Oops

No real excitement to report other than loosing the screw that holds my glasses together. I used to carry an eye glasses repair kit, but don't know what happened to it. Luckily I had grabbed a "spare" pair of glasses when I was packing. They aren't the newest "spare pair", but they'll do til I get the others repaired. Not sure where my newest spare pair is either. I should make an effort to find them.

What am I like glasses-less? Well I certainly couldn't read all the way home today, and I might bump into walls when walking. But I have these "almost right" glasses, so I'm all set.

The breakfast here has more variety than Branson's breakfast. We have fresh fruit and the opportunity to make waffles. We have blueberry muffins and the water for tea is HOT. At the previous breakfast place, the tea water was just a little warmer than tepid.
There are four types of dry cereal and bread for making toast. All in all a much more inviting continental breakfast.

See ya in Bwd tonite.

Ft. Smith, again

We have driven most of the day to get here, stopping at a Braums in Fayetteville for a "snack".


Here we go, again.

I need to go back to yesterday's post to correct some misinformation about last night's ventriloquist. I thought the dogs were moving their mouths (it looked that way to me) but some of the others in our party said there were "fake" mouths over the dog's faces that the ventriloquist was moving. Either way, it was an unusual effect.

Now back to today--Not nearly as cold as yesterday, wind moderate, and the bus is toasty, so all is good. I have been shedding layers put on because the forecast was expected to be 18 degrees this morning. Not much excitement (which is good)- The two folks who have been ill seem just fine, altho' a little weak. The travelers are playing cards, chatting, napping, snacking and reading.

Bus driver is more chatty, but still a bit surly. Don't get me wrong, he drives the bus very, very, very well. Can turn around in a space not meant for a bus, but his people skills are minimal. I offered to get him something from Braums (he was waiting w/ the bus) and he just shook his head and sort of growled.

We are at the same hotel in Ft. Smith as before (the one w/ the wrong sign- but we adjusted).

Oh yeah, before coming here we stopped at the Ft. Smith National Historic Site. And we went thru their museum/ old jail. Interesting, not that I ever heard of Ft. Smith, Ark before, but now I do know a few tidbits of information that I didn't before visiting the Site. All about Federal Marshals chasing outlaws and conditions in the Indian Territory and most of all all about the "hanging judge" Isaac C. Parker. In his 20+ years on the bench, he sentenced 160 folks to be hanged--90 some were executed, the others either died waiting execution, died trying to escape, or were released on appeal. I didn't know Indians owned black slaves during this time before the Civil War. So now you, too, know a little bit about Ft. Smith. I wanted to ask someone why it is named Smith, but I never got around to asking. I can probably Google that information.

We head out for Bwd in the morning and it will be a full day on the road, arriving about 7:30 pm. The bus driver, in one of his loquacious moments this morning, told us that if he could take the road he wanted (he is employed by Diamond tours) he could get us home Fri. night by supper, but he didn't have that freedom. I am guessing that the tour company has a contract with this hotel and gets a "rate". Altho if he could get us home tonite, that would save paying anything for tonite's hotel.

Oh, well, it is not up to us, we just get on and get off when we are told. I'm just glad I didn't have to drive in Branson. Whew! what traffic!

The Cruise that didn't

Still reporting on Thursday, Nov. 20---------

After the Country Market we loaded up the bus again (no "freshen up/ nap" break for us today) we headed to the Lake where the Branson Belle Showboat awaited us. They have show seatings at noon, 4 and 8. After seeing the energy expended by the performers and the wait staff, they really earn their pay.




The Belle seats just over 700 at capacity w/ 80 staff and crew. As I mentioned previously, the weather had really taken a dip and the wind was gusting about 35-40 mph. We had been warned by the bus driver, that when the wind is up that high, the boat is not taken out on the lake for the cruise. The white caps were getting high and it was COLD. I'm sure the temp did not matter whether the boat sailed or not, but it was very nippy when standing out on the deck. ANYWAY OUR CRUISE DIDN'T LEAVE THE DOCK. We had our dinner and time to go to the gift ship (naturally) and then a very good show, all on a showboat tied to the dock. To be honest, I doubt if the experience would have been any different if we had sailed. The drapes were pulled on our level and we couldn't see whether land was swooshing by or not. The motors were vibrating and the feeling was of being on a moving boat.




By now the shows are blurring together, but this one had a quartet who sang Christmas songs AND CHANGED CLOTHES IN A MATTER OF SECONDS EVERY TIME THEY LEFT THE STAGE . Amazing, they must have each had two or three dressers helping. This was the only show that had a medley of sacred Christmas music. Other shows may have had one, but this group did about 8 or 9 of the carols we hear in church. There was a ventriloquist whose "dummies" were real living dogs (three of them). He had trained them to open their mouths when he nudged their back in a certain way. Very funny and quite clever. He had Cds and DVDs to purchase---we didn't.

The "stars" of the show in my estimation were another pair of Russian dancers (he was previously in the Russian circus and she had been in the Bolshoi) WOW! They did circusy things--hanging from long drapey fabric and swinging gracefully toward each other and doing circus moves while suspended. Then they did adagio dancing and she was lifted and tossed and twisted every way possible and some ways not possible. They were definitely show stoppers. I am wondering why all the most exquisite dancers seem to be Russian---must be the training as children. Anyway a really good program for the last show of our trip.


We traveled back to the hotel, N and I took in the bus trash, and then we got to our room. We rearranged our stuff so as to be able to put our bags out at 7:30 for pick up and kept our overnight bags separate so we'll be sure to have what we need for Friday night in Fort Smith. We thought about using the hot tub, but in public places like this the temperature has to be kept low because people unfamiliar w/ hot tubs, have a tendency to turn them too high. The one we have at home gets turned pretty high, but we only stay in 30 min or less. We read some, I blogged and then we retired early. Tomorrow will not be a long day of travel, since we're not going too far, but I'll definitely get deeper into book #2.

Talk to you more tonite, If you read this, you might want to comment. Ask questions, tell me what you think. E

Brrrrr!

Last day in Branson-- when I stepped out of the room this morning, I stepped back in to get my heavy sweater to wear under my cape. The high today was supposed to be 42, but I'm not sure it ever made it.

Our first show was the Dalena Ditto show. A variety show with singing of various sorts, a lady ventriloquist doing the old "Who's on First" routine (very well, I might add), a lady fiddler and about 10 costume changes for the star. Every time she left the stage she came back in something more spectacular than before. She was even Minnie Pearl (that outfit was not too spectacular). A wonderful pair of Russian dancers rounded out the entertainment. A really good show, even tho' the star was not a "big name" entertainer.




The bus then left us at the Country Market. We were reminded that supper on the Showboat would be early (about 5:30) and not to eat too much, so we would be able to enjoy the Showboat food. I ate a little salad and a cookie and looked around the shops. Didn't buy anything.



In one of the eating areas of the Country Market--Nick and Banjo




We still have two travelers that are not joining us because of illness. Sorry they missed today.

Report on the Branson Belle tomorrow morning .............

Gimmicks and Humor

I feel sure I'll be asked about the weather when I get back home. The answer is Yes! It was cold, it was windy, it was sunny, it was very warm, but no rain as yet, altho we do take a ride on the Branson Belle for supper (of course) and a show this evening. Yesterday I ended up carrying my wool cape, it was really a nice warm fall day.

As we drive around, we see marquee ads for all sorts of shows and we have learned that you can't tell a great deal about the show from its ad, but we continue to see one for THE TWELVE IRISH TENORS. I mention this one because we have some folks in Bwd who highly prize this sort of music and the more tenors the better. They'd love this show, I am sure. As far as I am concerned, that is about 10 tenors too many. Personal preference.

That brings me to the show we saw/ experienced last evening. Wonder why I'd never heard of Jim Stafford before? He was a guest star on many t.v. shows, we saw the clips. Before I go any further, the show was WONDERFUL. Not quite sure how to describe it for you. There was a ballet from the Nutcracker, extremely well done, and a gypsy dance while the star of the show played the accompanying music. We had comedy country music and very serious country, Jerry Lee Lewis style rock n' roll (by the star's 15 yr old son), patriotic music and Christmas music with a prayer at the end. Very eclectic musical offerings and HUMOR. I hesitate to say comedy- I guess there's not much difference, but this humor was wry, dry and self effacing. N laughed so hard, I thought he might hurt himself. The star threw "cow patties" into the audience ( Frisbee shaped damp sponges)- not very sophisticated, but it went w/ the song he had just sung Cow Patty- about a girl gunslinger. And there were such unusual "special effects" that I hesitate to mention because I certainly can't explain them. At one point, he sat on the edge of the stage playing a lovely old piece on the harmonica and he mentioned that anyone wanting to come down, this would be a perfect time for a photo opportunity. Someone did (probably a cast member from backstage) and just as he got his camera aimed at Jim Stafford, the star swooshed across the front of the stage to the other side. Not sure how it was accomplished, but it was startling. As I write this, the show really sounds strange, and it was-- in a very entertaining way. If you ever get the chance to see the Jim Stafford show take it, I don't think you'll be disappointed. And I'm still wondering where I've been that I never heard of him before.

I suppose all successful restaurants in Branson must have a gimmick. (like the flying rolls, or the dinner show) McFarland's gimmick at first glance was shops. Not little booths but good sized stores and an I Max movie theatre. Should I say it was a shopping complex w/ a restaurant tucked in the back? There was a large jewelry counter, several "gift" shops w/ tourist souvenirs, clothing stores, a leather shop, a kiosk selling the usual mall-type kids' toys being demonstrated by a talented young man who continued to operate a toy helicopter by throwing it up and having it come back to him. You would think this was enough gimmick for any place, if you had the time to check out the stores. (Which we did) We were seated at tables and booths on one side of the really large dining room. We ordered from the 4 choices available to us.. I mentioned the tables and booths because we had one long table and one round table and several booths. The folks at the round table all of a sudden started mentioning that their chairs weren't tall enough. They finally figured out that the staff were "messing with them"--- the table had a hydraulic lift and was going up and up til the diners chins were at table level. One of the wait staff told them that they had to sing and it would go down. They did and it finally went down to "normal" level. About the time our food was delivered another table across the way (different group) started rising. Every place needs a gimmick, I guess. Oh the folks at the round table got a certificate from the "high table" society.

I've told this in backward order, but that's okay, it is the way I remembered it.

I have some other stories that I'll save for another day. We're off to another show this morning--never heard of this person, either, so it'll be a surprise. Then we go shopping at a "Country Market" and the highlight of the trip comes early this evening with the Branson Belle. The folks we have talked to (who have more experience w Branson ) have all said this is the best show here, so.... we'll see..
We start home tomorrow.

Motown

After breakfast, we loaded the bus for a trek to see the Platters. No, not the original '60 's group, but a group doing their musical arrangements and the music of several other Motown groups and singles. We heard Ray Charles' music, Smokey Robinson, Chuck Berry, Chubby Checkers, Diana Ross, and several other groups in addition to all the Platters' hits from the 60's and 70's. The show was fast paced, had really pretty costumes (sparkly) and was staged like a 60's show complete with Do Wop back up vocals. One of the singers we heard this morning WAS a member of the original group, the others were good performers and singers. As far as I know no one in our group bought a poodle skirt as a souvenir, but they were available.

Interesting--a room full of about 600-700 "elderly" white people really "groovin'" to the music they heard as teenagers. And not a word was mentioned about race. It was a fun show even tho' we were packed in like sardines.

We were then delivered to "downtown" Branson, about a 4 block area w/ tourist type shops. We had lunch in a place so packed that we shared a table w/ a couple from upstate New York, until they left and then we shared with a couple from Hot Springs, AK. Hamburgers and sandwiches, but quite adequate.

The folks from Arkansas had about a 2 hour drive to get to Branson, while the New Yorkers had a 3 day trip, staying overnight twice to get here. We got some insights into what they enjoyed about Branson and what they didn't like. We didn't have much to offer to the conversations because this is our first trip here.

Our Bwd group is having some health problems. Our leader has been sick w/ a stomach problem for 2 days and we had another in the group get dizzy and faint this afternoon, trying to get on the bus to come back from downtown. It is thought that her problem is blood pressure connected. Not sure what is going on, but I hope the rest of us can stay healthy.

N is napping and I need to walk a little to stretch from SO MUCH SITTING. We're going to see Jim Stafford tonite and it will be another late night I think, My usual bedtime at home is 10 or so and we haven't been getting back to the room til 10:45 or 11, so I nod off on the bus getting us back to the room.
Be talking to you more tomorrow.

Flying Bread and music history

Isn't it interesting that 15 people can be served the same meal, and some just hate it and others think it's really good. Our choices for supper were a rib eye steak, fried catfish, chicken fried steak, or brisket. The majority of our group had fish or steak. Some wouldn't eat it because it was "not crispy, too greasy, not cooked right,". Those were the comments I heard. My steak was really good and medium is how I like it. (Not that I needed another large meal, but.....) N had fish, and ate it. And seemed to like it. The "entertainment" in this restaurant were the big guys throwing rolls. They had a very large basket of really hot rolls and they walked between tables and gently tossed them to the customers.




Then they went upstairs on the balcony and chunked them down to specific people who waved that they wanted one. Their aim was amazing. The service was efficient and we were kept entertained by flying bread. Oh, did I mention, the rolls were really good and felt as if they had just come out of the oven.

One chore of this trip is loading and unloading from the bus. Not a fast process. And N is becoming adept at helping the two folks who need the lift. He's a good guy and them seem to appreciate his help.

Got to the Welk Theatre--that name should have given us a hint, but no one seemed to realize that we were there to see the Lennon sisters and Tony Orlando. All we were told was a Christmas Spectacular. We had about 45-50 minutes of Lennon sister history and music, with pictures from the L. Welk show dating back 54 years, when the eldest was 16--you do the math. They sang and told us about their family. This went over well with most of our group, however I only watched that t.v. show when my grandmother MADE me, so I was not as emotionally tied to the history as most seemed to be. The music was very, very good.

Oh, if you are one of the fans, I should mention that of the original 4 sisters who performed, we saw two and a younger sister, who filled in for the others when they were unable to be on the L. Welk, Andy Williams, Jimmy Durante shows. The others have retired now and the group is permanently a trio.
The second half of the production was made up of every hit Tony Orlando ever had. We heard "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" in about 4 different incarnations, ending w/ Rap ( YUCK) There was a patriotic portion of the program which was touching, but awfully schmaltzy. His band was very good and had a notable song/jingle writer on keyboard. She has written some "famous" commercials notable the "Meow, meow, meow" for the cat food as well as the "I'm a pepper, she's a pepper" commercial for Dr. Pepper. When we finally got to some Christmas music, he sang "Mary do you know" and RUINED it. In my opinion his arrangement was way overblown and just awful.
The show was LONG (2 1/2 hrs) and was a trot down memory lane. While others in the audience LOVED the show, it was not my favorite.

Last night as we were waiting for the show to begin, the folks behind us asked the stock question "Do you live in Brownwood?" (We have been asked that at least 5-8 times a day- yep sometimes by the same people) When we responded "yes, for about 9 years", they responded "where in Bwd?" When we said "Oak Park Drive", they said "NO", It seems they live on the other end of Oak Park. They were embarrassed, not sure why.

Today we hear the Platters and shop downtown Branson. I'm wearing layers, it'll be cold in downtown. See ya.....

The Landing

We loaded up the bus and headed for "The Landing" --95 acres of shopping with over 100 specialty stores and restaurants. 2 1/2 hours hardly seems time to do it justice. We walked the length of the stores (maybe 6-7 blocks long) and browsed at Bass Pro Shop. Nick was disappointed that it was the smallest BPS he had seen. But we were able to spend 30 minutes looking. We had barbecue lunch (okay- not great) at Famous Dave's and looked some more. Found the Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory and each had a dark choc. almond cluster. (You do realize that dark chocolate is GOOD for you!) Then we happened by The Big Popper for some specialty popcorn. We'll probably save it for the trip back. Went into Brookstone and found a gift we were hoping to buy while here.

Met the bus and are back in the room "kicking back" for a couple of hours. Tonite is a Christmas Spectacular Show (no one here seems to care that Thanksgiving is still more than a week away) , but first we eat at the Fall Creek Steak and Catfish House. Their motto is "all the rolls you can catch and eat". Okay, we'll see.............Should be another late night-----talk to you in the morning.

Let the MUSIC begin!

After finding our rooms in the Windmill Inn, getting settled, and trying to figure out the heater/ac, we rested a bit, changed clothes and were ready to go to supper.

In the meantime, the thoughtful bus driver had repaired the very needed walker, so all is well in that area, sort of.

The bus driver does his driving well--parking in close places, turning the coach around in small areas--it's his personal skills that need work. He yells lots. (another day another story)

We were taken to Golden Corral (I can hear Nki saying Euw) but not like any other G C you have ever visited. Billed as the world's largest (can't say for sure, since we were kinda stuck in one room), IT HAD A DINNER SHOW. Yep, A DINNER SHOW. First of all, tour groups (about 6 or 8) are treated a little differently at Branson Golden Corral. We go in a different door, tell a young lady if we want chicken, beef or ham and then sit at our designated tables. Salad and dessert, tea and water are already on the tables and we are brought our meal (which was described to us by a tour guide person before we left the bus- so as to make a good choice). Service was fast and efficient. About the time we were finishing our red velvet cake, the "show" began. A gentleman was introduced and he sang and sang. Very "lounge singer" style of entertainment--t.v. screens showed us pictures of his family (4 girls and a baby boy) and his patter continued with him eventually introducing his mother who moved mike stands and generally assisted. We were told that she runs the gift shop there. (I know--a gift shop in G C !) There was no "fee" for the show, "just put what you want in the jar on the table, remember I have 4 weddings to pay for". Way, cheesy.

We moved from Golden Corral to the Mickey Gilley Theatre. Wow, are there lots of theatres, here. Several on each block it seems.

This one was large, about half full for the show and comfortable. The show began w/ information about Mickey Gilley on video screens--3 huge ones on either side and at the back of the stage. It was like having the entertainers in your lap. The music was very much to my liking and the comedy was well timed, a tad off color, but not too much. And most of the humor was directed at the "star" of the show. There was discussion during the show about Mickey Gilley's famous cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart. His piano playing style is VERY like JL Lewis, just not as exuberant. All in all a really engaging and entertaining evening. I enjoyed it so much, I bought a cd. I think that will be encouraged at each show we attend and I probably won't buy from each one, but we'll see. The show began at 8 and we got back to the room about 10:45. The traffic in "downtown" Branson is really slow because the whole town is out and around in private cars and coaches and everything moves at a snail's pace.

The room heater is tricky - turn it on high heat, and you get cool air, put it on low heat and you do indeed receive warm air. At least that's a good lesson to know, since we'll be here for 3 more nights and there is a real chill in the air after dark.

Breakfast in awhile and on to the Yakov Smirnoff Show and then shopping at The Landing -- there is a Bass Pro Shop--am I excited?

First half day in Branson

We're here--in Branson and ready for the shows and shopping. It's a little cooler than I expected, but I have sweaters and my wool cape from Scotland, so I'm ready for that too.

What to do on a bus for an inordinate number of hours? Some folks just chatted. Some played cards (Skip Bo and something else I'd never heard of) Some snacked the whole time. Some napped and I read. I'm re-reading a series that I began about 15 years ago. Several new volumes have been written since I read the 3 books and I figured it had been so long since reading the first ones, I should start over and read all 6 (or is it 7?) in the series. Today I finished #1 and began #2. The books are long and I am thinking I may finish #2 while here and I have #3 waiting in the suitcase for the trip back.

Driving through towns sometimes give the traveler no clue to "where you are". There are Starbucks, Subways, Home Depots and absolutely nothing on the main street to give any idea as to the name of the town. With no commentary from the driver or anyone else, the traveler is at a loss---unless following a map and watching the roadways. Anyway, with my nose in the book, I couldn't tell anyone how we got here.

The bus has a wheelchair lift which is used for two of our folks. They sit on their walker seats as the lift takes them up and down. A wheel broke on one of the walkers and the gentleman who needs it, NEEDS IT. The hotel got him a loaner wheel chair, but he has no one to push it. Looks like we may be doing that.

We're getting ready for supper and then our first show, so----- more later.

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

A travel day---we loaded the bus at 8 this morning and rode and rode and rode. Stopping in Weatherford for a snack/bathroom break, we then rode some more to Sherman for lunch. No pressure, no "get back to the bus at a special time" there is a leisurely sort of "whenever" attitude. Then we rode and rode some more stopping for one more break somewhere in Oklahoma--I'd been napping, so not really sure where we were. Roads were really rough, but the bus driver told us that this was the best Ok had to offer. We're in Ft. Smith, Arkansas now and not very hungry (what with all the snack breaks), so N and I have decided to forfeit "supper" and just kick back. He's reading USA Today and you know what I'm doing.

Can't say much about Ft. Smith--it's dark. altho' it seems to be a sizeable place. The hotel has free internet- always a plus and the signs telling you which hall to go down are WRONG. Yep, lots of folks in varying physical conditions -carrying luggage- trouping down the wrong way just to have to turn around and go back. Nope, signs are not to be trusted in Ft. Smith. There are 34 of us on this venture, a very few folks I know, most I don't. A couple of folks from other bank trips are here along w/ my sweet friend Pauline from church. I'm sure we'll get to know each other much better over the next week.

That's all for now from Arkansas.

Branson

We have another trip planned for the week before Thanksgiving. Our favorite travel agent, Citizens Bank, has a group going to Branson, Missouri for a week. We'll travel by bus for more than a day- see lots of shows, and go shopping, hopefully see leaves turning and return to Bwd by bus.

I'll be taking the laptop and plan to do a little blogging about what we see and do. Stay tuned for more info.

Just checked (online) on our lodging place in Branson--weird--they offer high speed internet in the lobby (that's normal) AND IN THE CORRIDORS AND ELEVATOR. Visualize me riding up and down the elevator blogging. Should be interesting. Maybe internet is available in the rooms also, but they aren't bragging about it if it is there.

Oliver’s quick trip to Round Rock

It seems strange to “celebrate” a problem with a vehicle, but it’s solution was sooooo unusually COOL, that I wanted to share with you.

Oliver, my little blue SmartCar, was parked at the Family Services Center while I did my tutoring thing on Tuesday Oct 14th. I went out to drive from there to the hospital to deliver Meals on Wheels, when I couldn’t get him out of park. I called N. for assistance and his comment was, “I’ve been reading about that problem”. It seems that the first 300 or so SmartCars made for the U.S. have exhibited the problem of too little lubrication having been put into the gear shift housing.

Anyway, Brownwood has no SmartCar repair facility, so we called the “1-800” assistance number and were amazed at their response. The original difficulty happened about 10:00 am and we got the car home about noon by forcing the gearshift lever- hoping not to break it. The warranty people sent a truck and flatbed trailer from Cisco which arrived at 1:30 pm at our house to pick Oliver up. The truck took him to Round Rock for repair and returned him by 8:30 pm THE SAME DAY. We continued to receive update phone calls from the receptionist at the Smart Center in Round Rock telling us the progress of the trip and repair. Oliver is fine, with no more gear shift problems and we paid NOTHING for this whole process. This wonderful warranty is good for 2 years and we purchased an additional 2 years. YEA! For Mercedes Warranties.