DAY 68 - BRANSON - VANCOUVER, B.C.

Our final day!

Don & Daphne begin their journey.

The final goodbyes!

Well it was time to say 'goodbye' to our RV journey and what a wonderful experience it has been for these past 69 days!    Don & Daphne were now going to take our place and drive our Rig to Phoenix with the rest of the group.   We got up early and had mixed feelings as we packed up our stuff ready for Gil & Sue to take us to the Springfield airport.   Took some photos before we left and then the 4 of us made our way in our truck towards Springfield.  Gil & Sue stayed at the airport for lunch then we said our goodbyes and I even got a kiss from little Max!
He always was such a part of our trip.   We were now on the last leg of our journey flying first to Chicago and then on to Vancouver - but with lots of wonderful memories and certainly the "Trip of a Lifetime".

DAY 67 - BRANSON - MISSOURI



And Max was there too!

 



One special brother & brother-in-law celebrates 65!







What a Celebration!

 Well with just one day before we leave our Rig with Don & Daphne and fly back to Vancouver it was more of a work day for me!    The guys took in a game of golf, Daphne and I stayed in the Rig and Sue, Marg & Jan visited some new shops.  Sue had planned a 65th Birthday dessert celebration with the 10 of us after dinner tonight...it took quite a bit of manipulating - particularly when Gil came to our Rig and wanted to know why we needed to go out for dinner at 4:30 when the show was at 8:00 p.m.   (Enquiring minds want to know!!).   I seemed to be the one to try to give some weak explanation to him  - however it all turned out fabulous!   Congratulations Sue on a great effort!   The guys just golfed 15 holes - we went to the Crackerbarrel for dinner - and came back to Gil & Sue's for the Birthday Cake all in plenty of time!    Went to the 'Oakridge Boys' at 8:00 p.m.   Just wished they had sung more Gospel.   I remember them from my New Zealand days - but unfortunately they sing more secular stuff now.   I probably wouldn't go again....but it was good to hear them once.   Now just one more sleep.....very mixed feelings!

DAY 66 - BRANSON, MISSOURI

What a musical city!    I am sure you could be here for 2 weeks and go to a different show every day and not repeat one!    Today Don & Daphne arrived and Bob & I drove to the Branson Airport to pick them up at 1:30 p.m.  They have come to continue the journey with everyone to Mesa, Arizona using our Truck and Rig and we are very grateful to them for this.   If they hadn't agreed to do this we probably wouldn't have been able to make this wonderful journey.   Tonight the 10 of us went to the Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede and enjoyed a great pre-show, dinner and show.    Again a wonderful evening.  

DAY 65 - BRANSON, MISSOURI

The Platters



The Violinist plays between his legs!

 What a great place Branson is!   Enjoyed a bit of a sleep-in this morning and then while Bob got the truck washed I walked around the 'Outlet Centre'.   Also we had to buy a couple of suitcases - it's amazing how much one can accumulate on a 10 week trip!   This afternoon we enjoyed the 'Platters'....lovely music and very entertaining.  Had tickets for the Andy Williams' show tonight and what a fabulous night that was.   Some of his guests were an incredible violinist - Russian Dancers - an Impersonator and others.  Andy was very entertaining himself and we enjoyed the evening very much.   Tomorow Don & Daphne arrive and they will be taking over our Rig on Thursday when we fly back to Vancouver.   This will be quite an emotional day - bitter-sweet for me.

DAY 64 - MEMPHIS, TN - BRANSON, MS.

Our Campsite in Branson

Well our drive to Branson, Missouri started off a little later than what we had planned as the left Leg on our Rig decided it wasn't going to go up!   We had had this repaired in Winnipeg so this was not good news....however with the expertise of Gil & Ted it was fixed a couple of hours later.   The part only cost $4.20 - and we were so grateful to both of them for all their help.   The moral of the story is:   "always travel with two knowledgeable mechanics and a Doctor - then your journey will be smooth"!!!   One interesting piece of information....the people in the Rig right next door were from Bethlehem a suburb of my home town -  Tauranga, New Zealand.   There were two couples traveling together - both from the Baptist church at Bethlehem - the woman being one of the Pastors!   They actually attended the Baptist church on Cameron Road where we were married before moving to Bethlehem!    We  spent most of the day driving through Arkensas and so now I have another State to add to my list!

Our RV Neighbours from Bethlehem - Tauranga, N.Z.



 


More Beautiful Scenery

  We are staying in a small RV park - but quite nice - and probably the fanciest Laundry room we have seen yet!   We are looking forward to attending some of the shows here in Branson and meeting Don & Daphne on Wednesday who are flying in to continue the journey in our Rig while we fly back to Vancouver.

DAY 63 - MEMPHIS - TN.

Can anyone see a 'surprise' in this picture?

Outside Elvis Presley's Mansion

Elvis's Grave

Our day started at 10 a.m. and finished at 10 p.m.!   Our RV Park was right at Graceland so we could just walk to all the attractions there.   Needless to say we spent the entire day at Graceland (other than walking back to our Rigs for supper) and then back again to hear Joe Kent give a wonderful 'Elvis' show.   He didn't profess to be an Impersonator - just sang great songs, dressed similar to Elvis - but a very clean wholesome show that I would go to again in a minute.    This morning we took the 'Platinum Tour' which included everything except viewing Elvis's report cards!    Seeing the Mansion, his cars, his aeroplane, his grave and many other artifacts - made the day very enjoyable.

DAY 62 - NASHVILLE, TN - MEMPHIS, TN

Bob led today....and we both felt a little sad when we realized that this was the last time we would be doing this!   We have become very accustomed to this life-style....setting-up...pulling-down...securing cupboards with bungy cords....filling our travel coffee cups....charging our cell phones....tying our chairs up and of course pulling our slides in!   Not to mention all the outside work there is to do....but now that it is coming to a close we realize how we are going to miss it.    The friendship and fun the 8 of us have had will certainly not be long forgotton.   I'm writing like this is our last day....it's not - but we do only have 6 more sleeps!    Today was an enjoyable traveling day...nice stop for lunch....a beautiful highway and again lovely trees that were changing color.    After set-up at our lovely Campsite here in Graceland we visited the Memphis Mall to pick up some transferred goods...grocery shopped...and then went to Marg & Ted's for lovely pumpkin pie and coffee.   Our Campsite is called 'Graceland RV Park and Campground' located on Elvis Presley Blvd here in Memphis.    We are very close to all attractions and tomorrow we are so excited to be visiting Elvis's home here in Graceland.