A quintet of young singers serenaded us at the hotel breakfast this morning, promoting their local show. Stephanie referred to it as an awkward moment. Sometimes you just want to eat your scrambled eggs in peace.
Today’s agenda involved a second day at Silver Dollar City. We did not get the early start that we got yesterday. What a difference one day and 30 minutes makes. The traffic was significantly worse getting to the park today. So much worse that we actually paid $13 for the preferred parking so that we could zip past all the cars waiting in line for the free parking.
Stephanie was very concerned, and vocal, about the large crowds, and how we would be spending 3 hours in line for every ride. Fortunately for us, she was dead wrong about that. We did face a few lines in the afternoon, but aside from that, nothing more than 15 minutes or so.
It was a day to ride some of our favorite rides again, and visit a select few attractions we missed yesterday. The only problem was that quite a few of the rides were closed this morning including the Outlaw Run, Fire In The Hole, Thunderation and Powder Keg. All the rides eventually re-opened and we marked everything off our list.
The main attraction to hit today was the Marvel Cave tour. This family loves a good cave tour, and this one featured plenty of corny jokes by our cave tour guide.
Caves are awe-inspiring
Down into the cave
Since there were many low overhangs throughout our tour, the guide advised all tall people to watch their head. I have a history of leaving my DNA in caves courtesy of my scalp, so Mallory was my handler during this tour. “Watch your head, Dad!” “Watch out for this rock, Dad!” She did good work – I finished the tour unscathed.
Pictures of caves never do them justice, but it was a great cave.
After a few more rides, we concluded our two day trip to Silver Dollar City and returned to the hotel around 4:00. It was time for a very late lunch of leftovers from earlier in the week. And what goes best after a meal? A nap. Most of us took a nap before the evening festivities.
KK and PK spent the day going to the Jonah play. They attended the behind-the-scenes tour ahead of time, and had very nice things to say about both of them. In fact, their show was sold out with 2,000+ in attendance.
Around 7:30, we all loaded up together and made our way to the Presleys’ Country Jubilee. We had an interest in seeing a traditional Branson show, and KK had recommended this one.
This show had it all: country songs, gospel, comedy, and patriotic songs. And you know what? We all loved it. The show features a number of the members of the Presley family plus quite a few other talented musicians and singers.
Some of the comedy that the crowd appreciated most included the line, “His mind is as open as the Texas border.”, and a very topical reference to IRS emails.
Presleys’ Country Jubilee
Comedy Relief
At the conclusion of a particularly hard rockin’ number, several confetti cannons fired from the stage. PK has an aptitude for being startled easily so we were all delighted to see she was doing fine when we checked on her afterward.
The evening was punctuated with a salute to the veterans in attendance – we were well represented with our Marine, KK, and our Air Force National Guardsman, Stephanie. The show ended with a rendition of Glory, Glory Hallelujah and all audience members on their feet.
After the show, Marissa wanted to purchase a Harmonica and instruction manual from the gift shop. One of the Presley boys played the harmonica very well, so this was a natural tie-in. It is going to be an interesting trip back to Tulsa if that harmonica is not misplaced before then. (Not intended to be foreshadowing.)
Marissa and her new harmonica
Once we left the theatre, we drove up and down the Highway 76 strip looking for a place to grab a bite to eat, but the only place we pulled over at was closed. We gave up and decided to head back to the hotel when KK mentioned they had cheese and crackers in their room. Problem solved.
Following the late night snack, KK and PK hosted a Phase 10 card game in their room featuring Miles, Mallory and PK (won by Mallory). Naps and card games. This vacation is finally hitting its stride.