We left Branson on Friday 8/3 and headed west across Kansas. Our first stop was Mill Creek Campground in Paxico, Ks. This campground was near the highway and other than the railroad tracks and a shallow creek there is very little around. We took a walk in 95 degree heat to the play ground and down by Mill Creek. Other than the frogs and the grasshoppers not much was moving on this hot afternoon. We did fill the kids in on chiggers and they watched every where they walked. Jen had researched things to do in the area but after our brief walk no one had the energy to do anything.
We settled in for the evening and during the night we were treated to passing of the trains. This is a common event in many of the western campgrounds.
Next day we once again headed west across this long state of Kansas. Our next stop was a KOA in Goodland, Ks. We set up and decided to find a restaurant and then take in a movie. We lucked out on the restaurant but because it was so crowed we missed our movie. Everyone had a great dinner so the night was ok.
I like to cross this part of the country as fast as I can because I have a fear of the Tornado. The weather on this crossing was perfect.
Friday, August 31, 2018
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Branson Missouri (7/31-8/3) POST 4
We left Duck Creek on Tuesday morning and headed for Branson Mo. The route we selected was the same route that we took back in 2014. The road from Paducah takes you across a very narrow bridge that crosses the Mississippi River. It's a little of a white knuckle crossing and Eileen hates height anyway. I had forgotten that you actually cross into Missouri, then a sliver of Illinois, and then back into the great state of Missouri a crazy crossing.
We arrived at Acorn Acres RV in the afternoon and after setting up we visited the playground before cocktail hour. This is an older campground but we had a great site, toward the back, with a super place for a nice campfire and smores. We had two nights of campfires and a lot of fun in the park.
What can I say about Branson? We arrived here about a week and a half after the Duck Boat disaster that killed a number of people. Needless to say my dreams of a Duck Boat ride went down the tubes.
Our main events here included two shows. The first show was an animal show that was great fun for the kids. Sebastian and Sofia went on the stage with a bunch of other kids in one act, and Sebastian got to tell one of his jokes on another occasion. The second show was on the last day. It was titled "Buckets and Boards" This was a super entertaining show put on by two guys who also work on the Disney Cruises on the Branson off season. The music was cool, the jokes and entertainment were really well done. "I Knowwwww"
The other major event was our two visits to an escape room in downtown Branson. At first I thought it was a crazy idea but after our first session we all agreed that we had to return the next day. It might have had something to do with the fact that we didn't escape on day one. Day two turned out to be a much better result, but I will have to admit we needed a few clues to break the code. This is a fun thing to do if you every get the chance.
We did some shopping in Dick's 5&10, a place with everything. Unique gifts and much much more. Sebastian liked the "As seen on TV" store across the street because it had a variety of Rubix cubes that he had been looking at.
We had a great time in the town and the campground. The three days went very quickly. An Escape Room would be a hit in the Emerald Isle area, it is a lot of fun for all ages.
We arrived at Acorn Acres RV in the afternoon and after setting up we visited the playground before cocktail hour. This is an older campground but we had a great site, toward the back, with a super place for a nice campfire and smores. We had two nights of campfires and a lot of fun in the park.
What can I say about Branson? We arrived here about a week and a half after the Duck Boat disaster that killed a number of people. Needless to say my dreams of a Duck Boat ride went down the tubes.
Our main events here included two shows. The first show was an animal show that was great fun for the kids. Sebastian and Sofia went on the stage with a bunch of other kids in one act, and Sebastian got to tell one of his jokes on another occasion. The second show was on the last day. It was titled "Buckets and Boards" This was a super entertaining show put on by two guys who also work on the Disney Cruises on the Branson off season. The music was cool, the jokes and entertainment were really well done. "I Knowwwww"
The other major event was our two visits to an escape room in downtown Branson. At first I thought it was a crazy idea but after our first session we all agreed that we had to return the next day. It might have had something to do with the fact that we didn't escape on day one. Day two turned out to be a much better result, but I will have to admit we needed a few clues to break the code. This is a fun thing to do if you every get the chance.
We did some shopping in Dick's 5&10, a place with everything. Unique gifts and much much more. Sebastian liked the "As seen on TV" store across the street because it had a variety of Rubix cubes that he had been looking at.
We had a great time in the town and the campground. The three days went very quickly. An Escape Room would be a hit in the Emerald Isle area, it is a lot of fun for all ages.
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| Buckets and Boards (I Knowwww!) |
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| Great Guys! |
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| Future Drummer? |
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| Wild Bunch! |
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| This was our first try. Close but no Escape! |
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Day two. Different Room different results. Sofia entered the escape code after everyone helped us to figure out the clues.
Great Fun!!
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| Modern cowboy at Dick's 5 & 10 |
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| Lunch in Branson. Hog rider! |
Nashville TN and Paducah KY (7/29 - 7/31) POST 3
On Sunday 7/29 we departed Pigeon Forge and moved on for a one day stop in Nashville. We stayed at a KOA very near the Grand Ole Opry and the Opryland Hotel. It was Sunday so attending a show wasn't possible. We went to the Hotel which I covered in a post last year, and just walked around. This is a enormous hotel with great restaurants, shops and lots to see. We just walked around and then returned to the campground for dinner. Jen went out to dinner with a friend and we had fun with the kids. A short visit to the heart of Country Music but fun.
Monday morning we headed out to Paducah, Ky. Duck Creek RV. We toured downtown Paducah and met up with Susanne and Charles Alexander, friends who we had met in Lazy Days last June. They treated us to a nice dinner at a local restaurant. Thank you guys so very much for the very nice treat.
Paducah is the home of the National Quilt Museum. Eileen and I took the tour of the museum while Jen played with the kids outside. The museum was much more than what we expected. It's an amazing display that changes from time to time as different shows come through. I never thought I would say this but there were some amazing quilts in this place. The art is just totally amazing. (Sorry no pics because cameras were not allowed).
There are murals along the river depicting the history of Paducah a really neat town. We only spent one night here then moved on to Branson, Mo. Our highlight here was catching up with Susanne and Charles. Thanks again for the dinner.
Monday morning we headed out to Paducah, Ky. Duck Creek RV. We toured downtown Paducah and met up with Susanne and Charles Alexander, friends who we had met in Lazy Days last June. They treated us to a nice dinner at a local restaurant. Thank you guys so very much for the very nice treat.
Paducah is the home of the National Quilt Museum. Eileen and I took the tour of the museum while Jen played with the kids outside. The museum was much more than what we expected. It's an amazing display that changes from time to time as different shows come through. I never thought I would say this but there were some amazing quilts in this place. The art is just totally amazing. (Sorry no pics because cameras were not allowed).
There are murals along the river depicting the history of Paducah a really neat town. We only spent one night here then moved on to Branson, Mo. Our highlight here was catching up with Susanne and Charles. Thanks again for the dinner.
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| Inside the Opryland Hotel under the enormous atrium. A successful selfie of five happy people. Love you guys!! |
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| What can I say, we are 71 years old! |
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| Beautiful Hotel. |
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| Along the river. |
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| They are hiding the sign that says do not stand on the train! |
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| The murals along the wall! |
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| Amazing artwork. |
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Trip Summary and Pigeon Forge (7/26-7/29) POST2
TRIP SUMMARY!
I did have the best intensions to keep the blog up to date during this momentous trip but I found that our daily routine and active schedule didn't allow my tired body to reach this goal. I will do this summary then comment on the major events and stops during our trip. With each post I will try to post the pictures if my internet allows. We are currently on our way home and I will do complete new posts of those activities.
I did have the best intensions to keep the blog up to date during this momentous trip but I found that our daily routine and active schedule didn't allow my tired body to reach this goal. I will do this summary then comment on the major events and stops during our trip. With each post I will try to post the pictures if my internet allows. We are currently on our way home and I will do complete new posts of those activities.
Our trip west covered 3640 miles from Emerald Isle, NC to Santa Cruz, Ca. We stayed in 14 campgrounds and drove through 9 states and a little piece of Illinois as we crossed the Mississippi River near Paducah, Ky.We visited five NP's and saw many beautiful places along the way.
By the third day we had established somewhat of a routine for getting the bedding ready at night and getting breakfast and getting ready for the road in the morning. The kids traveled very well except for the occasional moaning sounds that were the result of not being able to beat the game that was being played on the I-pad.
Pigeon Forge (cont'd) 7/26-7/29
Pigeon Forge (cont'd) 7/26-7/29
Our second stop as mentioned in the first post was Pigeon Forge, Tn. The first day we did the Goats on a roof. The second day we visited Wonderworks. This is an unusual upside down fun building where they have all kinds of things like, Rope Walking, Laser Tag, Hurricane room, Earthquake room, inside roller coaster, and much much more. At the end of the day we saw a magic show at the same venue. This was a super day for all. The Wonderworks building was amazing.
The next day we drove into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We set up the kids for the Junior Ranger program. This is a great program were they are able to learn some things about the park, the environment, the flora of the area, animals in the park etc.. The kids receive a book with many sections that they were required fill out before they could be sworn in as Junior Rangers. Each NP has it's own booklet and it is a great way for the kids to learn more about conservation and the environment in each of the parks. We did a short hike with a Park Intern and learned a great deal about the trees and history of the park. This was the first Junior Ranger badge that the kids earned during our trip. Congratulations Sebastian and Sofia.
The Pigeon Forge experience also included pool time at the campground and a great dinner at the Local Goat - New American Restaurant and some Outlet shopping for everyone. All in all a very active three days.
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| On deranged builder. The landscaper wasn't much better. |
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The Hurricane Room/Wind Tunnel
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| The earthquake room! Shook like an earthquake. The Ca. folks thought it was lame! |
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| Fearless Sofia!! |
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| I don't think I'm getting enough oxygen!! |
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| Dinner next door to Wonderworks!! |
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| Our first National Park! |
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| Our guide! |
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| Hikes are fun and exercise! |
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| And beautiful! |
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| Is everyone happy? Yes!! |
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| Not moving in anytime soon. Pioneer cabin that housed as many as 12. No TV or internet. Yikes! |
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| The first swearing in ceremony. This was the person who lead the hike. Intern for the summer. |
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| Certificates in hand. New Junior Rangers!! (Seb and Sof) CONGRATULATIONS!!! |
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