It was grueling getting ready to leave... it took a whole 15 minutes to get out of there. Our trip took us back over the bridge, and north. Once we were back on the freeway it was smooth sailing; this was a leg that had no construction.
I said we crossed the line... again.
Our C.o.E. campground is on a marina, near an amusement park... which we may check out before we go.
This was an easy landing, it was a pull through. The lake is a short walk from our site.
The next morning we took a hike around the campground, it was only about a mile and a half round trip. As usual, we conducted recon for a possible later visit. In an area farther from our site there is a swimming hole that is cordoned off.
Nature has many magnificent oddities in its bag... just like this one.
Fungus and moss oozing from a juniper tree, how cool is that.
After our hike we took a drive into Branson to scope out all the tourist trap attractions, and seek out the hotel we would need to meet a wine tour vehicle at. We found the hotel, and decided it was too far to meet someone at, drink wine, then drive back home. However, I did see a winery tasting room near the hotel, so we did do some wine tasting on our own... no sense in wasting the trip.
Having done things in correct order, we hit up a steakhouse for lunch. For those of you not familiar with our philosophy about meals... dessert first, then the main course. This way of thinking always ensures that we do not order too large of a main meal, but, if we did, there would be leftovers for the next day.
After lunch we knew we needed to work it off, so we headed over to the Auto and Farm Museum. This place was phenomenal, covering two full acres in a 90,000 sq. ft. building. One acre is farm equipment, the other is cars... a lot of the exhibits are for sale. Awe starts in the lobby.
This ship started out as a 7-ton jade rock in China. An architect and helper spent 5 1/2 years designing and carving this ship. The completed ship weighs in at 2,200 pounds.
The bottom photo is a close up of the detail that went into making this ship. Sadly the architect and helper both died 12 days after completing this marvel.
For you car enthusiasts that love to play pool, they can accommodate you.
For the Ford fan, they have it in red.
For the Chevy guy, they have it in blue.
OK, let's get in the big room, starting with the farm equipment.
This was just looking down one aisle, walking to the end, and looking down another aisle. How 'bout a look at some of the tractors, ya say?
1948 Allis Chalmers with a hoe attachment. This was a monster with a 4 cylinder engine, and 3 speed transmission.
1948 International Harvester McCormick-Deering running 4 cylinders, 5 speed, and liquid cooled.
A 1951 Ford moving down the row with a 4 cylinder, 4 speed, water cooled.
I know we all were raised on a farm, so I'm sure you won't be surprised at the size of a standard tractor tire.
We are going to wander back 20 years and look at the 1928 Allis Chalmers 20-35. 
I was intrigued with the wheels on this guy.
Farming didn't jump from manual w/animal assist to gas power, there was middle ground, so to say. In the 1860s when a farmer planted from behind a horse.
This guy was used to plant corn. Would you like to sit on the back seat and control the horses, or sit up front planting.
Imagine working the fields with this equipment.
Looking for something inexpensive, they have one for you.
This little guy went for $545.00 in its day.
Ford was doing work with the working class for many years, whether as a tractor or a truck.
Looky here, a 1929 Ford Model AA Dump Truck. This guy was classified as "Heavy Commercial". The engine is 201 cubic inches putting out a big time 40 horsepower. At the time this truck came with a mechanical water pump, mechanical oil pump, electric starter, hand-crank dump bed. This truck had lots of power with its 3-speed manual transmission, not including the reverse gear. You notice the extra set of tires... they were to equalize a heavy loads.
Here we have a 1921 Ford Model TT Truck. When these guys were produced, they were chassis only from the Ford factory; the cab and beds were supplied by coach builders. Ford did not produce cabs and bodies until 1924. Even though this truck was rated as a 1 ton truck, it had the same engine as the Model "T".
I think we have done enough work today, how about a drive around town.
A 1940 Plymouth Business Coupe... with some minor changes. This rebuild is sporting a V-10, with somewhere around 450 horsepower, and a 6-speed manual transmission; only asking $59,000. If this doesn't work we might try a 1967 Chevy Malibu SS.
We'll ride in style with this big block Chevy, that is turbo charged, 4-speed automatic. Ensure your credit card limits are freed up... asking price is $95,000.
Gotta run to Home Depot, got the truck you need.
A 1948 5 Window Chevy that has been re-vamped a bit. They dropped in a big block 454 cubic inch motor, with a heavy duty transmission. Only asking $84,500.
Can't afford those, let's look at something that was a little less expensive.
You can get this Sears vehicle in the price range of $350.00 to $525.00.
How about a little wind in your hair?
or
Are you interested in a little music with your ride?
This 2005 Scion is the rolling boom box you are looking for. With an excess of 1,200 horsepower. This car can beat the tunes to a stop light any day; the entire backseat is speakers. Approximately $100.000.00 was dropped on the customization... but you can steal it for $22,000.
You looking for economy, this is up your alley.
This is the 1951 Crosley Super Station Wagon. The huge 4 cylinder engine puts out a stunning 10 horsepower... that's right 10 horsepower. This vehicle has the capacity to seat four passengers, and a picnic basket.
There were too many cars to post in this blog. They had the police car and "Bandit" on display. The "Bandit" was signed by Burt Reynolds when shooting was completed.
You looking for economy, this is up your alley.
There were too many cars to post in this blog. They had the police car and "Bandit" on display. The "Bandit" was signed by Burt Reynolds when shooting was completed.
My mom dreamed of owning a 1957 hardtop Thunderbird... they had a couple on display.
It was a fun day looking at all the cars I could not afford. We took ourselves home for a break. Visiting this museum is my recommendation, but if it is not possible, visit:
It was a fun day looking at all the cars I could not afford. We took ourselves home for a break. Visiting this museum is my recommendation, but if it is not possible, visit:
https://www.bransonmuseum.com. The vehicles may vary, being they can be bought.
The next day we took on a couple more museums. The first museum was The Titanic Museum. The building was intriguing, it is the bow of the ship hitting an iceberg. This museum required making reservations for boarding, and picture taking was not allowed... copyright laws you know. Carol and I definitely recommend walking the museum. One of the co-founders was a part of the original search crew for the Titanic in 1985. There were a lot of artifacts from the ship on exhibit. I am only going to talk a little about this museum, you need to go to their website: https://titanicbranson.com.
When arriving and checking in for "boarding", visitors are given a card with information of a person that was aboard the ship; they may have been crew or passenger, deceased or survivor. You will not know until you find your person's name. Carol's card was of a women married to a co-owner of Macys Department Store. She refused to climb in a lifeboat without her husband (her husband died as well). My person was more fortunate, he survived. He worked in one of the drinking establishments onboard. The exhibits were very respectful of those lost their lives in the tragedy April of 1912.
Who can remember back to their childhood? Next stop... The Toy Museum. Visit https://worldslargesttoymuseum.com.
For train lovers they have a train section with working trains. The trains are maintained by the local train club.
Walkin' the toys built up an appetite, so we hit a Mexican restaurant nearby. I only mention it because of the nachos I had. 
If you can see in the photo, the chips were actually hard taco shells; it was a whole lot easier to eat. After lunch we headed back home.
One the way back home we stopped at an ice cream shop... and to see one of my old homes (didn't know I lived in Missouri?)
Told ya. I am one of a few that kept my name through reincarnation.
There was a day break when the rains came... we saw an ark floating by. The day of the big rain, we had a scare of a tornado. Our site was really close to the disaster siren, but nothing came about... JUST RAIN!
What is a stop over if there isn't a venture out to taste wine...oh ya we did it again. It was to be a simple day of getting gas for the following day departure... WAS... we found two wineries open for wine tasting. Missouri makes some nice wines, ask us, we took home several bottles from each winery.
The first winery, Lindwedel Winery, had a beautiful overlook of Branson.
The second winery we stopped at was called Ozark Hills Winery, which took over Curvy Vine Winery. What was unique about this tasting room was the small museum behind the tasting rooms.
Have you ever thought about what the difference is between "Moonshine", "White Lightning", or "White Mule". Wellll... Moonshine was made at night; White Lightning was made during the day; and White Mule was made so far back in the woods, it took mules to pack it out. Now I know all alcohol is not created equal.
Who remembers these important documents of the prohibition era from another stop?
I am sure glad we don't require documents like this anymore.
Back in the prohibition era this is how Missouri saw the law: "In Missouri, making Moonshine without a permit is a felony; even if it is for personal use".
After the little museum tour we drove crosstown to the Walmart, Carol had something to exchange, then a local BBQ, and home. Tomorrow will bring a new day of travel, farther north.
