So THIS Is Why People Take Vacation...Part 1...

Gman and I haven't really taken vacations. We went to Branson on our honeymoon in 1980 and then life was ON!


In 1980, Branson was the Presley's, Baldnobbers and Silver Dollar City was at the end of the road and quite quaint. I also don't remember Marvel Cave being inside of SDC like it is now. We had a good time in 1980--I mean, who doesn't have a great time on their honeymoon?


After that, life happened. Over the last 31 years we have lived in about 33 houses, owned about 11 houses and lived in 5 or 6 states. No, we are not military. Gman has "happy feet"--meaning that he likes change. A LOT!


The longest period of time that we ever lived in a house up to 1996 was 3 years. We usually lived in a house from 3 months (yes--we actually OWNED a house for 3 months one time!!!!) to 1 year, so "vacations" were either moving or visiting relatives. In 1996, our son was in high school so we chose a location and bought a home to live in until our son graduated from high school. We had that house for 9 1/2 years! A first for us! :)


After our son graduated, we moved into a house that we inherited and then later bought another house. After those moves, we had a moment of insanity decided to sell our main house, keep the smaller house that was paid and take to the road in a 5th wheel. You can read about that here. I mean, we have done dumber things and it isn't irreversible! So far, we LOVE it!


You know, I remember times when our son was in High School and playing sports that I wondered why we even had a house because we were running so much we never saw the house! We should just live in an RV, I thought at the time. Hah!


I digress...


Gman won the use of a condo in Branson for 4 days and 3 nights at a charity golf tournament for High Hill Christian Camp last year. We were planning to go back to Branson ever since our honeymoon but it just kept getting put on the back burner. NOW was the time!  (BTW, that tournament is happening this Saturday again--I told the owner I hope we get the condo again!!!!  LOL)

On the way down we stopped at this rest area.  I have never seen such a CUTE rest area!  Let's take a look...

It had a windspire that provided the electricity.

The picnic tables were behind facades of buildings that were seen along route 66 back in the day...like this one that looks like one of the little old gas stations.

This sign directs you into the building...I see McDonald's, but also Howard Johnson's--do you remember Howard Johnson's?

Inside was a map of route 66 going from Chicago to San Diego set into the floor and then you see this sign.

They had the old gas pump from Texaco

and here is Gman by the Mobil pump.  His dad worked at Mobil Refinery from 1930 to his retirement in 1970, so it was special to us.

We arrived at the Eagles Nest Resort Condos at Indian Point and found that the people staying in the condo before us were not out. The owner very kindly called a friend who has a condo as well and we spent the first night in the other condo. It was really nice and on the top floor so we had vaulted ceilings

and a lovely view from the deck of Tablerock Lake. 

There were two bedrooms and two full baths along with the great room and kitchen.


We headed off to dinner and then to see Jim Stafford. You remember him..."I don't like spiders and snakes and that ain't what it takes to love me"...

We saw a place called The Plantation which advertised Homemade Mashed Potatoes.  This caught Gman's eye and we headed in.  Yep.  The waitress said that the mashed potatoes were homemade...right from the BOX!!!!  OOOOOOOOkay...The food was okay, the owner was surly, didn't look at you and griped about his customers as he cleared the tables.  From the conversation he was having with a waitress, it sounded like this was the first year he owned it.  Wow!  This made an impression...not good...but an impression...

On to Jim Stafford just a few doors away...There were lots of pictures of Jim Stafford through the years in the lobby. 

Gman liked this one of Jim and Sugar Ray Leonard...

I liked this one of Jim and John Davidson.  John Davidson was such a HUNK!!!!!  Uh Huh!!!!  (PS--don't let your hubby take pictures of you cause he won't tell you to cover up your bra strap!!!!  Yikes!!!! But did you see John Davidson???)

We sat next to a couple and began talking to them. It turned out that the man used to be a bodyguard for Hughe Heffner and after marrying, he started a security firm. Later, his wife got her security and PI training and they started a second security business that she ran. His and Hers security firms! Interesting! And what a fun couple!



They just sold both firms and retired and were really enjoying the fact that they didn't have to get back to work. They have another trip planned this winter to Yellowstone where they can go into Yellowstone by Artic Cat or Snowmobile because Yellowstone is closed to the general public at the time they are going, but you can go on a private tour. They were really excited! I would choose Artic Cat--Warmer!!!!

Jim Stafford calls himself "The original spiderman" now and has a blacklight section to his show that uses that song with actors with puppets doing the spiders and snakes. They asked that no photography be used during this section because the actors are in total black and the flashes blind them on stage for a bit until their eyes readjust so no pix, but so CUTE!!!! He also has a 3-D section of the show and overall, it is just a great time!

Did you know he did songs for Disney's The Fox and Hound?

His 14 year old daughter and 18 year old son both played for us.  WOW!  Are they TALENTED!!!!  AMAZING!!!!

During the intermission, Gman went up to speak one on one with Jim Stafford.  I didn't know where he was going or I would have followed...

I turned around and spied this...

Let me show you a closer view...Is that CUTE or WHAT????