HILLBILLIES IN BRANSON

Our last night in Branson with the rally was a barn burner!!! Wow.. what a time we had. Never knew there were so many crazy folks. First off, we were treated to a great dinner... Jim loved that part!! After everyone had eaten about all they could hold, the hillbillies took over. A wonderful group, which had everyone laughing till they were crying treated us to great Ozark music. Everyone was stomping and clapping within a few minutes. The only female in the group tried (was a losing battle), to keep things under control. Surprising talent in this group. Jim especially loved the concluding religious selection. "On my Father's side".
The next thing on the agenda was a hillbilly contest. Wow... there were so seriously strange people walking across that stage... It was a hard decision for us all to make... came down to three contestants... Here is a picture of the group... see? I told you they were strange!! Then they all had to play for us... (spoons, washboard, and jug)... thankfully, the "band" played behind them... but they did pretty well!!

One couple that was one of the group favorites sat behind our table, and we got kind of a kick out of their antics...

Naturally, I have to add a picture of yours truly in my hillbilly outfit. I was not brave enough to join the rest... but I still enjoyed myself.. Could not get Jim to join in... but I at least got him to wear a rope to hold up his trousers, and he had a corn pipe pipe in his shirt pocket (he would not let me take a picture of him)... :-(

Do you remember my telling you about Thor's new found friend, the class A next door?
They became great pals during the week we were in Branson. Who knows what they talked about? Thor begged me to take a picture of his new friend before we pulled out... so I could not say no... (It is his Daddy standing in front)... I convinced them, after much begging (he is shy) to play the song "On the road again" why they were pulling out. I saw a little tear in Thor's eye when he heard them playing the goodbye song on the way out of the park...

In one of the rare spare moments, between seminars, dinners and such, a group of the ladies got together to learn a way of trimming a tee shirt, which is really neat. Linda, the rally coordinator, taught the class. Some of us a quicker learners, I tend to drag behind the group. That is why Jim came along, to encourage me. I did not do one of the shirts... but I know how, once I get home, it will be one of the first things I do. We all enjoyed talking and laughing while working on the shirts...

Well... our time here at Branson has come to a close. What a great time we have had!! We have met so many great folks, and have promised to all keep in touch... till next year, when we all want to join up again.. ( I don't know it I can stand another time like this or not!!) but.. it sure was hard saying bye to all our new friends. Everyone was breaking down their rigs, hugging ... and yes.. a few tears slipped out.... kind of sad, seeing all the rigs lined up leaving... everyone waving... but, hopefully, we will all see each other next year....

It is back on the road for Lil' Alfie's Travels..... hope you have been enjoying our trip....

Pat, Jim and Thor

Crazy town of Branson

We decided to take a few free hours and drive through the town of Branson. My, what a strange town. Kind of like a little Las Vegas. Lots of shops if you are so inclined to want to buy. Lots of places to eat too. The traffic tries your patience to the limit, I must say. Kind of bumper to bumper driving. Folks are not the most courteous. All in a rush, I guess to spend that money. One of the reasons we went was to take a picture of the craziest place we have ever seen. When visiting Branson a few years ago, we drove by this building, but were unable to take a picture. Jim has never forgotten it, so it was top priority this year to capture it on tape.. here it is... what do you think of it? Something else, don't you think? Leave it to Ripley..

We don't really know what this was.. but it caught Jim's eye..






Friday evening we had a wonderful catered dinner and afterward, some of our more brave rv'ers put on a "fashion show", which brought down the house! We all laughed till our sides ached. Such good fun was had by all.





Linda Payne, one of the rally coordinators, really set everyone back on their heels with a "wild and wooly" rendition of a song she dearly loves. It brought everyone up of their feet, stomping and clapping. It really got loud. I know they must have heard us all over the campground. Sure was hard, to end the evening. The rally days are going by so quickly.. we will all hate to say goodbye...

RV Dreams Rally

Our rally is getting in full swing...
The computer instructor, Chris, is having a great time with us... as is the "perfect poodle", Odie.
Everyone here seems to love our little computer geek poodle. He keeps everyone laughing.

Howard and Linda Payne, the rally coordinators, have done a great job, bringing it all together. The idea of a big tent was a inspiration. Everyone gathers under it and have a wonderful time socializing. Keeps us out of the sun too!! It is getting kind of crowded when we all get there together.. over 120 of us!! But everyone has a great time.

We are all meeting fellow rv'ers, who we have been talking to for over a year, so it is like we are meeting "old friends". My picture is with my fellow chat mates, Ellie and Karon. So good to finally meet them. Have so many I want to meet in these four days!! We all wear name tags that were all made up for us.. wasn't that a great idea? Jim and I already have raspy voices.. have not talked this much in I don't know how long. By the time we leave, we will probably have no voices.., ah... what quiet it will be, huh?

This evening we all gathered together for pizza and ice cream. Can you imagine getting in enough pizza for over 120 people? We all had a great time.. but the noise was something else.. all those folks talking... We were entertained with Linda and Howard.. our coordinators... you had to be there .

Well, tomorrow is another full day. So much planned for us... never a dull moment. I will hate to see it all end. Meeting so many great folks. Even Thor... he has made a fast friend with the class A next door. Wonder what they talk about when we are gone?

School Days...

It is back to school for Pat and Jim (Thor was not invited). We took a two day "Re-Boot" class. It was given two days before the rally begins. The instructors are a man and wife team, Jim and Chris Guild. The have a business called "Geeks On Tour". Rather unusual.. they speak at rallies, such as ours, and do a business with Computer services and mobile Internet. Jim and I learned so much, it was unbelievable.. what we did not know. Going into the class, we thought it was mostly for Pat.. being almost completely computer illiterate.. or, as some would say."dumb as dirt". Surprising, Jim found himself saying over and over "I never knew that!!". Wow...
The two days just flew by.. of course my little ol' brain just about could not take it all in, but now I cannot wait to be able to get back and try out all my new found knowledge. We really enjoyed our "training".. and to top it all off, we got to meet and make friends with Odie. Who is Odie, you ask? It is Jim and Chris' little "perfect poodle". He was so lovable... a little "geek" poodle. How about that? I am putting in the blog a couple pictures of our class and our instructors..

TIME FOR THE RALLY

Elvis Where Are You?

Memphis.. Wow... Elvis would never know his hometown now. Graceland was out in the country--now it is smack dab in the middle of town. and here we are in Thor.. lost!! well.. not exactly lost.. more like displaced for a bit. But, thankfully, "Breslin" (that's our GPS), led us out. Boy.. that was a experience for Lil' Alfie. So... it was onward to Branson.
Our next stop.... Toad Suck Ferry... yes, honestly, that's the name!!! In case you don't believe me, I'll send you a picture.

It is a COE Park, which we dearly love. Park like sites, in the woods, along the water way, over looking the lock and dam. Don't get any better than this.. Yes.. that is yours truly sitting on a bench, enjoying the view



Loved watching the family fishing for their supper. While walking around the park in the "cool" of the evening (I use the term cool loosely), since it was almost 90 degrees, we came upon another couple that is heading the the rally in Branson, just like us. It was so great to meet the lady that I have been conversing with on the rally chat room for almost a year. There will be close to one hundred rigs at the rally.. so we will be meeting lots of nice folks.
Well, that is about all for now folks.. it will be on to Branson tomorrow for us and Thor...

M*i*S*S*i*S*S*I*P*P*I.........

Well... on to Mississippi.. wow, I love the name of that place.. guess it was because it was one of the first long words that I learned to spell in school.. boy, I felt so proud!! But golly, it sure is HOT here!! And here I thought that Georgia was hot. Folks are so nice here, they have been so helpful every place we have gone. We are here at the library today.. using their WIFI. neat, huh? For such a small little town (Fulton), they have the nicest library.. with the nicest people you could ask for... But.. as Forest Gump said.. that is all I have to say about that..
We are staying at a COE campground.. For you non-campers, that is Corps of Engineers. Almost all their sites are on the water.. (cause it is a lock and dam) It is like sitting on a lot in a park. We are surrounded by lots of trees (rabbits and squirrel too). Can hardly see the folks next to you. Behind our camp is all wooded, with a path down to a private pier.. can you believe that? Here is a look at it..




Since we have been here two days, it will be time to move on tomorrow. Thor is getting itchy feet again, says he wants to see some new places... So.. till next time, Lil' Alfie's Travels says bye...

Rainy night in Alabama...

First night out... yep-you guessed it.... rain.. and more rain. Clouds followed us all the way to our "Safe Harbor" in Alabama. Just as soon as we found our "spot" for the night.. it let loose!! Wouldn't you know it? How am I supposed to take pictures in this? Guess my picture taking will have to wait till tomorrow heck, I am too tired to worry about it anyway. Setting up in a cloud burst really wears one out!! Had enough energy to hit the local Wal-Mart tho!! Seems like no matter how much I work on my "Don't forget" list, I always forget somethin. But then maybe I just want a excuse to see Wally World.. :-) Well... that is it for day one for Lil' Alfies Travels...