My Week ~ with the Women of the Air Force Association

Women of the Air Force Association Reunion in Branson, Missouri

This has got to be the most veteran-friendly place ~ Branson, Missouri.  Sure many places will offer a veterans discount but Branson really means it.  The shows open with a veteran theme and veterans are asked to stand to be applauded during shows.

After a long drive, I checked in at the Radison Hotel and got my name tag and golf shirt with our logo.  We had a meet and greet and then we went to the Prestleys' Country Jubilee.  I thought it was a great show and professionally done with country, comedy and gospel music.

 With my free time I went to a antique/craft mall. I picked up this little sign that reminded me of Amber.  I guess I miss the girls.

 Then I went to the Titanic museum inside a life size (but missing the back) replica. Ticket was $23. We weren't allowed pictures inside but you can see most on their website, including the grand staircase:
http://www.titanicbranson.com/

I was given a boarding pass with the name of Amalie Gieger and at the end we had to look up on a wall to see if she survived.  She did.

I'll never forget leaving the bridge of the ship to go out onto the bow with all the stars at night scene.  That room was sooooo cold.  We also got to sit in mock up life boats and also a timer to see how long we could hold one finger in the cold well of water.  I pulled out after 15 seconds.  Ah then there's the gift shop which I tried to resist but since I'm "Rose" (which the ticket taker noticed on my reunion name-tag) I had to get the necklace.   They had cheaper necklaces and much more expensive ones too. And since I'm a reenactor, I needed this lock which I'll never find again.

This is where I was when I got the national emergency alert.
https://babylonbee.com/news/trump-concludes-presidential-alert-with-ok-emoji-to-let-everyone-know-its-going-to-be-ok

As a group, we went to see the Sampson Show at the Sight and Sound theater.  Again no photography an no cell phones.  I do use my cell to adjust my hearing aids.   You can see what I saw here.
https://www.sight-sound.com/ticketing/shows/title?location=branson

That show was spectacular.  Just as we got to the climax of the show, there was a technical difficulty and it was handled so professionally and planned for by all. 

Thursday was our general membership meeting and the first timers were introduced.

 In the evening we went to a dinner and theater show:  Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede.  This was the colt of many colors in the lobby.

 Outside by the barn.

 The animals used in the show were like a mini zoo.  Here are the homing pigeons.

 Since my photos inside were poor because of the darkness, you can get an idea from this video. 

 Way too much food for me.  They offered "to go" bags but still too much for hotel living.

Friday afternoon we went to see New Jersey Nights at Kings Castle.  They were a British group.
I had dinner at a little cafe called "Clockers".  I had a nice catfish plate.
Then we went to a performance of Rick Thomas an Illusionist that performed at the Andy Thomas Moon River Theater.  Wow, he can levitate.  I loved the great Pyrenees dogs in his show.

 I needed some wiper blades so I drove around this tourist town till I found an O'Riely's Auto Parts store.

Saw Sinatra show on Saturday. Same performers as Jersey Nights but with a different theme.

Sunday I drove a few other ladies to Mass at Our Lady of the Hills Church.  After I came back from church, I had breakfast and then went exploring for a last time.  I went to see Talking Rocks Cavern.

After that I wanted to check out "Bigfoot" but when I drove by it looked more like an amusement park.  I moved on to the next attraction, the military museum.
http://veteransmemorialbranson.com/

 

Baby life raft

Fraternization permit

Carrier pigeon vest carry

 fifty statues from each state storming the beach at Normandy.

Our closing banquet ended with an auction.  Offie won an auction and late that evening, she presented me the necklace.  I was shocked.

On the way home I stopped in Eureaka, MO to see the scarecrow festival.  
I got home early enough to to Peoria and pick up Amber and Sophie.  I made it back to Springfield in time to make the VFW meeting.  I brought the girls home after the meeting and reintroduced the back yard.  Then I had my obedience assistant class.  Tonight was different because I learned where the circuit breaker was to be flipped and helped finding a jam in the copier. I came home after 10pm and found that Amber had made a poo inside.  :< 
While I was gone, I was voted in as a full member of Capitol Canine Training Club.  While I was away, my older sister's memorial was held in California.  I understand it was well attended.  I'm glad that my sister, Patty, was there to represent us.  I really think it was more important to see her before she passed then after.  I had this trip with WAFA scheduled a long time ago.
Ahh...now to find my routine.