Jim & Lyndi ZR-1 Road Trip to Death Valley and The Grand Canyon

[Jagdpanzer]

Watch out driving your Corvette in sand as this knucklehead learned
https://youtu.be/sulQtCiHRrE


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

[QB93Z]

Good catch Phil. We would only drive on the edge and then take pictures.

Jim

[QB93Z]

Day 25 Drive to Branson, MO

We left Wichita Falls early and drove to our next stop in Branson, Mo.
We drove north and picked up I-44 (RT 66 historic highway). A morning view of Oklahoma City:





After several weeks on flat desert and prairie, the Ozark Mountains gave us some pleasant views:







We got to Branson at about 2:00PM and checked in. Here is an view of Table Rock Lake from our balcony :





Jim

[QB93Z]

Day 26 - Hanging Out in Branson

Here is a view of the Resort we are in:




We spent the morning relaxing, then we drove to downtown to the area called Branson Landing, located on the White River:

There is an up-scale "Mall" with plenty of retail opportunities and interesting displays:




We found a restaurant owned by Guy Fieri, one of Lyndi's favorite Chefs:




We went in to have a beer and Lyndi found Guy Fieri:





In the evening, we watched the sunset in the Ozark Mountains:




Jim

[QB93Z]

Day 27 - at Branson

Our adventure for Tuesday was to ride the Branson Scenic Railway. The trip through the Ozark Mountains begins in downtown Branson and runs about 20 miles into Arkansas, and then reversing direction to return to Branson.





Our train was nine cars long with three Vista-Dome cars and a locomotive at each end:





Scenery along the right of way:





A view of Walnut Creek:



South bound on a curve:





After the train ride, we returned to Hollister and a beer in the 114 year old Pour House:





Branson is hosting a Custom Car Auction this coming weekend. Unfortunately we will miss the festivities since we will be on the road heading east. We did see this stunning car in Hollister:






Jim

[QB93Z]

Day 28 at Branson

Crummy weather and thunder storms today. We didn't do anything outside and just enjoyed some down time.

Jim

[QB93Z]

Day 29 - at Branson

The day started out cool and rainy, so we visited the resort indoor pool for some swimming exercise.
We got a phone call from Paul Workman who lives about an hour from Branson. We set up to have lunch in Hollister at our favorite pub.

While we were waiting for Paul, we enjoyed the flowers that are blooming near the train station. We got to see the Branson Scenic Railway headed South:







It was really nice to meet Paul and talk about old times. Thanks Paul for making the trip over to Branson.




In the afternoon we stopped at a Wal-Mart for supplies and found this 1995 or 1996 Dark Purple C-4 Corvette. We waited a few minutes but we didn't get to talk to the owners so I left my card and we took some pictures:




Jim

[viper107]

What's the odds? Unreal what a great trip you guys

[WARP TEN]

Great that you were able to meet up with Paul, Jim. But Paul, couldn't you get a "PHOENIX" license plate in Missouri? Your car looks naked without it! --Bob

[QB93Z]

Day 30 - at Branson

We expected great weather for today so we headed out early to visit the Table Rock Lake Dam and then hike along the lake to take in the scenery. Construction of the Dam was completed in 1959. It is 252 feet high and Table Rock Lake covers 43,160 acres with 745 mile shore line:





The Shore line of the lake is interesting because the lake "bottom" is composed on horizontal rock layers the are easily visible on the surrounding landscape. This is the source of the name Table Rock Lake:






At the area near the dam there is a well maintained hiking road that follows the shoreline from the dam to the Table Rock Lake State Park Marina. The trees and bushes and wold life along the shore are interesting. I watched this bird cruising the water but neer saw it grap a fish:









One of the tourist highlights is the Showboat Branson Belle. We saw the Belle being loaded but when we came by the landing later in the day, The Belle was still at the dock. It turns out that the winds on the lake were to high to allow the Belle to leave the dock.





The Table Rock Lake State Park has a very large Marina. We visited and bought T-Shirts but the Marina wasn't very busy today.





Jim