Branson Trips
We have been to Branson Multiple times to see the different shows, so I'm going to combine all the trips under Branson Trips.
Our first trip to branson was also our maiden trip so we were extremely nervous hoping and praying we got everything lined up, hotels, shows, meals and all... We had a excellent bus driver Chet who seemed to have nerves of steel which was needed in Illinois as they had gotten freezing rain and snow mix, roads were icy. But don't fret we made it there and back in one piece.... We had a small group and we had a good time.
We have gone back multiple times seeing different shows, attractions, and EATERIES. Lets not forget the food side of these trips the buffets, sit down family resturaunts and others in between.
Here's what we've seen so far (in no particular order)
"Dino" ~ Dino Kartsanakis, well known Piano player. This was a Christmas Show, Dino played some traditional Christmas songs as well as some he has composed himself. He was amazing on his pianos.....
"24 Karat Cakes" ~ owned by Dino was a last minute surprise... The Bakery is located out side of Branson. Featuring Carrot (Karat) Cakes, Cinnamon Rolls and other baked goods. Dino came out to the bus, greeted us and ushered us into his bakery.
"SIX" ~ "Everything you're about to hear... Comes from... Six... Human... Voices". That's right the Knudsen Brothers aka SIX (six of them, no sisters), perform all their songs by using their voices, including the instruments. These extraordinary gentlemen put on one big show. Songs they do are: Good Vibrations (Beach Boys), With or without you (U2) My Way (Frank Sinatra) and so on. Each brother has his own talent, one does like a beat box, the youngest brother does electric guitar, one does all the drums, one does trumpet, and its all done vocally. You'll be enthralled by their amazing talent. I look forward to seeing them perform again.
"Dixie Stampede" ~ The Dixie Stampede is a Dinner theatre owned by none other than Ms Dolly Parton. This dinner theatre offers two different themes, a regular show and they match it at Christmas time with a christmas theme. You start out with and opening act done in a small bar like area around a center stage. You're then ushered into the main seating/arena and brought to the tables on which the meal is served and the show begins.... There are live animals, races, wagons, a North and South rivalry, costumes that will leave you speechless, and the show wouldn't be complete with out Santa at Christmas time. It is a Rip-rootin'-boot-stompin' one HAY of a good time. The Meal is quite filling you receive a small game hen, potatoes, salad, soup and a dessert. We have seen both versions of these shows and they are both amazing. I enjoy the Christmas one as its as close to an old fashioned Christmas right down to the horse drawn wagons.
"Show Boat Branson Belle"~ A dinner theatre aboard a paddle boat... You are seated at these long tables facing the main stage. Each show presented is different each time we've gone on the boat. The one year there was a guy who had these talking animals (I can't tell you how he does it) but they make a comedy skit involving real dogs. He talks to the Boston Terrier he had and asked him how his day was and the dog responds "Well lets see I Go outside, come back in, go outside, come back in... then in the afternoon ill Go outside, come back in" it was hilarious to see. And he also used a Blood hound who seemed to be shy. The other shows they do includes singing and dancing, and whatever they got scheduled. The meal starts out with Salads, bread and beverages. And the main course is served not to long after. The servers have to be fast, as they bring all the food out at the same time. They go into the Galley area to retrieve the trays and all come out together and place all the meals down. Its a sight to see. During the meal the boat is actually cruising around Table Rock Lake.
"Clay Cooper"~ Clay Cooper as well as Neal McCoy perform in the same theatre and we've seen both shows. Clays show consist of all varieties of family type songs (season depending). He does "covers" of other artist's songs incl. Hello Darling (Conway Twitty), George Jones, Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn to name a few. Clay seems to have a decent sized group that sings with him including his wife and son. Also in the show Johnny Lonestar comes out to perform, Johnny is a Trick Roper. He starts out with a lasso spinning it bigger and bigger until its almost spinning over the audience. He also uses smaller lassos and spins them while jumping through them. Buckets N' Boards also performs during Clays Show. These 2 guys perform their musical sound on you guessed buckets and boards, their instruments consist of plastic buckets,barrels, hard hats and whatever else makes a percussion sound. Clays show is very family friendly and he does audience participation. Clay and other singers come out to greet you either on the bus or in your seats. Neal McCoy's show was really good he performed his hit songs incl. The Shake, beer goggles on, the Wink. As well as performing Christmas songs were familiar with. Neal usually is seen at Hodag in Rhinelander Wi.
"Yakov Smirnoff" ~ Yakov is a Russian (american citizen) comedian. He talks about what its like to go from Russia to America and the instant culture shock he received upon arriving here. Yakov talks bout the hard life in Russia and here in America, but he also turns on the comedy in between. You will Laugh, you will cry and you will laugh 'til you cry. He tells of the things we take for granted and is very confusing to him, eg. baby changing station must be where you can change your baby for a new one. Bet you never thought if that before, but will now.
Well I'm going to end here as we see new shows ill add them in. We look forward to Seeing You on the Bus, so come on join us for our next trip to Branson Mo
Washington DC Trip~ The Nations Capitol
Things we got to see~ Monuments, memorials, museums and more....
First thing we went to see was the Old Post Office Building/Mall. We went up in the tower to see the view of Washington DC. You could see the monuments, Capitol Hill, The White House if u looked closely. Off in the distance you could see the Washington National Cathedral... A floor below the observation area are 10 Congress Bells that get rung during special occasions July 4th and such. These Bells are rung by 10 people who stand in a circle and pull in order. Once they start they go 1 peel before they stop which last bout 3.5 hours.
We met our WADC Tour Guide and she rode around the city w us showing us the sites of the City. We started out on Capitol Hill at the US Capitiol Building. We really did'nt get to see a whole lot inside. However, the tour did take us over to The Library of Congress. We went to the Lincoln Memorial got a few pics there. The reflecting pool was under construction due to cracks. We stopped into the WWII Memorial to look around. Honor Flight was there with some WWII vets from the Illinois Area. Its intresting to see these Gentlemen there looking,reflecting, talking bout the war and the loss of fellow soliders. The night continued with our tour guide as she showed us the City in the dark. We visited the Vietnam Memorial, the Korean Memorial and The Iwo Jima Memorial aka the Marines Corps War Memorial. The Korean War Memorial was neat to see at night as the wall is black but when u take a picture the images on the wall appear in a ghost like appearance.
The next day... we went to The White House. It was cool with all the pictures and paintings of the former Presidents and the current. It look small outside but the inside is big.... I probably shouldnt be talking much bout the White House due to Security and all, no pics inside. We headed to Mount Vernon the George Washington estate... Very beautiful location on the Potomac River. We spent some free time at The Union Station mall the Trains still depart from here. Really unique interior decor....
Off the next morning to the Smithsonians, as they are 19 buildings to see (however, we did'nt see all 19 we'd be there for a week). We started out in the Castle which is like the "Lobby" for the individual buildings. Barb and I walked down to the National Air & Space building. We seen lots of Airplanes and few spacecrafts in a matter of 30 minutes as we had to be to the Bereau of Engraving and Printing at a certain time. When were in the B of E they were printing $20.00 bills they told us about how much paper,ink and other stuff they go through. Unfortunatly they dont give out free samples. We did return back to the Smithsonians, Barb and I went through the Halocaust Museum, The National Museum of American History and The National Museum of Natural History.
The American History museum has different things that had a big impact on the American History.... Some things we seen inside incl. Archie Bunkers chair from his TV show, the original Kermit The Frog, the Ruby Slippers from the Wizard of OZ.... just to name a few. In the Nat Hist Museum they had Stuffed Animals from all over the world (not childrens stuffed animals) The Hope Diamond, The big ol Copper chunk mined here in the UP from the White Pine Mine. Outside was a ore piece from one of the mines in Ishpeming..... We had a surprise planned for this evening the musical Chicago at a dinner theatre.
Last day in DC we went to Arlington Cementary, seen the Kenndy Graves and the Eternal Flame.... When i was there last John was by himself, and Jackie was added after that. Acres of white grave stones all the way around we had to miss a certain side of the Cementary due to a funeral there. We went on the Spirit of Washington Cruise dinner cruise down the potomac river seen all the buildings along the way incl The Ronald Regan International Airport. After lunch we toured the Kennedy Center and all three of the Theatre rooms inside. 2nd Surprise tonight was the play The Dollhouse presented at the Kennedy Center that evening..
Well on the way back home we stopped in Baltimore MD to the B&O Rail Museum they had a good sized collection of Trains in the old Round house that B&O used. We took a one mile train ride which was really cool, we rode past their restoration shop and there were other rail cars and locomotives awaiting restoration..... We continued on to PA where we overnighted outside of Pittsburgh and went into Pitts the next morning to take a ride aboard the JUST DUCKY TOUR duck tour we rode inside early 1940's DUKWs amphibiouscars. They took us down the river that runs through Pitts. I got to drive ours down the river and back. Barb got to be behind the wheel in hers (their guide steered) We had a quacking good time QUACK QUACK QUACK!!!
Anyhow thus ends another exciting trip for us. We hope to See You On The Bus.
Things we got to see~ Monuments, memorials, museums and more....
First thing we went to see was the Old Post Office Building/Mall. We went up in the tower to see the view of Washington DC. You could see the monuments, Capitol Hill, The White House if u looked closely. Off in the distance you could see the Washington National Cathedral... A floor below the observation area are 10 Congress Bells that get rung during special occasions July 4th and such. These Bells are rung by 10 people who stand in a circle and pull in order. Once they start they go 1 peel before they stop which last bout 3.5 hours.
We met our WADC Tour Guide and she rode around the city w us showing us the sites of the City. We started out on Capitol Hill at the US Capitiol Building. We really did'nt get to see a whole lot inside. However, the tour did take us over to The Library of Congress. We went to the Lincoln Memorial got a few pics there. The reflecting pool was under construction due to cracks. We stopped into the WWII Memorial to look around. Honor Flight was there with some WWII vets from the Illinois Area. Its intresting to see these Gentlemen there looking,reflecting, talking bout the war and the loss of fellow soliders. The night continued with our tour guide as she showed us the City in the dark. We visited the Vietnam Memorial, the Korean Memorial and The Iwo Jima Memorial aka the Marines Corps War Memorial. The Korean War Memorial was neat to see at night as the wall is black but when u take a picture the images on the wall appear in a ghost like appearance.
The next day... we went to The White House. It was cool with all the pictures and paintings of the former Presidents and the current. It look small outside but the inside is big.... I probably shouldnt be talking much bout the White House due to Security and all, no pics inside. We headed to Mount Vernon the George Washington estate... Very beautiful location on the Potomac River. We spent some free time at The Union Station mall the Trains still depart from here. Really unique interior decor....
Off the next morning to the Smithsonians, as they are 19 buildings to see (however, we did'nt see all 19 we'd be there for a week). We started out in the Castle which is like the "Lobby" for the individual buildings. Barb and I walked down to the National Air & Space building. We seen lots of Airplanes and few spacecrafts in a matter of 30 minutes as we had to be to the Bereau of Engraving and Printing at a certain time. When were in the B of E they were printing $20.00 bills they told us about how much paper,ink and other stuff they go through. Unfortunatly they dont give out free samples. We did return back to the Smithsonians, Barb and I went through the Halocaust Museum, The National Museum of American History and The National Museum of Natural History.
The American History museum has different things that had a big impact on the American History.... Some things we seen inside incl. Archie Bunkers chair from his TV show, the original Kermit The Frog, the Ruby Slippers from the Wizard of OZ.... just to name a few. In the Nat Hist Museum they had Stuffed Animals from all over the world (not childrens stuffed animals) The Hope Diamond, The big ol Copper chunk mined here in the UP from the White Pine Mine. Outside was a ore piece from one of the mines in Ishpeming..... We had a surprise planned for this evening the musical Chicago at a dinner theatre.
Last day in DC we went to Arlington Cementary, seen the Kenndy Graves and the Eternal Flame.... When i was there last John was by himself, and Jackie was added after that. Acres of white grave stones all the way around we had to miss a certain side of the Cementary due to a funeral there. We went on the Spirit of Washington Cruise dinner cruise down the potomac river seen all the buildings along the way incl The Ronald Regan International Airport. After lunch we toured the Kennedy Center and all three of the Theatre rooms inside. 2nd Surprise tonight was the play The Dollhouse presented at the Kennedy Center that evening..
Well on the way back home we stopped in Baltimore MD to the B&O Rail Museum they had a good sized collection of Trains in the old Round house that B&O used. We took a one mile train ride which was really cool, we rode past their restoration shop and there were other rail cars and locomotives awaiting restoration..... We continued on to PA where we overnighted outside of Pittsburgh and went into Pitts the next morning to take a ride aboard the JUST DUCKY TOUR duck tour we rode inside early 1940's DUKWs amphibiouscars. They took us down the river that runs through Pitts. I got to drive ours down the river and back. Barb got to be behind the wheel in hers (their guide steered) We had a quacking good time QUACK QUACK QUACK!!!
Anyhow thus ends another exciting trip for us. We hope to See You On The Bus.
New York, New York
"Start spreading the news, we're leaving today, we want to be part of it New York New York."
New York City what a heck of a city.... Taxis, buses, buildings and most of all People....
We got to see, Times Square, Wall St, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, The Rockefeller Center,Radio City, NBC Studios, The Trump Towers, Trump International Hotel, Little Italy, Ground Zero, The New World Trade Centers, The USS Intrepid, Central Park, Grand Central, Station, Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, The Grand Plaza Hotel, Grants Tomb and bits of New Jersey. Walk down the Broadway shows, seeing The Jersey Boys, Sister Act, The Lion King.
I was quite surprised at the sights and sounds of the Big Apple. When you see NYC on tv you don't grasp the size til your face to face with it.
When you look at the somewhat narrow streets all you see is a sea of Yellow cabs. Flashing lights adorning the Skyscrapers, even the McDonalds on Broadway looks like a Theater with a fancy marquee.
The Plays we got to see we're really awesome, The Jersey Boys the Story of Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons, these guys portraying the band members sing and tell the Story of the Original Boys from Jersey. Songs they sang were "Sherry" "Big Girls Don't Cry" "Walk Like a Man" "My Eyes Adore You" just to name a few.
Sister Act follows the movie almost dead on same story line, some of the songs are different than the movie, really entertaining.
The Lion King was based off the movie and used people in animal costumes. The Giraffe was a guy on stilts, others spun birds over there heads like kites, they sang and played african style instruments.....
The First 2 days in NYC we toured around the different parts of the City Upper and Lower Manhattens and surrounding areas and learned bout the names of the Neighbor hoods. The name SoHo refers to the area being "SOuth of HOuston (Street)". This naming convention has become a model for the names of new and emerging neighborhoods in New York such as NoHo, for "NOrth of HOuston Street", TriBeCa ("TRIangle BElow CAnal Street"), Nolita ("NOrth of Little ITAly"), NoMad ("NOrth of MADison Square"), and DUMBO ("Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass").
After all the time in NYC we finally moved on to Atlantic City, NJ. AC NJ is known for it's Casinos and the infamous Board Walk. Those that ever played Monopoly the game that was inspired by this city. This town is often refered to as Las Vegas of the east. There's about 14 Casinos,hotel, and gambling halls. The 4 mile long Boardwalk connects a majority of the Casinos others can be seen via the JAG bus..... the Boardwalk is on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.... The Steel Pier is one of few ocean front Amusement Parks featuring Rides, games, and concessions.....
On the return trip home we made a few pit stops along the way, Philadelphia Pa to stop and see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence was signed).
The Journey continued on to Hershey PA. Where we got to visit Hershey World where we took a tour of the process of making Hershey Candies and also took a ride on the Hershey Trolley around the town. Then we went to the Hershey Museum where we got to make our own candy bars and learned bout the history of Hershey and the town too. Also in the town is a Amusement Park Hershey Park.... Something neat about Hershey is some of their street lights are in the shape Hershey Kisses. To sum up Hershey Pa Its one SWEET CITY.....
Well there you have it our NY City Tour trip........ See You on The Bus.
New York City what a heck of a city.... Taxis, buses, buildings and most of all People....
We got to see, Times Square, Wall St, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, The Rockefeller Center,Radio City, NBC Studios, The Trump Towers, Trump International Hotel, Little Italy, Ground Zero, The New World Trade Centers, The USS Intrepid, Central Park, Grand Central, Station, Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, The Grand Plaza Hotel, Grants Tomb and bits of New Jersey. Walk down the Broadway shows, seeing The Jersey Boys, Sister Act, The Lion King.
I was quite surprised at the sights and sounds of the Big Apple. When you see NYC on tv you don't grasp the size til your face to face with it.
When you look at the somewhat narrow streets all you see is a sea of Yellow cabs. Flashing lights adorning the Skyscrapers, even the McDonalds on Broadway looks like a Theater with a fancy marquee.
The Plays we got to see we're really awesome, The Jersey Boys the Story of Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons, these guys portraying the band members sing and tell the Story of the Original Boys from Jersey. Songs they sang were "Sherry" "Big Girls Don't Cry" "Walk Like a Man" "My Eyes Adore You" just to name a few.
Sister Act follows the movie almost dead on same story line, some of the songs are different than the movie, really entertaining.
The Lion King was based off the movie and used people in animal costumes. The Giraffe was a guy on stilts, others spun birds over there heads like kites, they sang and played african style instruments.....
The First 2 days in NYC we toured around the different parts of the City Upper and Lower Manhattens and surrounding areas and learned bout the names of the Neighbor hoods. The name SoHo refers to the area being "SOuth of HOuston (Street)". This naming convention has become a model for the names of new and emerging neighborhoods in New York such as NoHo, for "NOrth of HOuston Street", TriBeCa ("TRIangle BElow CAnal Street"), Nolita ("NOrth of Little ITAly"), NoMad ("NOrth of MADison Square"), and DUMBO ("Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass").
After all the time in NYC we finally moved on to Atlantic City, NJ. AC NJ is known for it's Casinos and the infamous Board Walk. Those that ever played Monopoly the game that was inspired by this city. This town is often refered to as Las Vegas of the east. There's about 14 Casinos,hotel, and gambling halls. The 4 mile long Boardwalk connects a majority of the Casinos others can be seen via the JAG bus..... the Boardwalk is on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.... The Steel Pier is one of few ocean front Amusement Parks featuring Rides, games, and concessions.....
On the return trip home we made a few pit stops along the way, Philadelphia Pa to stop and see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence was signed).
The Journey continued on to Hershey PA. Where we got to visit Hershey World where we took a tour of the process of making Hershey Candies and also took a ride on the Hershey Trolley around the town. Then we went to the Hershey Museum where we got to make our own candy bars and learned bout the history of Hershey and the town too. Also in the town is a Amusement Park Hershey Park.... Something neat about Hershey is some of their street lights are in the shape Hershey Kisses. To sum up Hershey Pa Its one SWEET CITY.....
Well there you have it our NY City Tour trip........ See You on The Bus.
