Branson Landing–My World Tuesday

When I was in Missouri, I wanted to visit Branson Landing.

When I lived there, this high-end shopping/condo area was not in existence. I had been there about 1-1/2 years ago on a Missouri visit and needed to go back.

But not for the shopping. I hate shopping, even if they DO have some of my very favorite stores. I actually did not go inside one single store.

I went for the water show.

It's not as big as the water show at the Bellagio, but it is still very nice. When it is hot, children sit and play at the edge of the water and get drenched. (It was not hot on this day!)

I will admit to being slightly disappointed because it was only hourly in late  November, and there was only one song. (It lasted 15-20 minutes when I saw it before, and I think it was more frequently.) But it was the best song because there was lots of fire with the water.

I did not even notice how much the fire reflected in the water until I uploaded the pictures.

The fire adds so much when being there in person. It has an exciting look to it, the sound is cool and it is warm.

My World is a weekly meme in which participants are virtual tour guides. Go check it out and see the worlds of others. Or better yet, take a look at the guidelines, and do your own My World Post!

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Berries–SkyWatch Friday

When I was growing  up in southwest Missouri, I always loved these berries in the fall and winter. The funny thing is that I never learned what their name was, and I am not sure I would have any idea what the plant looks like in the summer. I cannot even remember if they are edible. Back in the elementary school days, there were plenty of people who knew what we could eat, but I cannot remember if these fell into that category. It almost seems like I have tasted some, but it could have been something else. I actually just like how they look.

When I was there over Thanksgiving, I saw some on a bike ride, and they begged for a picture.

To see LOTS more terrific sky pictures or to find out how to participate in this meme, head to the SkyWatch blog.

 

The Wilderness Church–My World Tuesday

Last week I showed you some of the rides at Silver Dollar City, an 1880’s Craft Village. The next time I go (which could be years from now, but I hope not), I will leave the kids with  someone else and attend to the crafts which to me would make a much more interesting post. However, on the way out, I saw something I had to show my girls.

It was the Wilderness Church. This church has been part of Silver Dollar City as long as I have been going (at least 40 years), and if it has changed at all, it is not much.

It is built of rough-hewn logs and even has rough-hewn log pews.

Every  Sunday they have a church service in here. I will admit I have never been to that. I prefer to go in when it is more empty and quiet.

I do not remember the picture window at the front when I was little, but it may have been there. I could easily find out if I could go through my dad’s enormous slide collection because when I was six, I was the flower girl in a wedding in this church. I felt SO important because I got to be in a wedding in SILVER DOLLAR CITY! I wore a red cotton dress that had white hearts and “I love you”‘s printed all over it. I was also missing two front teeth and made sure that was noticeable in every picture. I wish I had the first idea where to find those pictures. Someday I will.

This was the view out the picture window when we were there. But if you were sitting in the pew, you would only see green trees.

Whether or not the picture window is original (the text plaque above it is; I remember that distinctly), it is good for it to be there. There is a pretty view out it. And if I were sitting in church there, it would be nice to see the green woods behind the minister. (Or imagine the rich colors of autumn–a fabulous time to visit.)  Of course I would be looking out the window and not at the minister, but at least it would be in the right direction.

Silver Dollar City celebrates Christmas in November and December. I have not been to that in many years, but they used to have a live nativity scene, and at least a year or two, that was visible from that big picture window in the church. And the sun would set behind it. I wish I visited Missouri at Christmas just for the chance to go to Silver Dollar City then. (And instead of giant snow cones, hot cider is my refreshment of choice.)

My World is a weekly meme in which participants are virtual tour guides. Go check it out and see the worlds of others. Or better yet, take a look at the guidelines, and do your own My World Post!

 

A Southwest Missouri Storm Coming–SkyWatch

View to the west with setting sun. Click photo to enlarge.

At the end of my Missouri stay, there were two evenings in a row with tornado warnings just north of where we were. This is where I grew up–right on the edge of “tornado alley,” but not quite in it. In fact, in all my life I have never actually seen a tornado, though I have seen much damage for them and many storms that produced them.

View to the north. This is where all the activity and tornadoes were. Click photo to enlarge.

I miss Midwestern storms. Not the damage, but the thunder and lightning and excitement. And being on the edge of this one gave some interesting skyscapes.

View to the southeast. Click photo to enlarge.

To see LOTS more terrific sky pictures or to find out how to participate in this meme, head to the SkyWatch blog.