The reason Matt picked up Katrina the night before was so that she could be with the kids while Matt and I took a little get-away. We had been wondering
what we were going to do with the kids so when Katrina came home from her mission it really worked out well for us ;) Mallerie was going to be at Disneyland with Student Government the same days we would be gone so we needed a licensed adult around. (Mallerie was sad to learn she would miss out having us gone...I was offended till I realized it was the same feeling I had when I realized I would be at Youth Conference the same dates Grayson would be at scout camp...)
As the year was drawing to a close Matt noticed he had some Delta points, Marriott rewards, and rental car credit that was going to go to waste if we didn't take a little vacation. We were out to dinner one evening discussing our options. Matt suggested Boston. I would love to see Boston, but honestly I didn't feel up to a big sight seeing vacation. You know the kind where each day you lace up your tennis shoes and do a lot of walking and you come back exhausted at the end of the day. I threw out another option: what about a trip about nothing? Well, not
nothing, but nothing you know, nothing? He liked this idea. We picked Branson Missouri and it was settled. Matt called it our "pre-holiday-distressor-trip."
The night before we were to leave, Katrina said that she and Giuseppe were now thinking that instead of having a wedding in the middle of February, they had decided on January 2nd. My eyes grew big and I half jokingly said, "Don't you go ruining my trip now!" As we drove to the airport and I was rattling on about the upcoming wedding, Matt was was silent. I said, "What???" He explained that he really wanted this trip to be about us and could we
not talk about the wedding? Hmm. I would
try.
Instead of flying into Branson we flew into Kansas City. The Royals had just won the World Series and the airport showed the pride the city felt. We picked up the car and found a place to eat. We noticed that half the nations Cracker Barrels must be located in Missouri, so we ate there.
The advantage to flying into Kansas City was that were very close to Liberty where Liberty Jail is located. I know that whenever I go to a church history sight it becomes a lot easier for me to remember what happened there, so I was anxious to go and learn.
There was a senior missionary couple and a sister missionary at the visitor's center when we arrived. They looked eager when we walked in as they asked where we were visiting from. When we exclaimed, "Heber City, Utah" the senior couple didn't even stand up, "We're from Sandy," they said. It was like, " yeah, yeah, yeah, cut the act" The Sister Missionary took us through the visitors Center and we got to have her all to ourself. I feel like everything she taught me was new information. Not because I haven't heard it before, but because I am getting old and I have to relearn everything I feel like.
The jail isn't, but the town of Liberty is so charming, we took the opportunity to drive around a bit. I said, "It looks like a Hallmark movie."
It was a long drive to Branson, nearly four hours. The landscape went on for hours with cow after cow farm, but the sky was lovely. Absolutely lovely. I always enjoy seeing something new. We stopped for a break at a rest stop and Matt asked the cashier, "What town is this?" She said, "Clinton." He joked, "After Bill Clinton?" She said, "Them are from Arkansas."
It was dark as we drove into Branson and this was a good thing. The town was lit. up. Each billboard was trying to outdo the next. The other thing we noticed was that Christmas had come to Branson already. It was barely November 4th and there were lights and decorations everywhere.
It was a welcome sight to walk into the lodge for us weary travelers. So cozy. They had not one, but TWO tree's set up.
We have really enjoyed out Marriott Vacation Club membership. The villa's are always really nice. They are all unique to the region they are in, but we know the standard to expect.
We headed to the grocery store to stock up on food for the next few days. We decided we preferred to just make meals at the villa this time. Well not every meal.
The next day there was a light drizzle as we sat on the patio for breakfast, after-which we walked the grounds. The pine needles each held onto their own drop of water.
We decided we must be the only couple that does not have a denim-in-the-woods photo, so we posed for one. We talked with the concierge about the abundant shows offered in Branson and decided we should go to at least a few. That night we went to a variety show, where had front row seats. We had a feeling it would be hokey. Matt said, "We need some new material to joke about." We got PLENTY of material out of this show that will last quite awhile.
The next night was a dinner cruise. One thing we noticed was that the clientele in Branson are 99% senior citizens. We browsed the gift shops but unless I wanted a sequined sweatshirt, there wasn't much to look at.
The boat looked impressive, but it smelled SO musty! I just wanted to throw open the windows and air the place out. It was hard to enjoy the food when the smell was so strong. Either way, Matt said it is one of the worst meals he has ever had. More material for us to use!
We had to go outside during intermission to breathe!
Matt got a text from Giuseppe during dinner asking about a location in Midway. Why? Oh, because he wanted to go there and propose to Katrina the next day... Once we got out to the car we called him on speaker phone to give him our best. Wow. This was really happening.
 |
| We enjoyed mealtimes in the villa, cooking and dining together. A table for two! |
After enduring more hokiness on the dinner cruise, we decided to forfeit a show on the third night, we couldn't do it anymore. Instead we found ourselves at Top of the Rock. It was way cool! We said, "Oh, here are is where all the people under 65 have been hanging out..." The restaurant required reservations for a table but we were welcome to sit at the bar. Matt struck up a conversation with the bartender. It was ironic the things they had in common, "both born in West Covina, both graduated from Twenty Nine Palms HS (which isn't even near West Covina), and I added, " and you are both here in Branson on the same night at the same bar." Weird.
 |
| The driving range was lit up at night. |
 |
| These flameless candles were the most lifelike we have seen. |
TOP OF THE ROCK
We took a walk after dinner through tunnels and an old picturesque church. It was the perfect ending to our time in Branson.
We left on a Sunday. I really wanted to attend one of the large Baptist churches that were everywhere. They were the size of the Marriott Center and the parking lots were packed. A few of them were just getting out and we drove down Main Street at a snails pace (though the cars in front of us drove at that pace regardless of the traffic ;) We couldn't stop though because we had our long drive to the airport in Kansas City ahead of us. I'll tell ya what, with the wedding a taboo topic when that was now all that was on my mind was tough. It made the four hour drive seem like an 8 hour drive. My advice if you go to Branson, just fly into Branson!
We were cutting it close to the time our flight left. I have flown stand-by enough in life to just have the feeling that it will all work out. Matt was real nervous though. The bag in front of us on the conveyer belt got jammed and despite the efforts of the staff they could not un-jam it. Matt had to practically climb onto the belt and stick the better half of his torso in there before he yanked it out. The staff wasn't about to miss a flight you see....
Once seated on the plane we had time to eat the leftovers we took out of the fridge in Branson. The dinner cruise might have been the worst meal Matt has ever had, but I would say, that
that was the worst meal I have had.
BUT the trip was great. It was. So relaxing. Time to connect, time to unwind, time to rest. This was a good thing because when we got home, it was time to go go GOOOOOO!
We had plenty of everything...except drinks...
Giuseppe joined us for his first Taylor Thanksgiving!
We had plenty of everything...except drinks...
