Autumn Colors

Saturday, October 26

After a delightful day of visiting Bowman Cemetery,

we spent the evening at the Presley Family Country Jubilee Show. The Presley's Show is the original show on the strip.  The show is a mix of music and comedy ~ from country classic to southern gospel with some comedy thrown in.  We plan on going back for their Christmas Show.

Waiting for the show to begin.  Yes, the gentleman and his wife were sleeping.  They woke up as the show began

Sunday, October 27

This is a week of goodbyes.  This week is the last week for our work camper friends. We've had so much fun getting to know them and working with them.  The past two months have been tons of fun.  We gathered for a "farewell" dinner at where else but Little Hacienda!! Have I mentioned how much we all love that restaurant?  Some of the staff from the Dewey Short Visitors Center joined us as well.  Gala, Charley, Bruce and Mike we missed y'all!!

David, Becky, John, myself, Morgan, Jason, Ron, Joan, Sherryl and her husband

Not to be left out, Howard and Patrick.  Sorry Becky, didn't mean to get your pic with food in your mouth...

Tuesday, October 29

We said goodbye to Howard and wished him safe travels as he heads home to Kentucky.

This afternoon we joined David and Becky and went to see SIX.  So named because all six of the performers are brothers. These brothers are amazing! No band, no background music.  Just an orchestra of human voices.  Rhythmic percussion, bass and melodic vocals all intertwine seamlessly and are all produced live with the power of their voices.  You would swear that you hear a human band.  Simply amazing!!! SIX is by far the best show on the strip!!

David's got his camera ready...

Wednesday, October 30

A very foggy morning.  Pat and Joan are leaving today, but are waiting for the fog to lift.  We wished them safe travels as they head back to Kentucky.

As we made our way through the fog and across the parking lot to work today we couldn't help but notice how beautiful the sky and the clouds were..

from the parking lot of the Dewey Short Visitors Center

from the third floor viewing platform of the DSVC

Table Rock Lake all fogged in

somewhere out there lies Table Rock Dam

by mid-morning the fog began to lift

October 31

Happy Halloween!!!  The colors are at peak and are stunning!! We decided to take a color tour around Branson...

from the parking lot of the Dewey Short

Table Rock Dam from the third level platform of the Dewey Short

Lake Taneycomo with Table Rock Dam in the background...

For our Halloween Dinner we, along with David and Becky, went to Mr. Giotti's.  Great food, great friends and great fun!!!

Friday, November 1

David and Becky are leaving today for Kansas for one month, then to Arkansas.  We'll tie up with them for a bit in Texarkana.  It was easier saying goodbye to them knowing that we'll see them soon.  They'll also be at Johnson Creek in Kerrville for the winter with us as well...

Rather than saying goodbye, we said "see ya down the road" to David and Becky and wished them safe travels...

 As it was a beautiful day, we decided to head to Garfield, Arkansas and tour the Pea Ridge Civil War Battlefield.  It was a beautiful drive, the colors were still at peak...

Pea Ridge was the most decisive Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River.  Over 26,000 soldiers struggled for two days in Northwest Arkansas that would decide the fate of Missouri.  Control of Missouri was the key to winning the war in the West.  Missouri provided an easy invasion route either north or south and controlled the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio Rivers.

short sleeves on November 1st!!!

Notice the shallow depressions to the right of the sign? These remnants are all that is left of the original Telegraph Road traveled by thousands of Cherokees and other American Indians in the winter of 1838-39 during their forced removal from their homelands...

The Union Commander, Samuel R. Curtis, located his headquarters in this vicinity just before the battle...

During the battle the wounded of both sides were brought to this village, where buildings and tents served as hospitals.  All visible evidence of the village is gone.

walking down to where the village stood

Leetown Battlefield.  The Confederates attacked through the woods north of this field.  Gen. Ben McCullough and General James McIntosh were killed near the north boundaries of this field

Pea Ridge was the only major Civil War battle in which Indian troops participated.  Two regiments of Cherokees, about 1,000 men, fought for the Confederate army and routed two companies of Union cavalry.

 Prior to the Civil War, Elkhorn Tavern was used for many purposes.  It was well-known locally as a stop for the Overland Stage.  In February 1862, the fields surrounding the tavern were transformed into the Federal army's main supply camp.  During the battle, the tavern served as a field hospital, and, for a brief time, as General Van Dorn's headquarters.  After the battle, the Federals used the tavern as a headquarters and military telegraph station until it was burned around January 1863 by Confederate guerrillas.

Reconstruction of Elkhorn Tavern

our guide at the Tavern

notice the elk horns on the roof?? Hence the name Elkhorn Tavern

view from the front porch of the Tavern

yellow cloths were used to designate the location of a field hospital 

Two monuments sit on the Elkhorn Tavern grounds.  These are the only monuments on the battlefield.

This is the first monument placed on the battlefield.  It is in memory of the Confederate Generals who were killed here ~ Benjamin McCulloch, James McIntosh and William Y. Slack

This monument is the Reunited Soldiery Monument and was placed here by Confederate and Union veterans in 1899.  It is one of the first Civil War monuments dedicated to the soldiers of both sides to be placed on any battlefield.

Each and everyday Ron and I give thanks that we are able to spend time doing the things we love to do.  We love visiting places and learning so much about this great country of ours.