Branson, MO. Nov 3rd - 7th

"Live Entertainment Capital of the World" or "Vegas of the Bible Belt". These are both nicknames that Branson has acquired and they're both pretty accurate. It's definitely an interesting mix of glitz (not so glam) with a very family friendly vibe which reflects the Christian culture of the area. Lots of themed shows and attractions. You know the saying "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". That doesn't apply to Branson. I'd call it the G rated version of Vegas so not much to worry about. We saw The Haygoods while we were there. They're a family of six brothers and sisters that have been performing together for 30+ years. All of them are incredibly talented and play multiple instruments. But we found the show to be a bit gimicky and we were turned off on the amount of time they spent trying to sell their box sets, CDs, albums, programs, pictures, books, teddy bears, blah, blah, blah.

I'd definitely recommend Lakeshore RV Resort. Lakefront spots with new, level concrete pads and full hook ups. Nice shade and thick grass for the dogs. Their amenities are very minimal right now so calling it a resort is a bit of a stretch, but they're in the process of a complete make over which will include a pool, dog park, etc. Should only continue to get better. We LOVED our site. Nice privacy, easy hook ups, and a great view of the lake and bridge. Only downside was some traffic noise.

We spent an afternoon in historic downtown where they were having Fall Fest so most of the shops were decorated. We also spent an afternoon at Branson's Landing, an entertainment area on the water with shops, restaurants, etc. If we didn't have the dogs with us we probably would have visited Dogwood Canyon and Top of the Rock. Several people told us they're beautiful. Branson also has plenty of lakes for outdoor activities like boating, fishing, etc.

We found a nice gym just a few miles (easy bike ride) from the resort for some workouts. Otherwise, we mostly laid low for a few days with Melissa getting to do a little shopping and me having time to watch football, F1 racing, and NASCAR. We also had time to start planning our 2026 itinerary, which will take us back west through the Southern US. It's still a work in progress but we should be able to publish updates in the next few weeks. Fixed some delicious meals as well.

Now we we continue heading south. Yesterday, we drove 296 miles through Arkansas to Southaven, Mississippi (about 15 minutes outside Memphis, TN) where we're staying at EZ Daze RV Park. We'll check out Graceland, Beale Street, etc. while we're here but last night was a good start. After a long day of driving, we decided to grab dinner at La Capital Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar. We weren't expecting much but we got great food, a pitcher of Don Julio margaritas, and live entertainment. Worked for us and the dogs!

Make it a great week!