Branson, Missouri

We had to change our travel route a couple times because of snow.  Our original plan was to go through Denver, but that didn't happen.  We headed south out of Salt Lake City to I-40 in Gallup, New Mexico.  We didn't see anymore snow but we had a couple cold nights.  Because of the delays and weather we didn't make anymore stops until we arrived in Branson, Missouri.  We had never been to Branson so was nice to have a couple days before we had to be in Kansas.  We stayed at the Escapees Turkey Creek RV Village in Hollister, Missouri, just a short drive into Branson.  Our Escapees friends Joan and Chuck met us at the park and we had a nice couple days with them. We were able to see a couple shows and enjoyed them all.  Christmas has arrived in Branson.

On our first night in Branson we went to Dollie Parton's Dixie Stampede Christmas Dinner Show.  The show was beautiful.  They had a live Nativity with three kings atop camels and shepherds with sheep. Lots of Christmas music with the Sugar Plum Fairy bringing the toys to life.  Then they had the beautiful horses performing.  The meal they served during the show was four-courses - Creamy vegetable soup and homemade biscuits, whole rotisserie chicken, Hickory smoked BBQ pork loin, buttered corn on cob, herb-basted potato, and a apple turnover for dessert, plus all the water, tea, pepsi and coffee that you could drink.  It was served without any silverware...you ate with your fingers.  They supplied lots of napkins and wet wipes.  The only disappointing part was we couldn't take any photos during the show

Thursday night we went to the Andy Williams Christmas Show.  Before the show we had dinner across the street at the Moon River Grill.  The show was really good and they did a really nice tribute to Andy Williams.

Andy Williams singing White Christmas

The Moon River Theater

Our friends Joan and Chuck outside the theater

On Friday afternoon we went to see the Legend of Kung Fu.  Before the show they served a lunch - an oriental salad, vegetable egg roll, cashew chicken served over rice and steamed vegetables and a cup cake.  The Legend of Kung Fu tells the story of a young boy who is apprenticed to learn the ancient art of Kung Fu.  The story is told through the eyes of the young boy and his older Kung Fu Master. They show combines elements of kung fu, story-telling, acrobatics, modern dance and music to tell the story.  The youngest boy is 8 years old and the oldest 25 years old and they only speak a few words of english.  After the show they come out to meet the audience.  One of the ushers told Joan and I to be sure to stop and shake hands with the little boys.  They are here without any family and miss their mothers and like the ladies to stop and shake their hands.   

The theater where the show is performed

Members of the cast

After the Kung Fu Show we road up in the hills above Branson and a stop at Table Rock Lake. We were able to see the riverboat, Showboat Branson Belle, on the lake.

Joan & Chuck

Sandy & Ray

On Friday evening we drove through the Trail of Lights.  The Trail of Lights is a drive thru animation display that winds its way through the 160-acre Shepherd of the Hills Homestead. There are millions of lights and Christmas music.  At the end of the trail is the Inspiration Tower.  You can ride the glass elevator up to the top for a view of the lights rom above.  Really puts you in the Christmas mood 52 days before Christmas! 

On our last night in Branson we went to Tony Orlando's" Great American Christmas" Show.  This was probably our favorite show.  The first half of the show he sang many of his hits and second half was his Christmas show.  He is still a great entertainer.

Sunday morning we packed up and headed for Chanute, Kansas and our friends Joan and Chuck headed for Las Vegas, Nevada.