Branson MO - Having a great time. The weather is Fantastic!.

We arrived in Branson, MO on Wednesday 9/23/09 at around 3:00 PM and checked into the Table Rock State Park where we are in Lot 120. Table Rock is a beautiful park, with concrete slabs for the RV and also has a patio attached. We relaxed on Wednesday evening, and went over the shows available to decide what we wanted to see and when.

On Wednesday evening we looked over the shows and picked the ones we wanted to attend. Then on Thursday morning we made reservations and then rode around the area to find the places we would be going. Then on Thursday evening we went to see the Oak Ridge Boys at their theater at 8:00 PM. They were great. The group started out as the Georgia Clodhoppers and recorded their first record in 1943. During the early 40's they were the only entertainment allowed into the Oak Ridge Nuclear Test Facility during the development of the Atomic Bomb. They performed each Saturday evening for the workers and their families. The name was changed to the Oak Ridge Quartet in 1945 and they focused on Gospel Music. The name was changed to the Oak Ridge Boys in 1961. In 1977 the Oak Ridge Boys switched to Country Music and began the ride to fame. You can get the full details at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oak_Ridge_Boys . The night we were there they had three men from the 50's and 60's group attending. They are in the picture attached. One is on the piano, and the other two are the ones wearing suits. They sang without rehearsing and did a great job joining right in. We really enjoyed this show.

On Friday morning we got up early and went to see Yakov Smirnoff the Russian Comedian. See photo to the right. He came to America in 1976 at the age of 27 with his parents and none of them spoke any english. He became an American Citizen in 1986, and has performed for President Regan. You can tell he really loves America and appreciates the opportunity to come here. We found his show to be very funny, and he did not have to use any curse words or vulgarity. There were some inuendos, but we felt they were done in good taste. I would not mind bringing my children or grandchildren to see this program.

On our way to see Yakov we took the following picture from a scenic overlook off Hwy 265 that goes into Branson. The view was breathtaking. We also stopped here on Thursday evening but decided the picture would not turn out due to the lack of light. The night view was very pretty, but our little camera was not up to the challenge of capturing it.

After the Yakov Smirnoff show on Friday morning we went to Baldknobbers Restaurant for their $4.99 Lunch special of Country Fried Steak, Mashed Patotoes, Green Beans, and a roll. After lunch we returned to the RV for a much needed nap of about two hours. I don't know why we were so tired, but we both fell asleep shortly after arriving home.

On Saturday we went back into Branson for a little shopping at Baldknobbers, and the Branson Craft Mall where we picked up some family Christmas Gifts. No you can't see them until Christmas! Saturday Evening we went to see the Circle B Chuckwagon Dinner and Show. While we were waiting outside for the theater to open we listened to a little of the Alabama vs Arkansas football game on the radio. Needless to say we were delighted with the score at half time, and reluctant to go into the show and miss the second half. However, we were glad to find out that Alabama won when we returned to our RV and talked to Jenny.

The Circle B Chuckwagon Dinner and Show featured a Roy Rogers & Dale Evans movie, then dinner was served while we watched the Lone Ranger. The food was Roast Beef, Baked Beans, Baked Potatoes, Cornbread Muffins, and a Cinnamon Bun for desert. It was very tasty. Then the folks there put on about an hour show that included Cowboy songs, jokes, and a poem. It is a family run operation that highlights Jesus Christ as their reason for being there. They also support mission efforts in Africa, and put on shows at county fairs, and other chuckwagon facilities thoroughout the western states. I enjoyed it very much, but the music was not Dianne's type. Although, she did enjoy the harmonizing that they did.

Sunday Morning we attended a non-denominational service at the Mansion Theater that is put on by the Backstage Ministries. We sang several praise and worship songs, had a prayer time, then the preacher presented a sermon on Leviticus 16:29-31 titled Day of Attonment. He presented the Old Testament requirement for this feast and then tied it into the Gospel by showing how it pictured the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross for our sins. It was a very good sermon. We both enjoyed it very much, and if we are ever up this way again would attend. We also highly recommend it to anyone who comes here in the future.

On our way back from church we stopped by the Table Rock Dam to take the attached

picture. The Dam was started in 1955 and completed in 1957 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It was built to provide flood control as its primary purpose, and hydroelectric power as a by product. They also have a visitors center at the western side of the Dam that shows how it was built. It was very interesting to see the exhibits, and the short film on the building of the Dam. At the bottom of the Dam you can see the electric distribution area, and next to it the Fish Hatchery that raises Stripped, and Brown Trout. We hope to visit the Fish Hatchery on Tuesday if possible.

Tonight (Sunday 9/27/09) we will be attending the Chinese Acrobat performance. We are looking forward to it. As for now I guess I will sign off and try to take a nap since we can not get the Nascar Race or any NFL Football games on our satellite today. Nor could we find the race on the radio.