More Fun

What a great day. We went to breakfast not having an idea what we were doing today, but after we finished eating we drove east out of town and saw a train with people waiting by the depot, so Everett and Ken went in and checked it out. With in a matter of minutes, we had purchased our tickets and were in the crowd. We took the train 20 miles south into Arkansas, and saw some wonderful scenery, and heard interesting history of the area and the railway. It took about 2 hours.
We had overheard another couple talking at one of the shows, about the College of the Ozarks and how impressed they were with the time they had spent there. It was a short drive out of Branson, and we were there. We drove around the campus a bit, trying to get our bearing and decided that before we looked at some of the points of interest, we would have lunch. We went to the restaurant that was built just 3 years ago, and what a place that was. It was a beautiful big log building and the dining room was large and elegant. We had a wonderful and tasty lunch. The philosophy of the college is hard work, and all the students attend for free in exchange for 15 hours of work each week+ a forty hour week each semester. It is for students that would not be able to afford a college education, but they have to meet certain standards such as financial need, a christian background, want to work hard, and then will be able to graduate debt free. They have 80 different work stations, some of which are dairy, baking, serving in the restaurant, horticulture, child care, jam making, making fruit cakes ( they make 30,000 a yr. and only sell by order, not to a wholesaler) a mill, basket weaving, using a loom to make rugs, scarves and coasters, making flour and cornmeal etc. etc. It was an amazing place. About 65% of the students are from the Ozarks. All the things they make can be purchased at the college, and right at their work stations.
We went back to Branson, and visited a unique 5 & dime store, that had about everything you could imagine. It was a huge store, and was so full it almost made me dizzy. I found a few interesting things, and so did every one else. Margie and Ken had been there before, 4 years ago when they were in Branson. We also stopped at a quilt store so Margie could look for some fabric, but she was not successful. Next we stopped at another nut, candy store, + lots of other stuff, and we all bought some more snacks etc.
We finally made it back to the motel, so we could relax awhile. After a short nap, Dorothy and Marguerite invited us to their room for a drink. We had a wonderful white grape juice from the Mountain Man Nut and Candy store, It was very tasty, and other snacks were served to go with it. We skipped dinner as a couple of people had taken some of their lunch food with them so we split that. We had enough time to play some cards, 7 hands, before we left for the Presley's show which began at 8PM. We enjoyed the show very much, and over all, we agreed it was a wonderful vacation.
When we returned from the show we finished the last two hands and Dorothy won. I believe I reported earlier that she was boo hooing her losses. It was time for bed!!!