Day One-Hundred-Thirty-Four to One-Hundred-Thirty-Eight - A Summer of Bluegrass, Camping and Friends - Sunday 09/08/2024 - Thursday 09/12/2024

Sunday the 8th of September it was brrrrrrr and 48° at 6:30 am for my 252nd walk of 2024. It was my fifth of ten walks in Branson. Oooohhhhh, these hills are killer. There were still a few of the vintage RV's here in the park! Today is day one of our fifteen-day American Mountain Music Tour. We have done the work, and I am confident that it will be a success! I know I am the best number one leader. The power of positive thinking!

We open our events with traditional root beer floats, a welcome and introductions of the caravanners. Plus an overview of the caravan and the next few days. We followed up our welcome with a pizza and salad dinner in the clubhouse.

Our night ended at the Clay Cooper Theater. Let me tell you about Clay Cooper, before I tell you about the show. One could say Clay Cooper has been groomed all his life for his current position as host of his own show, “Clay Cooper’s Country Express.” 

Born to a musical family in Wylie, Texas, his grandmother played the piano for the Wylie Baptist Church, and gave piano lessons for 20 years. His dad played guitar and performed at all local Opry shows. Clay first began singing at the Wylie Opry at the age of 14, and continued to perform there until 1986, when he then joined the Texas Goldminors and moved to Branson, performing at the Ozarks Country Jubilee. 

Since 1986, Clay has worked for many area shows, including the Country Review Show in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the Down Home Country Show, the Buck Trent Show, the Jim Owens Show and Country Tonite, where he spent nine years as lead vocalist and emcee. In 2003, Clay joined his buddy, Paul Harris, as the featured male-vocalist in Paul Harris Live. Clay and his wife, Tina, began Clay Cooper’s Country Express in 2005 in Branson, Missouri. Clay loves Branson and feels privileged to do what he loves while actively raising his boys, Colton and Caden, who both are in the show.

We saw the show, Clay Cooper's Country Express. It features an incredible cast of dancers, singers and musicians that captured and held our attention. 

The show features music of all genres including country, rock n roll, gospel, and even patriotic tunes! As a lover of music the Clay Cooper's Country Express is a must see show. From the opening curtain to the final act, we were riveted in our seats! 

Clay's Comedian is Matt Gumm. He is an extremely versatile entertainer, Matt is not only a comedian but also a vocalist, instrumentalist, and more. He made an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2011. Matt took to the stage like a seasoned pro, undoubtedly influenced by his father and mentor, Thom “Gabby” Gumm. Matt joined the Main Street Opry act at the age of seven. Clay Cooper discovered Matt’s act and was eager to introduce him to Branson. Matt is now a beloved addition to Clay Cooper’s Country Express, where audiences enjoy his family-friendly, high-energy performances, visual humor, and surprising abilities on unusual instruments. A funny side note, Matt is a local worship leader.

Monday the 9th of September, it was my second brrrrrrrr morning at 47° at 6:30 am for my 253rd walk of 2024. It was my sixth of ten walks in Branson. I know I am in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. “If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” —Thomas Edison

We started our Monday by having breakfast at Grand Country Buffet. It's a bountiful breakfast buffet with fresh fruits, cereals, yogurt, farm fresh eggs, bacon, casseroles, fresh baked pastries and more. We enjoyed getting to know our caravanners on the indoor patio of the restaurant.

A couple on the tour wanted to go to Hot Rods and High Heels, so we went along. For them it was like taking a trip back to the good 'ole days of the 1950's! 

Their talented cast transported them back to a time when poodle skirts and soda shops were all the rage. I was impressed by the stunning costumes, fun dance routines and toe-tapping tunes. 

Our night ended at the Pierce Arrow Theater watching the Decades Show. The Pierce Arrow Theater has a history that includes a band's decision to buy their own theater, a Guinness World Record holder, and award-winning shows.

The Pierce Arrow band bought the theater in 2000, and the first show was on May 22, 2000. 

The theater is home to several award-winning shows, including Pierce Arrow: Gold and Pierce Arrow: Decades. Decades is a review of popular music from the 1950s to the present, while Pierce Arrow Country alternates with Decades every other night. 

Decades features the Pierce Arrow Quartet and 2022 Branson Comedian of the Year James Sibley. He was really good! We took a one-of-a-kind musical and comedy journey through the 60's, 70's and 80's with Pierce Arrow Quartet. They were the 2023 Vocal Group of the Year in Branson.

Dan Britton, a former member of the Britton Brothers and The Branson Brothers, is a co-owner of the theater. Britton holds the Guinness World Record for the lowest note sung by a human voice, eight notes lower than the lowest key on a piano. 

My 3rd morning of brrrrrrrr, 46° at 6:30 am on Tuesday the 10th of September, for my 254th walk of 2024. It was my seventh of ten walks in Branson. As the sun rose, I spent time on my positive affirmations this morning. 

Our day today involved a bus tour. Our first stop was at Sight & Sound theater. It's an opportunity for our caravanners to get a picture of the beautiful statue of the lion and the lamb without a thousand other people trying to get one!

Our next stop on the bus tour was the College of the Ozarks. We met our student guide at the Visitor Center. Before I share the tour information, I will give you a bit more info about the school.

The vision of the College of the Ozarks is to develop citizens of Christ-like character who are well-educated, hard-working, and patriotic. This theme is carried out in the daily lives of students as they develop their work ethic through College’s Work Education Program. Students work 15-hours each week to apply credit to their overall tuition costs, and the rest is made up by generous supporters from across America. The College is one of only nine institutions in the nation that models this unique concept. The College has been offering debt-free education for over 120 years. They offer a 15 to 1 student to faculty ratio with over 50 academic programs. The College follows 5 pillars – Academic, Vocational, Christian, Patriotic and Cultural.

Our first stop on our tour was the Stained Glass and Candle Shop, Edwards Mill & General Store, and the Greenhouses. The stained-glass shop is a wonderful farmhouse chic venue where students handcraft stained glass creations and candles. The building consists of eight workstations for stained glass, two workstations for candle making, and a gift shop for guests to purchase student-made products.

Edwards Mill, built with funds provided by the late Mr. and Mrs. Hubert C. Edwards, is powered by a twelve-foot water wheel turned by runoff water from nearby Lake Honor. Student workers grind whole-grain meal and flour, available for purchase inside the building and online. Upstairs is a weaving studio, where students hand-weave baskets and design and produce rugs, shawls, place mats and other items on traditional looms.
The Hoge Greenhouses are home to the Clint McDade orchid collection. Mr. McDade, one of the school’s first students, donated the nucleus of the collection, which today numbers more than 7,000 plants.

Our next stop was the Williams Memorial Chapel. It is an outstanding example of neo-Gothic architecture. The structure, dedicated in 1956, measures 150 feet long and 80 feet wide, with an 80-foot-high vaulted ceiling and impressive stained-glass windows. Attached to the chapel is the Hyer Bell Tower.

Our next stop was the "Lest We Forget" 9/11 Memorial. It features a World Trade Center column which stands as a memorial to the 2,996 lives lost on September 11, 2001, in New York City, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania. Known as "St. Michael's 37" (in honor of 37 Port Authority officers killed), the column and flanges resemble the body and wings of an angel.

Our last stop on the tour was Patriots Park. It sits near the entrance of campus and contains The Missouri Vietnam Veterans Memorial which honors the 1,410 servicemen and women from Missouri who gave their lives during the Vietnam War. Built and designed by students, this memorial serves as Missouri’s official Vietnam memorial.

The black granite walls of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial are divided – reflecting the division of America. The statue in the middle represents the servicemen and women who stood in the gap and gave what their nation asked of them. The red, flower-filled ‘V’ stands for valor and represents the blood that was shed during the war.

Additionally, the Missouri Gold Star Families Memorial, which honors Gold Star Families (those who have lost immediate family members killed in their service to the country), preserves the memory of the fallen and stands as a stark reminder that freedom is not free.

We took another trip to the Mill and Greenhouses. Then we headed to the Scripture Garden, located at Lookout Point. It's a beautifully peaceful place! As we walked past the chapel to get to the garden, we enjoyed the beautiful sounds of the bell tower. In all the trips we have made here, I have never heard the bells!

The garden offers beautiful scriptures and views!

We headed over to the Keeter Center. It is an award-winning restaurant, hotel and conference facility. At the Keeter Center's Mabee Lodge, 15 beautifully decorated suites overlooking the tranquil campus. 

Under the expanse of 95,000 square feet, The Keeter Center has everything from intimate, elegantly appointed meeting rooms to state-of-the-art conference facilities to spacious banquet halls and a gift shop.

We enjoyed a lunch that was prepared by and served by the students. After lunch, most of us stopped by the College Creamery and enjoyed some student-made ice cream made with the College of the Ozarks' own, fresh dairy cream.

Our evening entertainment never disappoints. It was the live theatrical production of Queen Esther at the Sight & Sound Theater. It takes nearly four years to develop a new Sight & Sound production for the stage. From script and score to scenic design, meticulous attention is given to every detail. Queen Esther is no exception. 

At over 11,000 square feet of construction, the opulent city of Susa is now the largest set piece ever built for a Sight & Sound show. 

While the Persian Empire may be magnificent in scale, its story of one woman's quiet faith that I found shining brightest on the stage tonight. Due to copyright infringement, there are no pictures allowed during the performance. But here are a few of the outside of the theater, some of our caravanners and our seats.

Wednesday the 11th of September was a better temperature on this somber day. 60° at 6:30 am for my 255th walk of 2024. I reflected on the courage, dedication and patriotism I saw in the faces of young soldiers following my lead to the site of one of the 9-11 attacks. Could they see I was just as scared on the inside, as I was.

Some of us enjoyed breakfast at Uptown Cafe. Yum, yum, their breakfast is always delicious!

Showboat Branson Belle is a riverboat—more specifically, a showboat—on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri. Table Rock lake is landlocked by the Table Rock Dam on one side and the Beaver Lake Dam on the other side. Being a showboat, it hosts lunch and dinner shows. We enjoyed a lunch cruise!

The boat was constructed at its port at White River Landing and was launched on August 12, 1994. The boat was launched into Table Rock Lake at a speed of 16 mph on launching rails lubricated with two tons of bananas. The bananas were used for lubrication because they were biodegradable and would not have polluted Table Rock Lake as grease would have. The boat's owner claims to own the largest ship on a landlocked lake in the US.

We set sail for adventure on the open waters of Table Rock Lake with live music, dancing, comedy, magic, a meal and more! Before we were entertained, we enjoyed a delicious 3-course meal prepared fresh in the ship's galley and took in the beautiful views of Table Rock Lake on our 2-hour cruise. One of our caravanners joined in the Yes or No game... sadly, she did not win! 

The master of ceremonies presents the newest sensation in this live stage performance. We enjoyed the power of music from the 60s to today performed by a talented troupe of singers alongside their featured 4-piece band. 

Even better temperatures today, 64° at 7 am on Thursday, September 12th, for my 256th walk of 2024. It was my ninth of ten walks in Branson. These hills have not gotten any easier, but my body is adjusting.... with the help of some real-time pain relief lotion!

Our group enjoyed lunch at Jackie B Goode's Uptown Cafe. 

Jack Goode's brother and the owner of the Uptown Cafe, is keeping his memories alive by the changing the name to, "Jackie B. Goode's Uptown Cafe" in his honor. Jack D. Goode made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down his life for his country. During a conflict in the Vietnam War, Jack and his comrades came under heavy fire. In the process, Jack was wounded badly and did not survive. Jack helped save many lives of his fellow soldiers by giving the enemy a relentless barrage of heavy gunfire.

Uptown Cafe is not only known for their classic American food and desserts, as well as being one of the finest restaurants Branson, MO has to offer. 

We had four selections and everyone loved their meals! 

I have to admit, the pork sandwich was huuuuuuuge! Gary's face says it all!

They also have live entertainment every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Listen to the greatest hits of the 50s featuring Elvis and Johnny Cash, Gospel Music, and Top Country hits! Their live performances offer an immersive experience you just can't get listening to recorded music. 

Paul was our waiter and he was awesome!!!!

Following lunch we headed over to Clay Cooper's Theater to see the #1 Hits of the 60's show.

#1 Hits of the 60’s touches on over 115 songs from the great artists of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, The Supremes, The Beatles, Carole King, ABBA, The Carpenter’s, The Bee Gees… the list goes on and on. Add over 100 costume changes, fun video, a talented cast of 7 and live band and you’ve got the recipe for the show dubbed “The Most Fun You’ll Have In Branson!"

But the thing that really distinguishes #1 Hits of the 60's from any other show is that each and every performer on stage is passionate -about the fact that the unforgettable music and its connection to the audience is what's important. Having seen Amber Campbell perform in this show for years, I believe that to be true!

Every day they are asked "How do you have all that energy on stage?" That's easy - it's not work! Whether it's their interactive game ("Was It The 50's or 60’s?"), or the moment where you get to stand up and do all those crazy dances with the cast, they get to have fun and "go on vacation" with hundreds of visitors a day during the show. We got Tammy Varney, our tail ender, up on stage for the dance party!

And their favorite part? That's easy too - it's that moment in the lobby after the show when all their new friends exit smiling and talking about all the memories they brought back... It's the best job in Branson!

We finished this first stop of our 15-day American Mountain Music tour with a travel log review for our drive tomorrow to Mountain View.

These first 5 days have gone by so quickly! Stay tuned for more #TwoLaneAdventures with #yankeeRVtours