Branson News Flash!
kc
Branson, MO
A few weeks ago, Dick and I were working late in the campground office....I GUESS you could call it working...we were ON DUTY...Remember, now, "work" consists of taking reservations and showing guests to their campsite....
Anyway, as we were walking home, we noticed some flashing blue & red lights at the end of the camp. Wondering what was going on, so we stopped and got Sunny, and walked on down. Remember, too, nothing is very far, here, unless you want a entertainment, service or real food!
Lo & behold, they've blocked the road off and delivered what appears to be the bottom half of a very big boat. Talked to a few people, who seemed to know, and found out that it was, in fact, the bottom half of a very big boat. Well, there it sat, for a couple of weeks, and there was much speculation about when and how they'd deliver the top half.
About a week ago, it finally came, and boy, it WAS a very big boat. In fact, I believe it qualifies as a yacht! Turns out, one of the local developers has had this boat built in Wisconsin, and delivered it here, to hold dinner cruises on the lake. It's to be one of the featured attractions, here at Branson Landing, and Dick & I can't wait to try it out. We were even fortunate enough to meet Margaret, the owner's mother-in-law. She's a really interesting and charming lady, and we look forward to seeing her again soon. Uh-oh, we've got 4 units in...gonna run a min...
OK, so the boys are playing jokes on us!!! Seems Dick took the 'gator down to a site to wash a car for a lady whose husband was recently killed in a horrific motorcycle accident (that's a whole 'nother story!), so they thought they'd give him a hard time and make him worry. Not only were there NOT 4 units to park, but they didn't even need the 'gator. Geez. I didn't know any better, and I go scooting to the office, and they put me to work!! I let the manager go to lunch, then we really DID get 4 units to park. After that, it was time to go drop another hundred at the grocery store, and now we're back and firing up the grill. That's one of the consistencies here at the park - we all eat, very well and very often.
Oh - back to the boat!! The yacht-moving-company spent about several days positioning and tweaking all the boat's systems and getting it ready for launch. Now, you've all seen the pictures of *our* lake. It's really not very wide at all. Nor is it very deep. Basically, it's small river that was dammed at both ends, and they called it a Lake. It's NOT Table Rock Lake, who hosts the Showboat Branson Belle (pictures are already posted). I even hear that you can walk across our lake in some places. That is, if you don't mind 48-50* water. So, they work to deepen the public boat launch area, so that the boat can be backed into the lake, and I hear (second-hand) that the forklift actually fell in the hole they made. Whoops. I dunno HOW they got that puppy out, but we had our manager down there, giving us periodic updates via 2-way radio. Poor Dick, every time he got back to the launch site, we got a unit in and he had to come back and help park it. He didn't get ANY pictures, but I had gotten a couple, as the pieces were coming down the road in front of our camper. Luckily for us, Robbie was capturing the launch on his camera, and I've asked Stacey to email them to me, but I guess I have to go remind her...
Eventually, about 2 hours after they started, they got the Landing Princess launched and in the water. It must have been something to watch them turn her around and head upriver. I *think* it's upriver.....not really sure WHICH way is up here. When you're walking, seems like it's ALWAYS up (hill, river, etc.).
When we could we took a hike up the landing to go see the docking place. Actually, we wanted to watch them dock her, but we were WAAAAY late for that. Saddest thing - we weren't even on the schedule —we were just volunteering because no one else was available, and it needed to be done.
We admired the boat a bit and were able to pass along our card to our new friend, Margaret (welcome to our "place"), then we came on home for a bite to eat and to get ready to go dancing. YES, we finally got our schedules free to attend a dress-up dance. What a HOOT!
We walked in, and found that "we're casual here" was NOT the case, as there were only 2 other couples in jeans, but, what the heck, we had fun anyway. They were a welcoming bunch, and within minutes of completing the first tip, we had invitations to 6 other dances!!! PLUS, the Missouri State Convention, which is being held this weekend, only about 90 miles away, in Lebanon.
That was Thursday, and they told us about another dance, on Saturday. Luckily, our schedule was still clear, so we made plans to attend that, as well. We found the place, after driving a bit more than we'd expected, and this group was also very warm and welcoming. This time, we were more appropriately dressed, too. We got right on the floor, and hardly got off it for the duration of the evening. Folks there were issuing invitations left and right!! (I guess this means they're ok with our level of dancing...) We even got invited to an Advanced class, however, when I looked at the list of calls we did NOT know, the caller thought we'd be more comfortable in the DBD class, like we were taking with Mike. He indicated he would be throwing A-calls in there to challenge us, so, I guess that's what we'll do, if/when we can. He quits teaching in November, tho, and heads off to Mexico. And I thought WE had it easy. And, btw, Robert, callers HERE get an average of $125-150 PER NIGHT. Want me to hook you up?? HaHa!! Salem Squares would never let you go!!!
Anyway, it looks like of our 2-3 days next week, Sat & Sun and another day will be it, so it doesn't look like we'll be dancing at the convention after all. We're trying to get another worker to switch with us, but they are already committed to working outside the park during this time. TOO BAD, too, 'cuz the DOT officials have agreed to block off Rt 66 for 20 minutes and allow the group to dance on ole Route 66 for 20 mins. They cannot WAIT, and I don't blame 'em!!
WE, on the other hand, will be hosting the Branson Car Collector Auction, and the park is fully booked. Wish we could at least go LOOK at the cars; the catlog sure does have some pretty pictures. Even Shoji (the famous violinist) is selling a couple of his less-favorites. There are classic muscle & sporty cars, as well as timeless Model T's and A's, and several luxory imports like Jags and Porsches. Lots and lots of money will change hands, I'm sure. And we'll be inside, slaving away. Ah, but then, so will most of YOU, so there!
Speaking of Shoji, I'm not sure what's up, but I *think* we'll be seeing him soon. I know most of you have suggested we do so, but his tickets are WAY out of our price range, and until this week, he didn't give any local or "industry" discount. However, through today, he's offering $10 tickets, with the price being a donation to the local high school band. I thought that was pretty neat, and our friends went up to get us tickets. Well, I dunno *what* transpired, but I do know that there may be a little private deal in the works. I hope I can contain myself, and not barge into the men's room....I hear it's beautiful, mahagony, and contains a full-sized pool table. Wonder WHY???? Maybe Dick will take pictures for me. Else, I might have to make a fool of myself, and most of you know I have LOTS of practice!
Well, I guess I've rambled enough for a while, and I do have geocaching logs to write, so I guess I'd better wrap up for a while. I hope to have pictures uploaded in the next few days. HA - I *should* hope to just HAVE pictures, I s'pose!!
Until then, y'all take care!
Branson, MO
A few weeks ago, Dick and I were working late in the campground office....I GUESS you could call it working...we were ON DUTY...Remember, now, "work" consists of taking reservations and showing guests to their campsite....
Anyway, as we were walking home, we noticed some flashing blue & red lights at the end of the camp. Wondering what was going on, so we stopped and got Sunny, and walked on down. Remember, too, nothing is very far, here, unless you want a entertainment, service or real food!
Lo & behold, they've blocked the road off and delivered what appears to be the bottom half of a very big boat. Talked to a few people, who seemed to know, and found out that it was, in fact, the bottom half of a very big boat. Well, there it sat, for a couple of weeks, and there was much speculation about when and how they'd deliver the top half.
About a week ago, it finally came, and boy, it WAS a very big boat. In fact, I believe it qualifies as a yacht! Turns out, one of the local developers has had this boat built in Wisconsin, and delivered it here, to hold dinner cruises on the lake. It's to be one of the featured attractions, here at Branson Landing, and Dick & I can't wait to try it out. We were even fortunate enough to meet Margaret, the owner's mother-in-law. She's a really interesting and charming lady, and we look forward to seeing her again soon. Uh-oh, we've got 4 units in...gonna run a min...
OK, so the boys are playing jokes on us!!! Seems Dick took the 'gator down to a site to wash a car for a lady whose husband was recently killed in a horrific motorcycle accident (that's a whole 'nother story!), so they thought they'd give him a hard time and make him worry. Not only were there NOT 4 units to park, but they didn't even need the 'gator. Geez. I didn't know any better, and I go scooting to the office, and they put me to work!! I let the manager go to lunch, then we really DID get 4 units to park. After that, it was time to go drop another hundred at the grocery store, and now we're back and firing up the grill. That's one of the consistencies here at the park - we all eat, very well and very often.
Oh - back to the boat!! The yacht-moving-company spent about several days positioning and tweaking all the boat's systems and getting it ready for launch. Now, you've all seen the pictures of *our* lake. It's really not very wide at all. Nor is it very deep. Basically, it's small river that was dammed at both ends, and they called it a Lake. It's NOT Table Rock Lake, who hosts the Showboat Branson Belle (pictures are already posted). I even hear that you can walk across our lake in some places. That is, if you don't mind 48-50* water. So, they work to deepen the public boat launch area, so that the boat can be backed into the lake, and I hear (second-hand) that the forklift actually fell in the hole they made. Whoops. I dunno HOW they got that puppy out, but we had our manager down there, giving us periodic updates via 2-way radio. Poor Dick, every time he got back to the launch site, we got a unit in and he had to come back and help park it. He didn't get ANY pictures, but I had gotten a couple, as the pieces were coming down the road in front of our camper. Luckily for us, Robbie was capturing the launch on his camera, and I've asked Stacey to email them to me, but I guess I have to go remind her...
Eventually, about 2 hours after they started, they got the Landing Princess launched and in the water. It must have been something to watch them turn her around and head upriver. I *think* it's upriver.....not really sure WHICH way is up here. When you're walking, seems like it's ALWAYS up (hill, river, etc.).
When we could we took a hike up the landing to go see the docking place. Actually, we wanted to watch them dock her, but we were WAAAAY late for that. Saddest thing - we weren't even on the schedule —we were just volunteering because no one else was available, and it needed to be done.
We admired the boat a bit and were able to pass along our card to our new friend, Margaret (welcome to our "place"), then we came on home for a bite to eat and to get ready to go dancing. YES, we finally got our schedules free to attend a dress-up dance. What a HOOT!
We walked in, and found that "we're casual here" was NOT the case, as there were only 2 other couples in jeans, but, what the heck, we had fun anyway. They were a welcoming bunch, and within minutes of completing the first tip, we had invitations to 6 other dances!!! PLUS, the Missouri State Convention, which is being held this weekend, only about 90 miles away, in Lebanon.
That was Thursday, and they told us about another dance, on Saturday. Luckily, our schedule was still clear, so we made plans to attend that, as well. We found the place, after driving a bit more than we'd expected, and this group was also very warm and welcoming. This time, we were more appropriately dressed, too. We got right on the floor, and hardly got off it for the duration of the evening. Folks there were issuing invitations left and right!! (I guess this means they're ok with our level of dancing...) We even got invited to an Advanced class, however, when I looked at the list of calls we did NOT know, the caller thought we'd be more comfortable in the DBD class, like we were taking with Mike. He indicated he would be throwing A-calls in there to challenge us, so, I guess that's what we'll do, if/when we can. He quits teaching in November, tho, and heads off to Mexico. And I thought WE had it easy. And, btw, Robert, callers HERE get an average of $125-150 PER NIGHT. Want me to hook you up?? HaHa!! Salem Squares would never let you go!!!
Anyway, it looks like of our 2-3 days next week, Sat & Sun and another day will be it, so it doesn't look like we'll be dancing at the convention after all. We're trying to get another worker to switch with us, but they are already committed to working outside the park during this time. TOO BAD, too, 'cuz the DOT officials have agreed to block off Rt 66 for 20 minutes and allow the group to dance on ole Route 66 for 20 mins. They cannot WAIT, and I don't blame 'em!!
WE, on the other hand, will be hosting the Branson Car Collector Auction, and the park is fully booked. Wish we could at least go LOOK at the cars; the catlog sure does have some pretty pictures. Even Shoji (the famous violinist) is selling a couple of his less-favorites. There are classic muscle & sporty cars, as well as timeless Model T's and A's, and several luxory imports like Jags and Porsches. Lots and lots of money will change hands, I'm sure. And we'll be inside, slaving away. Ah, but then, so will most of YOU, so there!
Speaking of Shoji, I'm not sure what's up, but I *think* we'll be seeing him soon. I know most of you have suggested we do so, but his tickets are WAY out of our price range, and until this week, he didn't give any local or "industry" discount. However, through today, he's offering $10 tickets, with the price being a donation to the local high school band. I thought that was pretty neat, and our friends went up to get us tickets. Well, I dunno *what* transpired, but I do know that there may be a little private deal in the works. I hope I can contain myself, and not barge into the men's room....I hear it's beautiful, mahagony, and contains a full-sized pool table. Wonder WHY???? Maybe Dick will take pictures for me. Else, I might have to make a fool of myself, and most of you know I have LOTS of practice!
Well, I guess I've rambled enough for a while, and I do have geocaching logs to write, so I guess I'd better wrap up for a while. I hope to have pictures uploaded in the next few days. HA - I *should* hope to just HAVE pictures, I s'pose!!
Until then, y'all take care!
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