Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas to Branson, Missouri 10/18/2013

OCTOBER 18, 2013 (Friday)

Another glorious sunny day.

We all got up early and did what was asked by the resort – stripped the beds, put all the dishes in the dishwasher and started it, and took out all the garbage. We were out the door by 9:30 AM.

We drove for about an hour and stopped in Mountain Home, Arkansas. We had been told, on the day we checked in, by a nice couple (who traveled the lower 48 states in their Corvette) that we should go to Old Tyme Restaurant in Mountain Home and try their vinegar pie. What a cute town Mountain Home is, and much bigger than we had expected.

We found the restaurant and had breakfast/lunch there. Fun place with lots of old sayings and old posters on the wall. The people who run it are really fun and friendly. Scooter (I think son-in-law) is quite the character and was trying to spin tales about what was in an armadillo pie. Michael had a cheese/mushroom omelette, Lexi had a club sandwich, and I had a cobb type salad. Have to say Lexi’s fries were the best we’ve had. Wonderful. Afterwards, Lexi and Michael got vinegar pie and I opted for something different (knowing I’d get a bite or two of their vinegar pie) and ordered millionaire pie. They were all really, really good. Very reasonable prices to boot. Highly recommend this place.

My Swiss cheese and mushroom omelette at the Old Tyme.

Edie's 1/2 Cobb Salad. — Edie’s 1/2 Cobb Salad.

Lex's Club Sandwich with Fries. Some of the best fries any of us has had. Some kind of beer batter particles on the potatoes made them great. — Lex’s Club Sandwich with fries. Some of the best fries any of us has had. Some kind of beer batter particles on the potatoes made them great.

They serve an excellent hot tea.

Old Tyme Restaurant Vinegar Pie. They will not give you or me the recipe. — Old Tyme Restaurant vinegar pie. They will not give you or me the recipe.

Old Tyme restaurant in Mountain Home serving Millionaire Pie. Edie says it was delicious. — Old Tyme restaurant in Mountain Home serving millionaire pie. Edie said it was delicious.

If you are ever in Mountain Home...A+++. Oh, they serve Rocky Mountain Oysters too. Not for us. — If you are ever in Mountain Home…A+++. Oh, they serve Rocky Mountain Oysters too. Not for us.

After that we drove. It was very interesting because after we left Mountain Home, we drove over a dam and then circled back and down to the base of the dam and around. We were all hoping we could outrun the flood in case of an emergency. Very impressive. It was about another three hours to Branson. Lovely drive. Saw some deer and lots of vultures, but that was about it.

Lots of water in Missouri as well as Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Once in Branson we found our resort very quickly (drove right to it), and tried to check in, however the room wasn’t ready. At about that time Michael called his friend, Jack, who lives in Branson. Jack said he would come by our resort and visit for awhile. Within about fifteen minutes he was here. Nice guy. Michael and Jack had fun reminiscing. Jack took us to a local mall, quite nice, right on the river. We were looking for a purse for Lexi. He showed us the fountains that were built by the same guy that built them at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. These are somewhat smaller but still quite remarkable.

We walked and walked and walked but finally found a purse that Lexi could live with. It was almost 4:30 PM by this time and we were all tired. We made plans with Jack to meet him and his 13 year old son, Hal, at the Cracker Barrel on Highway 76 (at the other end of Branson) at around 6:00 PM. Jack warned us that the traffic would be crazy. He wasn’t kidding.

We went back to the resort and were able to check in. Check in was quick and easy. They even gave us a “welcome bag” of goodies. Nice touch. It’s a lovely resort – very big. They have restaurants, a gift shop, a concierge, and lots of nice touches around. The pool, however, is outdoors and unheated. We still might try it.

We ran the tiers of C Section together, my friend Jack. Many times I was glad he was the one standing next to me.

Stuffed game animals of every size, shape and type.

Mostly Trout in the huge aquarium at the Pro Bass Shop. — Mostly trout in the huge aquarium at the Pro Bass Shop.

Somewhat smaller than the Bellagio. Still nice. Performed to "Everybody was Kung Fu fighting." — Somewhat smaller than the Bellagio. Still nice. Performed to “Everybody was Kung Fu fighting.”

Lex's fantasy boyfriend. WWDD? = "What Would Darrell Do?" — Lex’s fantasy boyfriend. WWDD? = “What Would Darrell Do?”

Walking dead on a balcony overlooking the mall. When you travel with Lex, you notice walking dead things.

Our unit was about half a mile away from the check in. It is lovely. A two bedroom, lock off type where Lexi has her own “apartment” with refrigerator, sink, stove, jacuzzi tub, bathroom, etc. Best of all she has her own huge bed. She’s thrilled and we’re thrilled. We’re on the third floor with no elevators but that’s good for exercise. It’s really nice. Love our new home. Hardwood floor, tile, carpet, fireplace. Nice.

Top of the stairs looking at our balcony.

Dinning room and Lex's new purse on the counter. — Dining room and Lex’s new purse on the counter.

At around 5:15 PM, we left our “home” and headed down Highway 76. We were wanting to check in to our timeshare presentation that I had arranged over the internet. I made the mistake (?) of going online and registering for information about Branson a few days ago. Within seconds of getting off the computer, I received a telephone call. Anyway, it’s a vacation travel presentation and we get three tickets to shows and three $30.00 dinner coupons. I’ll let you know. We have to check in and then have to go back for the presentation, not sure when.

The traffic was horrible, bumper to bumper. We were glad we could not find the timeshare place because we were so slow. We finally got to the Cracker Barrel at 6:15 PM. When we got there, Jack gave Lexi the most remarkable wooden box made by a local artisan. Exquisite. We all had a good meal and visit. Four of us had the oven fried chicken meal with two sides, and Hal had the macaroni and cheese. Michael, Lexi and I had dessert. Lexi had a yummy chocolate coca cola cake with ice cream, and Michael and I had blackberry cobbler and ice cream.

Big Veterans Memorial building in Branson.

Dick Clark's estate is alive and well. Though I fear Branson has taken a real hit with the deaths of Andy Williams and Dick Clark. The demographic that tours Branson isn't getting younger as it should either. Think I'd buy a put. — Dick Clark’s estate is alive and well. Though I fear Branson has taken a real hit with the deaths of Andy Williams and Dick Clark. The demographic that tours Branson isn’t getting younger as it should either. Think I’d buy a put.

We are going to see SIX and a Jersey Boys tribute.

At around 8:00 PM we said goodbye and left. Jack’s son was very tired, as were we. We have plans to see them again on Sunday. We are now back in our “home” and ready for rest. Hope your day was wonderful!