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Traditionally, April is the time for our annual spring visit to Branson and 2008 was no exception. Continuing the practice of combining trips due to the ever increasing gasoline prices, we started this years spring break going to Oklahoma for an overnight stay and visit to grave sites of Harry's family. When we left home on Friday morning April 11th, Harry was trying to kick off a touch of stomach flu bug, so Willardene had to do most of the driving enroute to Okla. Even Saturday morning found Harry feeling less than up to par, so again Willardene did most of the driving on to Branson; and to avoid giving anything to Elberta and Alex, we didn't stop in Harrison on the way to Branson.
Branson had experienced a wet, cold spring this year - we even had two nights with temperatures below freezing while there. The week before we arrived had seen water released from Table Rock Lake, resulting in flooding in some parts of old Branson - even effecting some businesses in The Branson Landing. But, daytime temperatures were comfortable, however they were none to high. However, very few dogwoods were in bloom, so Willardene was deprived of seeing the lovely spring blossoms she is most fond.
Since our spring trips to Branson are intended as a means to visit Elberta and Alex, we managed to go to Harrison three times to see them. Their health no longer allows them to travel, so they couldn't come spend time with us in our Branson condo. They were able, however, to join us for church services on Sunday morning, then took us to lunch at a local eatery. Most of our time in Harrison was spent at Elberta and Alex home just relaxing and visiting. Also while in Harrison, we put flowers on uncle Bill's grave, then drove Elberta and Alex through the cemetery to view the flowers.
Back in Branson, we followed our usual routine. That is movies at the Imax, shopping, attending a timeshare sales presentation, eating at our favorite spots, shopping, visiting museums, shopping , attending one evening show, etc. - well you get the idea. We are fond of museums - this spring we visited the new Butterfly Palace and enjoyed a great time watching the butterflies and taking pictures - see below. The Veteran's Museum is also a great place to visit - the walls of one room are papered with a printed list of all the American military killed in WWII - some 406,000 names. Pictured below is a gas mask for a horse from WWI and a field chaplin kit from WWII - a very impressive museum, highly recommended.
Returning home, we stopped in Joplin to have lunch with former Stocktonite, Keith Denio; then made the usual stop in Independance to decorate the graves of Harry's grandparents before continuing on to Wichita to spend the night with Willardene's brother. Jonathan and his wife, Martha. Willardene's brother, David joined us for dinner then returned to Jonathan and Martha's for an evening of visiting. After breakfast with the brothers and sister-in-law on Sunday morning, we completed our trip back to Stockton, arriving late afternoon, thus providing a few hours daylight to unpack and do chores at home.
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