Viney Creek Campground

Thursday we were just being lazy. Cousins Jo-D and C.J. had arrived after four straight days of driving their RV from Ft. Lauderdale (300 – 350 miles a day is a lot). They were kind of tired. We did make a few decisions as to what shows we wanted to see in Branson though. Our campsites were about 47 miles west of Branson, MO. We were at Viney Creek Campground on Table Rock Lake just 4 miles north of the “Thriving Metropolis” of Golden, MO (pop. 14). Our campsites were right next to each other which was great! We like staying at US Army Corps of Engineers Parks. They are always clean, safe and well maintained …. just electric and water hookups though.

Roth's new Class "C"

Our Big Rig at Table Rock Lake

Friday we were all up to an outing. We needed to find the offices where we could pick up our show tickets. Jo-D had reserved them via phone Thursday night. Once found we had a little time to kill so we found an outdoor mall on the river in downtown Branson where they had a fire and water show set to music. Really cool, it was hot so we found a place under shade to sit and wait for the show....well the show started and the fountains sent water 120 feet into the air and we all jumped cause the wind picked up and we got wet!!!!

Then we went to the grocery store. Jo-D and C.J. are not towing a car and they needed to purchase a few groceries. Then we went to Cluck N Chick for dinner. It was a chicken place and not that great. 

 From there it was the show, “The Baldnobbers” which just happened to be the original show in Branson. A mix of comedy and songs ….... really good. Four brothers started performing in Branson in 1959. Their decendants are now doing the show.

Saturday...finds us heading into Branson once again. But on our way in we stopped at the Table Rock Dam which makes the lake.

Table Rock Dam in background

We watched the movie and looked out over the dam, really nice views. Then it was on to dinner. We went to Mickey Gilley's cafe for dinner. Guess what …. Mickey was there and he actually sang to the crowd.

Nancy rode the bull at Gilleys

 Then it was onto the show. This evening was Jim Stafford (I dont like spiders and snakes). Again a comedian, master guitarist and singer. His show was GREAT! Then again, after the show on out to our campsite. You have to remember that we are in the Ozarks...it is hilly, steep and not roads you really wanted to drive at night. Two nights in a row we were on these roads. Tom drove, but was really cautious.

Sunday....our day was to be really different. Nancy really wanted to go to Bentonville, AR. Yup, the home of Walmart. Before we got there though, we visited one of the many caves in the area. We found one sort of on the way, Cosmic Caverns. 

 Really interesting and fascinating, and our scheduled 1 ½ hour tour ended up closer to 2 hours. Then it was on the road again to Bentonville. Found the Walmart Visitors Center at 4:55. It closed at 5:00 but they were nice and did not kick us out. Saw Sam's office and his old red Ford pick-up. He was a real interesting guy. Then it was on to Rogers, AR to see the first Walmart Store. The Visitor's Center is at Sam's first store which was Walton's 5 & 10.

Sam Walton's 5 & Dime
in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas

Monday, Memorial Day, we relaxed and watched most of the other campers leave.... aah peace and quiet. We actually played dominos on the picnic table after our cookout.