October 19, 2011 Day 29 Branson, MO
We worked all day with household chores and re-mapping since our itinerary has changed.
It was 43? when we got to the Shepherd of the Hills OUTDOOR amphitheatre. We definitely should have planned to see this when the low was in the mid-70?s 6 days ago. We came prepared with coats, cold-weather mittens, and blankets.
The people who were putting on the ?Shepherd of the Hills? play were so nice, and they give everyone a tram ride down to the amphitheatre?which only had about 30 people in the audience. The amphitheatre probably holds close to 1000. There are about 30 people in the cast, so we had a 1:1 ratio!
It is a very well-run operation. There was great action?real horses with wagons racing across a large dirt area, a cabin being set afire, fist fights where the actors hit their own hands with such force we could hear the slaps clearly, and gun fights. The acting ranged from excellent to OK, which is amazing considering that the script was so poorly written. It might be OK for a family outing in the summer. At the intermission, they invite people to come down and square dance with them (their caller was great, and so were the dancers).
Unfortunately, there was a ?breeze? blowing, which made that 43? feel like 3?, and about 2/3 of the way through, we wimped out. I was all wrapped up in my blanket, but my face was so cold, it hurt. When I covered my face with my blanket, my glasses fogged up, and I couldn?t see. The tram driver was so nice when he came to pick us up to take us back to the parking lot. He said not to feel bad, that the actors were really complaining and wanting to be gone, too.
Staying at Pea Patch?FHU, 50 amps, very nice managers, theatre tickets available at a discount, all gravel, built on tiers, not scenic at all, $19.
October 20, 2011 Day 30 Eureka Springs, Arkansas
We hurried to set up the RV when we arrived in Eureka Springs because I wanted to get to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. We were unable to get our satellite reception because of big trees.
We got to the TCWR in time for the 4:00 tour, the optimum time. TCWR rescues primarily big cats, but they also have a servile, a black bear, a coati, and a rabies-vaccinated coyote. I learned that the coyote could not be released, because if he were ever bitten by a rabid animal, he would not get rabies, but he would become a carrier. We got the cart tour, and our guide was an intern, as were many of the employees. He has a masters degree in animal behavior research, and he works here as an intern for 6-months for room, board, and $50/week?just to have the experience. He told us the story of each animal, and there was a recurring theme of breeders in-breeding and creating defective offspring, and individuals who didn?t realize until too late that cute cubs grow up to be big cats who eat a lot, are expensive, and are dangerous. I can?t understand why some states, primarily Texas, allow people to own exotic animals. At 5:00, the keepers did the feeding, so the animals were very active. Walmart and Tyson Chicken donate all the food. Cages were very clean; this is a good facility. Our visit was interesting and enjoyable, AND it is only because of the wonderful people at the RVForum that we knew to come.
The Refuge has an RV park with FHU and 50-amps. We will stay there next time.
Then we went to the Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down. Admission with a coupon and senior discount was $20, which was about $18 too much. Dean and I thought the jokes were really corny, and they kept repeating the same thing again and again, while they laughed. The singing wasn?t any better. They asked us to ?Give it up for _____? at least 30 times. I?ve never been commanded to applaud like that before. I have always thought applause was a spontaneous acclamation of the performers? skills. We did enjoy the fiddler, although he had a few mistakes.
Maybe we just don?t get country humor and performing because many in the audience seemed to enjoy it. Bummer!
Stayed at Kettle Campground--$13.50 with Passport America discount, 50 amps, FHU, WIFI is $3 extra, and they don?t ask if you want it. We didn?t discover that our Motosat wouldn?t work until we came back from the TCWR, so we couldn?t get WIFI tonight.