Places Visited:
Missouri: Joplin & Branson, Missouri

Monday September 24, 2001
Wal-Mart: Joplin, Missouri, Elevation 1,600'
Scenery changed as we traveled today. We spent the weekend in Dodge
City, Kansas so that we could tour a large slaughterhouse on Monday.
When we called this morning to arrange the tour they informed us that
they only did tours arranged by the home office in Wichita and those
tours were always for big customers. Ouch! We spent the entire
weekend in Dodge City just to do this tour. Oh well! You do not win
them all. AMEN! As we have traveled east from the shadow of the
Rockies, trees have been exceedingly scarce to non-existent. Miles
upon miles of open prairie has been the norm. Approaching Wichita
trees began to appear. Between Wichita and Joplin, Missouri we left
the prairie and deciduous trees appeared. Oaks, sycamores, catalpa,
mimosa and magnolia trees became common. It happened in a flash.
There was prairie and then it was gone. In Wichita we saw the first
crews mowing the side of the road since we left east Texas almost
6-months ago. Things are GREEN again. Absolutely amazing, we feel
back at home. East of Wichita we see trees, we are not familiar with,
that have a lime green fruit, probably apples. Some were planted in a
long single row along a road. Others were scattered along the
roadside. Some had fruit the size of grapefruit others the size of
lemons. Someone familiar with the area let us know if these were
apple trees. Thanks in advance.

Tuesday September 25, 2001
ABC AMERICA'S BEST CAMPGROUND: Branson, Missouri,

We chose a route from Joplin to Branson on country roads. It was a
beautiful drive as we soak up green vegetation once again. Outside
of the alpine forest in the mountains we have seen very little green
in over 5-months. Sumac is turning red and yellow poplars are turning
yellow along the way.

Shortly after arriving in Branson we get a call from our
Daughter-In-Law's parents who have also just arrived in Branson. It
is unbelievable that we would both be traveling around this great
country and just by chance be in the same town on the same day. We
make arrangements to meet for dinner and a show.

We ate at B.T. Bones then went to the Presley show. The Presley's are
a quality variety act. We noticed that virtually everyone in
attendance was over 70-years old. Later we learned that it was the
time of year (after Labor Day). It seems that the average age of
tourist in Branson jumps dramatically after Labor Day. During the
show several tour groups in the audience were recognized. One from
"East Brent" Florida caught our ear. East Brent just happens to be a
large Baptist Church in Pensacola. During intermission we made our
way down to where they were sitting and low and behold found three men
that I had worked with at the Naval Air Rework Facility. Some of you
will remember working with George Van Meter, George Smith and Ben
Carpenter. What a good surprise. Most of these men have been retired
for 10 to 20 years. For those of you that know them they have not
changed. They are all looking real good (for old men) J.

Wednesday September 26, 2001
ABC AMERICA'S BEST CAMPGROUND: Branson, Missouri,

Vern and Elaine, friends that we met and spent time with in Colorado
called this morning. They are in another RV-Park here in town. They
have a relative in town that is well placed in the community and has
access to free/cut-rate show tickets. They have arranged for us to
meet them for dinner and show tonight.

Joyce and I spent the early afternoon in "old" Branson doing shops and
mingling with busloads of tourist. Watching people is about as
entertaining as anything I can think of. Groups of old men mingling
outside of shops while groups of wives scurry about looking at tacky
STUFF. Most have nametags that identify them with a certain tour
group. I suppose that helps them remember which buss to get on. J

We met Vern & Elaine at McFarlain's, in the I-MAX theatre, for dinner
then it was off to Braschler's for their 8:00 variety show.

Thursday September 27, 2001
ABC AMERICA'S BEST CAMPGROUND: Branson, Missouri,

The weather is Great. It is cool at night with a high of 72 during
the day. The sun is shining the birds are singing. Old folks are
walking the streets. J Yes, we are still in Branson. The locals tell
us that the average age is 65 so we are really feeling young in this
crowd. It is a joy indeed to see so many senior citizens enjoying the
shows and having a good time. We are reminded of Joyce's parents and
know that they would have loved visiting Branson because they enjoyed
all types of music.

We visited a gristmill operated by College of the Ozarks. College
kids were operating three cottage industries, a gristmill, a series of
weaving looms, and a basket weaving section. A water wheel powered
three sets of grinding rocks that grind corn and other grain on a
daily basis. Upstairs in the building 6 or 8 college students were
operating looms like our ancestors did years and years ago. We have
seen the looms in many historical museums but this is the first time
we have watched them being operated. In the basement we can see the
belts, pulleys and other mechanical things that convert waterpower
into energy to operate the grinding rocks in the gristmill. Also in
the basement a group of students were weaving baskets with traditional
materials.

We met Vern & Elaine for dinner then it was off to the Lawrence Welk
show complete with the Lennon Sisters. It was a very professional
performance . The sensational singing and dancing tribute featured a
salute to Burt Bacharach . The staff of the Welk show included a
group of very talented young women and men who looked to be in
their twenties. A young lady in the group is the daughter of one of
the Lennon sisters. Joyce remembers all the Saturday nights she
watched the Welk show with her parents when she was just a kid. Mike
can't remember watching the famous Welk show with his family, and his
mother was a music teacher (I think he was rebelling during those
days.) Experiencing one of these shows every night could get
addicting. After this we are not sure how we are going to keep
entertained once we return to Pensacola.

Friday September 28, 2001
ABC AMERICA'S BEST CAMPGROUND: Branson, Missouri,

We had an early lunch today and then back to the RV park to catch up
on routine and exercise. I t is a beautiful day for walking and
visiting with folks in the park. The park office has a great front
porch complete with high back rocking chairs like we might see at
Cracker Barrel.

It is a beautiful fall day in the Ozarks, the weather is warm and we
have on our shorts again. Joyce says she can feel fall in the air.
We needed a light cardigan or jacket for dinner and the scheduled
show tonight. We meet Vern and Elaine for dinner then head to the
Incredible Acrobats of China. The Acrobats of China were world-class
entertainment.

Saturday September 29, 2001
ABC AMERICA'S BEST CAMPGROUND: Branson, Missouri,

This is another beautiful day with high temperatures in the low-70's.
Joyce and I spent the morning walking in the park then headed to one
of the local outlet malls where we met Vern and Elaine. Joyce and
Elaine went wild while Vern and I held down a variety of benches.

The Platter's were our entertainment for tonight. We can see why they
have been named vocal group of the year, in Branson, three different
times. They put on a super show. Their music brings back memories.

Sunday September 30, 2001
ABC AMERICA'S BEST CAMPGROUND: Branson, Missouri,

We met Vern and Elaine for worship services at the Lawrence Welk
Theatre. Barbara Fairchild leads a group in worship. Musicians from
many of the shows in Branson join Barbara for her two-hour worship and
praise service. Afterward we met at the Friendship house on the
campus of College of the Ozarks for lunch.

We again met Vern and Elaine at Bobby Vinton's Theatre for his 8:00
show with the Glen Miller Orchestra. I had forgotten how many hits
this 60's heartthrob had. The women were wild about his love songs.

Mike & Joyce Hendrix