Back to Branson

Between Halloween and Thanksgiving - with Kris here visiting and only 3 days after the twins arrived - we abandoned our responsibilities and flew to Branson, Missouri for a week in our 3-bedroom timeshare with Larry and Karen Harris (from Layton and with whom we served in Guyana) and with Stanley and Diane Blackett (our long time friends and regular traveling companions from Logan).  Our third – and perhaps our last trip to Branson (after all, how many shows can you see in a lifetime) - we spent our time (and money) in a variety of ways. 

We explored the city we have watched grow up from the first time we were there in 2005.  The population is now 10,520 (up from 6000 in 2005) with about 125 theaters / shows which attract more than 15,000,000 visitors every year … and now also has 3 Walmarts (we visited them all at least twice).  We also had a delightful day in Eureka Springs, AK, a Park City-like community about an hour away from Branson with wonderful shops, restuarants and historic sites from the 1850’s mining boom.

The shows we saw were:

·               Jim Stafford (comedian, musician who has been in Branson for 24 years)

·               Shoji Tabuchi (Japanese violinist who has just celebrated his 25^th year in Branson) Excellent showman with wonderful staging, costumes, lighting and the most beautiful bathrooms in America (see pictures)

·               The Haygoods (a multi-talented family of 5 boys and 1 girl who performed everything from rock and roll, Ozark mountain music and Christmas.  I loved them!!!)

·               New Jersey Nights was a review of the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.  It started out like a road show and I kept thinking about how much we had spent for this one … but, wow!  It ended up being my favorite of all the shows we had seen to this point, then …

·               We saw the 12 Irish Tenors, which included four of the young men from last night’s New Jersey Nights.  Our 5^th show was outstanding with classical music, humor, dance and amazing harmonies!!!  My favorite show this week!  I didn’t want it to end.

·               Andy Williams Christmas Show came complete with Lennon Sisters Kathy, Janet and Mimi and Osmonds Jay, Merrill and Jimmy.  It was a typical Christmas show.  I’d give it a 3 out of 10!

·               On the last night, we attended Six, a group of six brothers who sing a capella … and are hilariously funny!  It was sooooo much fun and the only sold out show we attended during the entire week in Branson.

Despite the rain and the cold temperatures, this was a really great week!!!