Branson Vacation

We took our granddtr., Bonnye on vacation with us to Branson. We had so much fun with her. We started it all off with leisurely day of swimming and dinner at Branson Landing by the Dancing Waters on Saturday. She got photo bombed by the gentleman that I took pictures of him and his family for him. His english was minimal it seemed and I kept getting thanked and hugged. LOL! So sweet! Now, I took over 1500 photos, but I won't share them all - LOL!

Sunday we took her to a Princess & Pirate Breakfast Cruise on the Branson Belle Showboat. She LOVED it! She dressed up as Elsa!  Afterwards, we went swimming to cool off. For dinner we went to the Great American Steak & Chicken Restaurant. Of course, we had to take a picture with the BIG chicken. She wasn't too thrilled with that - LOL! However, she did it for me and then had to let the cow next to our table listen to music with her earplugs - Silly girl!

Monday it was rainy, so we chose that day to go to the Butterfly Palace. She liked looking at the butterflies, but not having them land on her or her flower vile. I on the otherhand, absolutely loved it. They were soooo many different ones and all so beautiful. That evening we went to Dolly Parton's Stampede. She really enjoyed it! While she didn't care completely for the part were a lady jumped thru a fire ring on 2 horses (hates anything involving fire), she enjoyed the show.

Tuesday we saw "Amazing Pets", but no photos allowed, so none to share. Dinner at Steak 'n Shake an that evening we went to "Grand Jubilee". This quartet is fabulous!

 Bonnye in front of our cabin. She had to wear a dress to all the shows and her new shoes. Such a girlie-girl.

Wednesday we drove to Springfield area to see the Fantastic Caverns. The history to them was very, very interesting and our guide, Sam was very good. I enjoyed it mostly because you rode thru them, no walking, if we'd had to walk it would not have been doable for me. Afterwards, we had to, of course, go to the Bass Pro Shop. We ate dinner at the Heminway Restaurant there. Bonnye like the aquariums in the restaurant. There was a huge puffer fish in it, she kept wishing it would puff up. Had to explain that they did that when they felt threatened and doubtful there was anything in the aquarium with it that would scare it.

 Can you spot us?

 The puffer fish

The puffer fish is at bottom of tank between the 2 handles.

Thursday (our last day in Branson) we slept in as no show that morning. We got up, went swimming for awhile and then showered dressed and changed. Ate at Chick-Fil-A, which made her happy as she wanted chicken nuggets every night and no place we went had them only chicken strips, but it HAD to be nuggets. Picky girl! She and Pawpaw then played some Indoor Mini Golf. Her first time to play and she did pretty good and thoroughly enjoyed it. We then went and saw "Baldknobbers" It was fabulous. Most of the entertainers were family (descedants of the family that started this show). The comedians were hysterical and singers were great. The lead guitarist and violinist were wonderful!

 Comedians Droopy Drawers Jr. (Tim Mabe, 2nd generation, father of Brandon Mabe), Hargus, Brandon Mabe

 Layne Victor

 Brandon & Megan Mabe (husband and wife)

 Bonnye's souvenier

Our souvenier

We got up early Friday to finish packing and head out. We wanted to stop in St. Louis for a few hours and let Bonnye see the Arch up-close. We'd seen it from a distance on the way to Branson. She was amazed at how BIG it was. The layout changed a lot since we had been there many years ago. The heat was awful and I was done just the block from parking garage to the park around the Arch. I had to stop at a shaded area with benches and let them go on to the Arch. They took pics with Bonnye's phone for me and I got a couple of Bonnye when they returned to me.

 Bonnye cooling off a bit in the water.

 Pic from where I had stayed

Saturday was the last leg of our trip home. Had a great time, but it is good to be home. Bonnye had a "Welcome Home' gift waiting for her from our friends, Kathy & Phil Schutty.

Gift for her from my friends Kathy & Phil Schutty was waiting for her when we returned.

Needless to say she loves it!