Advertisement
Published: September 6th 2010
Edit Blog Post
Truman Library
The library is in Independence, MO August 9—I said goodbye to Bonnie and headed south to Independence, Missouri, home to Harry Truman's library, home and gravesite. For those who may not know, Independence is a suburb of Kansas City on the Missouri side. I crossed the Missouri River again to get to Independence. I'm getting familiar with this river and the Lewis and Clark trail!
I am impressed with the Truman Library. It is not as large as some of the later presidents, but has a lot of information and displays packed into it. Truman had an office on the grounds where he supervised the building of the library and what went into it. Both he and his wife Bess are buried in the courtyard of the library, along with their daughter Margaret and her husband Daniel. Their graves are plain, but it is landscaped nicely around it.
I wish I had taken notes as I toured the place. I hadn't realized that Truman had so many difficult decisions to make as President. I think possibly he served during some of the most difficult times of U.S. history. Most everyone remembers the decision to drop the A-bombs on Japan, but he also started the Marshall
Truman Oval Office
The replica of the Oval Office when Truman was president. Plan to help Europe recover from the war, handled a housing, food and job shortage when all the soldiers came home, had to fire a popular general MacArthur and manage McCarthy and the “Red Scare” of the Cold War. There were other things I can't remember now. Of course he also had to live quite a bit of his terms out of the White House while it was being repaired and renovated. I think history is coming to the conclusion that while many may not have agreed with all his decisions, he at least made them! And turned out to be a good President. I picked up a cardboard sign that I can color. It says, “The buck stops here!”
August 10—I stayed last night at a small RV park near Independence, slept in then drove to Branson, where Joy and Dan are. The last time I was here was in my teens and the only attraction was Silver Dollar City. Needless to say, things have changed a lot! I was able to park the RV right across the road from them which made things handy for us. It is a huge park hidden in downtown Branson, just a
Cedar Lodge
Beautiful resort with a great breakfast buffet. block off one of the main streets. All tucked into the rolling hills around there.
August 11--Today we went to one of the Branson shows. A variety singer and comedian by the name of “Red” Allen. We had some good laughs and heard some good songs. He also had a family of four children who sang and they were very good. I enjoyed the program. As we were leaving the theatre, we heard they were closing this theatre the next day. It just wasn't bringing enough money in to stay open. Unfortunately with the economy, that has happened to several places.
August 12—Today was a full day. We started at one of the prettiest places I have seen. Cedars is a huge resort owned by Bass Pro Shops. It consists of many hotel buildings, cabins, etc., in several valleys surrounding a lake in the Ozark Mountains. We went to breakfast at The Lodge where they served it buffet style. What a layout! All the food one could eat, eggs served anyway you want them, omelets fixed with whatever you want in them—all in a rustic lodge with huge glass windows overlooking a pond, river and green hills. Just
Riverboat at Branson
This boat offered music and dining while cruising around the lakes at Branson. beautiful.
After waddling back out to the car from the breakfast bar, we drove a hilly, winding road to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I attended a music camp there when I was about 15 and wanted to go back and see it the way it is now. Back then it was a small town with one main road and no stop signs or lights. The trick was that the one road wound all up and down the mountain side the town is built on! Eureka boasted of one seven story hotel with all seven floors on ground level. A little Catholic Church was entered through the bell tower. It was a town known for its hot springs and artistic and musical residents.
Fortunately, it hasn't changed a whole lot. There are more roads through the town, now, as well as some stop signs. The seven story hotel is no longer a hotel, but stores. The houses are still of Victorian design, but many are for sale. The art and music shops which are still open are a little run down. Being there brought back a lot of old memories. I learned that the music camp still operates every summer.
We visited a “new” area which have been added since I was there. One part holds a huge statue of Christ on top of one of the hills, aptly named “The Christ of the Ozarks.”
The other part is a tourist area dedicated to the Holy Lands. I took at tour called “Walk through the Holy Lands”. It was interesting, but some of the portions I most wanted to see were closed. The rest of the area is a large outdoor stage where a Passion Play, similar to the one in Germany, is held during the warmer months.
August 13-17 I spent the next few days relaxing, visiting with Joy and Dan and seeing the sights around Branson. One day we had lunch at the “Hard Luck Restaurant” known not only for their great sandwiches, but their singing servers. One buxom young woman sang for Dan!
Bootsie—I guess I can say I'm a traveling cat, now. Marty says I've been in four states now, since I left Oklahoma. Whatever. I just sleep through it all. I definitely have gotten my road legs though. I will change places in the RV while we are moving, but only a Victorian House
One of the many lovely houses in Eureka Springs, Arkansas little bit. I'm getting to know the routine. When Marty gets busy cleaning and moving things around, I decide which safe place I'm going to stash myself because I know we are going to move again. It has been nice to be settled for awhile. I watch birds and squirrels some, but I like people and car watching better. I need to remind Marty of the white squirrel she got so excited about. I looked for while, but didn't see much of anything to excite me, so I went back to sleep.
Oh, I am so glad Boots reminded me about the squirrel. My neighbor threw out some sunflower seeds which attracted the squirrels as well as birds. One of the squirrels was white. Dan called me to wake me up (7:30 am!) and I ran for the camera! Got a couple of good ones.
August 18—Joy and I went to another of the Branson shows. This one, called “Brule” featured Native American music and dancers in gorgeous costumes. I was overjoyed when the moderator said we could take all the pictures we wanted. I proceed to take about 350! Words cannot describe the wonderful music which, naturally
featured drumming backgrounds. A young woman played a haunting flute throughout most of the melodies. The dancers were spectacular. I hope a couple of pictures of them with their costumes will speak for themselves. Two of the dances performed were particularly outstanding. One young man did the Eagle Dance so well, I almost forgot he was a human and not an eagle. Another was announced at the “World Champion Hoop Dancer”. I believe it! He moved in and out of a dozen hoops with incredible ease. Needless to say, I was enchanted by the whole show. If you ever get a chance to see “Brule” do so! You won't be disappointed.
August 19—Laundry and clean up day. I have worked off and on scrubbing bugs off the RV since I've been in Branson. Didn't get them all, though.
Bootsie—Uh-oh. She's cleaning and moving things around again.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.333s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 10; qc: 66; dbt: 0.1686s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.3mb
Melanie Neer
non-member comment
Love the pics
I absolutely love the pics of the Native Americans :-)