July 15 - 19, 2013 - Branson, Missouri. Arrived in Branson safe and sound after the tire escapade. Cloudy and rain showers. We are staying at the Branson Lakeside RV Park along Lake Taneycomo. Nice park. There is a train trestle

that runs along one end of it. Later in the day we found that it was a tour train that runs daily through the hills of Branson.

While in Branson we went to 2 shows and cruised the town. Branson is a HUGE tourist area and the traffic was really heavy on the main drag. All of the shops and information areas give you a map of the town which show the main route and 3 others that are colored coded. We quickly found that the yellow route was the best way to get to and from to avoid the traffic.

On Tuesday evening we went to the Sons of the Pioneers dinner show. Sons of the Pioneers, a western swing and country group is an old time group that has been around for 79 years. Dinner - beef brisket, chicken, corn on the cob, potatoes, beans and an apple dessert.  Of course, pics were taken that you could purchase and we did. Get this, I sat next to a couple from Pennsylvania who has a brother that lives down the street from my daughter Chris in Circleville, NY. Small world! While the show was going on, the heavens let loose with thunder and lightning that would make your hair stand on end.

Of all the members of the Sons of the Pioneers, this young man has been with the group for 45 years.

Wednesday afternoon we went to another dinner show on the Branson Belle Showboat.  A variety show was enjoyed with comedy, singing, fiddling and fun with the audience. Dinner again consisted of beef, chicken, potatoes, salad and drinks. During intermission, we walked on the deck and enjoyed the beautiful views of the Table Rock Lake. We purchased our pic here as well. After dinner we went back to camp to ready the RV for our next day travels to Memphis.

All in all Branson was a fun time had by all. Lots of family activities. Weather was 90 + degrees and the humidity was very close to 90. It was hot!!!!! We had planned on leaving July 18, but while getting the RV ready for traveling, Bob discovered the propane  for the refrigerator did not change over from electric, so we had to schedule a repairman to come out. However, Bob managed to find the problem and fix it.  so we cancelled the repairman, but had to stay one more night. Stuff happens! So today, 18th, we chilled, did laundry, grocery shopped, and went to see a Ripley's Believe It of Not.  Fun stuff.

July 14, 2013 - Sioux Falls, SD

14,000 years ago a sheet of ice changed the course of the Big Sioux River and created the area now known as Falls Park. The park had many beautiful walk-ways and a 4 story tower to look over the falls, and of a gift shop. It was a rainy day, but warm day and well worth the off road trip.

After Sioux Falls, we moved on to Vermillion, SD to Bob's mother's hometown. We drove around town and visited the cemetery to find Bob's grandfather who passed away in 1959.

We stayed the night in Nebraska City at the Victorian Acres RV Campground. Very nice park with waterfalls and beautiful lawns. The next morning we continued on to  Branson, Missouri. On our way the RV blew a tire, wrapped itself around the axle, and managed to do some damaged to the under part of the RV, so Bob spent 2 hrs. working on cleaning up the damage and getting the spare tire on. The air was low, so we took it slow to the next exit, which fortunately was not to far and had a tire shop, where we could purchase a new spare tire.

July 12th - 14th - Mitchell, South Dakota. After driving all day on the 12th then setting up camp at the R& R Campground in Mitchell, we visited and had a great chicken dinner with Bob's Aunt Margaret, who he hasn't seen for more than 35+ years. Saturday, we visited the Corn Palace, the world's only Corn Palace, stands as a majestic, American folk art icon. The first Mitchell Corn Palace was built in 1892. Roughly 275,000 ears of corn are used to redecorate the murals each year.

July 5th through the 12th we spent in Spearfish, South Dakota with friends Greg and Debbie. We visited the falls in Spearfish Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower, Sturgis, Deadwood, and viewed Crazy Horse monument in Hill City.

Devils Tower was the first national park dedicated around 1906.

4th of July - Cheyenne, Wyoming. Friend, Annie Zander drove up from Colorado to spend the night with Bob and Jane. Went to fireworks at Frontier Park Rodeo Fairgrounds. The best we have seen!!!! 

Bob and Jane Travels: Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming...

Bob and Jane Travels: Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming...

Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming - very interesting museum. They tell the history how the railroad started back in the 1800's - showed how the track was laid - how the factories forged the massive steel parts that make up the engines.

Our new home - for he next 5 months beginning July 1, 2013

On the road

 Our lovely redecorated living room. Changed out the carpet color and window treatments. Love it

Of course our kids and grand kids came with us.