Time with Mary and Bob in Branson, Missouri

October 24, 2008

After a leisurely morning in the Roadtrek we went over to visit with Bob and Mary. We spent the morning discussing this and that. Kandy stopped over to drop off some of her special chicken dumpling stew. (Wow was that good!!) She is so sweet. She even helped Bob figure a way out of Branson that has the fewest hills. We promised to keep in touch.






In the afternoon we went to see the world’s largest museum attraction located in Branson, Titanic. The two-story building is built like the front of the ship to half scale! We walked up to the ship and received our boarding pass and identity of a true passenger. Will was Captain Edward John Smith. Kathy was Helen Churchill Hungerford Candee, a beautiful six-foot tall middle-aged woman. As you go through the museum you are told stories about your character from real people dressed as crew. You also can get an audio tour that reveals even more stories as you go through the ship; we highly suggest it. There were over 700 artifacts in the twenty galleries we walked through. We came to know real passengers through their stories, personal memorabilia, photos, cards and letters. Everything on display once belonged to a Titanic passenger or crew member and were either taken off the hip at the time of the sinking or were found floating in the debris field; nothing was recovered from the wreck site. At least not yet.

We got to touch a regenerating iceberg, walk on a replica of the grand staircase from Third to First Class, see two ship models-one made for the movie and one as she appeared on her maiden voyage, view a 1912 dress created by passenger Lucy, look inside replicas of the rooms including the Captain’s bridge where Will, stood at the wheel just as he use to do when he was in the Navy, and sit in a lifeboat and listen to passenger stories. The only know photographs taken onboard Titanic were taken by Father Browne and were found in the 70’s; they were really neat to look through. These pictures are priceless. The story of the little bear was heart wrenching.

One gallery was of the discovery and exploration of the wreck. The pictures and movie of this are remarkable. Another was of the movie. The last with names of all passengers and grew showed two crewmembers named Bradley. Neither survived so Will is not related to either.

As we walked from gallery to gallery, touched, saw, and listened to Titanic tales we became intimate with the details and the people. It is through the passing of these tales that the people have and will stay alive. With over a million visitors they are alive and well in the hearts of many. Captain Smith remained in the bridge area and went down with his ship; Ms Candee became a writer and joined with Margaret Brown, another surviving passenger as an advocate for woman’s rights.

One man, John Josyn, is the one who put together the recovery mission for Titanic has made this attraction come to life. He recently purchased a suitcase from the last survivor, a 91 year old woman, from England and will see that she lives out the rest of her life in a lifestyle that is comfortable.

This was a great exhibit. No cameras permitted so check it out at http://www.titanicbranson.com/.

After dinner at Baldknobber’s we went to the show at Circle B Theater, Redhead Express. Unknowingly we had saved the best show or last! The Walker family came from Alaska fulfilling a dream, following their love of music. Mom, Dad and the seven children all entertain bringing bluegrass, gospel, western, mountain music and comedy together in a wonderful evening of family fun. The four girls, yes redheads, are so talented on their cello, banjo, guitar and fiddle. Kendra, the eldest is also a songwriter. The young boys are very entertaining as hillbilly kids in their act, playing and singing with the family and being in charge of lighting, organization and product management. We just fell in love with them all. After the show we found out they will be coming the Texas Rio Grande Valley in mid January!! Check them out at http://www.redheadexpress.com/.