To Branson

To Branson

   We were up at the usual time on Wednesday. We finished packing our things and readying ourselves for a drive to Branson. Nancy and Ron drove us there . On the way we drove through some possible areas of future places to live; Elkins, Black Oak, Greenland, and a few other small communities near Springdale. Along the way we decided to stop for lunch. Granny’s Kitchen, near Huntsville, looked like a great place to stop for lunch, so we stopped and went inside.

   Rosie and I had a photo op with Granny to help remember her delicious food. Once again I sampled their chicken fried steak meal with Okra. It was the best I had eaten in a long time. The old country style atmosphere was quaint and the food was delicious. No one went away hungry.

   Along the way to Branson we stopped off in Alpena to see Nancy’s old home place and have a short visit with her mom. It was good to see her again. We couldn’t stay long but the visit was nice.

   In less than an hour we arrived in Branson. Ron and Nancy dropped off Rosie and I at the Majestic Theatre in Branson while Debby went on to Kimberling City where we would be staying. We would be attending a dinner theatre this evening. Teri works here and invited us to watch the production of a murder mystery. We had a great fried chicken dinner and sweet tea. The production used audience participation and Rosie was chosen as one of the guest actresses. Her stage name was Kay Marty. Personally, I think she was the best supporting actress for the evening. I may be a little biased. Not sure. 

   Afterwards, Teri and Sam took us to Kimberling City. This was the home of Sandi and Marvin, Debby’s sister and where her mom lives. Their home sits on a double lot along a hillside road overlooking a large wooded acreage , Kimberling City down below and beyond to a piece of Lake of the Ozarks. It is a great view. I spent most every morning having my coffee on the covered porch overlooking their huge deck, swimming pool and this vast view. There was something peaceful about this early morning view as the sun rose. 

   Teri, another sister, and her man, Sam, have a candle shop at Shepherd of the Hills, a tourist stop that spirts a few shops, a tower with zip line, horses and wagons and live performances. . Rosie and I took in a live performance there as they unfolded the history of Shepherd of the Hills. The Shepherd had a rough start as he worked to earn the trust of these hill folks. His name was Matt. The bad guys, known as the "Baldknobbers" made life difficult for this stranger but in the end, things worked out pretty good. There is a famous book written with this same title that you should read. 

   Rosie and I attended this evening performance. We sat in an assigned handicap section with no one even close to us! The play was well done. She was surprised and saddened when the Baldknobbers set fire to old Matt’s cabin. She couldn’t believe it actually burned!

   On Friday, Rosie also set up shop at Aunt Teri;s candle shop, painting smalll candle pots and personalizing them for tourists to buy. She was known as a visiting artist. She sold three or four while we were there that afternoon.

   Teri also did a demonstration for some visitors and made a patriotic candle that any veteran would appreciate. Debby bought it for me.

  Friday is also Farmer’s Market day. While Rosie did her thing, I bought some fresh peaches, tomatoes and cucumbers for the dinner table. There were also many things one could buy; some were hand made or hand grown. The Farmer’s Market is held every Friday featuring local farm fresh vegetables and crafts. 

   As I sat quietly at a picnic table near one of the tents, I overheard a funny conversation . A lady was walking around talking loudly on her cell phone. These kinds of people usually have egos that cast long shadows. You know the type. I had no problem hearing what she said, though the other end was quiet. At one point during her conversation, she said, 
"In California we have nighttime farmer’s markets and they are held at night". I don’t know who she was talking to but they must have had the brains of a fence post order for her to feel the need to explain that nighttime stuff happens at night. 😎

   I spent a lot of time with Rosie, helping keep her entertained while Debby spent more time with her mom. But Debby took a couple of hours off for all of us to attend a dog show in Shepherd of the Hills. Before the show, we were served a very good lunch of chicken and pork tenderloin, including all the trimmings and dessert! It was a great Neal!

   The show was a ventriloquist, named Todd Oliver, who had taught his small Terrier to flap his jaw as the man squeezed it’s back and talked for the dog. It was really quite funny, though I couldn’t see the dog’s jaw move.Rosie loved it! Even more amazing was that this dog sat attentively for nearly two hours!

   Uncle Sam went with us to Silver Dollar City on in Monday. We were required to wear our masks all day but it wasn’t too bad. On one occasion the mask police came by and told Sam to wear his mask. Sam said okay but he never did. That boy is a reb el!

  Rosie rode her first roller coaster at SDC. She was very nervous and apprehensive, to the point of sweating bullets, but she and Sam climbed aboard with Sam kidding her that "not very many people have died on this ride". Rosie said, "Wait! What do you mean by ‘not very many’?", followed by Sam’s laughter. . It was called "Wildfire" and had several loops that turned everyone upside down. She liked it so much she wanted to go again. ‘Sam was too queasy to go again so soon. During the day of fun she rode two more roller coasters! I think she is hooked!

   We ate lunch in a small outdoor eatery. I had my fix of southern Succotash, which is a favorite of mine, while Sam had a similar bowl of chicken and vegetables. Rosie gnawed away on a huge turkey leg. After Rosie got full, Sam spied meat still hanging on the bone and finished it off without even coming up for air! .  

   We picked a great day to visit SDC. According to our shuttle driver as we rode to the parking lot, only about 1000 people came today. Apparently this place is normal if it has about 15,000, even more on a great’ day! A thousand people felt like no one was even there. There were virtually no lines, no crowds and no one to bump into. It was great!

   My Guide Dog, Toronto, liked it. He is a great traveler; planes, cars or in parks. I think he just likes to be out working. We tried climbing aboard one particular ride and due pretty well getting past the first guy who directed us to a fate. The gate opened and the boss lady caught us climbing aboard. She might have had only one tooth but she had two good eyes! She hollered at her bouncer who cane over and told me that dogs were not allowed on this ride! Hey, it’s only a kiddie boat ride through the pirate’s cave. We had our own seat and Toronto was excited! The boss lady held up the boat until we got off and walked the path of shame to the exit door, in the dark, while everyone watched, perhaps wondering how this lady with probably one tooth and maybe a little facial hair could be this mean. Toronto glanced at the tattoo on her bicep as she pointed a bony finger towards the wooden barn door. Rosie kept saying she was sorry. She felt bad for us. Toronto headed for the exit with me in tow. 

   But Toronto did well. It was not a hot day nor was the sun out all day. It was just about right. He was content with people watching and kept alert by an occasional kibble. 

   Tuesday we stayed around the house while Rosie swam in the pool as much and as often as she wanted. The pool is not large but it is kept warm. She liked that. 

   About noontime on Saturday ,some friends of ours that I have known since 1960 came over from Ozark, MO to visit and have lunch. It was great seeing them again!  

   About 4:00, Rosie’s GGma and GGPa came over from Talequah, OK to visit. We had tacos for dinner and a great visit. These two run Burnt Cabin Christian Camp. But Rosie had a great visit and asked them lots of questions .

   On Sunday we attended curch in Kimberling City. This was the first indoor church service we have been to since the pandemic begaan back in March! It was great to be around them and hopeful that things will soon get back to normal.hechurch had two services this morning . We were in the second of about 40 people. We had to make reservations, wear masks and maintain social distancing but it was well worth it!

   After church we headed for Cracker Barrel for lunch but the lines were so long that we didn’t want to wait for an hour to get seated. Instead we stopped at a spaghetti place just down the street where there was no waiting. The indoor atmosphere is unique and the food is mediocre which probably explains the lack of lines! I treated everyone as was always the custom of Uncle Phil when he was alive. Whenever I can, I will always treat in his memory. After lunch, Aunt Leigh treated us to a Blizzard ice cream. 

   Our son, Matt, drove up from Oklahoma City Monday evening. We had a great visit. He took us to the Springfield airport early Wednesday morning. Our flight home had us changing planes in Dallas. Having to take the shuttle train to another concourse takes time. We barely had time to have a bathroom break! Along the way to our gate Debby found the Ladies room and told me the Men’s room was the next entrance on the left. As I turned and went inside I heard a man’s voice say, "Sir, that’s the women’s! That us the women’s room, sir!" It dawned on me that he was talking to he! Not to worry, I didn’t see all that much! Thanks, Debby. 

   We made home just after noontime. Mt Hood was a welcoming site. Pristine, snow covered; always beautiful.