October 26…. Branson

We’ve spent the week in Branson MO. What can I say?? It’s Pigeon Forge but more spread out and with less traffic.

“Usually” we stick to nature and parks, stuff like that, but a few places we did “tourist” stuff. Austin. Seattle. Branson is nothing if not a tourist town. Country music. Gospel. Comedy shows abound. Aimed squarely at the Hee Haw generation to bring their kids and grand kids. Well, we didn’t bring either one, but we dove right in anyway.

ZIP lines don’t seem so “old people”, let’s do that first. The BIGGEST. The LONGEST. The FASTEST. The baddest zip line in Missouri. Or so they say.

It was kind of a windy day, so the harnesses were blowing around and they had to measure the wind between runs. Not sure what would happen if the wind exceeded safe levels while we were in the middle of the run, but hey, let’s go!

It was touch and go whether Susy would allow herself to be strapped into the harness of doom, but it all came out well in the end and was a thrilling ride.

Next was the BIGGEST, LONGEST, FASTEST mountain coaster in all of Missouri (notice the theme?). Two runs each on that bad boy and we almost couldn’t stand ourselves.

Ok, enough of the tourist stuff for a bit, let’s go hiking. In 1937, some guy laid 327 stone steps from his farm all the way down the bluff to the Lake Taneycomo waterfront. We chose wisely and walked DOWN the stairs and came back up a better way. At the bottom of the bluff, we got to walk under a waterfall with no water. And I crawled in a cave with no bears.

Later in the week, we went to The Butterfly Palace, and went through the amphibian exhibit to see the Poison Fart Dogs, I mean Dart Frogs.

And a cute little toad.

And then got lost in their Rainforest Hall of Mirrors.

And moved on to the butterfly habitat.

More hiking in the woods. Usually, mosquitoes don’t eat me I’m so sour, but this time if I slowed below a fast walk I was swarmed. Crazy bad. I miss the desert.

We visited the Titanic Museum to see artifacts and items from the construction of the ship and from the passengers, and stood on a replica of the grand staircase.

On Saturday, we went to Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. A dinner show with horses and some trick riding, a bit of comedy, and OhYea, a bunch of Christmas themed stuff. I wish it had been all horses, but oh well, Christmas starts in October now. 😖

Sunday, we took part in one of my very most favorite activities (not!)… shopping for clothes. 😫

We have a wedding to attend the day after we get home, so both of us needed new “semi-formal wear”. Jeans, t-shirt, some sneaks, my taste in clothing doesn’t run much towards formal wear, but Susanne says wearing a t-shirt with a tie printed on it does not count as formal. Who knew??

Over all, Branson was a good time and we both enjoyed it, and we’re glad we came. Given a chance, would I do it again?? No.

Go to Pigeon Forge. It’s a lot closer to home and it has all the same crap.