Branson, Missouri

We are here in Branson, MO. We are leaving tomorrow morning for Bull Shoals Arkansas State Park, which is about 70 miles southeast.  Suppose to be some great trout fishing there.  We"ll see ! More severe thunderstorms, hope they have a tornado shelter.  I'm sure Andy has her makeup bag packed.

The RV Park we are staying at is close to all the shows and a great location on the river.  The marina is about 50 yards away and the river walk is just a "short walk" away..lol    However, look at photos below.

Talk about making your buddy smile

Like being in a cave and tunnel

 Andy said she's only ever seen RV's this "friendly"  at the RV shows.
 While here, we went to 7 different shows. Our favorite show was ' SIX", Thanks Donna and Chuck, followed closely by Legend.  During every show they honor God, America and ask all veterans or active duty to stand.   I got tired of standing and Andy made me get off my butt.  We really like the southern...middle america.. values proudly displayed.

Our favorite show

Andy and I really enjoyed the Piano Bar.  It was a lot of fun and Andy was in heaven because she knew all the songs they were playing and singing.  We didn't get back home until after midnight.  Yes I said midnight !  That is way past Andy's bedtime.  She has been up late every night since we have been here.  So proud of her !!

One thing I did find strange was all the up-selling at the shows.  They would plug everything and many times as part of the show.  They would have booths in the theratre during the intermission just to sell their stuff.  Not talking about in the lobby... I mean in the theater.  Oh, they sell their stuff  in the lobby too !! lol
 
Even though the food was awful & the rest of the entertainment so so,the Branson Belle Cruise with Janice Martin performing was worth the price of admission alone! She did an aerial violin performance that left us wondering why she"s not on a world tour some where.

 

 

M new friend Forest Gump..umm..kind of looks like Dennis Funderburg  lol

The fourth "Angel"

She wishes

Yesterday we decided to rent a pontoon boat for the day and we had a blast !  The water was 55 degrees so it was not good swimming water but the cold water makes great trout fishing.

Captain of the ship

Andy started off catching 6 fish until I caught my first.  She was using a bobber and was rubbing it in a bit since I don't use such a girly device..lol  She even posted on Facebook how she was kicking my butt.  At the end of the day I caught 11 fish and she caught 14 fish for a total of 25 trout.  She made trout for herself for dinner, thank goodness she had chicken so I didn't have to eat that nasty food.  She said it was "awesome"  took her word for it.

Real Captain of the ship

 There is more to this fish count story but I will not cry about how she cheated...lol

This was one she kept for dinner...smaller one.  It is in her belly now !

 At the rivers edge by the Hilton Hotel and the River Walk there is a "Water and Fire" show that is played with coordinated music.  It worth going to dinner or having a drink and watch the short show.

Water and Fire Show

Branson ended up being a vacation from our real life of RVing.  We didn't realize until after this week how our time living this life, truly is our lifestyle now.  Fun to take a vacation!

Oh, by the way Andy really has been on vacation for a week, she hasn't cook a dinner since we got here !  lol  I think that is a record !  Good for her !

kk

Eureka Springs, Arkansas and Tornado Alley

We are in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  We had planned on going on a train ride and a dinner show today however the weather said..."oh no you won't".

Eureka Springs, Arkansas is a popular Ozark resort town since  the 1800's.  Known for it's Victorian architecture and historic significance. The entire downtown district has been placed on the National Register of historic places.

Yesterday we took a little mini tour of the city before the storm.  Had a chance to see The Passion Play Statue of Christ, Crescent Hotel and the weird Quigley"s Castle.

Andy would have loved to have seen The Passion Play but it only runs on weekends, maybe next time.

Huge

She is so dang cute

 

Andy loves these old buildings, she was oohing & aahing around every corner.  I think it needs a good remodel

!

What the heck is this? Does anyone know ?? Barbara you are old and should know ..lol

Quigley's Castle is Ozarks strangest dwelling.  Elsie Quigley found a way to sleep among the tree tops full of blooms.  You can walk through the perennial gardens which she beautifully covered with stones collected throughout her childhood.  There are arrowheads, crystal and butterfly collections beyond belief.

Every stone on the house they collected and she cemented in.  There were hundreds of pieces she had done in the gardens and in the house.  I guess she didn't spend her day playing video games

Bottle trees, 14 of them scattered through out the garden

Plants and trees between the outer and inner wall..trees in the house ! Andy was once again totally fascinated! Remodel no, Gardner yes.

Any one know what kind of flower this is?? Andy wants to know !

We also saw Otto Bombach's old tractor.  Well the one he had as a teenager...  : )

Otto Bombachs hot rod !  lol  His girl picker upper !

Last night we had to run to the tornado shelter.  Well, not a real shelter, but a house that had half of it underground.  We met some nice people in the small bathroom that we hung out in for about 40 minutes. We do meet people in the strangest places. Getting Andy out of the motorhome was a chore...she even took a book and her makeup.  Yes, I said makeup.  Now you guys know me...that is teasing ammo for weeks..lol

Calm skies after the storm

What an experience, one we hope not to have to repeat anytime soon!

This morning I thought I would take a short walk around the RV park.  There are trees down everywhere.  I failed to understand how bad the storm was last night.

Glad we weren't in that RV spot !

This is one lucky RV. They still didn't move today..right by badly damaged tree.  Asking for it !

It was good to see Eileen in Fayetteville this past weekend.  She is sweet and fun.  We are suppose to see her again this weekend in Branson, Missouri.

Inks Lake and Longhorn Cavern Texas State Parks

We decided to try out Inks Lake and Longhorn Cavern Texas State Parks on Greg's recommendation.  So glad we did!  Inks Lake was the best Texas State Park we stayed at.  Our spot was right on the lake. We were able to fish and BBQ within our campgrounds at the same time.  Andy even caught a small catfish.

While camping in a Texas State Park you can fish for free.  Since we were from out of state we thought that was pretty dang cool.  Thanks Texas for the free camping and fishing.  They treat us veterans well !!

Our sunset on Inks Lake Texas State Park

I found them...Al, bro, I found them.  They asked how to get back.  They are sorry !

The dump people were even there..how cool was that.  We hung out together.  Had a great time!  Sure hope to see them again.

What a Dinner !  Good times... good people

Preston, Barbara and Deit,  (dump people)

We will see you again...happy trails my friends !

Longhorn Cavern is one of three, in the United States, natural caverns that were made by free flowing rivers deep underground.

Me..cool 67 degrees

Honey

Andy only stayed a few days because she wanted to surprise her mother for Mothers Day.  She flew back to Portland, Oregon for a week.

I took a day and drove to Houston, Texas to visit my Niece Sheila, Greg and the kids.  I had a blast.  We even went out and ate 20 lbs of southern craw fish.  Dang that was good. Thanks for putting me up for the night Sheila.

Last Friday I drove Epi to Dallas to visit my family while Andy was back in Portland, Oregon.  We, my family, stayed up into the wee hours of the morning talking, laughing and fighting.  Yes we fought, heated discussions.  That is what we do! We will never change!  Sandy and Misty fed me well...thanks ladies... and Andy was worried about me eating.  lol  Like I have that problem.  I always have a back up plan don't I Donna and Chuck !

Sandy and Rick

Misty and Josh.

Andy is coming into Dallas tonight and then tomorrow we are heading out of Texas towards Fayetteville, Arkansas to visit our friend Eileen.

How can it be...on the Quadalupe

How can it go from 87 degrees to 59 degrees is just 12 hours?  This has happened twice since we have been in Texas.  Once, while we were in Corpus Christi and now again here in Blanco, Texas.  Yesterday we tubed the Guadalupe River and it was amazing...nice and warm.

Just being silly on the Quadalupe

Last night when I went to bed the air conditioner was on.  I woke this morning and had to get the heater out.  It is just 59 Degrees and wont be back into the 80's for a few more days.  Yucky.  I feel for you guys up there in South Dakota and Montana getting the snow.

Since we have been here we have taken a few day trips.  On Monday, we decided to go to Fredericksburg Texas. We thought it was going to be a small German like town.  Nope !  It was just just like any other small Texas town.  Not much there.  Yes, it does have some German flair but nothing like we thought.  It is not Levenworth, Washington that's for sure.  I guess it's better not to have expectations. We wouldn't go back there again.

Just for you Briana and Ryan

Smoking jerky in the store

Blanco Texas State Park is fantastic. Highly recommend this place.  The campground is wooded with large shade trees and there is bass fishing at your door step.  A beautiful park like setting.  You can even rent tubes, kayaks and canoes at the State Park Store.

Blanco Texas State Park

We tried to stay here a little longer but the park is going to be full this weekend. We wanted to see my niece Sheila here plus we didn't want to drive into the Dallas/Fort Worth area on a Friday.  Maybe we will find a place to park Friday afternoon then go into Dallas/Fort Worth Saturday morning.

Yesterday we decided to take a day trip to Canyon City to Tube the Guadalupe River. Glad we did ! We did the Horseshoe loop.  It takes about two hours and the water was nice with lots of wildlife. Briana could even do this river without dying..lol

Tubing the Guadalupe River

Yes, my feet

Striking the pose again..oh where is her water bottle.  In the tube..lol

On Tuesday we went to Hamilton Pool Reserve that Brent recommended.  Really nice but the pool is off limits to swimming right now due to a recent flood that washed a lot of vegetation into the pool. You have to hike about and half mile along a trail to get there,  Andy had no problem.  Her broken toe is getting better.

Never without her water bottle...I mean "NEVER"  lol

Hamilton Pool Reserve

Peek a boo !

One thing you can say about Texas people...they sure like their Texas State Flag.  Never been in a state where people display their state flag as much.  I think it is cool !

 Tomorrow we will be saying goodbye to the Texas Hill Country.  What a beautiful place !