase.  We kept driving just to be safe.

The availability of "flea markets" along our 173 mile route from Little Rock to Branson seemed unlimited.

Crossing Table Rock Dam into the Branson area.  

Winding road takes us to Branson View RV Park.

RIDE THE DUCKS

There was no rest for the road weary thanks to Larry and Gail.  The next morning we were up and moving at the crack of noon.  Had to "Ride the Ducks".  Oh Mercy Me!

And we are off. 

Along the Duck Route we saw more of that "flea market" stuff.

Our Captain Crunch had a wonderful sense of humor and entertained us while he systematically scared the crap out of us with his fast driving.  He took us to a bluff high above the lake telling us it was the drop off location for all holders of our orange tickets.  Reality is he'd taken us to the World War II Memorial and vehicle display.  We also couldn't help noticing the buzzards flying overhead.  He said they'd lost a guide up here a week earlier and still hadn't found him.  Keep a look out would we?

At the top overlooking the lake.  It was a beautiful view but we never did see that missing guide.

Now this was one perfectly timed picture.

Coming off the top of the bluff we passed a "cartridge in a bare tree"....hey, just warming you up for the holiday season.

Then we came to a big decision we all had to make about that "fork in the tree".  Corney eh?

Suddenly we were careening down a dirt road and SPLASH!!!!!  We were in the water.

Larry, our non-water person, who barely tolerates showers looks a bit iffy...Gail hasn't even looked up.  What a pro.

We cruised around the lake for 20 minutes and headed back to the barn.  I didn't think I'd really like to go on this adventure but in fact it was very entertaining thanks to Captain Crunch. Quack quack.

TEXAS TENORS

Went back to the rigs after a stop at the local DQ for their $5 lunch.  Dogs were much "relieved" after our return.  But that wasn't the end of our day.  We were going to go see the "Texas Tenors" tonight at 7:30 at the Starlite Theater.

Now these guys are cuties.  They sang western, pop and classical.  A slice of heaven listening to the angels sing.  A fantastic night.

The "tenor"...baritone that is.

The Texas Tenors are going to be a hard act to follow but the next night it almost happened...almost.

JONAH

The Sight and Sound Theater was the location of "Jonah".  This theater specializes in "plays/musicals" based on biblical characters and events.

A beautiful display at the front entrance of the Sight and Sound Theater.

No live pictures were allowed during the show but I did find a few online.

Jonah was a great stage production.  Live animals, including camels were included. You could smell the animals before the play started.  They used the aisles during the show and overhead for 3D affects of being underwater.  Brilliantly done.  A must see.

 A souvenir

DIXIE STAMPEDE

Next evening we were off to the Dixie Stampede for a Dinner Show.

We stopped along the walk where the stables were located and visited some of the stars in their dressing rooms.

Beautiful horses.

There's always a clown in the show.

One of my favorite horses are the paints.  This is Amy, we will see her again later.

Again no pictures were allowed during the show, just before and after which I managed to get. The action shots are pictures I borrowed off the internet.

After the show we had a chance to talk to the performers.  All of them were young and beautiful.

There's Amy again with her rider...another beauty.

The "master of ceremony"

Another great evening.

The next morning, October 3rd, Larry and Gail left for a family get together in Springdale, Arkansas.  Three days short of a full 16 months of traveling together through 29 states has come to an end.  Oh we'll travel with them again, meet up with them this winter somewhere along the road.  We've had a memorable 16 months.  A trip of a lifetime.  Bill and I will leave Branson on Sunday morning, October 5th.  The blog will continue.

We extended our departure two days to meet up with friends from home who come to Branson on a regular basis.  What an unimaginable thing that we are here at the same time.  They talked us into doing another show with them that same day Larry and Gail left.  That's 4 nights in a row.  I'm not use to all this nightlife.

BALDKNOBBERS

Here's Bill and Sharon yucking it up with the show's talent.  This guy (in the middle) is hilarious. We laughed throughout the entire show.

Pre-show entertainment.  Texas Tenors you have zero to worry about.

Original show in Branson by the Mabe family.  Mother Mabe on left, a couple of sons and a lot of other talent and entertainers with family ties.  Heck I can't keep my own family genealogy straight so I'm not even going to try on this group.

I'll tell you this one is not related but he sure can  fiddle.  Amazing talent.

One of the Mabe's...this one can sing.

More clowning around.  Actually  I thought I was watching a live rendition of "Oh Brother Where Art Thou".  Good singers.

Half time with my buddy.

And the finale.

We went home again, determined not to attend another show and we stuck to it.  We did manage to get in a couple games of "PayMe" "65" "13" or whatever you call it.  Sharon and Leo left for another show - Yakov and we stayed home and rested then packed up for our departure the next morning.
Going Solo Now.

Thank you for all your support over the past 16 months through 29 states, and for all your views and comments.  I will continue to do our blog until we return to Palm Desert for the winter.  It will naturally fade out with lack of cultural activity.  We'll be playing water volleyball and pickleball as often as we can between visiting friends we haven't seen since April of 2013.

Come back soon because we'll be seeing lots more along our way back.

Susan