HAPPY 45th BIRTHDAY to PHILIP
After 1.4" of rain during the night, we were awake early and left at 7:30 for a coffee fix - 1st one (Sweet Bay) didn't open till 10? So, we walked uptown and found "Ground Up" which is only 6 months old, they roast their coffee beans and had excellent cinnamon roll (Mark) and cranberry orange muffin (me).
After the hot day yesterday, today was only in the 60's and mostly cloudy. We went to the car and took off for Payne Valley Golf Course (one of 5 courses here that are owned by Johnny Morris, founder and owner of Bass Pro Shops). Payne Valley (named after the late Payne Stewart) is the only fully-accessed public course in the world that was designed by Tiger Woods. Just 4 years old and costs $325 to play a round of golf. The drive was spectacular and the views absolutely stunning. Connor had told Anne about this place and she asked if we could check it out and get some gifts - it was a real treat for we non-golfers, too.
Here are a few views from Payne Valley...not sure they capture the real beauty
And something really ironic.....I was telling Michael about this place and he said his friend Randy (whom we know from North Carolina) played this course just last week! Randy thought it was awesome!!!
I checked out some shops when we returned from our golf outing. Branson Landing is a really neat area along Taneycomo Lake and a great area to shop, eat, walk, etc.
Mark and I had lunch with Jeff, classmate from Fort Worth who planned this reunion in 2020 when 60 had planned to attend but then canceled with Covid. Now, it's finally happening, but disappointing to have such a small group. What a nice visit with Jeff and delicious lunch at the White River Fish Co. (no clue where the White River is as we are on Taneycomo Lake)??
Then Mark and I were off to my haircut appt. at Body Works which I had scheduled a week ago - trip advisor had top reviews and Crystal did a good job. Back to the hotel to rest a bit before we were off again.
Around 4:30, the sun came out and felt so good. At 5:30, we 19 boarded the bus and off to the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater for the Legends concert. Out group had a private dinner on the balcony - excellent beef, pork and sides. The concert started 1 hour later so plenty of time to visit and watch as the theater slowly filled up. Found out Debbie and I are 2nd cousins and then others chimed in on who we were related to or knew from Sublette, Amboy, Dixon, etc. It was pretty crazy and fun.
Tonight's featured entertainment included Martina McBride, Frank Sinatra, Blues Brothers, Pat Benatar and Kenny Chesney. It was a very enjoyable show!!! Great entertainers, singers and dancers.
After we got back to the hotel, we met at The Big Whiskey for drinks and more laughs, reminiscing, etc.....whoaaa...as I finish this blog, it is now almost midnight! Another fun day and Mark and I are having a fun time with his classmates here in Branson.
Nighty night....
Very few masks down here and even in IL, so many places people were not wearing them even though they are mandated?
I remember some of Mark's classmates from previous reunions, and especially fun to reconnect with Judy and Joe who I first met many years ago thru 4-H (before Mark). Judy lives in IL and Joe in FL.
12 classmates/spouses rode the charter bus from Sterling (8+hour trip) and the rest of us (7) flew or drove to Branson.
Driving around today we saw sooo many hotels, theaters, restaurants, shops, etc., etc. Something here for all ages. It is quite the place and the plan is for Branson to become a new golf destination. I would say they are well on their way of meeting that goal. However, Jeff commented at lunch that more and more younger folks are NOT playing golf and numbers are going down? Sure not the case for our 5 older grandsons who all love the game!
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