2009 Branson, Missouri
There's an old folk saying about the Ozark Mountains: "It's not that the mountains are so high, it's just that the valleys are so deep."
It's true. The Ozark Mountains in Arkansas are a heavily eroded plateau, pushed up eons ago and carved out by hundreds of streams over thousands of years. Nature worked wonders, and today the diversity of these highlands is endless.
Ray's Comments: We had heard about the Branson area from many people, so we decided to include this area in our trip this summer. We arrived in Branson after delaying our departure from the previous park. There were severe storm warnings with tornados in the Branson area. We try to avoid rain-slick roads, not to mention the mess it causes on the RV, Truck & Bike. Branson was spared the tornados, but had 70-MPH straight-line winds and several people died to the west from tornados. Our first three days were hampered with weather warnings. Little did we know that Missouri is part of tornado alley, next door to Kansas. However, we escaped most of the bad weather with mostly rain. During our stay in an RV park behind the IMAX theater, we enjoyed three shows: The Twelve Irish Tenors, Shoji, and Yakov—At the IMAX: The Ozarks, Safari, and Angels & Demons.
I rode the bike a total of 300+ miles and Marsha and I had several road trips including Sheppard of the Hills Tower that overlooks the area's highest point. We were warned that summer is very busy in Branson, so we took the Sheppard of the Hills Blvd or BLUE route from the interstate to our park. We never got caught in a traffic nightmare that we had heard about.
Branson is built on a very hilly area with gorges, elevation 400 to 800ft. Our introduction to Branson in the RV was a downhill run with a 300-ft drop and a fairly sharp left-hand turn at the bottom with an outwardly sloping 4-lane road. Well, here we come, all 40,000+ lbs, on the inside lane expecting a nice inwardly banking turn at the bottom -- RV wheels did not leave the ground, but close, when I noticed a car in my mirror on my right side. And I was under the speed limit. Forget about tornados, that was enough excitement for one day. Thank heaven for air brakes and white knuckles. Marsha did not say a word, until later.
Several people and Marsha’s searching the net directed us toward the shows we selected. Most of the show prices range from $30 to $50. Our opinion, for what it is worth, is that The Twelve Tenors and Yakov were the best. The Tenors were very good looking and sing they did, for almost two hours, and they have a very entertaining program. The Russian comedian, Yakov, was very good. The Japanese violinist, Shoji, had a fair program, but came in third. All of them were good and they all have been in Branson for many years and have their own buildings, and are not guests at someone else’s venue. There are many other shows available that we heard were very good as well. Only so much time and $$$$..There are a lot of huge billboards along the major roads making driving and locating things very taxing. Recommend picking up AAA city map, a big help. The roads are very good in and out of town. In town mostly four lane with a center turn lane and new roads are being built. There are a number of camp grounds in and around the city.Motorcycling in the Ozarks on a beautiful day is something to remember, although the elevations cannot be compared to other parts of our country. Nice rolling hills with friendly curves and great scenery all along picturesque Table Rock Lake. Traffic was light and the roads were good. The area has had much rain resulting in everything blooming and so lush and green. Some small farms dot the countryside.
On the weekend there was a motorcycle rally on the south central area of town, a lot of bikes from all over were in town. I did not ride there - usually I avoid rallies.We enjoyed our 12-day stay, the park was very large, spacious, and close to all activities, and the daily visit from a local skunk added to the ambiance.
Ray's Comments: We had heard about the Branson area from many people, so we decided to include this area in our trip this summer. We arrived in Branson after delaying our departure from the previous park. There were severe storm warnings with tornados in the Branson area. We try to avoid rain-slick roads, not to mention the mess it causes on the RV, Truck & Bike. Branson was spared the tornados, but had 70-MPH straight-line winds and several people died to the west from tornados. Our first three days were hampered with weather warnings. Little did we know that Missouri is part of tornado alley, next door to Kansas. However, we escaped most of the bad weather with mostly rain. During our stay in an RV park behind the IMAX theater, we enjoyed three shows: The Twelve Irish Tenors, Shoji, and Yakov—At the IMAX: The Ozarks, Safari, and Angels & Demons.
I rode the bike a total of 300+ miles and Marsha and I had several road trips including Sheppard of the Hills Tower that overlooks the area's highest point. We were warned that summer is very busy in Branson, so we took the Sheppard of the Hills Blvd or BLUE route from the interstate to our park. We never got caught in a traffic nightmare that we had heard about.
Branson is built on a very hilly area with gorges, elevation 400 to 800ft. Our introduction to Branson in the RV was a downhill run with a 300-ft drop and a fairly sharp left-hand turn at the bottom with an outwardly sloping 4-lane road. Well, here we come, all 40,000+ lbs, on the inside lane expecting a nice inwardly banking turn at the bottom -- RV wheels did not leave the ground, but close, when I noticed a car in my mirror on my right side. And I was under the speed limit. Forget about tornados, that was enough excitement for one day. Thank heaven for air brakes and white knuckles. Marsha did not say a word, until later.
Several people and Marsha’s searching the net directed us toward the shows we selected. Most of the show prices range from $30 to $50. Our opinion, for what it is worth, is that The Twelve Tenors and Yakov were the best. The Tenors were very good looking and sing they did, for almost two hours, and they have a very entertaining program. The Russian comedian, Yakov, was very good. The Japanese violinist, Shoji, had a fair program, but came in third. All of them were good and they all have been in Branson for many years and have their own buildings, and are not guests at someone else’s venue. There are many other shows available that we heard were very good as well. Only so much time and $$$$..There are a lot of huge billboards along the major roads making driving and locating things very taxing. Recommend picking up AAA city map, a big help. The roads are very good in and out of town. In town mostly four lane with a center turn lane and new roads are being built. There are a number of camp grounds in and around the city.Motorcycling in the Ozarks on a beautiful day is something to remember, although the elevations cannot be compared to other parts of our country. Nice rolling hills with friendly curves and great scenery all along picturesque Table Rock Lake. Traffic was light and the roads were good. The area has had much rain resulting in everything blooming and so lush and green. Some small farms dot the countryside.
On the weekend there was a motorcycle rally on the south central area of town, a lot of bikes from all over were in town. I did not ride there - usually I avoid rallies.We enjoyed our 12-day stay, the park was very large, spacious, and close to all activities, and the daily visit from a local skunk added to the ambiance.
Some of the most scenic rivers and majestic lakes in America are here to enjoy in the Arkansas Ozarks. Trout floats on the White, Little Red and Spring Rivers, plus bass and pan-fish outings on the lakes and smaller streams, make for world-class fishing action. Recreational boating, canoeing and swimming are also on the agenda of many visitors.
Upon arrival at Treasure Lake Resort in Branson, we drove the Phase 4 area reserved for non-members. We tried two sites that looked satellite friendly, but neither could accommodate our rig and have room to park the truck and motorcycle. A park ranger saw our dilemma and suggested we look in Phase 2, although for members only, we were allowed to stay.
Monday, May 11 - It was off and on clouds with small showers here and there. We went to visit the Inspiration Tower that is Branson's "landmark on the horizon" --We both felt it was not worth the $10 per person ticket to go to the top. It is a massive 230' tall structure located on Inspiration Point in The Shepherd of the Hills Homestead. Constructed and erected in 1989, the Tower's opening celebrated the 100th anniversary of Harold Bell Wright's first visit to the area. It weighs 3 million pounds, cost approximately $1.5 million to build, contains over 92,000 pounds of structural steel, and can withstand a constant wind of 172 mph or gusts of up to 224 mph! A convoy of 43 concrete trucks filled the Tower foundation, which contains five miles' worth of rebar weighing 34.5 tons. The Tower also contains over 4,400 square feet of glass - enough to cover a third of a football field!
In the afternoon we went to see the 12 Irish Tenors and their show was well worth the $33 ticket. We were able to sit on the front row center because of a cancelation, so we were able to really see the singers. We have our favorites, but they all had great voices and blended so well together. This hugely talented group of Ireland's finest singers are taking the concert world by storm as they perform their award-winning show in concert halls everywhere. Sold out tours in Europe and America have made this show one of the "hottest" production in years.! From Opera to Pop, from Jazz to Classical, this show is a fabulous smash hit! Songs include "Danny Boy", "That’s Life", "You Raise Me Up", "Hey Jude", "Twist and Shout", "Yesterday", "Cockles and Mussels", "Nessun Dorma", "Music of the Night", and more!
Tuesday, May 12 - It was 58 degrees this morning. Ray took the Honda for a ride. The sky is overcast, but weather radar does not show showers.
Table Rock Dam is located in the SW corner of Branson. It is massive and holding back Table Rock Lake running into Lake Taneycomo (White River). Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is at the base of Table Rock Dam. In 1882, Rueben Branson opened a general store and post office in the area. Branson was formally incorporated in 1912 and construction of the Powersite Dam nearby on the White River, which would form Lake Taneycomo, was completed. 1958 saw the completion of Table Rock Dam on the White River, which created Table Rock Lake.
At 3pm we saw our next show, Shoji Tabuchi, the violinist. An exciting musical and variety entertainment in a palatial setting. All is showcased in a theatre that is a phenomenon in itself...often called the "Showplace of Branson." Its decor is reminiscent of the grand theatre palaces of the 1930's. Even the restrooms have awed visitors. The ladies' powder room is complete with wainscoting and ceiling reproduced from the 1890's Empire Period. To the ladies amazement, there are live cut orchids at every granite and onyx pedestal sink. Add to all that stained and jeweled glass and magnificent chandeliers! Although I did not see it, the men's lounge is no less imposing, with black lion head sinks imported from Italy, black leather chairs and a marble fireplace. The billiard room contains a hand carved mahogany billiard table, a viewing gallery, and a burled walnut mirror that was built in 1868.
Thursday, May 14 - We had purchased tickets to see Yakov Smirnoff at 3pm. We enjoyed every minute of this show.
He is a two-time Comedian of the Year and has quite a reputation as the famous Russian Comedian. He delivers explosive laughter in a show filled with brilliant special effects, dazzling dancing, heartfelt moments, and just plain fun. Yakov’s entire show is packed with comedic tall tales and witty perceptions, funny facts and huge laughs. Yakov's comedy focuses on the dynamics between men and women, the happiness that can be found inside oneself, and a celebration of the spirit of life. He shares a vision of the world where laughter truly is the best medicine. Yakov's prescription for healthy living includes explosive laughter backed up with the best of human compassion. During this inspiring show filled with patriotism and love of family, Yakov delivers humor for the heart over and over again! As Yakov says, "What A Country", you'll be cheering for the red, white, and blue !
Friday, May 15 - We drove through the downtown area of “old” Branson. Their main street is very busy and the shops looked interesting, but we didn’t have time to browse. We had a very nice lunch at the Fish House Restaurant.
It is sitting on a dock in the middle of the lake. Located at the Branson Landing, owned by the Bass Pro Shop and behind it on the dock.
White River Fish House has moderate prices. If you are a fish lover, they have a variety of fish to choose from, such as Flounder, Walleye, Mahi, and Salmon.
Saturday, May 16 - We had rain off and on last night, but today finally cleared up and we had sunshine at times. Cooler weather with a high in mid-60s, going down to 40 tonight. We went to see Safari at the IMAX theater and loved the beauty of Africa and the five major animals sought after for pictures. Bought beef filets on sale at the Country Store. First time we have used the grill since leaving Florida.
Monday, May 18 - Beautiful day with a high of 74 degrees. We went to the IMEX theater complex and saw the new release of Angels & Demons, an adaptation of the book by Dan Brown. Since I read the book two years ago, I had forgotten the ending so it was very entertaining to me. Ray also liked it. We both enjoyed seeing all the views of Rome above the ground and of course the “replica” of the interior of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel that we visited on our vacation in Italy years ago.b:if cond='data:blog.pageType !="item">
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MO - Branson 5/7-6/1/09
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