HTBT

Bushquackin' Defined

They've really matured since we last saw them

On the Branson Scenic Railway

5-21-12: We've been tracking Justin and family today via texts and anxiously awaiting their arrival here in Branson. So excited that they chose to spend their much-deserved family vacay here near us! After work, David and I drove over to their campsite at Table Rock State Park to grab some hugs.

The arrival of Justin and Family

Then they came to our place.

Asher made Grandpa a sweet card

And I got one from Andrew

The boys had made beautiful cards for us!

sleeping bags for their stuffed animals

And I'd made some sleeping bags for their stuffed animals. Stuffed animals need a warm place in a tent, too!

Tonite we had angel food cake, strawberries, and cool while in memory of Memaw (my mother) for her birthday. Still miss her smiling face!

Grandpa and the boys heading off to the lake

Throwing rocks into Table Rock

After supper we took a walk to see the lake, then down to the bouy area so they could throw some rocks. They could've done that all night. And Rocky wanted terribly to run in and retrieve every rock thrown! Took them for a walk around the Dewey Short Visitor Center so they could see where Grandpa and Grammy are volunteering. Life is good.

Heading into the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery below the dam

5-22-12: Love, love, love having Justin's group just right down the road from us! They picked us up this morning and we all went down to the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery. Watched a 12 minute movie about the hatchery (in which they were perfect for even tho it was mostly grownup stuff). Afterwards, 3-year-old Asher turned around and announced to the audience, "That was a really great fish movie!". What a sweetie pie!

Asher and the Alligator Turtle

There were some great reptiles - including snakes, turtles, and a Texas Tarantula - to see inside.

Poor ole fella

This is his story

We saw one turtle that looked like it had a double shell. It had actually been caught in the plastic stuff that holds together a six pack of can drinks. So his shell grew around it. He's about 28 years old now. He was around 9 at the time he was found. He lives part time at this hatchery and part time in St. Louis I believe.

Hang on to him!

The McClintock's checking out the trout

da boys

surrounded by Queen Ann's Lace

some of the more mature rainbow trout

Then we went outdoors to see the trout of various sizes and to feed them. Beautiful day to be outdoors.

Question: What is "didymo?" Answer: Rock Snot. (you'll have to google the explanation.)

Asher and Daddy on the Duck

Cap'n Crunch

This afternoon we went to Ride the Ducks! Cap'n Crunch was our driver. Even though these guys are hilarious, they have to actually be licensed captains by the Coast Guard. So we knew we were in good hands.

the quarry on Baird Mtn w old military vehicles

view of Table Rock from Baird Mtn.

planted in the woods on Baird Mtn

Another view on our way to the top

a great lookout on Baird Mtn

The tour started off from the strip and drove us over the dam. It goes really slowly, so he cranked up the parade music as we chugged up the hill to the dam. What we hadn't expected was a drive up Baird Mountain! There is a private road (theirs) that we took for some outstanding views of Table Rock Lake. Along the road were some retired military amphibious vehicles, as well as some military ambulances, tanks, etc. Very cool.

Bushquacking

Asher got the hang of it early on

Bushquacking: When everyone on board a duck blows their free quackers to scare someone.

Now ya know!

While still in town, Cap'n Crunch had us 'bushquack' some ladies doing some outdoor shopping. It worked. Then on top of Baird Mtn, we hid in the bushes until another Duck approached, then the Cap'n drove out in front of them as we all quacked. Got some odd looks from the other Duck.

I can't wait to tell Celia that the other day on our hike (previous blog) she and I were bushquacked!

(I plan to wear my quacker on my hikes so when we see a Duck I can bushquack them before they bushquack me!)

View of Baird Mtn from the lake part of the Duck ride

front of the Branson Belle

After our mountain excursion, we took to the water. Fun entry. He tried really hard to make a big splash! It was a slow cruise.

Andrew got to drive the Duck (don't know why I can't get this pic to rotate)

The Cap'n needed a bit of a break when we were at sea, so Andrew to the helm. He paid close attention and did a great job!

Grammy got to bring her in (nearly)

After all the kids on board who wanted to drive had their turn, I had mine! Can't let my peers upstage me!

relaxing at the campsite

Asher liked Daddy's gift

Rocky is most interested in what Asher is eating

Brooke hated her gift

but liked Justin's

After supper we watched the video of Andrew's PK graduation. How sweet!! He was pretty serious through the event, making sure he got all the hand motions down pat to all the songs. At one point he sat down for a bit during a song he didn't care too much for. lol. I will say, he was the cutest kid there!!!

Table Rock State Park Marina -- you prob cannot see Andrew in this pic

checking out the fish and turtles at the marina

Da boys on the pontoon

I usually won't post Grandpa's feet unless he's getting a pedi

Andrew driving, Daddy navigating

Justin liked to jump the Belle wake

Asher pointing out the sights

Grandpa and Andrew

the boys bushquacking a Duck

Grandpa and Asher fishing a bit

5-23-12: This morning David joined Justin, Brooke, Andrew, and Asher on a 4 hour pontoon boat ride around Table Rock Lake. Another flawless day, weatherwise.

spotting Grammy and Rocky on shore

Rocky and Grammy on the "beach"

Rocky & I rec'd a drive-by from them when we walked down to the shore. Asher cried for his Grammy when he saw me on shore. But got over it quickly once they took off.

pontooning is tough work for a 3 year old!

Lots to see out there. They got to fish and take a little dip in the water.

Back at the state park, they found a great little beach for Justin and the boys. A & A love playing in the water!

Justin, Brooke, and the boys at The Butterfly Palace

A butterfly found Asher

Now he's going to find them

5-24-12: This morning we got up and visited The Butterfly Palace in Branson.

going through the bunji cord jungle

harder than I thought

One of the exotic butterflies

pretty

the sweetest one we saw that day!

this one is neon blue on the inside

this lady was getting covered with them - note to self: wear pink!

about 4 different kinds on this flower

in the making

getting a good look

the neon blue one that we all loved

The BP is "home" to exotic butterflies and reptiles. They butterflies are in the rainforest section -- which is rather humid but beautiful. The winged creatures are spectacular!

an exotic bird

Even a bird or 2 that we couldn't identify.

Since the butterflies are not from the area, it is actually illegal for them to let them out of the bldg. So there are mirrors on both sides of the doors to the rainforest for us to check and get checked to see if any are on our body or in our purses before exiting. Then we go through one set of doors to a room with some fans to triple check the situation. Then we are out into the other parts of the bldg!

Visited the "mirror maze" room --great maze! I pretty much held my hands out in front, but was amused to watch other folks smack right into the mirrors.

Elvis butterfly

David by his letter that is actually on a butterfly wing

Asher and his frog head

never knew piranhas were glittery

a Geiko

posing

Then we strolled through the reptile area. Pretty cool stuff! Excellent gift shop in the Butterfly Palace -- tho a little pricey.

getting ready to board

After Justin treated David and me to lunch at Culver's, we all loaded up to Historic Downtown Branson to catch the Branson Scenic Railway train.

the boys with Conductor Bob

Asher and Grammy

Grandpa and Andrew

ready to roll

rolling

a train ride with my fella

back at the station

the passenger cars

Engine 98

The ride was about 2 hours. It took us into AR and through 2 tunnels. One tunnel was 3/4 of a mile long and the other ab out 1/2 mile. Beautiful scenery and a pretty comfy ride. At least one of the engines came from Amtrak. The passenger cars were vintage and could stand a little fixing up, but it was still a great experience. I'd def do it again.

The birthday King and his bodyguard, the Sheriff

chowing on Linda Willis' Cake

Grandpa revealing Andrew's new pitching machine

Tonite we celebrated Andrew's birthday a little early.

Look out below

5-25-12: Today we drove over to Branson West to visit the Talking Rocks Caverns. All of the adults were able to get in free on our volunteer letters, Asher on his age, and Andrew on his looks! I knew he could do it!

this is a Christmas tree hanging upside down at the top of the caverns which they light up during the holidays

beautiful angel formation inside the cave

Mommy and the boys squeezing through a narrow passage

Really glad we got in free. It would've been disappointing to have paid for it. Rad (our Georgian tour guide) did a great job trying to make it interesting though. And the history of the discovery of the caverns was fun to learn about. There are 265 steps, only100 ft down, and a STRONG bleach smell throughout. They say they clean the handrails with bleach.

Andrew spelunking the Speleobox

made it through

coming up through the hole

Afterwards Andrew tried out some spelunking in their Speleobox (cave simulator).

Getting a little help from Grandpa

Panning for gold

their findings

Daddy bought them a bag of dirt that had some hidden gems in it. So they got to pan for gems as well!

Andrew "making" electricity

Justin, Brooke, Asher, and Andrew on 3rd floor Observation Deck

Andrew practicing boat safety at the Dewey Short Visitor Center

Checking out the nature exhibits

Had time for a short stop at the Visitor Center so they could see where we "work".

making cups for Mommy and Daddy

mod-podging their photos onto them

Coming up with ideas on what they can use them for

And they wrapped them up once they dried

Andrew and Asher spent the night at our camper tonite while J and B went out on the town. We took this opp to let them make something special for Mommy and Daddy. They did a great job! Such good boys.