Silver Dollar City

Friday, September 19, 2014

Our last day in Branson.  

We started it out with one last show, a Neil Diamond Tribute located in a little theatre (Owen Theatre) in downtown Branson.   I can't remember the guy's actual name, but he did a nice job and looked a lot like Neil.  We both agreed that if it would have been a full blown production in one of the larger venues it would have been over the top!

We're both still trying to figure out how his sequined vest changed colors 5 different times throughout the performance.  

We were going to go to Silver Dollar City yesterday, but the weather didn't really co-operate.   Today was much better.  

Silver Dollar City is a theme park that's been around for 50 years.   Even my Mother made it here with Bud.  

It's based on an Ozark community from the 1800's.   There are lots of demonstrations.  

Clay Pottery

Prepping logs for a cabin. 

And Glass blowing to name a few.  

We watched this guy  work this vase from a blob of glass for about 20 minutes. 

There was tons of entertainment. 

Sons of the Silver Dollar

My favourite, Homestead Pickers!

Bluegrass Band Plain and Simple. 

This guy from Louisiana playing Cajun music. 

They closed the park with a great hour and a half performance called Great American Country Nights. 

There were also lots of rides and a cave tour (which we passed on). 

It was a great day and a great way to end a fabulous week.   We did 10 different shows as well as a great day at Big Cedar and Dogwood Canyon this week.  

We're hopefully back in November on a bus tour to see the Christmas Shows. 

Lynn has been here eight times before, but always on a bus tour.  She got to see Branson from a different perspective staying in a timeshare with the luxury of your own transportation.  

All good things must come to an end and we leave for home in the morning.  

A Full Day!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

First off today was a cruise of Lake Taneycomo on the Lake Queen Paddle Boat.  This was one of the freebies from the timeshare presentation.   It was a very relaxing 90 minute tour of the lake (which is more of a River).

After the cruise, we just got to the Starlite Theatre in time for the CMA award winner, Billy Dean Show.  

We grabbed a quick bite before sitting in on the George Strait Tribute Show put on by James Garrett.  

Jim has several guests on during his show.  One was 82 year old John Wayne (real name), who read an amazing patriotic poem.  I'm not too into all the flag waving in the various shows, but this was excellent.  

He shook hands with the audience while he recited.  We may remember him best for possibly rebreaking Lynn's finger that was healing nicely.  

At least she can say that John Wayne broke it!!

Our third show of the day was to go and see the Hughes Family (not related to Lynn:).  This is a long standing Branson show that features the harmonies of Six brothers.  

It has developed into an amazing show featuring all of their wives and most of their 36 children (with two more on the way)!    So much talent from one family. 

A real full day!

Bass Pro and Oak Ridge Boys

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

It poured cats and dogs today.   We had already planned a Springfield day to go to the Bass Pro Mothership.

 This store is probably 3 times the size of the Toronto store.  

The Alligator Gar behind Lynn were massive!

We enjoyed lunch at Hemingway's located on the 3rd floor of the store.  

Finished lunch and escaped from the store only doing $140 in damages.  

Next stop was PFI Western wear where Lynn and I each picked up a pair of cowboy boots.  

Stylin' baby!!

We returned back to Branson to take in our feature show, The Oak ridge Boys.  4th row.  The guys put on an amazing show.  

As we were waiting in the parking lot for the traffic to thin after the show, out comes William Golden who happens to be parked beside us and he came over to chat it up with Lynn for a couple of minutes.  

A great way to end the evening.  

Big Cedar & Dogwood Canyon

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Today was a scheduled break from the shows.   We started off down the road at Big Cedar Lodge owned by Johnny Morris, the owner of Bass Pro Shops.  

They were just ending a huge Tracker Retailer Show on site.  This place continues to get better and better.  A few years ago he added a huge conference center and recently built a church on site.  It is situated on Table Rock Lake and also has timeshare units all done up in the Bass Pro Old Lodge theme. 

We had lunch at the Devil's Pool Restaurant which afforded a beautiful view of Table Rock Lake.  

Big Cedar's version of Moby Dick. 

I also spent some personal time at the Truman House, one of the original buildings on site that serves coffee and sweets.   This was Chris' favourite spot in Branson.  

Lynn and I are having a great time together, but it also has special memories for both of us.  I was in Branson three times with Chris and Lynn was here 8 times with Jim.  

We left Big Cedar and headed 10 miles down the road to Dogwood Canyon.  I've been wanting to go here for some time now.  Johnny bought this place in 1990 and has transformed it into an absolutely awesome site, accentuating the natural beauty of the area.  

We crossed Dogwood Creek a total of 53 times on our 8 mile tour. 

They found the oldest bones in Missourri in one of the caves on site dating back to 8000 BC!

He has converted the property to a Heritage Foundation.  All profits go back into the preservation of the park.  

We were treated to Buffalo.....

.....Elk....., along with Texas LongHorn Cattle and White Tailed Deer. 

There is a working grist mill currently being constructed.  This was one of the highlights of the week.  I definitely hope to return in the future.  

Well done John! 

We returned back to Branson.  Had a quick dinner and enjoyed The Presley's.  This was one of the first two shows that started Branson Music.   The Presley family (not related to Elvis) has been putting this show on since the 60's. 

Excellent entertainment!

Shoji

Monday, September 15, 2014

We have the week pretty much planned out based on the weather forecast. 

We started today with another timeshare presentation (lots of free tickets and a boat cruise later this week).  

Once we finally got out we went to see Pierce Arrow (6) in the afternoon. 

Had a nice dinner at Macfarlands before going to see Shoji Tabuchi. 

I've heard a lot about this show and theatre.   Shoji's Rest Rooms were voted the best in North America.  Never shot a pic in a washroom before, but this was an exception. 

Unbelievable!

All gold faucets. 

Shoji was incredible. 

It has to be the glitziest production in Branson. We gave the show a "10". 

He took time at intermission to meet us (and a few others).  

We followed up the show with a stop at Cakes n Cream Dessert Parlour.....

......for a Cakes & Cream Funnel Cake Special!!

We couldn't finish it! :)