Friday May 10, 2013
Branson, MO

John and I left my sister, Heidi's, place in Nashville last Monday and drove straight through, arriving here at our place at Stonebridge about 4:30...no time to spare since the office closes at 5 pm.  We have a spacious, one-bedroom condo here in this huge 10,000 acre resort.

Our first couple days here were very quiet.  John

John on a bench on the pretty pathway leading to Branson Belle

needed lots of rest after Karissa's heavy-duty graduation weekend!  It drove me nearly crazy to have to lay low cause I longed to be outdoors being renewed and refreshed with nature.  Fortunately for me, by Wednesday, John was ready to venture out a bit.  We packed a picnic lunch and drove to Indian Point where we ate and relaxed at the swimming beach.  The water was too cold for swimming but I enjoyed wading.  We watched as storm clouds approached since rain was in the forecaste.  The water of Table Rock Lake was very smooth since there was little wind but the rain never came and eventually it cleared off.

On the nature trail at StoneBridge with Becky

Driving down to the town of Branson, we crossed the dam and then walked around the grounds of the Branson Belle because the azaleas were in full bloom and it is such a pretty area.  I so wanted to take a tour of the lake on a boat but The Belle is a dinner cruise with a show and people pay $50 for a two hour cruise and that was way too much to pay.  We drove back into town and walked around the Titanic and took some pictures along the strip.

Fortunately for me, Becky Vermilyea arrived that evening.  We stayed up and watched a

movie instead of going to bed at 8 with John.  He still goes to bed early, gets up late, and then sleeps during the day, too.  That's way too much rest for me!  Thursday, Becki and I set out early to walk the nature trail from the Club House.  It turned out to be a muddy and rough road so we took to the paved roads through residential areas, getting ourselves lost but enjoying the golf course and creek views along the way.  We explored further in the car, finding Fox Cove with a walking path all around the lake which suited us perfectly.

On the train to the "Diamond Mine" course of mini-golf

For lunch, we went to John's favorite...Golden Coral where we could all eat anything we wanted!  I always eat TOO much...but we worked it all off (well, maybe not!) as we played Miniature Golf at Lost Treasure.  The sun was out and it was wonderfully warm and we leisurely enjoyed the game.  Becky really had us beat the first half then I came up from behind and beat them both...!

We dropped John off at his favorite hang-out, Anytime Fitness.  Becky and I found the Secret Garden with romantic clothing.  Such fun it was to look around that beautiful store with fashions of yesteryear and some even of yesterday.  Becky found a lovely yellow crocheted top which suits her to a "t".  We picked John up and headed back to our condo to prepare for our outing to Shepherd of the Hills pageant. 

Years ago, I read, then purchased, the book by the same title.  It tells the story of some of the original homesteaders to the Ozarks and the pageant is one of the oldest Bransons "shows".  Because I so loved the book, I have always wanted to see the show, too.  In the morning, we paid for our tickets and looked forward to it all day.  Alas, when we arrived, the show had been cancelled due to approaching storms.  We were so disappointed.

To the right of the sign here, in the background, you can see Inspiration Tower.  Deciding to walk

Sons of the Pioneers sang beautifully

up that direction, we headed down the path to "Matt's Cabin", the original building on the homestead.  Such a lovely ol' cabin, too!  On our way back, we heard music coming from a pavilion.  Becky recognized it as the good ol' cowboy music of the "Sons of the Pioneers" with their very distinct sound.  The group listening had just finished their chuck-wagon BBQ and were enjoying the show.  We did, too, for about 30 minutes, all the time watching the storm blowing in from the west.  We listened too long and got nearly soaked as we ran all the way up the hill to our car while the wind whipped.

We'd decided to go listen to the SIX show instead and drove the few miles to the Mickey Gilley theatre.  SIX are brothers who sing without instruments but making the sounds of percussion and horns and other instruments all with their voices.  It was a great show with wonderful inspiration at the end with three spiritual numbers, so moving and harmonious.  Of course, no pictures or recordings were allowed.

It was still raining hard when we got back about 10.  Took us a while to calm down so we could go to sleep.

Friday morning, we had a wonderful morning and another good prayer session together.  Becky just recently lost Bayard, her husband of nearly 15 years.  We've done lots of reminiscing and each appreciate the other's support through these rough months. John and I both loved Bayard, too.  So prayer has been such a comfort that we can share in person and apart.

Becky and I set out on our next adventure by mid-morning and easily found our destination.  We set out along the woodland path and were surprised to come upon blooming irises.  Soon we discovered the Owen Homestead, a recently acquired property with famous old stone walls, a stone house, shown here, and a marvelous rock pathway, below, in addition to the long rock stairway down to Lake Taneycomo.

What was most amazing to us was all the flowers and shrubbery, signs of someone's hard work and perseverence.  It seemed impossible that anything but a big crew could have built it all.

Down the stone steps, we did eventually find a sign telling us that seven men worked on them over the period of a year, and a saying to the effect that it was not just stone and mortar that went into their building but blood, sweat, and tears, as well.  The stairs were often curved with railings, followed by horizontal pathways to make the climbing up or down less strenuous. 

Because of the recent rains, water was dripping everywhere and it was muddy in places.

Before the stairs started downward, this rock pathway and wall adorned the top of the bluff.  Here were numerous flowering shrubs and the blooming iris.  We saw evidence of many daffodils, late blooming lilacs, and other lovely landscaping features. 

Becky and I noticed right away the beauty of the place and all the love and attention that someone had worked hard on to create a lovely homestead. 

 As we followed the stairs down, we saw a few interesting caves which made me think of my cave-loving friend, Paula!  But the majesty of the trail came as we found bluffs along which the trail skirted.  These bluffs got ever larger till we reached the "Grotto" with a lovely waterfall.  I took several videos at that spot but no still pictures...that was a booboo!  We walked and walked, seeing two box turtles on the trail, columbines growing out of the bluff and along the trail, and catching glimpses of the river.  But the trail never sloped downward to the river, to our disappointment.  Due to lack of time, we did not get to got the very end, either, however. 

It so interesting that when the trees are leafed out, these bluffs are hidden from the view of those on the river and yet they are so beautiful.  They are one of my favorite features of Missouri. 

At the SIX show the evening before, we had talked to people around us.  Most people come to Branson for the shows and to eat.  Very few come to enjoy the lake or the dramatic topography of the area.  It's what I LOVE about Branson and almost no one else pays any attention to the natural beauty of this gem of the Ozarks.

While we were in the Lakeside Forest Park, we saw only four other people.  I was so thankful for this walk...it was without a doubt the highlight of this visit to Branson.

Lakeside Forest is at the corner of Fall Creek Drive and Route 76 in Branson.  It is a city-owned park with trails that wind around the ridge top, an old homestead just recently acquired, which includes 350 stone steps down the side of the bluff and almost to the Lake Taneycomo.  I'd been on the trail, seen them, but didn't get to go down and had always wanted to return and go all the way down.  Becky is such a great adventurer and is always willing to find a lovely new spot.