HTBT: November 2012

Color

Rocky and me at Table Rock Dam

what's wrong with this pic? (answer at end)

Branson, Part X

us at the Dewey

from the 3rd floor of the Dewey

The colors in the Ozarks are starting to pop! So happy to get to be here during this time of year! Will leave you with some of our COLOR at the end of this post.

our site in Branson

This month marks our 3 year anniversary for fulltiming! These 3 years have flown! Looking forward to many more!

ground snake?

or water snake?

10-14-12: Today, Rocky and I strolled down Lakeshore Drive and it's just beautiful! I did look down once and saw a "stick", which turned out to be a snake that was contemplating crossing the path. He was standing tall.........we apparently got his attention. And he got mine. Rocky was oblivious. So we watched each other for awhile and he finally slithered back onto his side of the patch. Looks to me like a ground snake or water snake, but I can't tell the difference.

As we were walking back around on the sidewalk, I got to see a baptism going on in Table Rock Lake. I didn't take pix, but really appreciated that they were using this beautiful setting for such a lovely event!

ORHF peeps playing in the dirt

Gala supervising

Tammy getting serious

even Scott worked in the weeds

10-16-12: Today was "landscaping day" at the Dewey. As I've mentioned in an earlier blog, there has been a big standoff between the COE and the contractor of the new center. So the landscaping has been natural on crack! And with a couple of recent rains, mercy! The post office evidently thought we were a closed business. I rec'd my mail late and they'd written "business closed" on the front. Well, that was the final straw for the Corps. Now the grounds look great! The employees and volunteers joined in today to spruce the place up, as well.

red letters, no less

David and I worked inside and didn't get to play in the dirt. However, I did do a number on the computer/cash register! I googled Murder Rock Golf Course for a visitor and a cheesy FBI page came up instead and locked up our computer big time! Obvious that it was a virus because I don't think the FBI need Walgreens ads, etc on their site. Anyway, we had to do sales by hand until a guy came over from Springfield to get us rolling again. Not one of my proudest moments. But everyone was so nice to me about it.......and gave me grief at the same time.

pancake at Billy Gail's

pancake at the Outpost

10-17-12: This morning Joan & Patrick, David & I went to the Cassandre' Haygood show. She is a very well-trained classical singer. She has a band that is awesome!! I could've listened to them all day! Lots of brass and strings. And an excellent drummer. One trumpet player used to play the songs for Air Wolf (Gus and I used to love that show when he was little), Dallas, etc.

our sweet KY friends, Patrick & Joan

On the way home, we stopped at the scenic overlook on historic 165 to get a glimpse of the colors starting to make their way into the mtns. Back at the camper, we had a storm and I say, "good time for a nap!" Love a mountain storm, especially when I can nap through it.

sweatshirt/ruffle yarn jacket

This evening I made my first ruffled jacket. Fun and easy. (directions on my craft blog)

me, Brenda, Tammy, and Lisa

Jerri and me

Jerri and her Rogers friends

War Eagle Mill

heading across the War Eagle bridge

we had to take turns with the cars

from the bridge

a few folks sitting by the river for a snack break -- beautiful view

kids flyfishing in the river

10-18-12: I went with Brenda today to War Eagle fall fair. The colors were popping even more after yesterday's rain. So pretty! I met Brenda's friends Tammy and Lisa. And Jerri made arrangements to go to the fair today, too. So we got to see each other again.

some of the first color we saw on our Mills Tour

pretty baby

i could live in this spot!

posing

feed time?

this is gonna be a good day!

10-19-12: Brenda planned a day trip for the 4 of us to visit 4 of the mills in southern MO. Much of the drive was in the Mark Twain Nat' Forest. Winding, mountain roads with gorgeous fall colors! It was overcast and chilly today. But to me, that added a certain coziness to the day.
When we first started seeing brilliant color, Scott pulled off the road so he and David could take some shots if the hills, the trees, and the horses that seemed most interested in us. Sadly, David didn't have the battery for his camera. But Scott & Brenda had a backup which he used. Between that, my iphone, and Scott's pix, we ended up with a great selection to remember the day.

We came upon Theodosia and Ft Cook Campground on Bull Shoals. I would like to spend a little time there sometime. Not only because it was very pretty, but because my Grandma Lilly Gentry's middle was Theodosia.

beautiful place

what is this?

david and his purse

One of our first planned stops was in Gainesville, MO. We were going to eat at the Harlin House (Nat'l Historic Register) which was to have a restaurant with period decor. Got there and learned it had become Aaron's BBQ. Decided to stop anyway. BBQ sounded really good!

just made it!

Linda Harlin giving us the tour

I had never seen these period bars that held the rug down

attic

As we got to the door, we saw that today is their last day in business. The economy got to them.
So glad we got to catch them though. The house was lovely. We even met Linda Harlin, who'd come over from the bank (family owned) for lunch. She gave us a tour of the upstairs.

We also totally loved the bbq! I had a Pig Pie. Sorta like a freeto pie, but with bbq.

Scott and Brenda at Old Dawt Mill

turbine and wicket gates -- wouldn't have known what this was had it not been for our dam experience

must be a good spot for biker and trikers

mill from the back

pretty place

the lodge used to be a cotton gin

just cool

Went on to our first mill, Old Dawt Mill, from Gainesville. Pretty spot that is a popular resort as well. It has a lodge, cabins, camping, restaurant, and general store. This historic, water-powered grist mill is located on the North Fork of the White River. It was built in 1897.

cave behind the Hodgson Mill

old water pump

one of the most photographed spots in MO

beautiful stream and bridge

spring in front of the mill

another turbine and wicket gates

proof that Brenda and I are not off our rockers!

Hodgson Mill

A few miles down the winding, scenic roads, we came upon Hodgson Mill. Built in 1894, it is touted as the most photographed mill in the state. This mill has a gift shop -- and today was it's last day to be open for the season. Hodgson is on Bryant Creek, built on a rock bluff, and has a cool cave (closed to public) behind it, which was most likely home to a still or 2 back in the day.

spring in front of Zanoni Mill

Zanoni Mill -- what a picture!

Zanoni Mill, built in the early 1900's, is now a privately owned bed and breakfast. So we couldn't drive up to it, but managed to get a couple of great shots of it from the road. I could live there!

awesome scenery

as we topped a hill

Old Rockbridge Bank

Rockbridge Dam

restaurant and store

back of Rockbridge Mill

historical sign

Rockbridge Mill was quite a surprise and treat

I sure wanted to walk across this bridge

I guess I can understand the Keep Off sign

cool old cash register in the general store

Old school near Rockbridge

old store and post office

After some breathtaking foliage, we arrived at Rockbridge Mill and were amazed. I didn't realize until we got there that this is now a rainbow trout resort covering 3000 plus acres. This scenic mill built in 1868 is located in the heart of the Ozarks. Lots to do here, tho quite pricey, and open year-round.

Brenda rocks!

Once we got back to our home sweet home, the torch of Activity Director was rightfully passed on to Brenda. Thx for a wonderful day, Brenda, and for driving us, Scott!

10-20-12: This morning Brenda and I took a little drive over to Alpena, AR. The other day on the way to and from War Eagle, we'd passed a fabric shop called Rag Barn there. Today is a good day to check it out. And it was well worth it! Fabric for around $4 a yard (most places sell it for 6-12 dollars per yard). Then we found Country Corner fabric shop nearby. Pricier, but beautiful fab!
We tried the Rock Top drive in/diner for lunch and really liked it! Worth a try if you are ever in the big city of Alpena! Drove down to McKee's fabric shop between there and Green Forest. Lovely fabric and they actually have Janome stuff!

AR black apples

And just down the road was a farmers market that had Arkansas Black Apples. Yummy!

with the remains of a little rain

10-21-12: Sitting outside with leaves falling all around us. Loving Autumn!!

10-23-12: eagle, Eagle, EAGLE!!!! Saw my first Table Rock bald eagle while walking Rocky between the new and old visitor centers. Magnificent!! It was flying low along the lakeshore then across the parking lot. So I was blessed to get a really good long look at it! Not sure if he was "poodle-hunting" or what. No camera other than my phone, and I was talking to my friend Cranford. So he got to experience my excitement! Thx for your patience, Cran!

Went to see Chinese Acrobats this afternoon with S and B. Really an amazing show and all of us felt the need for some anti-inflammatories afterward! Man, they got their bodies in positions that made us hurt!

10-24-12: It was 72 degrees when we went to work at 9:30, and it was 48 around 4:00. Yes!!

Pop look-a-like

Today, I met a man in the visitor center who looked so much like my pop that it was uncanny!

10-27-12: David saw an eagle at the dam today while on a tour! He had a group of 6th graders with him, which I'm sure kinda killed the moment. But happy he got to see one!

us at Old Dawt Mill

10-28-12: Our 24th anniversary! Next year will be our Silver! Woohoo!

Superstorm Sandy is about to hit the NE USA. Supposed to be rough!

10-30-12: Sandy tore up the northeast of the country. Lots of deaths and destruction. Prayers needed for the people up that way. Very thankful that the folks I know up there are ok!

ORHF peeps at Dixie Stampede Christmas Show

the girls at the Stampede

Went to Dixie Stampede Christmas Show tonite with other workampers and Beth. Great show with beautiful animals and great company! We sat on the "South Pole" side, of course!

Bye Jazmine and Sierra!

10-31-12: Said our "cya later" to Scott and Brenda and the girls this morning. It's been great fun with ya'll! Even you, Scott! :) Hope to see ya'll down the road before too long!.

Patsy and me at the Dewey

Patsy and the dam

11-1-12: Patsy LaRue -- Gus' other mom -- is in the area, so she and I got to have lunch together today, see a bit of Branson, and visit the Dewey. And of course, caught up on news about our kids! Hoping to see her once more before she heads back to T-town. Really enjoyed hanging out with ya, Patsy!

More Branson Coots

see any old ones?

Lots and lots of Coots on the lake today. They are so cool. They bunch up together and swim around. And they stay like that for a long, long time! From a distance it looks like a log or something floating. On days like today, they look like many logs. Is this where "old coot" came from?

me, Bekki, Mrs. White, Kim, and Tricia

Bekki and me

in the Dewey

hanging out at our picnic table

11-3-12: One of my college bff's, Bekki White, came to Branson this weekend. So we got together for lunch at Danna's, and then they visited at the camper for a bit. So great seeing her, and her mom (who remembers way too much about our college days), and Kim and Tricia! Fun, fun visit!

11-5-12: David and I went to see the Hughes Brothers with Patsy. This was our 1st Branson Christmas show. Really good. There are 5 brothers who sing and play, plus their wives, plus there 32 or kids!! One bro has THIRTEEN kids and his wife looks so young and fit!

we all wondered why the Belle came in so close to the dam

Carl's new wheels

Andrew and Asher in their new hats from the Discovery Center

11-6-12: Worked a few hours today at the visitor center. With this being election day, visitors were coming in wearing their "I voted" stickers.

We don't get those when we absentee vote, so Gala made us one!

Joan and Vera working on their first ruffle jacket

Sherryl and Joan crocheting away

watch your fingers!

fun on election night

Tonite the girls had a craft night in the wetlab. We made the sweatshirt jackets trimmed with self-ruffling yarn. Fun craft, fun company!

Obama won his 2nd term as President!

11-7-12: God treated David and me to the BEST SHOW in Branson this morning! A couple of bald eagles and a juvie were doing their acrobatics on 165 in the area of the Chateau as we were driving through the Ozarks color! No camera, but we loved the show! All of this under a daytime moon.

one of my eagles at the visitor center

A couple of hours later while walking Rocky, I saw 2 adults and juvie again at the visitor center! Could very easily have been the same family. I snapped some pix with my phone -- without being able to see the viewfinder.

David saw an adult bald this evening. Very exciting!

Rocky's friend, Lizzy Cooper

Jerri and me at the Texas Tenors

11-9-12: Jerri, George, and Lizzie drove up from Rogers for the day. After eating at Danna's, we ran a few errands then went to the Texas Tenors Christmas Show. Just...WOW!

decos at the visitor center

11-11-12: Appreciative of all our veterans and active military!

11-12-12: Had some wonderful woodworkers set up at the Dewey today!

Tammy wearing her deal of the day!!

fog bank on Table Rock before we headed out for our Thrift Store Day

11-13-12: Tammy (my friend and partner in crime) and I had a Thrift Store Day. What fun! We found some wonderful deals. She found the deal of the day! A barely used (or maybe even never), nearly $20 ski suit, with adorable designs, for only $10!!! We made it to 14 thrift stores in the Branson area! Woulda been 16, but 2 were closed. Wonderful day, Tam!!

11-16-12: What? No more Hostess Crumb Donuts for breakfast?

Mike, Debbie, me, and David at Mr. G's

Mike and Debbie with 60's star

here he goes...............

Santa Mike

11-17-12: Mike and Debbie White in town. We went to lunch at Mr. Gilberti's (yum!), showed them a few Branson sights, then went to the 60's Christmas show! Great show and extra worth it because they pulled Mike out of the audience, took him to the stage, dressed him up like Santa, & sang to him as they took turns in his lap!

SDC

Debbie and Mike at SDC

11-18-12: After work, we went with Mike and Debbie to Silver Dollar City. Wow! The Christmas lights out there are amazing! It has become a wonderfully, charming Christmas village!

David and I didn't stay long since we'd been on our feet most of the day. We said our goodbyes to Mike and Deb and took the long, pleasantly chilly walk back to the truck. On the way home, he and I stopped at Steak & Shake for a burger. About the time our food arrived, in walked Mike and Debbie! So we got to spend a little more time with them on their last night in Branson!

Ranger Leah with a photo bomber on field trip day

I met another Becky Lee one day at the Dewey

the guys working hard.........looking under the hood of Carl's new ride

Gala gettin' festive at the Dewey

11-24-12: I just arrived back in Branson today after spending the last few days in Texarkana with Edith. She had a very rough go of it in the hospital, but we are very thankful she made it through that and is much better! What a trooper! And to top it off, she spent her 93rd birthday in Wadley! And Gus and I celebrated Thanksgiving at Ruby Tuesday. Just an fyi: not a good place on Thxgiving!

11-25-12: Today was our last day at the Dewey. Sure will miss the area and our new peeps. However, we will be back in April! Yay!!

Jackie and Dave

Dave and Jackie

Our wonderful St. Louis friends, Jackie & Dave came by the visitor center this evening to say bye to us! Ya'll are awesome!

Gala making the best of her 2 weeks on her side after eye surgery

Tonite we went over to say bye to Gala and her mom, Gene! So happy that Gala's surgery went well and anxious to hear about her followup!

A BIG thank-you to all our awesome friends from the ORHF. You have taught us so much and we feel so blessed to have had this gig. Cannot wait to come back and do it again in 2013!

Much Love and Merry Christmas!