October, 2015 -- First Full Day in Branson, MO

Sunday, October 25, 2015 –

After church we had a delicious breakfast in the condo with Jack and Diane, then had a planning session on things we want to see, places to go and shows to watch during this week.  Shortly after noon we started out with wine tasting at Stone Hill Winery … sound familiar?  Yes, the same winery

Stone Hill Winery
Wine Tasting

Bob and I stopped at in Hermann yesterday.  The difference is at the outlet here in Branson we got a “free” tour of their facilities AND about 20 tastings of the different wines … Wow! The best part was watching the crowd of about 24 people loosen up and become very friendly and talkative after 7-8 tastings.  Fun! 

Our next venture was to Top of the Rock Lost Canyon Nature Trail and Cave. It consisted of a two-and-a-half mile ride in an electric golf cart with the four of us (Bob drove) along the Lost Canyon Nature Trail that hugged the side of the mountain.  The

Top of the Rock Lost
Canyon Natural Trail and
Cave

views of the forests, valleys and Table Rock Lake were spectacular, as was the sides of the hills layered in huge slabs of table top-like rocks stacked on top of each other. These rock formations were spectacular with an occasional water fall coming out from between the layers.  Upon entering the cave, the bartender at the bar readily served us beer and drinks, then we continued into the cave.  The center of the little cave is about four stories high with stalagmites and stalactites and a beautiful cascading waterfall that eventually winds its way out of the cave and down the rocky side of the mountain. After squeezing through the cave on our cart, we come to a cute covered bridge that crosses the gully area that has been washed out by thousands of years of running water. All of us thoroughly enjoyed this great adventure.   But we’re not done yet!

table rock formations

Lost Canyon Cave

Behind us, the Chapel of the
Ozarks

From here a shuttle bus took us even further up the hill to buildings that housed several restaurants, tables both inside and out, and a world-famous golf course. Jack, our golfer, was blown away by the Arnold Palmer Driving Range … and he was even more amazed when we came back to see it after dark. Sixteen fully lit greens and three tee decks with recessed lighting were a sight to behold.  By this time it is nearing sunset … which delighted us with a tradition on this rock.  While a gentleman  in kilts played the bag pipes,

Chapel of the Ozarks

three men wearing Confederate uniforms marched to the canon, loaded it and fired it as the sun was setting behind the hilltops.  The view of the mountains, forests, Table Rock Lake and the sunset alongside the stone chapel was spectacular. The three-story stone chapel with its tower perched on the side of the cliff is so cute.  The inside is lined with pews along both sides; there’s a fire place off to the side in front; and the altar area is bare except for a simple cross

Firing the cannon at sunset

encompassing the total glass wall overlooking Table Rock Lake and the valley below.  I understand this is a popular wedding venue! 

Next we strolled down the stone-lined stairway of the Buffalo Bar to the End of the Trail All-American Wine Cellar that was carved into a cave area.  Here only wine and whiskey are served, and the bartender shared a lot about Johnny Morris, who owns Bass Pro Shops and all of these facilities, who is passionate about nature, and who has personally designed this entire area, which also includes the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, commemorating the people and animals that came before us. All around these facilities are statues or dioramas or Native American artifacts. Outside the End of the Trail wWne Cellar is a large square pool featuring a magnificent “End of the trail” bronze statue commemorating the American Indian.  It was so gorgeous right after sunset as the blues and pinks reflected in both the water of the pool and the sky above.  This is a beautiful facility – I’d love to come back and spend more time meandering around it!

Bronze Statue commemorating the American Indian
End of the Trail All-American Wine Cellar