Wild West History

Today we drove a lot of miles and got all the way to just-inside South Dakota. Along the way we managed to find a little time to explore some history.

After stopping in Smithville to see Woodhenge we visited the Pony Express museum and visited the house in which Jesse James was murdered.

The Pony Express museum was pretty interesting. It is housed in what was the stable house and is the place from which the riders would begin the 2000 mile relay. I learned that it was not cheap to send a letter via the Pony Express, it cost approximately $5 at the beginning and after developing lighter paper they were able to get the price down to $1.

Jessie wanted to see the spot where the Pony Express route started. This is the exact spot.

The museum doesn't have a lot of original stuff, but there's not much "original" to show. It does a good job of engaging visitors though. A lot of the exhibits encourage interaction.

Look, we're rebellious!

Jessie could have been a PX rider.

The girls really liked the kids area that encouraged dressing up in olden-days clothes.

Just a couple blocks away from the Pony Express museum is the Jesse James house.

One day, while planning a bank heist with two of his gang members, Jesse reached up to straighten a crooked needlepoint. One of his men shot him in the back of the skull in order to collect the reward. Legend has it the hole in the wall resulted from the bullet exiting the head. Except that today scholars believe the bullet didn't go all the way through. 

In 1995 Jesse James' body was exhumed to perform tests to prove that the body really was his and that his death wasn't faked. Many artifacts were collected and are on display here.

Not the actual Woodhenge

Last summer we visited Carhenge in Nebraska, and earlier this year we saw the Maryhill Stonehenge above the Columbia River. So when I read that we would be driving by Woodhenge just north of Kansas City, I set it as our GPS destination.

To be fair, Roadside America says Woodhenge is "Vandal-Ravaged", and the guy at the park entrance wasn't sure it was worth photographing. Still, we were there, so let's check it out!

It is a sad, sad thing.

Let's focus on the positive: Smithville Lake Park, which hosts what used to be Woodhenge, is beautiful. It is large and well maintained, and has what looks to be an interesting disc golf course.

On our way in the gate guy asked us to let him know what we think. So on the way out we reported back that it is a sad thing. He said he'd imagined anyone who had seen "the actual Woodhenge in England" would be disappointed. He's right about that.

Precious Moments

We drove away from Branson and the beautiful green and rock hills of the Ozarks and the land got flatter and more agricultural. We started seeing more corn fields, something the midwest has a lot of. Goodbye to The South, it was fun to get to know you!

We didn't really want to leave Branson so quickly, it promised so much fun. So before we left town we played a little at one of the many attractions on the strip.

The next few days are largely transit days for us. We have plans to spend quality time in South Dakota and Wyoming in the waning days of the trip, so we have a lot of miles to cover. No more dawdling.

But wait, what is this Precious Moments Chapel? We can dawdle for another hour.

We arrived too late to visit the museum, so we went through the park to the chapel. I think it is easy to make fun of these figurines and drippingly sweet paintings, but clearly it touches some people. There are letters reprinted on the walls from people who were suffering some great pain but who were able to find healing here. God works in mysterious ways.

We left at closing time. It was a pleasant visit.

Further north we stopped in Rich Hill to get our picture taken inside Big Mouth. 

Spin Out

I had so much fun today! I played lazer tag for the first time ever! I had so much fun. I came in third, after Uncle Wes, and before Sarah Michael. We also did bumper boats.

The goal was to get the least wet. I think I won, solely because I figured out how to shoot at a close range. (I will not tell you, for it is my own little secret. MUAHAHAHAHAH) 

We even went go-cart racing! There was this insane mean driver guy who spun me out and really messed up my neck. I can't look up without looking like a turtle. So, naturally, I ran him into the side. I hope he feels bad, because I DON'T!!!! 

We also went to the Precious Moments chapel. I love Precious Moments, and I was on the verge of tears the whole time, especially in the chapel. I loved seeing how many lives these little, Christian based figurenes have changed for the better. The chapel was so amazing, my whole childhood came flooding back to me. Which wasn't all that long ago. But that means I remember more. 

Can't wait for more precious moments in our trip. 

Branson for a Show

Branson Missouri. Yep.

We checked in to the Branson KOA and then hustled over to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, a show Jessie had seen advertised on billboards on the way in to town.

If we are going to Branson we need to have the whole experience.

I assured the girls this would be better than Ebenezer's Barn and Grill. And it was better. We had a great time.

Before the show. Sarah Michael is not convinced.

There was a lot of food. And no silverware. You eat with your hands! The meal featured a biscuit and soup to start, then a whole chicken, pork tenderloin, corn and baked potato followed by an apple turnover for dessert. It was delicious. Way better than any of us expected.

Jessie and Tessa both asked the staff about silverware. They gave a look like we were crazy.

After the show we drove along the strip. This place is busy and there is so much fun stuff to do. It reminds us of the Wisconsin Dells. A family-friendly Las Vegas.

If Branson Missouri is a punchline, the joke is on us. This place looks like a ton of fun. We all wish we had time to stay and enjoy. Alas, we are running out of time and we have to be on our way.