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Jewel of Missouri

By Viki Stesina. Editor in Chief. Editor@BilingualMag.com

      Imagine the sophisticated look of Manhattan. Picture the crowded streets of downtown Chicago. See the top of the Grand Canyon in all its natural glory. I have traveled to all these places and lots more and none of them have been able to grab my heart and soul the way Branson, Missouri has. Missouri is not such a famous or popular state as some other more prominent destinations. Therefore, it came as a surprise to me to find how wrong my opinion of this original state has been.

Branson is the best-kept secret of Missouri. It is a jewel filled with warmth, uniqueness and most importantly, a heart. The heart of Branson, believe it or not, is not what it’s known for, which is being “the live music capital” of the world, but it’s the magic that lays beneath the mountains and the lakes and the natural beauty that envelope the outskirts of this city. Branson’s uniqueness is hidden behind the rolling hills and the slopes of the most welcoming, warm, charming city.

The evidence of its charm is in the people who welcome tourists with ready smiles and warm words of best wishes. It’s in the charisma of all the attractions for people of all ages. It’s in the glorious sunsets over the Table Rock Lake whose natural beauty only the Mighty could have created. However, those are not the main things that grabbed my soul when I came here. What captivated me the most was the magic feeling that I was left with, as if I were transported to paradise and left there until I reached heaven itself. Its magnificent pull burned to my very soul and stole my heart. For me, Branson became the epitome of peace and serenity, a place of quiet wisdom and prayer, and most importantly, spirituality.

Among the many activities and numerous things to do around town, Branson shines with hope and inspiration. One of the most interesting for me, however, was the Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, where I literally got my hands full with delicious delicacies of soup, chicken, potato, pork and dessert while watching a magnificent and very professionally-done show with talent evident in each segment.

On one of my other adventures I stumbled upon a tour of the Titanic Museum and what an exquisite delight it has been with historic artifacts, recreated scenes from the actual Titanic, including first and third-class cabin accommodations, the slope of the sinking ship, the life boat and the magnificent Grand staircase, just to name a few. The tour even included a short movie featuring the real footage of the Titanic and her famous Captain Edward John Smith.

The amount of shows and activities in Branson seems unlimited. Tourists can find entertainment on every level, be they adults or children. The one show that can be interesting for both is a magic show by Kirby Van Burch and his wife Bambi. The Christmas magic show featured comedy, music, dancing and of course Kirby’s magic tricks. And the show was not complete without elves, Bambi’s mind-reading ability, and the oversized beautifully-ornamented Christmas tree.

Christmas is a very special time in Branson. It is unlike any other town when it comes to the Christmas spirit evident in the decorations, millions of lights and most importantly, people’s sunny smiles and bubbly attitude. The Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights is the most extensive collection of Christmas displays and animated scenes accompanied by a multitude of colored lights. The trail itself is 160 acres long and just as big on fun. In addition to the Trail of Lights, for those who love good food and even better company, there is a Christmas on the Trail cowboy supper show, which happened to impress my big-city-girl heart. A total of ten cowboys all equipped with musical instruments and touching voices sing around a bonfire as everyone else sings along and enjoys a hearty meal, composed of a bowl of chili, smoked sausage, potatoes, corn on the cob and bread pudding. A more heartwarming Christmas experience I cannot imagine.

The choice of lodging is not an easy one at Branson for there are many interesting hotels and resorts each with a unique Branson twist. For me, the choice was made easy when I came to Westgate Branson Lakes at Emerald Pointe in Hollister, Missouri. The five-star resort features individual condos fully equipped with a living room, a dining area, full kitchen, a bedroom, and a bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub, my very own personal favorite. However, the feature that outshines all the others is the magnificent view from the lanai and the bedroom window. First thing in the morning when I open my eyes, I am struck with a heaven’s view of serene water and sizzling sunshine making me blind with wonder and peace at the same time. And I tell you, there is no price high enough for that.

Copyright 2008, www.BilingualMagazine.com

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