Retired and Trippin

At 1:30 PM on Wednesday, December 19th, my bride and I were off for Branson for a quick one night stay. Samson was showing at the Sight and Sound Theater and we were going to see it this evening. Driving nonstop it took us 3 hours and 15 minutes. After arriving at our motel we settled in, had a snack dinner that we brought with us, and walked laps around the parking lot. The snack did not quite satisfy Chris, who needed some fries. We drove to McDonald's where Chris scored her fries while I enjoyed a chocolate shake. We arrived at Sight and Sound Theater at 7:00 for the 7:30 showing of Samson. It was decorated for the Christmas season including a humongous fake Christmas tree outside the front doors. Warm pecans covered with sweet goodness were indulged in prior to the show. Samson was very entertaining. I enjoyed it despite the excessive singing and dancing and the fake fight scenes. Chris enjoyed it all. The sets were extraordinary. On Thursday, December 20th, we enjoyed a co

This morning Chris and I realized it was going to be a beautiful day so we decided to take advantage of it. For some time now we've been wanting to visit Pershing State Park near Laclede, MO, where there was a boardwalk walking trail through the forest. We decided to go for it. We took off late morning, I-35 north into Missouri and Hwy 36 eastbound. In Chillicothe, MO we stopped at Applebee's for lunch before our walk. About 20 miles east of Chillicothe on Hwy 139 we entered Pershing State Park and located the Locust Creek Boardwalk and Riparian Trail. It was a pretty area. During certain times of the year it is a wetlands area, thus the need for the boardwalk. I think we'll make a point to return sometime in a rainy season. After leaving the boardwalk trail we walked the very short Scout Trail. We also visited the War Angel statue. The history of the artist is very interesting! After leaving the park we visited Laclede, MO to see General P