The Great Hunter and I just returned from our four-day mini-vacation to Branson. When we were there last year and attended the Sight and Sound Theater production of “Jesus”, they were advertising the upcoming “Queen Esther” production. I knew right away I wanted to see this and ever since last year, I’ve been planning on making a trip back to Branson.

On Tuesday, before the afternoon production, we went to lunch at Mel’s Hard Rock Cafe, where all the servers were also entertainers. The Great Hunter asked one of the female servers to sing Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” for me and she did it wonderfully. We also enjoyed the biggest Hot Fudge Sundae I’ve ever eaten. Of course, we said we couldn’t possibly finish it, but, we did.

The Sight and Sound Theater’s stage is panoramic on three sides which at times is almost overwhelming. You don’t know where you should look first. The theater seats 2,000 people and almost every seat was filled. Although our seats were five rows from the top, they were really good seats, almost in the exact center of the stage. The music was beautiful (but a little loud–the lady beside me kept putting her fingers in her ears); the costuming was breathtaking with lots and lots of “sparkles and bling” (and I love bling) and of course, live horses trotting on and off the stage with their costumed riders.

We got back to the resort and the Great Hunter wanted to fish. We went down to the dock and I lasted about ten minutes until I got cold and went back up the hill to the cabin. And what a hike that is. Geometry is definitely not my strong suit (ok, being honest, it’s not even a rag in my bag, lol) I’d have to say the incline was at least 30°. I was definitely huffing and puffing by the time I made it back. And the Great Hunter wasn’t long for the dock either.

On Wednesday, we went to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park and took their two-hour tram ride through the park. Originally, I thought it was too expensive (over $115 for the two of us) but then I realized, we weren’t getting any younger, so what the heck. I’m so glad we did. It was very enjoyable. The tram ride rambles along much of the creek that runs through the over 2,000 acre park and its eleven different waterfalls and pastures with Long Horn cattle, elk and bison.

We ended our afternoon at the on-site restaurant and much to my delight,  a fried bologna sandwich was on the menu. What a treasure. I haven’t had one of those for many, many years. I remember my dad used to make them for us and at the time, we didn’t think of them as treat, but this sandwich definitely was;  buttery, crispy slices of bread, Miracle Whip, lettuce and tomato. Yum, yum.

What would a trip to Branson be without stopping at Uranus on the way home?  Obviously not the planet, but the fudge factory and General store. It’s on the outskirts of Fort Leonard Wood, so it is a popular destination for young soldiers and their families on their restricted family day.

We each bought some chocolate and after hearing the shouted “Welcome to Uranus” loudly, over and over, we were ready to continue the drive home to our four four-legged kids. I think they were ready to see us too.