Branson rest day and birthday fun! (August 12-14)

Branson is a mix of WI Dells and Pigeon Forge.  We decided the best way to spend our limited time there was on a duck boat tour.  In case you don't know what I'm talking about, they are WWII era "trucks" that also function as boats.  They are now used for fun tours in areas like Branson and WI Dells.  The trip was  over an hour and took us all over the Branson area.  Charlotte and Graham even got to captain for a short time while on the water.

Duck Quakers...

Table Rock lake was beautiful.

Back in Springfield that night we decided to celebrate my birthday a day early since there were more restaurants in Springfield.  We found a place called Fuji Japanese.  It was a great find...inexpensive hibachi, sushi and a koi pond too!!  They even sang happy birthday (Japanese style), gave me nice metal chopsticks, a pineapple dessert, and a photo as a gift.

The only downside was my swollen jaw.  Lasted through dinner and the rest of that evening, but with some ice and painkillers it was mostly gone the next day.  There were no incidents to case this just the usual activities.  Grinding and jaw issues are not a stranger to my family, so I guess it is just my turn.

Later that night we had cake at our camper.

Now for my actual birth day...

We left Springfield and spent the night in Mtn Grove.  

At this point we have altered our route again and are heading across MO on Hwy 60.  The recommended routes are hilly, narrow and the cars move along on them pretty fast.  Not a great combo for a biker.

It was a low key night of movie watching and dinner.  We finally drank the special bottle of wine that we purchased in Sonoma CA!!

August 14...

From Mtn Grove on to Van Buren.  Another day on Hwy 60, about 84 miles. We visited Big Spring which is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverway.  It is a spring about 55-58 F that comes out of the boulders at the rate of 288 million gallons of water a day!!  It is very clear blue water too.  

One more night in MO...