Wednesday, October 23, 2019 - Happy Birthday to Me! Friends Arrive; Lunch Outdoors; Girl Shopping; Dinner & Dessert; Evening Visit

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 - Happy Birthday to Me!  Friends Arrive; Lunch Outdoors; Girl Shopping; Dinner & Dessert; Evening Visit 

I woke up around 4:30, but I laid in bed for about fifteen minutes before I decided I wasn't going back to sleep.  It was 42 outside and 60 in Bentley.  We left the fireplace on last night to keep the chill off.

I finished my post from yesterday.  I tried last night but I kept falling asleep.  Typical!!

Dean got up at 6:30, late for him, so then I felt like I was able to get up and do a few things.  Since I hear every little sound I think he can too.  However, once his hearing aids come out each evening I'm not sure I could disturb him too much.  

Once he was up, I made the bed and cleaned the bathroom, which didn't take too long since I had already cleaned the shower.  When you have a postage stamp for a bathroom it doesn't take too long.

We walked 2.25 miles this morning.  It was much warmer outside today.  Today we chose a different direction than our last few walks, heading to the south end of the park so I have several pictures to share.

Our neighbor's Fall decoration just a short distance from our door.

Sun coming up

After we returned from our walk, we had our morning shake and juice.  Speaking of the juice, many times when I mention to someone that we drink Bragg's apple cider vinegar with a fruit juice each morning they ask me how much of each.  I've always guessed at the amount, but this morning I measured it.  I use 2 Tablespoons of the vinegar with 1/4 to 1/3 cup of fruit juice.  We prefer the apple juice because the orange juice adds to the acidity, but if I can't get the apple juice I want, we'll slip in a can of orange juice now and then.  I prefer to use the frozen - it's cheaper and makes quite a bit.

The path we took today - we get a great workout on this trail as its up and down both ways.

Bridge with waterway below - it will be full later this week with the predicted rain.

It's a beautiful day, so we are going to have lunch outside at our picnic table.  I pulled out my outdoor table cloth and my tray to carry the condiments for the soup outside.   I made taco soup, with condiments of avocado, sour cream, cheese and baked tortilla strips.  

Bench with eagle and owl carved into it.

Another section of the trail.

Our friends Donna and David (former RVer's) are coming to visit us.  They are staying at one of the cabins here in the park - just a short distance from our site.  I am fixing lunch for us and then we'll decide what to do after that.

Sunshine highlights the trees.

They arrived about 12:15, where we met them at the office to check them in.  After completing their check-in they followed us to their site.  Dean pointed out where we were parked and they will walk up once they get settled.  I warmed the soup up as I had turned it off about 30 minutes earlier, and gathered up the condiments on the tray to carry outside.  Everything was almost ready when they made it to the rig.  Donna brought a loaf of pumpkin bread she had made.  Yumm!  Before we ate though, I had something I wanted to give Donna.  I bought this for her from Debbie B. at the Heartland rally.  Donna raises chickens for the eggs, so a few pictures below - you will see the hand towel I gave her.

Decorative items throughout the park.

Miniature golf course in the park

 We took the food outside to the picnic table since we don't have the best seating inside the rig.  We only have two chairs at the table, and while we could make it work inside it was so nice outside today.  (The wind did decide to blow a little so we had to keep an eye on light weight items - like the napkins and lids for the bowls the condiments were in). Lol!

If you enlarge this you can see the top of the ferris wheel that is on the strip (76 Highway).  Beautiful view.

The flag (sorry no wind today) is the location of a Veteran's Memorial in the park.

A short distance in front of this, we turned around to head back.  

 We were so glad David and Donna took the time to drive here and spend some time with us.  We miss them since they no longer RV and it was great spending the day with them.  After our lunch, I washed the dishes real quick, then we each had a thick piece of pumpkin bread that was delicious.  Shortly afterwards, Donna and I took off for Tanger Mall.  She was looking for a pair of shoes, and our first stop was at the Skechers Outlet to look for them.  As I started to get out of the car I realized I had left my phone at the RV - so I did not have my card to make any purchases!  What a disappointment!  Oh well, it was fun to look and I just enjoyed spending the time with Donna. 

I had not been in the Skechers store before and I was amazed at all of the shoe styles they have.  I've only seen their shoes on display in large shoe stores with many other brands.  One of the things I like about their shoes is they are slip-on's. 

The fishing pond.  At this point, we turned around and started the walk back to Bentley.

Another shot of the miniature golf course.

Donna and I stopped at a number of other stores - and while we found some cute things neither of us made any other purchases.  We mostly visited as we walked through several different dress stores.  At 3-3:30 we decided we should go back and get ready for dinner - to beat the crowd.  That turned out to be a good idea.  When we returned we talked about where to eat, but they told me the decision where to go was mine since it was my birthday.  

Many benches are along the trail.

 Dean and I got ready, then I set down to look at options.  I was leaning towards BarBQue, so I asked google for BBQ restaurants in Branson.  They have several and I was trying to decide between Gettin' Basted or Big D's.  Our friends Donnie and Janie introduced us to burnt ends and that is our choice of BBQ chow now.  That's what I was looking for.  In looking at their menu I wasn't sure if Gettin' Basted had them, but as I read the reviews they were mentioned.  When Donna and David arrived, I asked if they liked BBQ and David's eyes lit up - it's his favorite.  He had a friend that recommended they try Gettin' Basted - so that sealed the decision on where we would go.  

Such a beautiful morning.

Same flag - different angles.  

Our site - #200

 The hand towel I gave to Donna:

I bought this at the Heartland Rally to give to our friend Donna.  A mutual RVing friend of ours did the applique on the towel.  Since Donna raises chickens for the eggs, I immediately thought of her and had to buy it.  Just a fun gift.

We arrived at the restaurant early enough we were able to park out front.  While we didn't see any signs to indicate there was parking in the back, we assumed surely there must be as large as the facility was.  Later I did ask a waiter and they said told us there was.  Good to know for future visits.

We all ordered the burnt ends. They were very good.  Dean and I decided to share a plate.  Our sides were potato salad (one of his favorites) and waffle sweet potato fries.  Donna and David both had baked beans (3 different beans).  Donna had fresh vegetables of carrots and broccoli (which I wish I had ordered instead of the waffle fries), and I think David might have had the potato salad as well.  The meal was great and the waiter was kind enough to take our picture.   Later, after Donna had posted the picture on Facebook, she saw someone was concerned I didn't get anything to eat - can you see why in the picture?

 

My birthday dinner with Dean and our good friends David & Donna.  We had not yet, split our meal up between us - but I assure you, I did get some food!

After we finished our dinner, Dean asked the waiter if they had dessert for the birthday girl, but they did not.  So David said he would like to buy dessert for us if we knew of a good place.  I told him "there's only one place to get the best - Cakes and Creams."  I am not sure when the first time I was there but it's the one place we've gone back to over and over again.  I'm pretty sure it was in the late 70's - so it's been just a few years!  It was as good as usual.  We all ordered peach cobbler with ice cream, except for Donna and she chose blackberry.  So good, but now we were really stuffed.

Dean took us on another drive down the strip to the Landing and then back to the campground.  When we got back we asked if they wanted to come in for awhile and we visited for probably and hour before we decided to call it a night.

What a great day it has been.  Throughout the day I received many text messages, Facebook messages and a few phone calls from family and friends.  Each and everyone of them was special and meant so much to me.  I feel extremely blessed that each of you took time out of your day to comment.  Thank you!  I love you all!