Settling In...

Friday, September 6

We're so glad to be in Branson.  It's a beautiful area with lots of things to see and do.  We'll be here for two months, work camping.  We'll be "working" (if you can call it that. it will be lots of fun) at the Dewey Short Visitors Center at Table Rock Dam. 

Four sites for work
campers

 

In return for working, we receive a full hook-up site.  We have a short walk to "work" -- the Visitors Center is just across the parking lot from us.

The Dewey Short Visitors Center (DSVC) is a brand-new facility.  It opened in April, 2012.  The DSVC is run by the Ozarks River Heritage Foundation in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers which operates Table Rock Dam.

Our responsibilities include greeting people as they enter the Center, working in the gift-shop, and acting as the "tail" on the dam tours (the "tail" brings up the rear to insure that no-one gets lost or hurt).  The Dam Tours take you into the dam itself.  Very interesting.

Our good friends, Becky and David, are here working with us as well.  As I said, it will be a blast!!!
In between working we'll be doing lots of sightseeing and show-viewing!!

 

View of Table Rock Dam and Table Rock Lake from the third floor observation deck of the DSVC

Saturday, September 7

Another HOT day!! High of 90 today.  I know, I know Sue and Becky, this Yankee girl is a wuss!!

We went on a dam tour this morning and received our training for a tour "tail".  We both enjoy the dam tours... it was fun and very interesting.  As you can imagine, security is tight. 

Our first day is tomorrow.  Becky and David will be training us.  I wish them luck!!!



Sunday, September 8

And the heat keeps comin'...94 today.  We were both very glad to be indoors at the Visitor's Center.

Our trainers, David and Becky

We had a blast "working" today.  This certainly isn't work, it's just plain fun!  We had a good, and somewhat busy day.  We both enjoy talking to the visitors who come in. It's always interesting to inquire as to where they are from.  We met a couple from Scotland today.  We are very much looking forward to going back tomorrow.





Goodnight from Table Rock Lake

Tuesday, September 10

After working Sunday and Monday, we're off until Monday, September 16.  Another hot day today.  We went for a walk early this morning, before it got too hot.  We walk on Lakeshore Trail, which runs from the Visitor's Center to the Table Rock State Park Marina -- 2.2 miles each way. 

 

The trail winds behind our rig, along Table Rock Lake.  It's an easy, paved trail. The trail is well used by joggers, bicyclists and those walking.  Cooper loves to walk on the trail; it must have something  to do about going swimming every chance he gets!!

This morning we walked down to White River Landing, the home of the Branson Belle, with a swimming stop for Coop along the way...

The grounds on which the Branson Belle is located are beautiful...

 



More of the grounds at the Landing...

After our walk, we went for a ride.  Along the way we stopped at the Scenic Overlook two miles from the Visitors Center.  This was the original site of the dam.  However, the bedrock wasn't sufficient to hold it.  It was then decided to build it at its current location.

Lake Taneycomo with Table Rock Dam is in the background.  Yes, it looks like a river.  However it is a contained body of water (Table Rock Dam at one end and Power Site Dam at the other end).  Taneycomo refers to Taney County Missouri...

We had a nice ride and stopped at Aunt Creek Campground for lunch and then went to Indian Point Campground.  Both of these campgrounds are COE's (Corps of Engineer Parks).  There are several COE's around Table Rock Lake. 

We took in a show this afternoon.  We went to the New Shanghai Circus at the Shanghai Theatre featuring the Acrobats of China.  Fabulous show.  Over 40 performers, ages 14 to 24.  The acrobats were simply amazing.  We cannot believe the strength and sense of balance they have.  We will definitely see this show again prior to leaving Branson.

Ron and his new best friend...

A fun-filled day to be sure!!!


Wednesday, September 11

Three words can describe this day -- Hazy, Hot and Humid.  After pausing to remember the events of 12 years ago, we went for our walk this morning.  We continued our walk beyond the Branson Belle to the "Duck" (Ride the Ducks) Landing.  Coop needed a drink...

And got out just in time because...

Here comes the duck!!!

This evening we went for a pontoon ride on Lake Taneycomo with David and Becky at Lilleys Landing.

 

Our Captain, Phil with his dog Jackson

 

And we're off! We went up the river to the dam...

 

 

 



The boys David, Ron and Jackson

 

Along the way we saw some interesting sights...Great Blue Herons and a Bald Eagle...



Great Blue Herons are favorites of ours...

Taking flight.  Very graceful birds
 

Look closely and you'll see the Great Blue Heron...

 

Jackson enjoying the ride...



Handsome fellow, isn't he?



The closer we came to the dam, the more mist appeared over the lake...

 

The mist seemed to be in layers...



Table Rock Dam



Sun over Table Rock Dam



 

It was a beautiful evening to be out on the lake.  A perfect ending to a great day.  It's hard to believe that we've been in Branson for only one week.  We're having such a great time.  We're looking forward to the rest of our time here...