...Memories and Moonshine Continued

 

Chapel at Top of the Rock in Branson

    Our adventure continued on as the four of us headed south with a rented condo waiting for us in Branson, Missouri. This too seemed an apropos destination since Wayne, Zanna, and I had stopped here for the first time after dropping Will off for his freshman year. Now we  returned with Will and Fran, who had never even heard of Branson! I couldn't wait to expose them to the hillbillies and moonshine culture of the Ozarks!! 

Clearly I lack selfie ability but that's the Branson sign behind us.

    Growing up, my family didn't usually live in one place too long with my dad's job with the railroad. He would regularly get transferred and we just got used to starting over in a new city, school, and home. Springfield, Missouri is the closest place I have to where I grew up since we lived there the longest and three different times in my life: first through fifth grade, eighth grade, and finally to attend Missouri College of Cosmetology to earn my hairdresser license. Nearby Branson was always the perfect place to bring guests that came to visit us. We knew Branson before it became what it is now! Now it's practically on our way to Texas and the perfect destination to have some fun before heading home. 

    If you've never been to Branson, let me fill you in. It's sort of like Las Vegas only Christian with some possible inbreeding set to banjo music. Last time we did Dolly Parton's Stampede dinner theater, the Titanic Museum, explored a cave, played some miniature golf, and rode go-carts. Wayne and Zanna did a mountain coaster ride too. This time we started by going back north to Springfield so Will could look at a car on a lot. He'll be purchasing his first new car and has researched the heck out of it but he's never actually seen it in person.  He had intel that there was one waiting on a lot in Springfield, however it had been picked up by the new owner the day before we got there. Since we drove all the way to Springfield, I considered it the perfect time to stroll down memory lane. 

    First stop was the College of Cosmetology I went to but I'm pretty sure it's in a different location from when I attended. We also went to Battlefield Mall where I had my first salon job at JC Penney. I didn't have the addresses of the homes we lived in but I did remember some street names and managed to find two of our three homes. 

I remember this one the most. We lived in it for five whole years! I played a lot of Barbies in this house. 

I loved this house! I had a basement bedroom with my own bathroom, a walk in closet, and built in shelves for all my Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High, and Anne of Green Gables books. 

    I greatly appreciated the patience of those in the car with me as we wandered the neighborhoods of Springfield. My siblings were able to join in the fun via texting. 

    We made it back to Branson for the evening's show tickets to WhoDunnit Hoedown Murder Mystery dinner theater.  Not the highest calibre of acting and entertainment but the slapstick comedy was a hit and perfect introduction to the Branson culture!  The next day we explored downtown and walked through Dick's 5 & 10, some antique shops, and had lunch. In the afternoon we headed up to Top of the Rock to get some amazing views of the Ozarks and Table Rock Lake.    

    The area if full of caverns below the surface and breathtaking views up above! It's a gorgeous part of the country that really takes your breath away.

    At Top of the Rock they offered golf cart rentals that you use to follow a paved path through the trees, past waterfalls and spectacular views, over Amish built bridges, even through a cave with a "Bat Bar" with cans of wine and beer for purchase (no moonshine). It was a hoot! We had the greatest time tootling around in our carts and stopping for pictures.

    As much fun as we were having at Top of the Rock, we also had evening plans that was the cherry on top of our trip! We had tickets to the Sight and Sound Theater's show of Jesus. 

    I can't even adequately put into words the experience. We've been to shows on Broadway and in London, Ottawa, and Las Vegas. Never have I seen anything like this! It was truly memorable and the perfect ending to our mini vacation within our vacation. 

    My parents and Zanna arrived home to Texas shortly after we did. We had both kids under our roof for a few weeks and there's something about that simple thing that brings a special kind of peace and happiness knowing where they are and that we're together. Will is already off on his next adventure but not until after we celebrated his 22nd birthday and had an open house for his graduation. 

    Unfortunately while we were away, poor Buddy developed some anus gland issues (I'm sorry to even have to type that) and our friends brought him in to the vet in our absence. We came home to a very sad and forlorn Buddy with a cone around his neck. I'm happy to report that our Hillbilly Hound is back to his old scrappy self, chasing deer and eating their poop if we don't catch him in time. 

It's hard to get comfortable with a cone.