Branson, Missouri
May 5 - May 10, 1997
On Monday, May 5, 1997, I traveled to Branson, Missouri, again with the ladies of the Ashland Order of Eastern Star. For me, this was not just an ordinary trip; this was different in that it was the first time I ever flew on a plane. Any fears I had about flying completely disappeared shortly after takeoff and I was truly amazed at the breath-taking view looking down from the plane to the earth below and flying high above the clouds was mind boggling to say the least.
We left Ashland, Pa. early that morning and rode by bus to Harrisburg, Pa. We arrived at the airport around 7:45 a.m., and after getting checked in, we boarded a USAir plane and left for Pittsburgh,Pa. After a short layover in Pittsburgh, we again boarded a USAir plane and flew to St. Louis, Missouri arriving there around noon.
From St. Louis we boarded a bus and had a 3 hour ride before we reached our destination in Branson. It was an enjoyable trip though looking at the scenery and the Ozark Mountains along the way. Getting close to Branson, we started seeing large billboards advertising all the different shows and celebrities who had their theaters there in Branson.
Upon arrival we stayed at the CobbleStone Inn, a beautiful Inn, close to all the Music Shows and Restaurants. We checked into the Inn and afterwards dined out at the Peppercorn Restaurant.
From there we went to see our first musical show called Presley's Jubilee. This was Branson's original music and comedy show. It was the original theater built on 76 Country Boulevard, and for that reason it is truly a Branson Landmark.
After the show we went back to our hotel to get a good nights sleep and to get ready for our trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas the next day to see The Passion Play.
After breakfast we left for Eureka Springs to see The Great Passion Play, which is held outdoors in a 4100 seat amphitheater. The play presents the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. A cast of 200 brings the story to life. The beauty of the outdoors, along with live animals, and special light and sound effects, makes you feel as if you were there.
Earlier in the day, before the Great Passion Play started, we had the occasion to view the huge statue of Christ of the Ozarks. Located on Magnetic Mountain, this huge statue stands seven stories high, with an arm span of 65 feet, and weighs almost two million pounds. This seven story monument is the second largest statue of Christ in the world. It is truly a sight to behold.
We also had the opportunity to visit the Thorncrown Chapel, a little glass mountainside chapel, a beautiful natural presentation of God's creation. Nestled in a woodland setting, Thorncrown Chapel rises forty-eight feet into the Ozark sky. This magnificent wooden structure contains 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass. It sits atop over 100 tons of native stone and colored flagstone. The chapel's simple design and majestic beauty combine to make it what critics have called "one of the finest religious spaces of modern times."
At the close of the Passion Play, we boarded the bus and headed back to Branson to the Cobblestone Inn to get ready for the next day's adventure to "Ride The Ducks".
We started out early Wednesday morning and arrived to where we all boarded a World War II amphibious vehicle that took us to the top of Baird Mountain for a spectacular view of Table Rock Lake. Along the way we saw many military vehicles in all shapes and sizes and other vintage amphibians, all treasures from the past..
We saw the Table Rock Dam and the Captain made our tour a lively adventure of history, humor and just plain fun. After an exciting splashdown, we all discovered just how easily these "ducks" really can float. It's amazing!
Later that afternoon, we boarded the Showboat Branson Belle, an authentic 1890's showboat where we cruised the entire Table Rock Dam while feasting on a delicious meal and enjoying a rip-roaring New Orleans celebration featuring authentic Cajun music.
On Thursday we spent the afternoon at Silver Dollar City, named one of the World's Top Theme Parks. It is a huge park, complete with rides of all kinds and is also the Home of American Craftsmanship where you can see the craftsmen in action: the glassblower, candlemaker, woodcarver and blacksmiths just to name a few.
Though our days were kept busy sightseeing in and around Branson, our evenings were just as exciting as each and every night we had the opportunity to see some fabulous shows and entertainment.
We saw Bobby Vinton and the Glenn Miller Orchestra at his Blue Velvet Theater. We heard him sing all his hit songs and also listened to the hit songs of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Other shows included, Andy Williams, Mel Tillis and Brenda Lee, The Osmonds, whose show included Entertainment on Ice and also Bob Moore and his Amazing Mongrels. We also attended a breakfast show which featured Swing Music by the Lennon Brothers. And last, but certainly not least, we saw the fabulous Japanese violin player, Shoji Tabuchi, whose show was truly spectacular.
Knowing all good things must come to an end, we arose early Saturday morning, had a good breakfast before departing Branson and then boarded our bus for our trip back to St. Louis.
By the time we reached St. Louis, we had time to spare and had the opportunity to spend some time at the Gateway Arch, which soars 630 feet into the sky above St. Louis. The arch is also known as the "Gateway to the West". While there, I rode the elevator to the very top of the arch and looked out the rectangular windows to see a magnificent view of the city of St. Louis.
Before long though, we had to leave and continue on to the airport where we boarded our plane for our flight home, the end of another great trip that will be long remembered.
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