Route 66 Day 6, 7, 8
Day six, I entered Springfield and knocked off a few list items. This was the last city on Route 66 before heading south to Branson and I wanted to hit Branson early. I wasn't sure what all I would do, but I figured I'd drive around a bit, take some photos and maybe take in a show if I could find something within my budget. I hit the Branson Welcome Center (one of many) on the way down ( had to use the bathroom) and managed to get talked into a Travel Club sales pitch. I got a free night in a fancy hotel and a free show. I knew I wouldn't sign up for it, those clubs are not my cup of tea. But I could sit and watch a sales pitch. As a bonus, I got a second night in the hotel and a second show for another $20. Two nights in a hotel and two shows for $20 and a 90 minute sales pitch. How could I say no?
I spent almost the entire time in the hotel. Hot breakfast, hot showers, Food Network, laundry service and a pool/hot tub that I never actually used. I did my laundry. I showered. A lot. I painted my nails. I dumped my SD card and spent hours sorting and uploading to Facebook. I left the hotel to do the shows and do the sales presentation and that's it. Even after I checked out, I went to the laundry room and continued to do computer work for another 5 hours.
Show one was the Parrothead: Jimmy Buffet Tribute. The show ok, I wouldn't recommend spending too much money on it. The musicians were very talented, but it was a very country version of Jimmys classic songs. And the singers and never actually gone to a Jimmy Buffet concerts. I guess that isn't required, but if you are going to have a tribute band it should be of someone you love enough to make an effort to see.
Show two was Acrobats of Shanghai. I knew this show wouldn't be disappointing, and it wasn't. Very talented people doing crazy things and contorting themselves into pretzels. I loved it. My only complaint was in the middle of the intermission, they called for everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. About 15 seconds to get your act together and stand up. And the Pledge of Allegiace? WHO DOES THAT???? I get they are trying to show unity with the local community and the average person that comes to Branson. And these kids are probably the only Asians in the entire state. And Missouri doesn't have a great reputation for accepting diversity. I get it. But the Pledge of Allegiance? In the middle of intermission? Soooo weird. No one was prepared. I wasn't prepared. I had a mouth full of Good n Plenty, an open box of candy on my lap, Diet Coke in one hand and phone in the other. I had to process what was going on, then empty my hands and lap in order to stand up, and I was about 15 seconds late. I stood for the same reason they did it. I was afraid the people around me with lynch me if I didn't. I didn't recite the Pledge because they are using the cold war version and not the original and I have issues with that (plus mouth full of candy). But it was a weird, awkward thing to do and I will probably be following up with less weird suggestions for them to show unity with the locals.
On the third day, after I checked out, I finished my computer work and finally went for food. I hadn't actually seen any of Branson the previous two days, so I drove around a bit and then headed to the Landing. The Landing is a big shopping center and I wanted to hit Bass Pro Shops to see if they carried a specific item and catch the big water/fire show. They also had Free Moonshine Tasting and I'm a sucker for that. They let me try all 13 flavors and then I was too tipsy to make good decisions and bought lovely moonshine in a variety of flavors. I bought 2 jars of the Salted Caramel because that is one of my favorites. I also bought Butter Cake. Honestly I can't remember what else I bought, its buried in the back of the truck somewhere and at some point I will be drinking it. Chocolate Silk? Strawberry Cheesecake? Lemon-Lime (actually, I think I bought this one)?
I headed back to the hotel to sleep in their parking lot. I knew they had a public restroom available where I wouldn't need to walk past the front desk and plenty of parking. I backed up into a dark corner and didn't realize I parked in front of the (probably) only prickle bush along the entire back. I didn't realize it until I went to the back of the truck to climb in and realized the entire backside of my dress was now covered in prickles. I couldn't remove the dress until I got into the truck because it would put prickles into my leggings and I wanted them to be clean. I climbed in and tried to remove the dress without dropping too many prickles into my bed. I still had a few in my leggings but I was able to remove them. The dress is now balled up into a corner of the truck. Figures I would do this the day after I did all my laundry.
I spent almost the entire time in the hotel. Hot breakfast, hot showers, Food Network, laundry service and a pool/hot tub that I never actually used. I did my laundry. I showered. A lot. I painted my nails. I dumped my SD card and spent hours sorting and uploading to Facebook. I left the hotel to do the shows and do the sales presentation and that's it. Even after I checked out, I went to the laundry room and continued to do computer work for another 5 hours.
Show two was Acrobats of Shanghai. I knew this show wouldn't be disappointing, and it wasn't. Very talented people doing crazy things and contorting themselves into pretzels. I loved it. My only complaint was in the middle of the intermission, they called for everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. About 15 seconds to get your act together and stand up. And the Pledge of Allegiace? WHO DOES THAT???? I get they are trying to show unity with the local community and the average person that comes to Branson. And these kids are probably the only Asians in the entire state. And Missouri doesn't have a great reputation for accepting diversity. I get it. But the Pledge of Allegiance? In the middle of intermission? Soooo weird. No one was prepared. I wasn't prepared. I had a mouth full of Good n Plenty, an open box of candy on my lap, Diet Coke in one hand and phone in the other. I had to process what was going on, then empty my hands and lap in order to stand up, and I was about 15 seconds late. I stood for the same reason they did it. I was afraid the people around me with lynch me if I didn't. I didn't recite the Pledge because they are using the cold war version and not the original and I have issues with that (plus mouth full of candy). But it was a weird, awkward thing to do and I will probably be following up with less weird suggestions for them to show unity with the locals.
I headed back to the hotel to sleep in their parking lot. I knew they had a public restroom available where I wouldn't need to walk past the front desk and plenty of parking. I backed up into a dark corner and didn't realize I parked in front of the (probably) only prickle bush along the entire back. I didn't realize it until I went to the back of the truck to climb in and realized the entire backside of my dress was now covered in prickles. I couldn't remove the dress until I got into the truck because it would put prickles into my leggings and I wanted them to be clean. I climbed in and tried to remove the dress without dropping too many prickles into my bed. I still had a few in my leggings but I was able to remove them. The dress is now balled up into a corner of the truck. Figures I would do this the day after I did all my laundry.
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