November 8 - November 14, 2020 - Meeting up with Heartland Friends; Sinus Infection; Moving to Oswego; Virtual School with Jaxson; Working on the Blog.

November 8 - November 14, 2020 - Top of the Rock Golf Cart Tour; Meeting up with Heartland Friends; Sinus Infection; Moving to Oswego; Virtual School with Jaxson; Working on the Blog.

November 8, 2020 - Today is Saturday, November 14 with only one more week to go to be caught up with the blog.  Thank goodness for pictures, receipts and Google Maps Timeline to keep me on track - along with text messages, etc. to remind me of what has gone on the past several days, and the week before.  We have been so busy and this week did not change, but I'm so thankful for every day that God gives me.  Even though I tire a little sooner than I used to, I am thankful I still have the strength to get up every morning and do the things I want to do, although occasionally it does require a little help from my sweet husband.

I was searching for things to do in and around Branson earlier this week when I discovered Top of the Rock has a golf cart tour.  We were both intrigued by this.  We were up early this morning. I fixed breakfast before we headed south on 76 Highway to the turnoff toward Top of the Rock.  It was much closer that I expected it to be.  There is a fee of $10 to get into the park, another $44 per person for the use of the cart for the tour.  I didn't realize the cost until later as Dean paid.  I thought it was $30.  Either way, I'm glad we did this, especially since it's the only "paid" activity we did all week. It was about equal to 2 tickets to Silver Dollar City and less than Sight and Sound.  It was a wonderful morning of fun and a beautiful nature setting.  

After paying our fee, we were assigned a golf cart and off we went on a nicely paved trail weaving through the beautiful hills in the area.  We've already decided we'd like to come back at a future date to see it in the spring.

Lots of fall colors

The first of several waterfalls.

Amazing bridge we crossed over.  You have to see it to believe how far above it is to the water below.

To get a perspective of the height of this rock formation, I had to get Dean in the picture.

A couple and their three boys were behind us.  Dean and I were laughing how they reminded us of our boys when we went somewhere, running, laughing, pushing one another, etc. I could tell the mom and dad were both getting frustrated, and she apologized for them.  I just laughed and told her we had five between us, and she just enjoy every moment with them because they grow up way too fast.  

Another bridge with such bright colors to go with it.

A view of Table Rock Lake

Once we finished the golf cart tour, we hopped on a bus that took us to Top of the Rock where the Ancient Ozarks Natural History and Museum and Heritage Preserve was located.

We spent another hour or so walking through the museum that housed a huge amount of Indian artifacts, as well as early settler and war information.

We stopped in the gift shop, but there was nothing we needed there, so we walked outside to a full length veranda overlooking the golf course.  

Right next to the golf course they have dug out an area where a sink hole formed.  They originally thought they would fill it in, but found all of these rock formations.  Since then, they have continued digging it out.  The guy driving the bus told us they hope to include this as part of the golf cart tour in the future.

There was a wedding at the chapel this afternoon so we could not visit. What a beautiful sitting it is - it almost looks like a postcard, doesn't it?

We left here and headed on west toward Lampe, MO, then on to Kimberling City, crossing Table Rock Lake twice as shown in the pictures below,

before returning to Branson.  We had not eaten since breakfast.  It was after 2pm before we stopped for linner (lunch/dinner) at Pizza Ranch.  We've noticed a few of these restaurants in different places we have visited but it was our first time to try it.  It was expensive and even though we probably ended up getting our money's worth, we ate way too much and decided their buffet wasn't as good as Godfather's Pizza, located on 76 Hwy near downtown Branson.

They had a salad bar, many types of pizza, a food buffet (I didn't try it.  Dean said the potato was not edible and the chicken was just okay, but not as good as Godfather's).  The dessert pizzas and chocolate chip cookie were really good, plus their ice cream.  I'm glad we tried it but we'll return to Godfather's Pizza.  The last time we were there (about a year ago) their prices were also less than Pizza Ranch. 

After taking a short drive, we returned to Bentley about 3:30.  Dean watched TV and I worked on updating the blog.

Monday, November 9 - We didn't get out this morning.  I did a couple of loads of laundry and showered.  We are meeting friends for lunch at 1.  We met Larry and Mary Ann several years ago at a Heartland Rally in Texas.  We haven't seen them for awhile.  While we were in Oklahoma City I asked a mutual friend how they were doing.  She mentioned they spend time at Treasure Lake, usually in the spring and fall, and thought they were planning to go later in the month.  A few days ago, I reached out to Mary Ann to see if they would like to go eat lunch with us one day.  She responded they would and we set our meet-up for 1pm today.  We picked them up and drove to Billy Gail's Restaurant just off of 76 not far from Silver Dollar City.  We were seated right away.  They have really expanded their parking lot, which was really needed.  In the past we've often had a difficult time finding a place to park, and have even left because there were no parking places available. Since we arrived after 1:15 or so, it was not quite as busy.  We had a great meal and visited for quite a bit after our meal.  We stopped at their RV to let them out, and they invited us to come in, where we visited for another hour or two, before we headed back to Bentley.  We enjoyed catching up with them and hope we see them on the road again sometime soon.

We stayed in the rest of the evening.  Dean was watching TV and I worked to update the blog.  I'm hoping to catch it up well before Thanksgiving.  (High hopes, but we've been super busy).

Tuesday, November 10, 2020   Dean wanted to go eat breakfast this morning, so we headed to The Hungry Hunter, located south of Table Rock Dam.  My Uncle Richard and Aunt Joyce introduced us to this place a few years ago while we were both camping at Treasure Lake.  We've been back several times, and the food is always good.  When we reached the restaurant door, they took our name and asked if we wanted to wait in our car (they'd call our phone) or did we want to wait outside.  We chose the latter.  There was only one other couple waiting so there was plenty of seating available.  It wasn't long until a couple left and we were called in.

I had french toast (2 slices rather than the 3 mentioned on the menu).  The bread is homemade, nice and thick.  It was delicious.  Dean had an omelet.  In addition he had toast and hash browns.  Needless to say, we didn't need anything for lunch.  

On our way back I saw these planes flying in formation.  With tomorrow being Veteran's Day, and Branson's annual Veteran's Day Event is scheduled this week, we suspect the planes were here for that reason.  We enjoyed watching them.

Dean needed something from Home Depot, so we headed there after breakfast.  When he was finished, we made a quick stop at Walmart for a few grocery items, before we returned to Bentley.  Since we are leaving in the morning, Dean stopped to purchase diesel for the truck.  It was just shy of noon when we returned to Bentley, where we rested and I did another load of laundry. 

We have had a wonderful week here in Branson, doing many new things.  As much as we've been to Branson, it was fun to find new things to do, mostly outside.  We enjoy the drives around the area for the beautiful vistas, that we enjoy seeing time and again.

We made one last venture out this afternoon around 3 to Cakes and Creams, our favorite "food" place to visit in Branson.  We love their cobbler.  Dean chose peach with a scoop of ice cream, and I went with blackberry (no ice cream).  

As usual it was wonderful.  Choosing this time of day, it was not real busy and we were only one of two other couples in the newer sitting area.  

Tomorrow we'll head back to Oswego.

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Happy Veteran's Day to all of those who have served our country.  We are so thankful for each and everyone of you.  

It was 10:25am when we pulled out of our site at Treasure Lake RV Resort, and pointed Bentley north on Highway 65 toward Springfield, MO.  We are happy that Highway 96 near Halltown has reopened, as we enjoy driving Hwy 96 back to Oswego.  Our last trip to Branson in April, we noticed a new business in Arvilla, MO called Lottie's.  We decided to check it out after we had stopped along the road for a restroom break in Bentley.  There was only one other person that came in while we were there.  Today all the tables were full with people having lunch.  It's great to see a new business like this flourish.  We ordered floats to go.  I chose root beer and Dean chose Coke.  

I sent a text to my cousin Todd as we were leaving Branson to see if the spot we were in before was taken, that we were headed back to Oswego.  Unfortunately, for us but great for him, he had several people coming in and was not going to have a spot for us.  It's not a big deal, as we will just park at the city's RV Park, Kamp Siesta.  We really enjoyed our last stay there.  The only drawback is lack of a good Verizon signal.  It works, but very s l o w l y.  

We liked the spot we had last time, #37 so we parked there again today.  The weather is supposed to be nice for the next couple of weeks.  While the evening temps are dropping into the mid to upper 30's, afternoon temps are supposed to be in the 50's and 60's, and even a few days expected to reach the 70's.  

We were soon set up.  I made us a quick sandwich and an apple for lunch.  While we were eating Dean remembered before we left last week the low tire light came on in my car, and when checking it, I did have a tire going flat.  We didn't have time to deal with it before we left .  It was shortly after 3pm when we headed to the garage.  He aired up the now completely flat tire, and I drove it to Co-op, with him following me, where we left it for repair.  He took me back to the RV before he headed to the garage.  While he was gone I started searching for a place for us to park with sewer hookups  when we leave Kamp Siesta.  I first checked out the Big Hill Lake area, but since it was Veteran's Day I could not reach anyone and I had a question about the sewer hookups.  Since we do not have them at Kamp Siesta, we need to be sure and find a place with sewer, so I can do laundry.  After a week, our laundry basket will be overflowing.  Dean called about 4:30pm to let me know the car was ready to pick up.  I told him I couldn't reach anyone at Big Hill, so I went ahead and made a reservation for a site at the City Lake in Altamont.  We decided to leave the truck at Co-op and drive the car to Altamont to take a look at the sites.  We were almost to Altamont, when I noticed the light on my dash showed we had a low tire.  GREAT!!!!  The same tire was low.  We drove to Marc's hoping we could air it up there, but he wasn't home.  Fortunately, Casey's just down the road had an air hose we were able to use.  We returned to Oswego and left the car parked at Co-op overnight.  Dean will call them in the morning.

It was 5:30 before we returned to the campground.  

Returning from to Bentley.  He looks so alone.  We are in the newer section of the park at Kamp Siesta.  There are two other RV's on the west side.  We all have plenty of room!

1

Taken out our back window shortly after we returned to Bentley.

We've had quite a day.  After dinner, we did nothing but set back and rest for the rest of the evening.

Thursday, November 12  We both had dentists appointment this morning, but I cancelled mine yesterday morning; rescheduling it for a few weeks out.  I've had a sinus infection the past few days and while I feel okay now, my mouth is dry from taking medication to clear it up.  I just don't think I could set with my mouth open that long without coughing.  Dean headed over this morning.  When he returned we went out to pick up my car.  The problem with the tire was the valve stem.  They replaced it and so far, we've not had any other issues.

Since our trip to Altamont did not go well yesterday we drove back over today to look at the RV park at their city lake.  Surprisingly there was no one parked here.  They have full hookups.  When I called yesterday I reserved Site #1.  We were happy with my choice.  We will be backed up to the lake, which will provide a great view out the back window.  I think we'll enjoy it there as the weather is supposed to be really nice for the four nights we plan to be there.  Mid-60's are expected for those four days.  What's not to like about that?

Once we returned to Bentley, we had some lunch.  After Dean left to go back to the garage to work, I contacted daughter-in-law's to get ideas for Christmas presents for the grandkids.  I will do most of my shopping on Amazon this year. If I had more time I prefer shopping in the stores, but I have exactly two weeks today to get ideas, place orders and have presents delivered to me, so I can wrap them before Thanksgiving morning.  All of a sudden time is speeding up!!!

Marc called this evening to visit about Jaxson's Virtual Class tomorrow.  The kids are all doing an online class through their home computers for the day.  It is a trial run in case they would need to do classes online at some time in the future.  I told Marc I'd come over and spend the day with Jaxson so Marc could work.  Its a busy time of the year for him, and I don't mind helping out since I'm here.

Friday, November 13 

I was up early this morning with the idea of leaving Kamp Siesta by 7:15am.  I planned to stop at Casey's on my way out of town for something to drink and a raspberry flip (if they have any left).  I haven't had one in a very long time and it just sounded good this morning.  They did have one, and it was SOOOOO good.

I arrived at Marc's at 7:45, in time to go over Jaxson's lessons plans for the day.  It was really pretty interesting to me and we had a fun day together.  I don't have a copy of his agenda, but he had math, PE, writing and reading, and a few other subjects, including playing outside.  

When was the last time any of you tried to run with an 8 year old.  I was embarrassed at how out of shape I was.  I can walk fast, jog, but RUN....I just hope no one was watching me.

Leg lifts.  He also did Sumo Squats - which was pretty cute!  

We had a good day together.  At the end of the day, there was an alphabetical page to go outside and find things in nature.  We walked all around the area near their home where we found several things.  Once we finished this area, we took a drive around Altamont to look for other things in nature.  We lacked 3 items of finishing up.  X, Z were too we missed and one other, maybe Q.  

We had so much fun.  When we returned from the nature hunt, Kamron was home from school, so I had the chance to visit with her for awhile before I left for Oswego.

Out our back window!

It was a pretty quiet evening back at Bentley.  

Saturday, November 14  

Most of my day was online ordering Christmas presents for the grandkids.  I really prefer getting out and going to the stores to pick out presents, but time is limited right now with our family gathering on Thanksgiving Day.  With the things I have to do between now and then, selecting presents that will arrive in time, wrapping them, etc. I needed to get it done as soon as possible.  I spent a good part of the day on this.  With 16 grandkids, it takes awhile to figure out what they want, then search for it online, etc.  

About 9:45 Dean reminded me we needed to pick up the Blue & Gold items we purchased from Tucker today.  Dean called him to make sure he was at home.  He was, so we headed on over there to pick it up and visit with him for a little bit before we returned to Bentley.  I got a big bag of breaded chicken tenders (5#, I think), and 3# of bacon.  I still have 3 of the 4 sausage rolls I bought from Brett earlier, so we are good for awhile.

I talked to all of my sisters today.  It's a rarity to talk to all of them (on the phone) in one day, but it was good to catch up with them, even though most of us will be together tomorrow at Cindy's.

I made white chicken chili for dinner tonight.  Dean and I really love this soup, and it usually is enough for at least 3 meals - who doesn't like a ready made meal for two more days?  I wish I would have thought to make cornbread.  I think it would have been good with it.  This time instead of using canned chicken broth, I used the chicken base you buy in a jar.  I used a slightly 

Dean went outside to do something, and came back to tell me I should come outside and see the sunset.  The sun was really lighting these clouds to the south and east of us.

All that is left of the sunset - but that sun is sure bouncing off the clouds above.  Very pretty!