Branson, Missouri

From Russellville Arkansas, we took Scenic Byway 7 north to Branson Missouri. Scenic 7 is one of the most scenic drives in America. It was 125 miles of just amazing vistas of the Ozark Mountains. The two lane Byway with its steep and sharp twists made me drive with both hands on the wheel. It was well worth the three hour drive that it took us. 

Our trip to Branson was for a reason, it was to attend a reunion with my Band of Brothers, my shipmates, the crew of 1970-1975 on the USS Henry B. Wilson. It was an extraordinary time of sharing and getting reacquainted.

41 of my fellow shipmates attended along with retired Vice Admiral Conrad C Lautenbacher Jr,. He served during the G W Bush administration as the Executive Director of NOAA. In 1971, he served as an LT (lieutenant) aboard the USS Henry B Wilson.

Richard Gillaspie best summed it up with what he wrote:

“I’m not an emotional person but this reunion took me off guard. I thought about the last five days and the term Band Of Brothers. I do admit I thought it was stolen from a movie title. I realized this morning it means much more. To me Band of Brothers means reuniting with an old friend you haven’t seen in 45 yrs. To look in his eyes and see past the years , past the wrinkles and see the young man that stood beside you through sea and anchor detail , through vert reps and unreps , oil spills . We shared stories from home , heart breaks and our futures . We went through the fires of war together only to come out stronger. When we left the ship we left physically but not mentally. This is a bond that I haven’t been able to explain to anyone over the years. Unless you go through the fire with someone , you can not be bonded together not in friendship, not in duty. Long live the Band of Brothers .”

Very nice wood carving store Peter Engler Designs
On the Branson Landing Boardwalk, downtown Branson.
“College of the Ozark is unique: no tuition is charged, all students work on campus, debt is openly discouraged, and no federal, state or private loans are made.”  We toured the campus, talked to students and had a lunch at their, rated best place to eat in Branson, student worked Keeter Center. It’s a farm to dining table experience where the students also work the farm.
The Ralph Foster Museum, located on the College of the Ozark campus, contains a vast collection of artifacts with special emphasis on the history and culture of the Ozark Mountain Region.  Here is the original Beverly Hillbilly car.
Side alley off Commercial Street downtown Branson. Full length mural depicting 1913 era.
We got to spend an afternoon with good friends and shipmate Michael & Bobbi Henry. He bought 40 tickets to win the bike and truck. (Hey good buddy!)
Hammering Hank as we called her back in the day! I did two WestPac cruises on this boat!

Where did We Stay?

We stayed at Table Rock Lake State Park, Branson, Mo. My review is HERE (by Land Wanderer)

2 Comments on Branson, MissouriMissouri

2 thoughts on “Branson, Missouri”

  2. You drove thru my favorite route 7 metropolis of Booger Hollow…population 7 counting the one coin dog

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