Branson = WisDells w/o Waterslides

Mara in a big letter sculpture

Mara beween a smiley face and a confused face

Deborah Butterfield horse sculpture, they're everywhere

blurry buffalo

In Des Moines, we went to the Art Center and saw some interesting art by Tony Feher.  He makes art from the junk that piles up in your house, like old bottles and marbles.  We were unable to photograph there, so you'll have to look him up on your own.  We also went to the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, where photos were allowed.  Interesting block full of art. We had a nice meal at the Drake diner near Drake U.


In the morning, we drove to Branson, MO.  The drive got more interesting as we drove past/over Truman Lake and into the Ozarks.  Truman Lake does not look like the lakes we are used to and the Ozarks are, well...hilly.






Branson does indeed look like Wisconsin Dells without all the watersides, but they do have a bumper boat attraction.  We had tickets to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede.  Instructions were to arrive one  hour early.  We were not sure why.  Turns out, they have a "free show" (pre-show?) before the real show.  We had front row seats for a juggler.  He happened to be pretty talented and he has some amazing balance skills as well.  We were not allowed to take pictures, so use your imagination.  When we sat down for the real show and dinner, I was sure they said "no flash photography", so I snapped a few blurry shots of buffalo before Drew, our server, politely told me to put my camera away.  The show was entertaining with many horses, long horns, pigs, chickens and doves.  We sat on the north side and cheered for the union soldiers/dancers/riders.  Sadly, at the end of the show, the south was victorious.  Only in Branson.

Mara and a stampede horse

Dixie Stampede

Sara and some doves