Missouri: Branson, Independence, and St. Louis

So, until recently, the only time I had heard about Branson, Missouri was the mention of it in movies. I had no idea what this place was even about or the appeal. Now I understand. In terms of productions and entertainment, Branson is the New York City and Las Vegas of the Midwest. Their "Strip" has over a hundred venues of music, performances, etc. I went and saw the Titanic Museum, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, and the production of Jonah. All were so fascinating in different ways. Jonah was absolutely incredible. The production was as good, if not better, than plays I've seen in LA and NYC.

 Dixie Stampede - Amazing horse show!

 

 The production of Jonah was my highlight of Branson.

 

 

 

On my weekend off, I decided to head up to Independence to see some church history. It was great to see and really reminded me and touched me how much the pioneers and early members suffered so much and yet remained so strong and faithful.

 

 

 

The next morning I had to drive through incredible thick fog on my way to Hannibal to see the boyhood home of Mark Twain or Samuel Clemens. We are currently reading Tom Sawyer, the condensed version, and it was amazing to see how much of Mark Twain's life was used in his books. I loved everything I saw about Mark Twain and how he grew up along side the great Mississippi River.

This picture was taken when I could finally see more than 20 feet in front of me. Otherwise, I was gripping the steering wheel pretty tightly.



 

White washing the fence - just like Tom Sawyer did, before he tricked his way out of doing work.

Tow Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn - Two great characters

Norman Rockwell picture; great scene from Tom Sawyer having to take Caster Oil.

 

 

Next, I headed on over to St. Louis to see the Gateway Arch and to take a paddleboat ride on the Mississippi River. I really wanted to see the Gateway Arch for a couple of reasons. First, it is very symbolic for the expansion of the west, or the Gateway to the west, where Lewis and Clark started their expedition. Second, I wanted to see the location that Percy Jackson visits and is attacked by a monster and must jump out from the top of the monument. Wasn't quite what I expected, but the Archway was still very interesting to visit.

 

This is an old tiny pod / elevator that takes you up the Archway. You fit 5 people in there. UGHH!!

The Fall colors in St. Louis, and at the Archway were beautiful. We saw some fall color in Colorado, but this was spectacular.



 

Since I drove 800 miles in two days, I am sure glad gas was only $2.85 per galloon. When was the last time we saw that price back home? 15 years ago? 10 years ago? SHEESH!

 





 





Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

We stayed in Oklahoma City for three days, so there was plenty of time to see many sights. The first thing we did was go to an Oklahoma University football game against Kansas City. I'm not the biggest football fan, but I figured this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see how serious football is for people in the "South." And, let me tell you, it is serious. The 68,000 seat stadium was sold out. The streets surrounding the campus, at least three blocks on each side, were closed to traffic and had major tailgating parties going on. It was an 11:00am game and we got there around 10am and people were already drinking. All the homes and churches, etc. rent out parking spaces on their grass. INSANE!!!



The main place I visited was the Memorial to the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995. They museum was very touching remembering those who died and those who survived. The saddest part was the display of memorial chairs set up to represent each person who perished in the attack, and the small chairs represent the children who had been in the daycare center. What really resonated with me is that since 9/11, I had kind of forgotten that the OKC bombing was also an act of terrorism and that we need to not forget those who perished here too.

 

Then I went to the Western Heritage Museum to learn more about cowboys and those who settled Oklahoma. My favorite part was learning more about the Oklahoma Run, where settlers participated in a land rush that started at high noon and 50,000 people were there. Because some people snuck out early to seize the land, The Sooners were born and that is how Oklahoma got their motto. I also like to see images of famous Western Movie stars like Ronald Regan and John Wayne. 

 

 

Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo, Texas will be our only stop in Texas for now, and that is just a stopping point on our way to Oklahoma City. The reason we are skipping Texas for now is due to the Ebola situation that is happening in Texas. Oh, well. Hopefully we will have time to stop in Texas on the way back. In Amarillo there wasn't much to see except Cadillac Ranch and The Big Texas Steakhouse. Cadillac Ranch is some random artwork that consists of 10 or so old Cadillacs buried halfway facedown. Then, you can spray paint all over the cars. Everyone is allowed to spray paint on the cars, it isn't illegal or considered graffiti. We stopped off at Home Depot to pick out paint colors for each of us. I got light blue instead of my favorite color purple because I figured it would show up more. It was fun, but it was also shocking and depressing and how much garbage was left behind from people using spray paint. We ended up getting trash bags from the van and filled 5-6 sacks full of trash.

Trash bags filled with used spray cans of paint.

 

 

For dinner we went to the Big Texan. Apparently at this restaurant if you eat a 72oz steak, it is free. The cost for the steak was $217.00. Ouchie Wa Wa. But, it was part of the experience. The steak was as big as a plate.



 

 

Santa Fe, New Mexico and Puye Cliff Dwellings

Santa Fe, New Mexico is a great place to visit because there is a mix of American Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo history. I didn't realize that the Manhattan Project office was in Santa Fe, I thought it would have been in Los Alamos, so that was something new and interesting to see. 

 

 

 

Then I got to see a monument in the main plaza that has been altered, which is unusual. The marble memorial was honoring those who fought and died fighting in war against the Indians. But, originally, the monument said "To the Heroes who have fallen in the various battles with savage Indians in the territory of New Mexico." But, the word "savage" has been removed from the monument, which I think is totally appropriate.

 

 

Then I made it over to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and got to see some amazing pieces of her art from her flowers, to landscapes, to nature inspired paintings. The last time I was in Santa Fe I missed out on seeing her work, so I am glad I made an effort this time.

 

 

 

 

We also were able to make a quick visit to the Loretto Chapel where the Miraculous Stairs are located. When the Loretto Chapel was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twenty-two feet above. Traditional stairs couldn't be used because the chapel was too small.

Legend says that to find a solution to the seating problem, the Sisters of the Chapel made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed, and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks.

 

The staircase has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. Also, it is said that the staircase was built without nails—only wooden pegs.

 

I thought it was interesting to see the "Miracle" and to hear people discuss how they thought it was done, forgetting that in 1878, the modern technology we have today didn't exist.

 

 

Finally we made our way to Puye Cliff Dwellings, which were incredible. Puye means "Place Where the Rabbits Gather." The cliff dwellings are on Indian Reservations, so you can't tour them on their own, so we had a two hour private tour. The guide was from the Pueblo Indian tribe and was very knowledgeable. It was a great tour and totally worth going.

 

 





 

 

 

 

New Mexico, Albuquerque

Our main reason to be in New Mexico was to see and participate in the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Aimee came out to visit with me and to go up in the balloon with us. The day before, we decided to do the long drive out to White Sands National Monument to go sledding down the white as snow sand dunes. It was a lot of fun. The hike up the dunes were brutal and for some reason our sleds didn't go down as fast as we had hoped, I don't think the wax worked very well. It was a lot of fun, Aimee had an almost wipeout and I went a little bit slower to protect the camera around my neck.

Aimee fooling around the dunes!!!

Carolyn going at a slow pace

 

 

The next day we had to get up at 3:30am to get to the parking for the balloon ride. Our balloon company tent opened up at 5:00, and that is when we found out that the balloon ride was cancelled due to wind. Such a disappointment. I have been worried for a few days when I saw the weather report that said Sunday was going to be windy, and it came to pass. Again, SUCH A BUMMER!!! And, Aimee came all the way out to participate and it was an EPIC FAIL, oh well, can't control Mother Nature. At least we got to see some balloon descending the day before. We get to go up the next day with a few other balloons if the weather permits, but it really isn't the same as going up with hundreds of Balloons. I guess the adventure will wait for another time.

 

 

Aimee and I got to take a nice little hike near the hotel and saw the Rio Grande River.

 

 

On Monday, the day after the Balloon Fiesta ended, the balloon company offered to take up people who couldn't go up on the day that was cancelled due to wind. We met a 6am and about 10 balloons went up. Honestly, it just wasn't the same. The scenery of Albuquerque is nothing exciting, so the real scenery is supposed to be 500 balloons. Oh well, another time maybe.