Short driving day...

We're planning a few days in Branson, after getting service done this morning.  Well, just the initial oil change.  We had an 8:00 am appointment, and (as usual) were there early; time to find a place to put the cargo trailer.

We knew that they didn't have a bay that would accommodate our size - Mike, the service manager, said they'd do the work outside.

The young mechanic came out to put the motorhome in front of the service bay... driving it like it was a Mustang... "Easy there, big fella!" I said... yeah, we were in the motorhome while he moved it.  And stayed in it while he did the oil change and 20 point check (or however many points they check).

Joan said, "Maybe they are more careful with it, knowing we are in here."

"Maybe."

The young guy was quick with his work, and had us done around 8:30.  Too early for us to head to the RV park in Branson, so we hooked up the trailer and headed to Village Inn for a leisurely breakfast.

It is 30 miles from the Ford dealer in Ozark to Branson; nice 4-lane road all the way...

And plenty of billboards along the way, telling you what shows you should see while in Branson...

Still a bit early for checking in, so we stopped at Target and Wal-Mart to pick up supplies and groceries.  The Aspect is small enough that big store parking lots aren't an issue.

Around 11:00, we rolled into the Escapees park in Branson (well, Hollister).  We have stayed here before - the Escapees parks are friendly, and this one is well located.  I checked with the manager to see if it would be OK to wash our rig, explaining about all the rain we drove through and promising to use very little water... "No problem."

Not wanting to make a wet mess of our site, I was conservative about the water use, but the Aspect was pretty dirty.  The baby shampoo that Winnebago recommends does a good job getting it clean; well, that and some scrubbing and wiping down.  It is looking good again...

Compared to where we stayed last night, this Escapees park is almost a bargain - less money, more scenic, and bunch of cable TV channels.  There is a picnic table at each site, and a small concrete patio.  All for less than $25 per night, if you are an Escapees member.

For the non-RVers, there is no standard for RV parks.  Most offer electric, water, and sewer.  Some have cable TV and wifi.  Level sites are a plus, as are pull-through sites for us to easily use the scooters (in and out of the trailer).  This park has gravel roads and gravel sites, with grassy areas between each site.  Little Izzy is a fan of having some grass to walk on.

Escapees tend to be full or extended time RVers; it's not a requirement, though.  As such, they tend to be more retired folks and fewer young families with kids, like you often find at KOAs and state parks.  Quieter.  And, they generally have some kind of social hour.

This park is located alongside Turkey Creek (a branch off Taneycomo) - we have a view of the water 100 yards or so away.  We have launched our kayaks here in the past (didn't bring them along this time).

Branson is a hopping place; a bit quieter right now than during the summer.  This park is only about half occupied, something we haven't seen when visiting here in the fall.  We're just looking for some relaxation.  We will probably do a day at Silver Dollar City, and take the scoots on some of the curvy roads in the area.

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Bird Watching...

No, not me with a pair of binoculars.  With the trees, there are a lot of birds nearby.  Little Izzy loves watching the birds.  She watched them from one of the windows in the RV, then asked to go outside for a walk.  Yes, she has to be on a leash... and she patiently waits by the door for me to clip it on. 

We walked for a bit, then the birds in the tree above her started making a fuss.  They are safely beyond her ability to catch them, but she keeps an eye on them...

Watching them fly, this way and that...