Cooper Creek Resort & Campground (https://coopercreekresort.com/wp/ ) has become our second favorite place to visit, first is Beavers Bend State Park, Broken Bow, Oklahoma.  This trip was originally planned as a family vacation, however, with the schools still in session, only a few family members were able to join us.  We were able to celebrate our daughter, Sandi’s 50th birthday with her children, Luke and Lily, (two of our grandchildren), also joining were Cathy and Dean, our sister and brother-in-law, and one of their friends, Kevin Persinger.

We left Dallas on May 12, drove to Springfield, MO, stayed 1-night at the KOA near the airport and the next day picked up our daughter and granddaughter at the airport, Luke rode with us in the truck pulling the RV. We then drove to the Cooper Creek campground in Branson.

Our week highlights were attending two shows in Branson. “JESUS,” is the newly opened in 2021 live show.  A wonderful play that highlighted His life, starting with the calling of the disciples, miracles performed, and included flashbacks to His birth and earlier events.  The Sight and Sound Theatre has a 300-foot stage surrounding the audience from three sides.  (https://www.sight-sound.com/).  Our other live show was the long-running Branson show “Dolly Parton’s Stampede.”  Most of us traveling together on this trip had seen this show previously, however, it was on our daughter’s list of shows to see in Branson. It is a dinner show, so we attended it on our daughter’s actual birthday.  The show is fun, entertaining, and the food is good, they even offer a vegetarian option.  (https://dpstampede.com/branson).  Branson shows are family friendly and appropriate for all ages which is one of the things we like most. 

One day was spent as a fun day focused on the grandchildren’s top-interest, go-carting, run away mountain coaster, and putt-putt golf. It was fun for all the adults too!  Luke, our grandson, was the winner of putt-putt on the guy’s team and received a “free game” for his hole-in-one.  Nana was the winner of putt-putt on the gal’s team, but no free game, no hole-in-one. 

Our evenings were spent playing games, one of our newest favorite games is Rummikub.  Cathy had taught the game to Bill and Karen on our recent visit to Port O’ Connor. We taught it to Sandi and Kevin who both also thoroughly enjoyed playing.  It was raining a few evenings, so we played one evening in Cathy and Dean’s Toy Hauler RV and another evening played in Kevin’s cabin.

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On our last visit to Branson, Kevin took Bill and Karen to the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery ( https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/shepherd-hills-fish-hatchery) and we enjoyed it so much, we took the rest of the group on this trip. Cathy had never visited the hatchery in all of her previous visits, Sandi, Luke and Lily enjoyed the visit too. The Hatchery is in the same location we went trout fishing.

Our last day, after our daughter and granddaughter departed on their return flight home, we were able to finally go fly-fishing and use our new waders, new fly rods and accessories that we originally purchased for our Alaskan roadtrip which was cancelled due to Covid in 2020.  The trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo is some of the best anywhere.  Kevin is originally from Branson and when he returns he stays in the cabins at Cooper Creek.  Lucky for us, Kevin just happens to be very good at fly-fishing and is particularly knowledgeable of Lake Taneycomo.  He was helpful in getting our fly-rods setup with the flies best suited for catching trout this time of year. Also he was patient in helping and instructing those of us who have only fly-fished a few times in our lifetime.  Bill went along with the guys one day, and Cathy and I joined them the next day.  Bill caught a nice size trout and Kevin captured it all on video. Next day, Karen caught three nice size trout.  Kevin, understandably, had the most-catch over our stay and caught about 20 in 3 days.  Most did not meet Missouri’s trout catch regulations and on the last day we really didn’t have time to prepare and cook.  Basically, we took pictures and videos and released all the fish back into the wild. This was a really nice trip and although we were limited a little by a few rainy days, we managed to get all the activities in that we wanted.

Praises and thanksgiving lifted up to our Lord and Savior for His love and protection over us. 

Job 12:7-10