So THIS Is Why People Take Vacation...Final...

Just a wee note here...remember to PACK THE BATTERY CHARGER FOR THE CAMERA!!!  Uh yeah--I forgot so I had just a few shots left with the camera and then I had to go to my cell phone.  The cell phone camera is not what you would call great, good or anything else...So with that said, pardon some of the picture quality and on we go!!!!

We drove across the dam at Tablerock lake and came to the entry for the Showboat Branson Belle.

As we walked along the path there were several vignettes...


This one was with crates and an anchor...

Isn't this the cutest little lighthouse???

This one is a chain, prop and life ring...

Then we came upon the first view of the dock and the stacks of the boat (see them in the middle of the picture?)

When We got to the dock, I headed to the store--of course!  Each time we go somewhere, I pick up a t-shirt because I am putting a t-shirt quilt together.  As I approached the shop, what did I spy????  LOOK!!!  A Penny Smasher!!!!!  I LOVE penny smashers!!!! 

Gman found some companions and was having a nice conversation.  The lady on the left, as it turned out, is a quilter.  Her husband proudly proclaimed that she has over 54 quilts at the house that she made all by hand!  Wow!  What a talent...

We boarded the boat and looked back at the dock...

Then we came aboard and found our table.  There was a Welcome Aboard...

Next we headed out onto the deck...


Gman was taking some photos with his phone...

These are the paddlewheels.  I love the colors and the design they make...

We headed up to the top deck and some nice people took our picture...

It was the most PERFECT day to cruise the lake!!!  Sunny, cool but not cold and well....PERFECT!!!

We had a wonderful view to the stacks..

I saw this and wondered if the bad people have to walk the plank!!!  LOL

After a dinner of roast beef, herb roasted chicken, string beans, garlic mashed potatoes & raspberry cheesecake we watched a show about the boat which included this shot of the boat being launched.  You will NEVER believe how the launched her...They mushed up a whole bunch of bananas and pushed the boat into the water on the bananas!  Can believe it????

Next came the live show.  There was a magician, a group of guys and a lady who played the violin/fiddle and could she PLAY!!!!  Wow!  She also did aerial work on those scarves like the troupe of Cirque de Soliel uses.  She went up the scarves and wound them around then played the violin!!!  Then changed positions and played again!  It was really unique and wonderful.

This picture shows the patriotic tribute to the veterans which was superb.

Look at the fretwork in the bathroom...

And the stained glass...

And the lights which were glass with these little glass beaded strings...

When we were leaving the boat, there was a place where you could buy fish food and feed them.  They circled around--they LOVE being fed of course!  But, among the black fish was this one white and orange goldfish!  I wondered where he came from, but there he was, feeding with all of the others...

We headed back to the condo and the next morning this was the view from the deck...

What a pretty view for our final morning!

When we walked out the door to go to breakfast, we saw this...

What's so special?  Well, see those 4 signs behind the suburban and u-haul?  Know what they say?
NO BOAT OR TRAILER PARKING!!!
uh...

We headed off to a place called Billie Gails.  The guys at Just 1 More suggested it for breakfast...

When we arrived we noticed that there was a 5th wheel next to the building.  I am thinking it has been there for a while and they don't plan to move it anytime soon--how about you?

So, this is Billie Gails.  A little building that the locals head out to...

And THIS is what they are known for...LOOK at the SIZE of that pancake!!!!   What do they use to flip it, a snowshovel????

Yummm....

After filling up, we packed the car and headed out.  We stopped at a truck stop for gas and I saw this bench.  Is it cool or what???

As we headed home, I kept seeing the steam rising from the lake up the hills and around the trees in my mind and breathing deeply I realized that the knots in my shoulders had disappeared and I felt totally relaxed and content.  It was such a wonderful feeling...

So, THIS is why people take vacations!!!!!  Ahhhhhhh....

So THIS Is Why People Take Vacation...Part3...

We headed to the train for a ride. As I remember, the train used to go all the way around the park. I could be confusing it with the train at the St. Louis Zoo. It HAS been 31 years...

At any rate, we were held up by robbers...

And it turned out that their Ma was sitting right in front of us!!!! LOL

The conductor asked if she would claim them. She and her husband looked at each other and he said, "They can't be worse than the ones you got!" and they both said YES--they would claim them. This confused the poor conductor. LOL

This was Pottsville population 4, uh 3--the dog died!

And the still...I was thinking of NASCAR as moonshiners were the roots of NASCAR racing. And now, couldn't we ALL use a still to make shine to run our cars????

We saw this group--with grandpa taking a shower--Don't look Ethel!!!!

When we got off the train we were taken here.  Do I look angry????  It was hard to make that face when everyone was laughing!  LOL

After our time in the stocks, we were measured for our caskets. 

I had the same picture taken on our honeymoon (can't find the picture right now--but I WILL!) and I take up a LOT more space in the casket NOW!  Yikes!

Gman had to get measured too...

We came across this granite ball fountain.  The ball weighs over 5,000 lbs and floats and turns on water being pumped up from the bottom at 17 psi.  Can you believe it only takes 17 psi to float that ball???? 

The man from SDC who was telling us about it also said that they can't just turn off the water because it would break the ball.  They have to SSSSLLLLOOOOWWWWWLLLLYYYY decrease the water pressure to allow the ball to float down softly.  Can you imagine????

This artist was doing chalk drawings on the roadway. 

This is one that she already finished.

Gman wondered how in the world she could stay down there so long and still walk.  Me too!!!!

On down the road we found this...

Did you guess that it is a giant SAND sculpture???

Let's look some more...

See the fish right off the dock of the door?  There is a bucket, shovel and spray bottle in the bottom right corner of the picture.  This is the part that the artist was working on at this time.

Can you BELIEVE the incredible details????  In SAND?????  Wow!

Look at these jack o lanterns!  I also love the way that they painted some of the pumpkins in bright green and black around the area.  Cute idea!

I kept seeing this and wondered what in the world...

NOW it is clear!  A GIANT cornucopia!  Look at the pumpkins!!!!  Wow!

And did you know????  THAT is a BIG pumpkin!

How about these pumpkins?  This is a little grouping of many different kinds of pumpkins...look at the bumpy beige ones!!!!  I think they could use some Oxy 10!

These guys really make me look forward to the show Punkin Chunkin...What fun!

As we were ready to leave we saw this...

The guy is turning the wheel which powers this...

A Wheel Lathe!!!!

I don't know about you, but I want to do the lathe part and not the wheel part!  Whew!!!! 

So, after a wonderful day at SDC, we headed out to find some dinner...

Before leaving that morning we asked Rob, the local guy at the condo about a good place to eat.  We were told about a Bar & Grill named Just 1 More in Indian Point just around the corner from the condo with excellent burgers and homemade pizza, so we headed there.

YUMMMMM...  He was NOT wrong!!!!  It was totally the perfect way to end the day...

And I am not nust saying that because this is the cook!  :)  He is just the nicest guy--all 6'7"!

What a great day full of fun and great people!

Soundless Sunday...Flutterby...

So THAT'S Why People Go On Vacation!!!! Part Deux...

Sunday dawned cool and overcast.  It was the day to head to Silver Dollar City.  We had 2 day tickets (tickets are 2 days for the price of 1 this time of year), but had to go on Sunday because they are closed Monday and Tuesday during this time of year.  We can see the SDC rollercoasters from the front of the condo so it isn't far to drive on up there. 

I grabbed my Dale Jr sweatshirt and Gman grabbed a denim long sleeved shirt and we headed to the tram.  We were a little confused as there is paid parking or free parking.  Free parking has free shuttles picking you up and dropping off.  Why would people actually PAY????  Not sure...perhaps someone else knows.

It is the fall crafts festival and SDC is in full color. 

Have I told you that fall is my favorite time of year?  Those colors!  Wow!

There are also craft booths all over.

I mentioned the Dale Jr Sweatshirt because it was the cause of a great conversation with one of the craftsman.  The man's wife saw the sweatshirt and we started talking.

Her hubby who was doing chainsaw carving, took a break to come and chat.  It turned out that they have a relative that lives Dale Sr so they made a chainsaw bust of Dale Sr. for them.  It was really interesting hearing the tale of the chainsaw carving.  We met a bunch of Dale Jr. Fans as we went through the "City".

This was a lady chainsaw carver.

And this is the finished carving.

I was enthralled with all of the craftsmen.

Gman was enthralled with THIS craft!  Doesn't he look comfy?

So, for our souveneir of SDC we got one!  But we got the "watercolor" version.  Isn't it cute?  I will be explaining my hammock stand in a later post.  The lady who made the hammock asked me to show her how I made it. 

A really GREAT thing this time is that they will take your purchases to the exit point of the park and keep them there for you to pick up so you don't have to carry them all through the park.  How NICE!!!!  I LOVE this feature!!!!!  Good job SDC!!!!

We went to the show at the Opera.  It was really good, but the guy who sang the song "Mariah" was superb!!  It gave me goosebumps when he sang!  Wow!

We missed the other shows.  I wish I was able to see the Birds of Prey show, but we were too late to see it.