We started out the day yesterday with some kayaking. Nice temps, partly cloudy, light wind - a great time to be out paddling (or pedaling, in the case of the Hobie). Note that the Blonde isn't paddling here - that's a pump for pulling water out of the kayak... or for shooting water at another kayak...
Another advantage of the Hobie: pedal power. Notice that she can't paddle and shoot water at the same time with that sit-in kayak... I can stay out of range on the Hobie.
Out into Taneycomo, and off towards Branson Landing...
I said, "I don't think we're supposed to tie off there - no cleats and no opening in the railing."
She said, "It's a dock. And we're having bar-b-que for lunch."
Who am I to argue? Determination...
Back to the campground after lunch, we hosed off the kayaks and put them away... time to clean up for the "big boat" part of the day: a dinner show at the Branson Belle, on Table Rock Lake. It's a BIG boat, billed as "America's largest ship built on a land-locked lake." Passenger capacity: 700. Obviously, built just for dinner/entertainment cruises...
Up on the top deck, before the show...
And we were dressed like grown-ups...
The meal was decent albeit institutional, and the entertainment was Branson-style: music and some comedy. The MC is also a magician, a good band, 6 young guys singing boy-band type songs, and the headliner: a pretty blonde who played violin, sang, and did an aerial act on silk strands while playing the violin; all well done and well choreographed.
It rained while we were underway, but that didn't make any difference - you couldn't tell when the boat left the dock... the only way you knew we were moving was a glance out the window. And frankly, it's the meal and entertainment that is the attraction - the fact that it's on a big boat is really secondary in this case. The boat doesn't go far or fast... it burns about 10 gallons per mile.
We did step outside for a look at the sunset...
And on the drive home, there was a pretty view of the clouds settling in the valley...
2 comments:
All-in-all, I'd say it was a pretty nice day.
Hi Bryan - indeed. There's that old saying about "a bad day on the water is still better than a good day in the office." But a good day on the water... oh, that's really good... especially when BBQ is involved. ;-)
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