Branson

Branson was one of the places struck by the tornado just before our Spring Break. Since we had already reserved our lodgings, we decided to go ahead with our trip.

It was a long drive, but we made it, without the kids doing too much whining. On the way to our condominium, we could see parts where the tornado had hit. Sometimes buildings lay in ruins in between whole ones, completely missed by the tornado. It was sad to see motels being torn apart, exposing rooms with curtains fluttering in the wind! Shops, restaurants, and museums were damaged, and boarded up.

However, Branson was still a beautiful place. Fortunately, there were enough entertainment places left untouched by the powerful tornado to entertain the Spring Break crowd. On days when we didn't have plans for any paid entertainment, we took the trolley, which didn't cost a penny, and toured the old shops in Branson. The trolley also made a stop at Branson Landing, which was home to "new" shops, restaurants, hotels, and a musical fountain. We spent some time browsing the shops, ate some delicious ice-cream, and just sat and watched the fountain, and activity on the river.