Monday - around the campground and Dolly Parton's Stampede

On Monday, we did some tasks around the campground and in the late afternoon, went to Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction.

A picture of Gracie in her spot at Escapees Turkey Creek - the sites are pretty close to each other...

We were glad that our spot was near the end of a row so we had an easier time backing into it.

Two of our Tire Minder sensors had been indicating "No Signal" at the monitor the past two days of driving, so I had a mental note to check their batteries. I got the information about the system out of the cabinet, retrieved the two sensors from their tires, and started checking...

Opening each sensor and checking the charge

I have learned to make detailed notes on what I've done and when. Theoretically, the batteries should last a year, and we thought we'd last changed them in March (the notes indicate 3/23/2023), but the notes also indicate that some of the batteries tested as weak when we made the change, and these two sensors had received some of the weak batteries...

... I tested them again, and sure enough, they were dead as a doornail (how dead are doornails?). Again, the new batteries that I put in tested weak, but they were better than dead!

In the afternoon, we drove over to the theater area of Branson to go to Dolly Parton's Stampede. Note that Dolly Parton was there, pretty much, in name only -- a couple of the recorded songs were hers, and her name is on the theater.

Once we picked up our tickets, we found the signage inside the building to be distinctly lacking in providing us with direction. Eventually we were given directions by a young lady on the ground floor that we would need to go upstairs -- which we did...

-- and then we were upstairs with a bunch of people waiting to get into the show space (we thought at first that the area just below us to the left was where we were supposed to do - we knew that the seating area was tiered above the arena -- but there wasn't an arena below this tiered space).

We followed the crowd and found the doors to go in...

We were seated in section F, row 2.

Looking across the arena - you can see that folks are seated in tiers -- the people dressed in red are the servers for each section. It may appear that they are walking on top of the tables where folks are seated, but they are on a walking area right in front of tables.

I was a little surprised that the show was *during* dinner...

The Master of Ceremonies started off the show.

Looking down our section -- we were all seated facing toward the arena and the servers walked just in front of our tables to serve our drinks and food and clear up.

One of the early performers was a Roman rider -- a young lady standing on the backs of her two horses, galloping around the arena...

... jumping through a ring of fire.

The show then turned to a story of the west...

...bison (they appeared to be pretty small)

... and longhorns and cowboys.

Wagon trains moving west...

... singing and dancing...

... and demonstrating prowess with a lasso.

Meanwhile our meal was being delivered -- soup came first, and a delicious biscuit, and then a small whole chicken (?Cornish game hen? How would we tell the difference?).

Aerialists performing with aerial silk...

... this and the acrobatic riding (which we seemed to get no pictures of) made our shoulders hurt!

There were a couple of events that involved audience participation...

... these intrepid young ladies had to chase chickens down the arena to cross the finish line!

These guys were tossing horseshoes...

... except they weren't exactly horseshoes - they were toilet seats!

I should mention that much of the show involved a competition between two teams -- the arena was separated into North and South, or Red and Blue, and we were to cheer for our competitors.

They had pig races - or Pork Chop Derby...

... and they're off!

Racing around the track!

There was also a competitive dog agility race with dogs that had been rescued from local animal shelters and provided with a home (and work to do?!?!?).

The show ended with the presentation of the colors...

The riders stayed in the arena up next to the fence so we could greet and talk with them on our way out. I asked one of the young ladies how long she had been doing the show and she said 3 seasons.

We enjoyed the show -- it was a little odd eating while there was a performance going on in front of us (and we were supposed to be cheering and clapping too!). Carl mentioned that he thought that the lighting could be updated, but it didn't detract from the show.

This is my first visit to Branson, and thus my first Branson show -- enjoying and looking forward to more!

Sunday to Branson

On Sunday, we made the short drive to Branson...

Enroute, we encountered some interesting intersections on US-65 heading south -- here is a screen capture from the satellite view on Google maps:

We had seen cross-roads done like this in the upper part of Wisconsin -- there aren't actually "cross roads" but rather, all side road traffic turns right on the main road (US-65, in this case), and if the traffic really wanted to turn left, they go up a little ways and make a U-turn, or if the traffic really wanted to go straight across, they would need to turn right, make a U-turn, and then make another right to continue on the same road. Likewise, if traffic on US-65 wanted to turn left onto the cross road, they would need to make a U-turn past the cross road and then turn right onto the desired road.

We were discussing why this might be considered a better solution than a straight-across crossroads -- one thing that came to mind is that a long rig (tractor trailer or big motorhome) that could *not* fit in the median and would stick out into the main lanes would avoid that difficulty -- and they thoughtfully made a wide area where the U-turn comes back onto the main road so you had a wider space than the width of the highway to make your U-turn. It also avoids the need for a traffic signal. It could almost be thought of as a LONG traffic circle where the traffic on US-65 always has the right-of-way. It is just interesting when we're driving along and we see things that are different from what we have experienced elsewhere (like the "jug handles" in New Jersey), and the love/hate affair we have with traffic circles.

We continued our drive down US-65, got to the Branson area and checked into the Escapees RV park in nearby Hollister, Missouri. After enjoying an ice cream treat in the Escapees clubhouse, we drove in to Branson to visit Branson Landing, an outdoor shopping and entertainment area along the river. We wanted to see the Branson Landing Water and Fire show (fountains and fire display set to music that "performs" at the top of every hour).

Before the show, in front of the fountains, with the properties across the river in the background...

... and looking back up the hill toward the outdoor mall area.

We arrived in time for the 6pm show...

... you may be able to see some of the fire plumes in this picture.

The 6pm show was a "combo" show with two songs, "Rocky Mountain Way" and "Living on a Prayer"

You may be able to just distinguish a rainbow that appeared from the water in the air and sun shining through it!

Then we walked down through the rest of the outdoor mall...

... saw this in the window of a candy shop! (I personally like Regina's sweet corn a LOT better than Candy Corn!)

A view down the mall area

We returned to the fountain area and went to a Mexican restaurant that had patio seating with a view of the fountains, so we got to enjoy the 7pm show too...

It had gotten darker, so the fire part of the show was more impressive. This one was not a "combo" show, so just had one song, "Listen to the Music".

Walking back through the mall area to where we parked the Jeep -- not too many folks in the mall area.

The weather is very nice -- not too warm, not too cool, just right! We're looking forward to seeing a number of shows while we're here in Branson!

A visit to Harvest Host Crescent Hill Highlands

After we left the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia on Saturday, we were heading south towards Branson. On our way, we had booked a stop at a Harvest Host near Buffalo, Missouri -- Crescent Hill Highlands.

From the Harvest Host description: 

Scottish Highlands are one of the oldest known bovine breeds. Our Beefs are not just hairy coo's, genetically, they are the healthiest beef you can eat. 

We raise highlands, herbs, honey and bloomin' eggs. Our orchard is soon to produce with the blueberry harvesting running the middle of June through middle of July. Everything is organically sourced.

We parked on a farm driveway near where a couple of the herds were located...

Some of the Angus cows and Highland crosses...

Gracie and the Jee-rage parked for the night

Some of the Angus momma cows...

... and some Angus-Highland cross babies...

... and a Highland bull.

Tiny wildflowers that were outside of Gracie

Sunday morning, Penelope took us on a tour of her place -- this was a large grain bin changed into a beautiful gazebo/seating area.

Fenced yard with ducks, chickens, a turkey, some pigs, and probably some other beasties that I'm forgetting!

Some *big* dogs -- I think the one on the left is Burnese Mountain Dog and the one on the right is his son, I can't remember the breed of his mother - but she was also a big dog!

Some of the ducks etc in the pen near the house.

We walked through some of the near pastures and got to meet this fellow -- a Highland bull (? I think he is a bull) -- about a year old - you can see that he isn't very tall!

Some of the others got jealous that the wee coo was getting too much attention. The one to the left is a Pinzgauer, I think...

From Livestock of the world (https://www.livestockoftheworld.com/cattle/Breeds.asp?BreedLookupID=1176&SpeciesID=8):

Pinzgauer cattle were developed in the Pinzgau district in the province of Salzburg, Austria, and appeared for the first time in documents in the 1600's.  

Horned or Polled, Pinzgauer have pigmented skin under a chestnut red coat and white markings on the back, tail and barrel. They adapt readily and easily to a variety of climates. Eye problems are rare. Smooth hair and firm, flexible skin discourages tick and other insect infestations. Bulls average 2000 pounds and up, while mature females level out at approximately 1,000 to 1,300 pounds with a moderate frame.  

Pinzgauer progeny have above average weaning weights, gain ability and feed conversion, but they maintain the easy calving ability that cattlemen prefer. Rib-eye measurements and marbling scores indicate high yields and superb quality. The female's udders are well-formed and hold up well during lactation. The breed is known for its docility.

A Pinzgauer momma cow with her few-day-old calf. She was being protective with strangers around!

A Pinzgauer bull out in the further field

Another Highland -- this one was about 2 years old I think, and a little larger than the earlier one whom we had fed.

From Livestock of the World (https://www.livestockoftheworld.com/cattle/Breeds.asp?BreedLookupID=1074&SpeciesID=8):

Highland cattle (also known as Bò Ghàidhealach, Heilan coo or hairy cows) have long, flowing hair and majestic, sweeping horns. They originated in the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland and were first mentioned in the 6th century AD. They have since been exported worldwide, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, and the US.

Highland Cattle were developed in the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland from two types of now-extinct cattle, one originally black, and the other reddish. The original cattle were brought to Britain by Neolithic farmers. Today there are now around 15,000 Highland cattle in the United Kingdom.

Their long wooly hairy helps make them indifferent to extreme weather. Their natural habitat is mountain land with high rainfall. They thrive on forage and calve outside in all weathers.

While a lot of Scotch Beef is produced from cross breeds, pure Highland beef commands a premium price due to its fine texture, succulent flavour, and healthy characteristics. Because it is slow-maturing, it produces beef that is lean but well-marbled with low cholesterol levels, yet rich in protein and flavour.

A couple of the "Highland coos" posing for their pictures!

We had such a good night's rest and enjoyed meeting Penelope's menagerie!

Last things at the Rally

Friday was the closing of the Newmar Kountry Klub Rally in Sedalia -- catching up on some pictures:

The Fulltimers Chapter of the NKK put on sessions on three different afternoons addressing various aspects of the RV lifestyle

One of the presenters and his wife drive an RV named "Time Bandit" and shared some of their results using the Open Roads Fleet program for diesel fuel discounts. (We use Open Roads too and feel that it saves us a lot, but I don't have all the data calculated! What? A spreadsheet that I have not yet created?!?!?)

On Thursday, since Carl had gone back to Gracie to be there so Bauer could pick up the chairs for recovering, he decided to work on the brake light...

... he got the old one disconnected and found that the one he had ordered was not compatible in its mounting... but he also found that once he had cleaned up the connections on the old one, it seemed to work better. He thought he could get the part number off the back, but when he wiped the dust off, the numbers wiped off the back too. (Also unfortunately, when we were leaving on Saturday, the brake light was back to the same dim lighting... so we are guessing we'll need to order one that fits the mounting.) On a positive note, we found that we could indicate that we were returning the one we had ordered online on Amazon, and then drop it off at Staples, no need to package it in anything more than the box that the light came in, and Staples/Amazon would send it back with no shipping costs required.

At another of the Full Timers sessions, the Time Bandit owners shared a tip on how they keep the cockpit of the rig cool -- they have a tension rod installed just behind the captains chairs and a shower curtain liner to separate the cockpit from the rest of the rig -- and then the dash air only needs to cool the cockpit area.

Sunset Thursday night

On Friday, the seminars were winding up (the vendors all want to present earlier in the week so attendees have time to take advantage of their services during the rally)...

So we attended one on Friday morning entitled "Yoked - You'll Laugh, Cry & Hear of 'Life on the Trail'!" by Kevin Steele. His title slide had a picture of his Corgi showing "Woke Leadership"...

The description of the seminar had indicated:

This workshop/seminar begins with a brief history of my work experiences including a 28-year affiliation with Mercedes-Benz and 14 years in the RV business. Quickly, we'll move into many situations outlining our abilities and disabilities of life. As an avid RVer, I promise this has something for everyone!

So, we weren't really sure what to expect -- but as he started, he changed the text on his title slide to "Yoked Leadership", and proceeded to tell us stories from his life.

He shared this picture as an example of a good leader -- a scout that goes out and discovers the dangers ahead, but then who turns around and comes back and helps the wagon train members get settled in for the night, helping to fix things that have gotten broken or to provide advice and counsel on avoiding the hazards coming.

In his work with Mercedez-Benz, he managed a large project building a new dealership facility in Scottsdale, AZ -- part of that process involved ensuring that the facility complied with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). He hadn't really thought about disabilities and their needs... but became more aware during that process. He asked if any of us travel with someone who is disabled...

He then shared about his wife, Nancy, having a stroke in 2005, and their progress through diagnosis and treatment and their needs for ADA facilities in buildings and campgrounds -- and the varying degrees of support for a disabled person... he talked about getting an RV and then getting one with a wheelchair lift and roll-in shower, the challenges of ensuring that they had oxygen onboard and power for the machines that Nancy needed to maintain her life. And then he challenged us to consider that, in reality, we are all disabled in one way or another, some visible, some not...

Are these disabilities or choices?

He also challenged us to approach folks who are physically disabled, getting down on their level to talk, determining how we can help them in their daily lives.

Hmmm, needs thought!

Kevin shared toward the end of his presentation that Nancy had passed away earlier this year (2023) -- Carl and I were shocked that he would have been able to present this session.

He ended his session with this:

It was quite a different session than others we had attended, but with some great thoughts and things that will continue to come back to mind.

Friday afternoon was the Newmar Kountry Klub Annual Business Meeting and Closing Ceremonies.

A couple of funnies from that... the Fairground Event manager shared with us that he had been out for lunch one day this past week, and another of the diners suddenly started shouting, "I won an RV! I won an RV!" Other folks looked on in interest as she waved her restaurant receipt around. The manager came out and looked at her receipt and calmly said, "It says 'Win a Bagel'..."

The Event manager also asked our group a question: "Does every Newmar come with a complementary Jeep?"

(A side note funny -- there were show coaches inside one of the buildings on the grounds, but there were 4 show coaches which did not fit inside the building, so they were displayed out in the parking lot outside that building. On Thursday afternoon, Carl and I were going into the show coach building to attend a seminar, and as we were crossing the fairground roadway, a man in an older sedan (with a bit of bondo on the back corner) stopped us with a question... "Are they going to be auctioning these RVs off this weekend?" Ah, no, I don't think so...)

Some numbers -- There were 435 RV units and 870 individuals attending the rally. First time attendees accounted for 193 units and 390 individuals. Newmar sent 60 technicians to work on coaches at the rally, and they performed 402 service calls over the 3.5 days that they were scheduled to perform services. The states with the most units attending were Florida and Texas with 37 units each. The Fulltimers chapter had 57 units attending.

The evening ended with the Farewell Dinner:

Wow, Prime Rib - yum!

...followed by Black & White Dueling Pianos.

We enjoyed the NKK Rally and look forward to seeing some of the folks we met down the road at some point!