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Back in Bandera

Posted on November 24, 2021 by Maria Russell

My, my. A body does get around. -William Faulkner, Light in August

November 22, 2021. Just when we were just getting settled into life in Oak Grove, the time came for us to leave Arkansas. We had to. As part of our buying the lot, we agreed to honor any reservations that had been previously made, and it had already been reserved for the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Leaving wasn’t easy; we already love being there.

We never thought our home base would be in northwest Arkansas, but it ‘checked all the boxes’ as far as what we were looking for. If it weren’t for the fact that the average winter temperature is somewhere in the mid-20s, we’d stay there year round. Such as it is, November 14th was set as our departure date. Biscuit, our pup who’d had surgery, was healing wonderfully, and the saggy slide topper that had been a pain to deal with while traveling finally got replaced. All systems were go.

On travel days, we drive about 4 hours and travel somewhere around 200 miles. We take our time because Felix is big and heavy and besides, there’s no rush. I’m driving most of the time now, and I love it. The itinerary for Day 1, as determined by the gps, routed us through the Boston and Ouachita Mountains (my first real experience driving hilly, 2-lane, curvy roads). That was an experience. Sometimes there’d be a line of cars behind us, just dying to pass, but I tried hard not to let it get to me. They just had to wait.

Somewhere in Oklahoma, not one, not two, but THREE brown wasps somehow entered the rig as I was driving on a 2-lane highway that had no shoulder. I am deathly afraid of, and highly allergic to, insect stings—so, my anxiety level escalated more and more as the 2-lane went on and on. Dave knows how easily I freak out and kept repeating sternly, “Maria, keep your eyes on the road!” All I could think of was, When am I ever going to be able to pull over???

By the time we reached such a place, Dave and I surmised that a nest must’ve been built inside the air horn up on the roof, and that the sudden rush of wind caused by speed forced them down and inside the rig somehow. Once we were stopped, the wasps were dealt with in short order. And now a fly swatter has a prominent place in the front of the rig.

Our first stop: The Rock House in Talahina, Oklahoma. Off the beaten path, quiet and private. Wonderful restaurant, serving THE best shrimp alfredo!

Would you believe that the same thing with the wasps happened on Day 2??? Again, I was driving. This time, though, we were caught up in Dallas traffic when the wasps appeared, so our speed was markedly less. I have never been so grateful for traffic to come to a standstill!

Up until this trip, Dallas has been a necessary evil, simply an unavoidable part of the north-south route. As with every big city, I dread having to drive through it, but this time was different: My good friend Pat had recently moved from California to one of its suburbs, and we planned to meet. It would be the first time in more than 30 years that we’d see each other. She and I had gone to college together, lived together, and she was my one and only bridesmaid when Dave and I married. At one point we’d been very close, but as the years flew by and Life took over for both of us, we had fallen out of touch.

I was completely unaware of and thrilled to learn that a state park laid just 10 miles southwest of Dallas: Cedar Hill State Park. Pat’s brother had camped there, and that’s how she knew of it. It’s good to know this place exists; it’s easy to get to and it’s only $30 for a full hook-up site. Our reunion went splendidly, and Pat and I yakked non-stop into the evening, catching up and reconnecting. It was wonderful, and now when I think about going back to Dallas in the spring, I’m excited.

After that we laid low for a few days at an Army Corps of Engineers park (Union Grove) until the weekend, when we went to Austin to spend time with our son and our grandsons. This was a good trip all the way around. We have so much to be grateful for.

We made it safely to Bandera late Sunday afternoon, and back to the park we’ve been coming back to for the past five years, Pioneer River Resort. We put more than 4,200 miles on Felix this year without any issues or incidents, thank God, and she has performed well and reliably. On more than just a few occasions, we’ve voiced sincere gratitude for the convenience of now having a car that we can tow on its own wheels rather than having one that needed to be hauled on a trailer. What a big difference that has made!

It’s good to be back in Bandera. We let Silver Sage know we were back and immediately were assigned a Meals on Wheels’ route which we’ll begin today. The route that was assigned is one we’ve had before, so it will be good to see familiar faces again. And tomorrow is the annual Thanksgiving potluck which, unlike last year, will be enjoyed without having to wear masks and cumbersome plastic gloves. Over the past 20 months or so, it’s the the little things like that that have come to mean so much.

Wishing you love, good health, and an abundance of Thanksgiving blessings. Until next time…Maria ☺️

Somewhat Settling

Posted on October 31, 2021 by Maria Russell

This entire time I’ve been thinking about where my home was. At first it was California, then Wisconsin. But in truth, home isn’t necessarily where you sleep at night. It’s where you feel like yourself. Where you’re most comfortable. Where you don’t have to pretend, where you can just be you.
Elizabeth Eulberg, Better Off Friends

October 30th, 2021

It’s a bone-chilling, rainy day in Oak Grove, Arkansas (pop. 395), and I’m writing from “our pad” at the lake (RV pad, Table Rock Lake.) We’ve been looking for a home-base for a while, and last month Dave and I bought a lot in an RV resort community in northwest Arkansas, just south of the Arkansas/Missouri state line. Even though it’s close to Branson, MO as-the-crow-flies, windy country roads make it a 40-minute drive. It’s rural (loose cows on the road is common), and peaceful, quiet, and safe.

We can be here as much as we’d like and when we’re not, our lot can be rented. The office takes care of everything, from booking to disbursements, and judging from what we’ve seen in the short time we’ve been here, this place gets a fair amount of business in spite of its out-of-the-way location. Or maybe because of it.

The couple who sold us the lot were moving to Las Vegas, so they included everything in the purchase price: outdoor furniture, patio umbrellas, a couple of monster grills, even their golf cart. Dave’s not had his scooter for several months now, so he likes having wheels again. Having only just arrived a couple of weeks ago, we haven’t had the chance to experience the “resort” part of the place, but there are a couple of swimming pools and jacuzzis, tennis courts, a pickleball court, a 9-hole golf course, two dog parks, a clubhouse and, of course, the lake.

Table Rock Lake, which we learned while working at the Visitors Center this summer, has nearly 800 miles of shoreline, with lots of “fingers.” Where we’re at is at the southeastern-most part of the lake and very calm, compared to just north of here, where the Visitors Center and dam are located. The state park marina is also there, and the lake activity can be crazy. We didn’t get our kayaks out once this summer. Here, I know we will.

Our intention (I stopped saying “the plan” because so many have been changed in the past 18 months) is to be here at least six months out of the year. We’ll still go to Texas this winter and volunteer at the dam Visitors Center again next year (assuming it ever opens again), so that takes care of the other six.

RVing with pups presents its own share of concerns, one of which is finding good veterinary care wherever we happen to be. Biscuit, our 13-year-old pup, had a massive lump growing behind her right shoulder. Originally we were going to wait until we got to Bandera to have it removed because her vet is there, but it got to the point where it was so big that it (we) couldn’t wait any longer.

The veterinary clinic in Green Forest, AR(kansas), St. Francis, came highly recommended and now I know why. Biscuit’s surgery was Tuesday, and within 24 hours, she was close to being back to her old self and every day she just gets better. God bless veterinarians everywhere; they are a special breed, for sure.

I’ve been looking for a hotel, motel, or condo for my brother and sister-in-law, who’d like to visit. One day I saw a billboard advertising a development called Morningside. It read, “Stay a night…a week…a lifetime!” and since it was less than 10 miles from where we are, it was worth investigating.

Remember Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker? Remember the 700 Club? Well, he’s now with Lori and the PTL Club is alive and well at Morningside in Blue Eye, Missouri (pop. 30). Praise the Lord!!

We went there last week to inquire about the nightly rentals and happened to walk in on a live taping of the Jim Bakker Show. The thought occurred to me that it might be hilarious to rent a condo there for my brother and not tell him anything about it 😈, but I like my sister-in-law much too much to do that. We’ll keep looking.

That’s about all from this end. Happy Halloween everyone. Be safe and stay well. ☮️♥️and great big hugs 🤗- Maria

Baseball, Barbecue and a Bridge

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Maria Russell

October 26th, 2021

Hello, again!👋

Since writing last, we’ve traveled clockwise from southeastern Missouri to Memphis to just north of Little Rock, and now we’re at our place at the lake for about three weeks. For us, going to Memphis was an unexpected detour on the way to Oak Grove, Arkansas, but one we happily took because we were able to meet up with Kate, Joey, and our grandkids.

I only know of two RV parks in the Memphis area: Tom Sawyer, which was full, and the RV park at Agricenter International that, luckily, had two spaces available right next to the other. What the park lacked in ambiance and amenities was more than compensated by the onsite Farmers Market and general proximity to just about anyplace we could ever want to go. Including Ikea, which we went to twice.

The whole point of going to Memphis was for a baseball tournament and to see our grandson play. The tournament was played in Millington, 30 miles away, at USA Stadium, the training site of the USA Olympic baseball teams from 1986-96. Being a diehard baseball fan, I thought that was pretty neat, particularly since I recognized a few names on the board as those who went on to play professionally.

We lingered in Memphis for a couple of days after the tournament and Kate and the kids returned to Hopkinsville. We wandered aimlessly through the ginormous Bass Pro Shop inside the iconic Pyramid, something we’d never been inside before, though we’ve transited that stretch of I-40 many times. We cruised Beale Street and ate some authentic Memphis barbecue: a brisket sandwich that was SO good! For being an unplanned destination, Memphis turned out to be a really good time.

The tenth and last stop of our 6-week trip were spent at Choctaw, a USACE campground in Clinton, Arkansas, about 70 miles north of Little Rock on Highway 65 (which actually leads to Branson.) My expectations were low; I was just glad to be in the middle of nowhere and out of the city.

Unbeknownst to us, just four miles north of the campground laid the Natural Bridge of Arkansas (NBA.) Dave loves to explore, so he was game at going even though it was only last month that we traipsed down a very steep incline in Pomona in search of the natural bridge there in Southern Illinois, which we never did find. Not that it wasn’t there; we stopped looking for it. We had descended vertically down a rocky path at such a fast pace that going back up was going to be hell. Dave really struggled (read: He stopped talking to me.) And, we had the pups. And it was hot. (He didn’t bring water; but I did. So, he eventually had to succumb to his silence.😉)

A huge billboard advertising the NBA is on a long, inclined stretch of Hwy. 65, so you can’t miss the turnoff, coming or going because you’re either riding your brakes or pressing the pedal to the metal just to keep climbing. The bridge is accessed through the visitors center; one learns that the 120-feet of sandstone was formed over millions of years and was regularly used by loggers in the 19th and 20th centuries. It’s said to also have been the hideout of outlaw Belle Starr who, according to legend, was not unfamiliar with Jesse James.

Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me.

The march up to the bridge was along a wide and well-maintained walkway. Along the way was a small area set aside for picnicking, as well as two century-old buildings: one that served as the visitor center and gift shop, and the other that housed period artifacts. Wherever we are, we enjoy stopping to smell the roses, and discovering small town treasures such as this is always such a special find. It makes it easier to remember where we’ve been!

Over the course of the past six weeks, I discovered a few things about myself that I journaled about elsewhere. But one of the biggest self-discoveries was that I really enjoyed every single day of the trip, especially the days that we were on the road. I drove Felix a lot, and loved it. This time last year, I wasn’t driving the rig at all. Being on an extended trip for days on end (sharing a rather teeny-tiny space with Dave, Biscuit, and Victor) such as this gave me much to be grateful for. And I journaled about that, too. Actually, I’ve been writing profusely while on this trip, and I’m super excited to be stopped for a few weeks in the beautiful Ozarks. The autumn colors are just now starting to pop!!

And so, our 6-week, 10-stop road trip has come to an end, for a little while at least. I think I’ll write a separate post about our place here in Arkansas because this one’s gone on long enough. For those who care, we are still planning to winter in Bandera, arriving sometime around mid-November. NOVEMBER? And, as if I needed THIS reminder, this was announced outside the restaurant in Green Forest, AR that we ate breakfast at today.

Until next time, peace ☮️ love ❤️ and great big hugs 🤗-Maria

Two Weeks of Nomadicy

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Maria Russell

October 7th, 2021

Greetings again, Friends and Family. ☺️

A period of two weeks laid in between our trip to Kentucky and our place in Arkansas, the latter being something we acquired just recently—an RV pad for Felix on Table Rock Lake in Oak Grove, Arkansas. Not something we saw coming, but something we’re happy about just the same.

You might’ve sensed by reading previous blogs that we really enjoyed being in Branson this summer. Very much so, and certainly more than we expected to. There’s so much to do there, what with the lake and the shows and attractions. Plus, we’ve already said okay to volunteering at the dam Visitors Center again next summer.

Long story short, we bought a pad in an RV community about 30 miles south of Branson, just across the Missouri/Arkansas state line. We have no idea how long we will be full-time RVers, but with SO MANY people buying campers and motorhomes within the past 18 months or so, it’s getting more and more challenging to find a place to be for more than just a couple of days. Now we have our own place.

One of the things that sweetened the deal was that the space can be rented out when we’re not using it. Like next summer when we’re working in Branson. That’s why we’re not able to be there before the 16th…certain dates were already reserved under the previous owner.

So, beginning October 1st, we had to find someplace to be for sixteen nights. It’s frustrating enough these days trying to find campsites for a week or two, not to mention trying to reserve certain dates, especially now. Cooler temps and fall foliage make autumn a favorite time to go camping. We’re lucky to string a few days here and a few days there…So, for the 16 days we’re wandering, we’ll be in Rend Lake (IL), Greenville (MO), Memphis (TN) and Clifton (AR). With the exception of Memphis, all the campgrounds are Army Corps of Engineers. We gravitate towards them; we’ve yet to find one we don’t like.

The one we’re at now (Old Greenville, 125 miles south of St. Louis) is the most unusual one so far, with a cemetery smack in the middle of the campground. The campground was built on the site of the town that was eventually relocated two miles north after the construction on the dam was completed in 1941. It was both interesting and eerie to walk along Memory Lane, with signage denoting where this and that once stood. Because of its historical and archaeological significance, Old Greenville was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in March 1990. Along its dilapidated sidewalks that fronted cracked foundations, visitors get a peek into what Greenville must have been like in its heyday, which spanned 150 years. Information about certain buildings—such as the local school (that once housed as many as 350 students), hotel, post office, Methodist church and parsonage, jail, court house, gas stations, stores, and the home of the local doctor—made this unexpected walking tour very interesting and enjoyable.

A driving force behind Greenville‘s prosperity and growth was Hiram Holladay. He owned a sawmill, several stores, a railroad, a huge lumber mill, vast acres of timber, and over time shrewdly built a vertically integrated business empire that employed 700 workers.

But Hiram Holladay was not a nice man to work for. He withheld the pay of new employees for 60 days, and when payday finally came, the workers were not paid entirely in cash, but mostly with coupons that could be used to buy goods and food from one of Holladay’s many businesses. Most workers could not save up enough cash to look for work elsewhere, so they were virtually stuck. The lyrics to a 1946 Merle Travis song sums up the harsh reality of life for unskilled workers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, “I owe my soul to the company store.” Hiram Holladay was so disliked that when he was murdered on May 13, 1899, the accused murderer (the husband of the woman Holladay was having an affair with) was simply fined $500 for the offense.

Finally, after years of flooding, the St. Francis River was dammed, creating Wappapello Lake and all the recreational opportunities that go along with it. I’m glad we came here, even if it was only for a couple of nights. You never know what you’re going to find!

We’ve had our share of snafus on this excursion— nothing critical, thank goodness. The most annoying thing is that the spring that holds the port slide cover taut broke, so the slide cover sags when the slide is out. We’ll get it fixed when we’re in Arkansas but, meanwhile, bringing that slide in will be a 2-person job. Not a big deal.

Out of sight, out of mind. Until the slide cover somehow works its way out from underneath while Felix is flying down the highway…no doubt billowed out like a sail on a windy day. The very ominous slapping sound coming from the roof signaled that we had to find a place to pull over ASAP. Thank goodness we didn’t have to go far before a truck stop came into view. Once Felix was safely parked, out came the ladder and the duct tape. It’s always something.

Until next time…peace, much love and long hugs—Maria

PS I almost forgot…I received messages that a couple of places we’ve previously workamped are looking for volunteers for next year: Land Between the Lakes (Kentucky) and Sherando Lake (Virginia). All the details for these and many more opportunities can be found at www.volunteer.gov. 🍁🍃🍂

Autumn Ramblings

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Maria Russell

September 22, 2021

Greetings again, Family and Friends! And Happy Autumn!🍃🍂🍁

This post has been in the works for at least a couple of weeks. But we’ve been on the road since September 6th, and for the most part, it’s been actual ‘camping.’ With limited utilities (particularly, sewer) we’ve had to be aware of our usage and make sure we didn’t deplete the fresh water tank nor overfill the black water tank (poopy.) I’ve always had much appreciation for well-maintained facilities, and it’s as close to camping as I want to get.

After more than four months, we finally pulled out of Branson on Labor Day. As much as we enjoyed it there, we were anxious to get back out on the road. Neither we, nor Felix, benefit by sitting too long. The holiday traffic on Highway 65 that morning was surprisingly steady, and in some places it crept along at a snail’s pace. It was like that all the way to Springfield (just 60 miles, thank goodness), where Felix had an appointment at Cummins for routine service.

Ordinarily I don’t write about a place that we go to for service, but Springfield, Missouri is an exception. It’s got a lot going for it, and would definitely be worth stopping for a day or two if you ever found yourself in that area. Besides being the birthplace of historic Route 66, Springfield boasts one of the top aquariums in the USA and maintains more than 90 unique parks throughout the city and Greene County.

Ever since the dam Visitors Center closed at the end of July, we’d been hearing that southwestern Missouri was a “covid red zone” and so, of course, we were concerned, but not overly, since Branson seemed back to normal and was wide open for business.

Because Felix’s servicing took two whole days (from 7am-to 5pm), we had to have somewhere to go or somewhere to be all day long. With the pups. No matter where we went—parks, restaurants, the mall, Camping World, Bass Pro Shop, the Aquarium—we found that the the story was the same: Very few mask wearers. People living life as usual.

It’s hard to know what to believe anymore. According to an article published in the New York Times, “Springfield’s daily average of cases is three times the national average, while Branson is four times the national average.” But we didn’t see any evidence of such a thing. Instead, we saw several of these billboards across the city.🤷🏻‍♀️

If this is a ‘red zone,’ I wonder why more people aren’t vax’d? Some things just don’t add up.🤔

The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, next door to Bass Pro Shop, “The Grandaddy of All Outdoor Stores,” is AMAZING in every sense of the word and totally worth the price of admission. Of course, upon learning that it’s another Johnnie Morris-conservation endeavor, the expectation is for a certain, stellar experience, and this did not disappoint. Everything about it was over-the-top, and to be honest with you, we didn’t even make it to the museum area—it was that massive (350,000 square feet.) We used the pups as our excuse for leaving after more than two hours (they were in the car—windows down🐾) , but we were exhausted! (Double-tap on photos to enlarge)

One place we returned to time and again (because it was shady, beautiful, and free) was the Botanical Garden, a place we had discovered last year when we were here for service. It is truly a fantastic place to wile away the hours…if by chance you go, be sure to go to the Visitors Center first and pick up a map. There are 113-acres of paved trails that meander through varied themed gardens, past numerous playgrounds, and around Lake Drummond. There, only a few people were wearing masks, and, like Branson, life seemed to be back to normal (pre-March 2020.)

Springfield is a fun place to just cruise…and we did that a lot, just to pass the time. Murals pop up all over town; I read somewhere that there are more than 40!

Our camping reservations in Kentucky didn’t begin until 9/17, so we got to spend a week at one of our favorite places, Giant City State Park in the Shawnee Forest in southern Illinois. The rock formations there are ancient and magnificent, and the rolling hills of lush forest are simply beautiful. The best part is that it’s just a couple hours from St. Louis, so my brother and sister-in-law met us for a few days. I love it when we can get together.

Though it might seem that this mobile lifestyle is all fun and games, there are certain inherent challenges to RV-living that are not pleasant to talk about but exist nevertheless…such as critters. I’m not sure how it happened, but somewhere along the line we picked up some gnats and within hours it became an infestation! It was disgusting. When it comes to pests, there are never just a few. There were millions. After having marginal luck with those sticky fly tape rolls hanging all over and chasing after them with the Dust Buster, Dave did some online research and set up a couple of traps using apple cider vinegar. They were almost all gone after just 24 hours.

Now we’re in western Kentucky, and will spend as much time as we can with Kate and the kids. She is heading up to Boston to brew beer with Samuel Adams (the link goes to a recent Forbes magazine article.☺️) After that, we’ll head back to the Branson area for a couple of weeks. We loved the area so much that we started looking at property, and well, you can probably figure out the rest. I’ll write about it more in the next blog. 😉

Until next time…♥️🤗☮️ Maria

The Show-Me State Sure Showed Me!

Posted on September 5, 2021 by Maria Russell

On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it. -Jules Renard, French author

September 5th, 2021

Greetings again, dear family and friends.

Hope this finds you doing well and having a great day.☺️ For the past five weeks we’ve been enjoying the heck out of Branson since we’d been given permission to stay even though the dam Visitors Center remained closed. I still don’t get it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Every place else is business as usual…especially this weekend since it’s a holiday weekend. There aren’t many people wearing masks around here, and I haven’t seen another business ‘temporarily closed,’ so… 🤷🏻‍♀️

Even if we had been workamping, we’d still have all kinds of time to explore the area. Besides the shows, Silver Dollar City, and the lake, there are three attractions that ought to be on every visitors’ Must See list when they come to Branson: Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Big Cedar Lodge, and Top of the Rock. All were inspired by the founder of Bass Pro Shop, Johnnie Morris, who grew up around here, fishing on Table Rock Lake. All three are stunning, breathtakingly beautiful, warm, and inviting.

At the suggestion of our neighbor Glenn, another volunteer, we rented a golf cart and explored the Lost Cave and Nature Trail at Top of the Rock the other day. The timing could not have been better; the third and fourth weeks of August are delightfully slow in and around Branson because the kids are back in school. And on this particular day the temps were in the low 80’s. Perfect.

The Overview. And WHAT a view!

Our electronic dashboard guide awaited us as we climbed aboard the golf cart, and off we went. Pictures don’t do this place justice. What a paradise! (Note: To enlarge images, double tap.)

The route was two-and-a-half miles of stunning rock formations, waterfalls, sturdy Amish-built bridges, and panoramic views of Table Rock Lake and the Ozark Plateau.

Early on the morning on May 22, 2015 the earth opened, leaving a gaping sinkhole 80’ wide by 35’ deep. Archeologists were called in to assess what had been partially uncovered. Rather than filling in the hole, MORE dirt was removed, revealing an underground wonder! That work continues today, with the goal of eventually connecting the “Cathedral of Nature” to the Lost Canyon Cave golf cart route.

Our summer in Branson has been surprisingly super enjoyable for us. Discovering all the natural beauty in this part of Missouri and Arkansas has been such a delightful adventure, over and above actually living AT the lake (which has been awesome!) We have enjoyed all of it.

After a little more than four months, we’re leaving tomorrow, but only up to Springfield (60 miles) where we’ll visit Cummins and get Felix serviced. So it’s more of a shakedown cruise, which is always a good idea after sitting awhile.

From there, we plan to be at Giant City State Park in Southern Illinois from 9/10-17, Grand Rivers, KY from 9/17-24, and Cadiz, KY from 9/24-10/1. We’re really looking forward to seeing family and friends before we head south for the winter.

As usual, I’ll be sure to write along the way. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Take care and stay healthy. ❤️ 🤗 and ☮️

Maria 😃

Culinary Nirvana.

Posted on August 2, 2021 by Maria Russell

August 2nd, 2021

Here it is, the morning after, and I’m still savoring memories of yesterday’s brunch at the Keeter Center. Nirvana, indeed.

We’d been there once before, way back in April when we first arrived in Branson. I’d spotted a billboard advertisement on the highway and the words “farm fresh” caught my attention. So did its #1 restaurant ranking on Trip Advisor. I thought it interesting that the area’s top restaurant was located on a college campus. I didn’t even know there was a college in Branson.

Keeter Center sits on the scenic and tranquil grounds of the College of the Ozarks, and both are impressive. The former, because the multi-functional dining, lodging, and event center is a learning laboratory for students and provides a multitude of on-the-job experiences in the field of dining and hospitality. The latter, because what began as a high school in 1906 has evolved into a fully accredited, Christian, liberal arts college that provides the opportunity for full-time students to work at one of more than 100 campus jobs or industries to help pay for part of their cost of education. It’s with a great deal of pride that the college proudly calls itself Hard Work U.

Students fill all restaurant positions, as well as bake, cook, and even raise the cows whose cream is used to make Keeter Center’s decadent ice cream.

I love Sunday brunch, and apparently a lot of other people do, too, because when I called for reservations in early July, the first Sunday available was August 1st, and not until 1:30 p.m. So, if you know you’re coming to Branson and you want to have at least one special meal while you’re here, definitely call ahead and make reservations (800-222-0525). They’re already taking reservations for Thanksgiving dinner!

Reality check.

Posted on July 24, 2021 by Maria Russell

July 23, 2021

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” -Mike Tyson

Isn’t that the truth? Plans and schedules can evaporate just like that.

In less than a week, two out of the five volunteer-couples here have had to leave Branson unexpectedly. Both situations were health-related and extremely dire. What a grim reminder that our worlds can turn upside down in a heartbeat.

There was never a question that those of us remaining volunteers would pick up the slack, but the turn of events definitely threw a monkey wrench into the work schedule for the remainder of the summer which had already been made. Hats off to Ranger Phillips, the 20-something USACE ranger responsible for the volunteer staff, who didn’t leave us wondering for very long as to how we’d be affected. What had been a schedule of three half-days on and four days off is now two full-days on and four off. It works.

This ‘punch in the mouth’ was a wake-up call on several levels. It prompted Dave and me to review our insurance coverage to ensure that certain things were covered, like getting the RV transported to a specified location in the event we couldn’t do it ourselves, as well as ensuring that our pups would safely get to someone we’d designate. It also got us talking again about what we call our “exit plan,” or rather, the next chapter. We know we can’t travel and live in an RV indefinitely…or can we?

We have met and workamped with a few RVers who were a few years older than us; they also had been full-timing for as many as 20+ years with no intention of stopping anytime soon. Not having an exit plan didn’t seem to concern them; they were comfortable taking the we’ll-cross-that-bridge-when-we-get-to-it approach.

Also on the work-front, we’re back to wearing masks while we’re working after nearly two months of normalcy. If you can believe the news, southwest Missouri supposedly is a hotbed for the latest variant of the virus. Given the number of tourists who come to Branson, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the Visitor Center will have to close at some point; I understand it’s been discussed.

I’m confused because something doesn’t seem right.

Because if the vaccine works 100% (like other vaccines, such as the one for polio, shingles, measles, mumps, etc.), then the pandemic should be over, right?

And if it is 100% effective, vaccinated people should be protected against the virus, right?

So why are vaccinated people testing positive? Either the PCR test is wrong or the vaccine isn’t effective…which is it? What is the truth?

One truth I know is that today is all we have. I know we hear that a lot, but I take it more to heart these days.

LIVE on purpose.

LAUGH often.

LOVE one another.

And be grateful. Always be grateful.

☮️ ,♥️, and 🤗, Maria

Never a Dull Moment

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Maria Russell

“…the events of today have only the importance that belongs to today. I greet the unknown with a cheer, and press forward joyously, exulting in the great adventure.” -Emmet Fox

June 30, 2021

Greetings from Branson, still☺️

I hope y’all are well and having a good summer. I’m writing this immediately following our tween granddaughter’s visit…10-days of almost non-stop activity. We’re exhausted. Except for the three half-days Dave and I worked at the Visitors Center, we played Tourist and did A LOT. It was great, and we had fun making memories. We discovered what bazillions of people already know: that Branson, Missouri is a fantastic place to go on vacation.

This was the perfect time to take advantage of a benefit available to us as volunteers—freebies and discounts at many of the attractions and live shows. Tickets for two live shows, Amazing Pets (they were!) and the Magnificent 7 (they were, too!) and a couple of truly fantastic attractions, the Butterfly Palace and Talking Rocks Cavern, were all gratis. (Besides being the Show-Me State, I learned that Missouri is also known as the Cave State, having more than 7,300 recorded caves!)

We also saw Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, something everyone who visits Branson should do at least once. Even though our granddaughter couldn’t bring herself to eat very much of the four-course meal (to include a whole chicken) barehanded, she loved watching the trick horseback riders, the 32 magnificent horses perform musical productions, and the unbelievable stunts—especially the rider who commanded two horses to jump through a flaming ring of fire as she rode them standing, one leg on each horse.

We did some outdoor things, too. With almost 800 miles of shoreline, Table Rock Lake is another major attraction in this area, and we are blessed to have it right in our backyard. Literally. So another activity was floating in the lake on inflatable inner tubes. We did that a couple of times before our granddaughter freaked out, thinking that a fish nibbled on her bottom! After seeing the size some of the bass and trout that are pulled out of the lake, that very well might have happened!

We spent an afternoon riding bikes in magical Dogwood Canyon, all the way to Arkansas! And when we were back at the RV, she was either walking the grounds and picking up litter (with Papa) or playing cards, mostly double solitaire and blackjack (with me.😉)

Although Missouri is my home state, I didn’t know much about this part of the Ozarks, so being here has been both educational and eye-opening. Previously my impression of Branson was that it was a family-friendly Las Vegas with a lot of live shows, attractions and amusements. But that is only part of the story. There are outdoor activities galore—boating, scuba diving, kayaking, fishing, swimming, tubing, waterskiing, golf, spelunking, hiking, zip lining, and more. No wonder so many people come here year after year on vacation!

Until next time…stay safe, and be well. Happy Independence Day! Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 Love & Peace, Maria.

It’s Looking Like a Branson-Kind of Summer

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Maria Russell

May 31st, 2021

You can devise all the plans in the world, but if you don’t welcome spontaneity, you will just disappoint yourself. –Abigail Biddinger

Hello, Family and Friends!

The Dewey Short Visitors Center at Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, officially re-opened on May 14th, fourteen months after being shuttered by the scam/plandemic, and more than two months after the original date of March 1. We thought by now that we’d be packing up and getting ready to head out, our commitment of volunteering March-May having ended. But that plan got tossed out the window the day the Visitors Center opened, when we were asked to stay on through Labor Day because another couple had backed out. We’ve discovered that. so often, unexpected opportunities pop up unexpectedly, so we said, “Sure!”

Otherwise, our plan for the summer was to bounce around from one Corps-campground to another and slowly make our way to South Dakota and Mount Rushmore by early September. Staying here seemed like a better option, though. The benefits far outweigh the cost of cancelling the seven reservations I’d made ($10/each.)

For one thing, having a free RV hookup and no fuel or maintenance expenses for three months in exchange for 2 or 3 half-days a week will save us a ton of money. Also, volunteers are able to see the shows and attractions in Branson either for free or for half-priced (and there are so many to choose from!) But possibly the best reason of all is that we feel safe, being hunkered down here. All things considered—rising fuel costs, vaccine/vaccine passport, border/illegal immigrant situation, not to mention all the brouhaha over the November election audits—that carries a lot of weight these days.

Our job is to welcome everyone with a smile, answer questions, help with demonstrations, distribute giveaways, straighten up when needed, and perform duties as assigned (such as prepping the conference room and theater for meetings or workshops.) If it’s slow, one of us is allowed to go outside and pick up litter in the parking lot and walkways…which is something Dave loves to do. The Visitors Center is a gorgeous, state-of-the-art building and our first indoor workamping experience. I know we’ll be so grateful for that come July and August when the outdoor temperatures sizzle!

We were assigned an RV spot on the south side of the Visitors Center parking lot, which is great because it’s a short 2/10 of a mile walk from Felix to work. Not only is the location perfect, but the timing is, too. Currently there is construction being done on the bridge over the dam, limiting thru-traffic to one-lane, and backups are a common thing…so we’re grateful we were assigned an RV spot here instead of at the alternate volunteer parking area on the other side of the dam—especially if this weekend’s holiday traffic was an indication of what the summer will be like.

Our trusty pups, Biscuit and Victor, seem to love being here. They don’t like it when we leave to go work, though—as evidenced by scrunched up area rugs—but they’re adapting. Besides taking them for long, daily works around here, we take them with us just about everywhere we go, so they get to smell new smells all the time. They LOVE car rides—the longer, the better—especially when a trip to Andy’s Frozen Custard is on the itinerary.

Until next time, take care and be well. Peace, love, and great big hugs, Maria ☺️

PS It’s been almost five months since I quit Facebook, and the only thing I miss is not being able to post on the Gratitude 365-page anymore. However, the daily Gratitude Challenge is still alive at www.gratitude365.us. Just thought I’d throw that in since a couple of friends asked if the Gratitude-page was still current.