Branson
My sweet sister Katie had a timeshare reservation that she couldn't use. We were available and so we spent the second week of May in Branson. The timeshare condo would sleep 6, but we couldn't get somebody to go with us.
Our time in Branson was probably the most relaxing vacation I've ever had. The season hadn't started yet, so the town itself wasn't too crowded. I don't think we saw any show that was more than one-third full. We basically went to one show a day. We could have gone to up to three, if we had the money and the interest. But one show and then watching a movie in the condo or soaking in the hot tub was just perfect for us. We had a kitchen, and brought groceries from home. Because of my sister's generosity it wasn't a very expensive vacation.
We left home EARLY in the morning on Sunday. We went to the Bella Vista Ward for church; it was Mother's Day. We saw Jen and the girls at church. I loved that; it seemed like forever since I'd seen her. Then we took a very narrow, winding road to Branson.
On Monday, we went to a classic car museum. Very well presented; I wish I could remember some of the quotes about cars and driving that were everywhere. That evening we went to an Eagles tribute concert. Very fun.
On Tuesday, we saw the Twelve Irish Tenors. Well presented, good music, but most were of Irish heritage not actually Irish. Also on Tuesday, the timeshare company hosted a "sampler" of various performers. Very useful. If we hadn't seen that, we wouldn't have gone to see Mike Walker, impressionist (on Wednesday). We really enjoyed his show, not just his impressions (which were spot-on), but his original music and ESPECIALLY his unapologetic tribute to the Savior, Jesus Christ.
On Thursday we went to see Noah, the Musical. The music, the acting, the costuming, the story were all great! But the real star was the staging! A four story ark, live animals, some animatronic animals, and after intermission, the curtains on the side walls opened up and the audience was inside the ark. Very well done.
On Friday we went to see The Legend of Kungfu. What a delightful peek at a different culture! The story was mostly told by a recording, which was lip-synced (sometimes hilariously badly) by the actors. Most of the story was told through dance by a huge troupe of amazingly fit male dancers from China. Here's a sample of the names on the program: Zheng Xuejin, Wang Jintao, Xie Hongshan. The main character was not always danced by the same actor. That took a little getting used to. But the dancing, the athleticism, the staging were amazing. I'm so glad we got to see this.
We could have stayed at the condo until Sunday afternoon, but instead took a leisurely drive home on Saturday. What a restful time!
Tip when I go back to Branson: discount tickets for MANY shows are available at local grocery stores and in the craft malls. OR if you go to one show at a theater ask if they have discounts for the other shows that they may have in the same theater. The discounts offered at the timeshare office were only OK. We could have done better.
Our time in Branson was probably the most relaxing vacation I've ever had. The season hadn't started yet, so the town itself wasn't too crowded. I don't think we saw any show that was more than one-third full. We basically went to one show a day. We could have gone to up to three, if we had the money and the interest. But one show and then watching a movie in the condo or soaking in the hot tub was just perfect for us. We had a kitchen, and brought groceries from home. Because of my sister's generosity it wasn't a very expensive vacation.
We left home EARLY in the morning on Sunday. We went to the Bella Vista Ward for church; it was Mother's Day. We saw Jen and the girls at church. I loved that; it seemed like forever since I'd seen her. Then we took a very narrow, winding road to Branson.
On Monday, we went to a classic car museum. Very well presented; I wish I could remember some of the quotes about cars and driving that were everywhere. That evening we went to an Eagles tribute concert. Very fun.
On Tuesday, we saw the Twelve Irish Tenors. Well presented, good music, but most were of Irish heritage not actually Irish. Also on Tuesday, the timeshare company hosted a "sampler" of various performers. Very useful. If we hadn't seen that, we wouldn't have gone to see Mike Walker, impressionist (on Wednesday). We really enjoyed his show, not just his impressions (which were spot-on), but his original music and ESPECIALLY his unapologetic tribute to the Savior, Jesus Christ.
On Thursday we went to see Noah, the Musical. The music, the acting, the costuming, the story were all great! But the real star was the staging! A four story ark, live animals, some animatronic animals, and after intermission, the curtains on the side walls opened up and the audience was inside the ark. Very well done.
On Friday we went to see The Legend of Kungfu. What a delightful peek at a different culture! The story was mostly told by a recording, which was lip-synced (sometimes hilariously badly) by the actors. Most of the story was told through dance by a huge troupe of amazingly fit male dancers from China. Here's a sample of the names on the program: Zheng Xuejin, Wang Jintao, Xie Hongshan. The main character was not always danced by the same actor. That took a little getting used to. But the dancing, the athleticism, the staging were amazing. I'm so glad we got to see this.
We could have stayed at the condo until Sunday afternoon, but instead took a leisurely drive home on Saturday. What a restful time!
Tip when I go back to Branson: discount tickets for MANY shows are available at local grocery stores and in the craft malls. OR if you go to one show at a theater ask if they have discounts for the other shows that they may have in the same theater. The discounts offered at the timeshare office were only OK. We could have done better.